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Follow the links below to find material targeted to the unit's elements, performance criteria, required skills and knowledge

Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Prepare to create special effects
   • Confirm special effects requirements and timelines in consultation with relevant personnel and with reference to production documentation
   • Based on analysis of special effects requirements, suggest changes to specifications if appropriate, and confirm final requirements with relevant personnel
   • Discuss with relevant personnel a range of construction methods and techniques that could be used to meet design and production requirements
   • Consider the effect of lighting on materials and finishes when choosing methods and techniques
   • Agree on methods and techniques that will provide the best visual interpretation of script requirements, taking into account budget and time constraints
   • Select required equipment and materials according to design and production requirements
2. Construct special effects
   • Participate in ongoing discussions throughout the construction process to ensure special effects design requirements are met
   • Create special effects items using selected materials and production techniques
   • Observe health and safety and industry safety guidelines throughout the construction phase
   • Participate in ongoing production technique trials to achieve the best results and solve problems that arise during the construction phase
   • Label and store partially completed special effects items to enable easy retrieval and to avoid loss or damage during the production phase
3. Finalise special effects
   • In consultation with relevant personnel, evaluate and check special effects items for accuracy and compliance with design and production specifications
   • Adjust special effects items as required
   • Label and store finished special effects in readiness for productions
   • Evaluate own performance in the process of creating special effects items and note areas for improvement

Performance Evidence

Evidence of the ability to:

interpret special effects design documentation

contribute to planning construction of physical special effects to meet production requirements

select and use the most appropriate tools, equipment and techniques to safely construct special effects items that meet production requirements

complete work within agreed timelines

contribute to solving problems with special effects items identified in trials

work collaboratively with others on special effects construction projects.

Note: If a specific volume or frequency is not stated, then evidence must be provided at least once.

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Knowledge Evidence

To complete the unit requirements safely and effectively, the individual must:

describe roles and responsibilities of art and construction personnel involved in design and construction of physical special effects

explain how artistic and technical elements of productions affect the process of constructing physical special effects items

identify typical problems of constructing physical special effects for screen and entertainment industry productions, and briefly describe solutions

outline principles and techniques for constructing physical special effects items

describe properties, applications and durability of different materials used to construct physical special effects

describe behaviours of different materials, finishes, painting techniques and colours under lighting

explain techniques for trialling special effects items during the construction phase

describe health and safety procedures and safety guidelines that relate to the safe use of equipment and materials to create physical special effects.

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