Unit of Competency Mapping – Information for Teachers/Assessors – Information for Learners

CUACAM601 Mapping and Delivery Guide
Direct cinematography for screen productions

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency CUACAM601 - Direct cinematography for screen productions
Description
Employability Skills
Learning Outcomes and Application This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to devise and manage single and multi-camera shoots across a wide range of screen, media and entertainment productions.It applies to individuals responsible for composing shots and lighting scenes to provide screen productions with their unique visual look. They work closely with directors and camera and lighting crews to achieve the required creative outcomes. The final call on the composition of shots and the look of productions rests with directors.No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Duration and Setting X weeks, nominally xx hours, delivered in a classroom/online/blended learning setting.

Assessment must be conducted in a safe environment where evidence gathered demonstrates consistent performance of typical activities experienced in creative arts industry environments. The assessment environment must include access to:

professional camera and lighting equipment and accessories

opportunities to plan and direct cinematography work.

Assessors of this unit must satisfy the requirements for assessors in applicable vocational educational and training legislation, frameworks and/or standards.
Prerequisites/co-requisites
Competency Field
Development and validation strategy and guide for assessors and learners Student Learning Resources Handouts
Activities 		Slides
PPT 		Assessment 1 Assessment 2 Assessment 3 Assessment 4
Elements of Competency Performance Criteria              
Element: Prepare for shoot
  • Participate in preproduction meetings with relevant production personnel to establish overall production requirements for shoot
  • Analyse scripts or screenplays to determine required artistic and visual outcomes
  • Research issues relevant to production needs and propose creative and technically feasible solutions and ideas
  • Develop or refine existing camera plans according to production requirements
  • Negotiate amendments to camera plans and circulate final camera specifications to relevant production personnel
  • Prepare lists of required equipment, accessories and supplies, and arrange for acquisition in line with available budgets and timelines
  • Block shots for use during rehearsals and shoot in collaboration with production personnel, taking into account impact on overall production requirements
  • Brief production personnel on equipment, accessories and other production requirements for shoot
  • Follow work health and safety (WHS) requirements as they apply to the preparation and implementation of shoot
       
Element: Manage set up for shoot
  • Manage selection and set-up of equipment and accessories to meet planned shots, ensuring safety of relevant production personnel and other participants
  • Confirm cameras are matched correctly and lighting is appropriate for intended shots and scenes
  • View proposed shots and set-ups through viewfinder or on monitors and make creative and technical adjustments as required
  • Participate in rehearsals, noting required changes and instruct camera and lighting crews accordingly
  • Mark up and establish shots and lighting requirements to reflect artistic and style needs of shoot
  • Maintain ongoing supervision and collaboration with relevant production personnel to maximise creative outcomes
       
Element: Direct shoot content
  • Direct camera and lighting crews to achieve required cinematographic outcomes
  • Monitor output of camera operations to ensure cuts and dissolves between shots produce required technical and creative outcomes
  • Operate camera as required while maintaining overview of creative and technical criteria
  • Check camera movements do not obstruct the work of production personnel and talent
  • Communicate any variations to predetermined plans to production personnel
  • Attend daily viewings of rushes to assess quality and relevance of recorded material and schedule reshoots where necessary
       
Element: Wrap up shoot
  • Supervise dismantling, packing and storing of equipment and accessories and complete necessary documentation
  • Check locations are left in original or improved state
  • Participate in post-production editing activities and provide additional materials as required
  • Participate in debriefings and reflect on own performance and that of production crews, noting areas for future improvement
       


Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1. Prepare for shoot

1.1 Participate in preproduction meetings with relevant production personnel to establish overall production requirements for shoot

1.2 Analyse scripts or screenplays to determine required artistic and visual outcomes

1.3 Research issues relevant to production needs and propose creative and technically feasible solutions and ideas

1.4 Develop or refine existing camera plans according to production requirements

1.5 Negotiate amendments to camera plans and circulate final camera specifications to relevant production personnel

1.6 Prepare lists of required equipment, accessories and supplies, and arrange for acquisition in line with available budgets and timelines

1.7 Block shots for use during rehearsals and shoot in collaboration with production personnel, taking into account impact on overall production requirements

1.8 Brief production personnel on equipment, accessories and other production requirements for shoot

1.9 Follow work health and safety (WHS) requirements as they apply to the preparation and implementation of shoot

2. Manage set up for shoot

2.1 Manage selection and set-up of equipment and accessories to meet planned shots, ensuring safety of relevant production personnel and other participants

2.2 Confirm cameras are matched correctly and lighting is appropriate for intended shots and scenes

2.3 View proposed shots and set-ups through viewfinder or on monitors and make creative and technical adjustments as required

2.4 Participate in rehearsals, noting required changes and instruct camera and lighting crews accordingly

2.5 Mark up and establish shots and lighting requirements to reflect artistic and style needs of shoot

2.6 Maintain ongoing supervision and collaboration with relevant production personnel to maximise creative outcomes

3. Direct shoot content

3.1 Direct camera and lighting crews to achieve required cinematographic outcomes

3.2 Monitor output of camera operations to ensure cuts and dissolves between shots produce required technical and creative outcomes

3.3 Operate camera as required while maintaining overview of creative and technical criteria

3.4 Check camera movements do not obstruct the work of production personnel and talent

3.5 Communicate any variations to predetermined plans to production personnel

3.6 Attend daily viewings of rushes to assess quality and relevance of recorded material and schedule reshoots where necessary

4. Wrap up shoot

4.1 Supervise dismantling, packing and storing of equipment and accessories and complete necessary documentation

4.2 Check locations are left in original or improved state

4.3 Participate in post-production editing activities and provide additional materials as required

4.4 Participate in debriefings and reflect on own performance and that of production crews, noting areas for future improvement

Evidence of the ability to:

analyse scripts and undertake research to inform discussions with creative personnel about the visual look of productions

finalise camera plans that outline shots and sequences required to achieve desired visual style for productions

take account of timelines, budget and resource constraints when preparing for shoots

test proposed shots in rehearsals and fine-tune set-up and lighting to optimise quality of shots

direct camera and lighting crews in shoots to achieve required technical and creative outcomes

view film shot each day and organise to shoot material again if required

contribute to post-production editing activities.

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

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

describe how crew members and production personnel interact with the person directing cinematography

identify typical problems that arise in the context of directing cinematography and briefly describe solutions

explain how shot lists and camera plans are prepared

explain how production scheduling affects the process of planning cinematography

outline how artistic and style needs of the shoot are met using lighting and camera techniques

describe the role the person directing cinematography plays in the post-production process

outline work health and safety procedures that apply to film shoots.

Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assignment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)

Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1. Prepare for shoot

1.1 Participate in preproduction meetings with relevant production personnel to establish overall production requirements for shoot

1.2 Analyse scripts or screenplays to determine required artistic and visual outcomes

1.3 Research issues relevant to production needs and propose creative and technically feasible solutions and ideas

1.4 Develop or refine existing camera plans according to production requirements

1.5 Negotiate amendments to camera plans and circulate final camera specifications to relevant production personnel

1.6 Prepare lists of required equipment, accessories and supplies, and arrange for acquisition in line with available budgets and timelines

1.7 Block shots for use during rehearsals and shoot in collaboration with production personnel, taking into account impact on overall production requirements

1.8 Brief production personnel on equipment, accessories and other production requirements for shoot

1.9 Follow work health and safety (WHS) requirements as they apply to the preparation and implementation of shoot

2. Manage set up for shoot

2.1 Manage selection and set-up of equipment and accessories to meet planned shots, ensuring safety of relevant production personnel and other participants

2.2 Confirm cameras are matched correctly and lighting is appropriate for intended shots and scenes

2.3 View proposed shots and set-ups through viewfinder or on monitors and make creative and technical adjustments as required

2.4 Participate in rehearsals, noting required changes and instruct camera and lighting crews accordingly

2.5 Mark up and establish shots and lighting requirements to reflect artistic and style needs of shoot

2.6 Maintain ongoing supervision and collaboration with relevant production personnel to maximise creative outcomes

3. Direct shoot content

3.1 Direct camera and lighting crews to achieve required cinematographic outcomes

3.2 Monitor output of camera operations to ensure cuts and dissolves between shots produce required technical and creative outcomes

3.3 Operate camera as required while maintaining overview of creative and technical criteria

3.4 Check camera movements do not obstruct the work of production personnel and talent

3.5 Communicate any variations to predetermined plans to production personnel

3.6 Attend daily viewings of rushes to assess quality and relevance of recorded material and schedule reshoots where necessary

4. Wrap up shoot

4.1 Supervise dismantling, packing and storing of equipment and accessories and complete necessary documentation

4.2 Check locations are left in original or improved state

4.3 Participate in post-production editing activities and provide additional materials as required

4.4 Participate in debriefings and reflect on own performance and that of production crews, noting areas for future improvement

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Participate in preproduction meetings with relevant production personnel to establish overall production requirements for shoot 
Analyse scripts or screenplays to determine required artistic and visual outcomes 
Research issues relevant to production needs and propose creative and technically feasible solutions and ideas 
Develop or refine existing camera plans according to production requirements 
Negotiate amendments to camera plans and circulate final camera specifications to relevant production personnel 
Prepare lists of required equipment, accessories and supplies, and arrange for acquisition in line with available budgets and timelines 
Block shots for use during rehearsals and shoot in collaboration with production personnel, taking into account impact on overall production requirements 
Brief production personnel on equipment, accessories and other production requirements for shoot 
Follow work health and safety (WHS) requirements as they apply to the preparation and implementation of shoot 
Manage selection and set-up of equipment and accessories to meet planned shots, ensuring safety of relevant production personnel and other participants 
Confirm cameras are matched correctly and lighting is appropriate for intended shots and scenes 
View proposed shots and set-ups through viewfinder or on monitors and make creative and technical adjustments as required 
Participate in rehearsals, noting required changes and instruct camera and lighting crews accordingly 
Mark up and establish shots and lighting requirements to reflect artistic and style needs of shoot 
Maintain ongoing supervision and collaboration with relevant production personnel to maximise creative outcomes 
Direct camera and lighting crews to achieve required cinematographic outcomes 
Monitor output of camera operations to ensure cuts and dissolves between shots produce required technical and creative outcomes 
Operate camera as required while maintaining overview of creative and technical criteria 
Check camera movements do not obstruct the work of production personnel and talent 
Communicate any variations to predetermined plans to production personnel 
Attend daily viewings of rushes to assess quality and relevance of recorded material and schedule reshoots where necessary 
Supervise dismantling, packing and storing of equipment and accessories and complete necessary documentation 
Check locations are left in original or improved state 
Participate in post-production editing activities and provide additional materials as required 
Participate in debriefings and reflect on own performance and that of production crews, noting areas for future improvement 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

CUACAM601 - Direct cinematography for screen productions
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Assessment Record Sheet

CUACAM601 - Direct cinematography for screen productions

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: