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

CUFCAM401A Mapping and Delivery Guide
Shoot a wide range of television content

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency CUFCAM401A - Shoot a wide range of television content
Description This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to shoot a wide range of content for television programs.No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement.
Employability Skills This unit contains employability skills.
Learning Outcomes and Application This unit describes the skills and knowledge required by a camera person who usually works without supervision to shoot television content using professional video equipment. The person undertakes the preparation and technical aspects of a shoot, including camera, sound and lights.On occasion, the camera person works with a sound recordist or lighting technician and may coordinate their operations. Other duties may include manipulation of cameras, e.g. on dolly tracks and cable control.Program styles covered by this unit include news and current affairs, corporate videos, coverage of events and relatively complex documentary materials. Typically the camera person contributes creatively to outcomes and works collaboratively with producers or directors, either as an employee of a production house or as a freelancer on assignment.More complex skills associated with shooting material under special conditions are covered in:CUFCAM501A Shoot material for screen productions under special conditions.
Duration and Setting X weeks, nominally xx hours, delivered in a classroom/online/blended learning setting.
Prerequisites/co-requisites
Competency Field Media and entertainment production - Camera/cinematography
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 shoots
  • Attend pre-production briefings and contribute creative ideas for the visual interpretation of intended productions
  • Appraise ideas for shots, taking into account the potential impact on costs, timelines, scripts and technical feasibility
  • Survey locations prior to shoots as required
  • Plan, prepare and pack required equipment and accessories for shoots, including special requirements, such as lenses and filters
  • Ensure equipment is in working order and fix minor faults or arrange to have them fixed
  • Select capture media that is appropriate and sufficient to meet production requirements
  • Anticipate OHS requirements as they apply to the preparation and implementation of shoots
  • Complete required documentation
       
Element: Set up shoots
  • Survey sites and determine camera positions to achieve shots and compositions best suited to production requirements
  • Generate a range of ideas that offer creative solutions for particular productions
  • Appraise ideas for potential impact on cost, schedules, technical feasibility and suitability to meet production requirements
  • Set up and implement lighting plans, and install required cables
  • Confirm light temperature and exposures are sufficient for production requirements by utilising appropriate light meters
  • Position microphones and conduct audio checks
  • Liaise and collaborate with other production personnel and talent to maximise creative outcomes
  • Rehearse shots as required
       
Element: Shoot content
  • Check camera movements to implement planned and rehearsed shots where applicable
  • Ensure captured shots meet editing and other post-production requirements
  • Employ photographic and composition techniques to achieve aesthetic requirements and to capture well-composed and well-focused shots
  • Collaborate with other production personnel where applicable and respond to directions as required
  • Coordinate inputs from other crew members as required to achieve the desired images
  • Ensure safe work practices are applied at all times
  • Record audio using appropriate microphones or coordinate sound operations as required
       
Element: Wrap up shoots
  • Pack and store equipment using safe lifting practices
  • Ensure recorded content is identified, labelled and available for post-production
  • Ensure locations are left in original state
  • Brief editors and producers on post-production issues as required
  • Complete necessary documentation
  • Review and reflect on own performance and note areas for 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.

The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Evidence of the following is essential:

ability to work within production deadlines and to plan and organise all aspects of camera shoots

ability to contribute creative interpretations and ideas in the context of planning shots to meet production requirements

collaborative approach to work, including ability to work under direction

ability to operate a range of cameras and ancillary equipment

knowledge and application of photographic principles.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure:

access to professional equipment based on items listed in the range statement

access to facilities to produce a show tape, which demonstrates aptitude across a reasonable spectrum of program types and the ability to gather content across a variety of locations, conditions and subject matter

access to appropriate learning and assessment support when required

use of culturally appropriate processes, and techniques appropriate to the language and literacy capacity of learners and the work being performed.

Method of assessment

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:

direct questioning combined with review of portfolios of evidence and third-party workplace reports of on-the-job performance

evaluation of a range of screen content shot by the candidate to determine whether production requirements have been met

observation of the candidate setting up and operating camera and lighting equipment on location

written or verbal questioning to test knowledge as listed in the required skills and knowledge section of this unit.

Guidance information for assessment

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:

BSBCRT402A Collaborate in a creative process

CUFCAM402A Shoot television content in a multi-camera environment

CUSSOU406A Record sound on location.

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.

Required skills

communication skills sufficient to interpret and discuss creative requirements for productions

ability to work and communicate effectively as a team member

technical skills sufficient to:

operate a range of professional camera, lighting and audio equipment in the context of a range of program styles

manipulate and move cameras and cables as part of a team

initiative and enterprise in the context of:

making creative contributions to program ideas and outcomes

troubleshooting and solving operational problems quickly and efficiently as they arise during shoots

self-management and planning skills sufficient to:

work under pressure

balance creative and technical requirements

evaluate own contribution to creative solutions

literacy skills sufficient to provide written and verbal instructions, e.g. shot lists, labelling

numeracy skills sufficient to make decisions that take account of budgetary constraints

Required knowledge

industry knowledge, including:

roles and responsibilities of production and post-production team members

broad understanding of the creative and technical elements of a range of television productions

broadcast language and terminology

issues and challenges that arise in the context of shooting a wide range of television content

features of a range of cameras and equipment

framing techniques and shot composition

well-developed understanding of photographic principles, such as:

exposure

focus

tonal relationships

light sources

sensitivity and balancing

camera interpretation of colour

colour correction techniques

colour temperature and compensation and how this determines the selection of gels and filters

features of different types of light-measuring devices

basic principles of lighting, e.g. key, fill and back light

types of artificial/introduced light sources available to camera operators

OHS and public health and safety procedures, particularly as they relate to shooting on location

characteristics of commonly used microphones and their application in a range of environments

characteristics of audio signals under variable conditions, e.g. pitch, wavelength, frequency, dynamics and distortions

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Productions may include:

animations

corporate videos

documentaries

drama

EFP (electronic field production)

ENG (electronic news gathering)

events or performances

infotainment

life style programs

news and current affairs

pieces to camera

training videos.

Locations may include:

on location (interior, exterior)

outside broadcast

studio.

Shoots may include:

combined video and audio function

fixed/supported

hand-held operation

separate video and audio record functions

single-camera.

Equipment and accessories may include:

autocue monitor

AVCHD (high definition)

batteries - lead/acid Ni-Cad/lithium ION

Betacam

Betacam SP

cables

cue card holders

digital Betacam

digital DVC Pro

DV Cam

DVD camcorder

headphones

lighting kit

microphones

fixed

pole

lapel

Mini DV

mobile phones

mounts

talkback facility

tape recorder

tripod

two-way intercom

video split monitor.

Lenses may include:

fixed

lens hood

macro

micro

wide-angle

wide-angle adaptor

zoom.

Filters may include:

chromatic

colour

colour correction

correction filters

enhancers

graduated: hard-edge, soft-edge, attenuated coloured, neutral density

non-specific colour

polarising

ultraviolet.

Capture media may include:

CD

DVD

flashcards

P2 solid-state drive

small hard drive

videotape.

Documentation may include:

computer generated/manually written

emails/SMS

fault reports

film and battery labels

production schedule

running sheets

script

shot lists

stock order forms.

Shots may include:

close-up

cutaway shot

establishing or master shot

extreme close-up

eye-level shot

hand-held

high-angle

long shot

low-angle

mid shot

pan

point-of-view shot

static

tilt

track

wide shot

zoom in

zoom out.

Lighting may include:

back light

bounced light

colour temperature

effect light, e.g. on backgrounds

fill light

flood light

HMI (hydrargyrum medium arc-length iodide)

interior lights

key light

light meters

spot light

tungsten

types of luminaries.

Production personnel may include:

animator

camera assistant

director/producer

editor

floor manager

journalist/reporter

researcher

safety officer

sound mixer/designer

sound recordist

supervisors

technical producer.

Talent may include:

actors

general public, e.g. vox pops

interviewees

interviewers

journalists/reporters

performers

presenters.

Camera movements may include:

dolly

hand-held

pan

tilt

tracking

zoom in/zoom out.

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
Attend pre-production briefings and contribute creative ideas for the visual interpretation of intended productions 
Appraise ideas for shots, taking into account the potential impact on costs, timelines, scripts and technical feasibility 
Survey locations prior to shoots as required 
Plan, prepare and pack required equipment and accessories for shoots, including special requirements, such as lenses and filters 
Ensure equipment is in working order and fix minor faults or arrange to have them fixed 
Select capture media that is appropriate and sufficient to meet production requirements 
Anticipate OHS requirements as they apply to the preparation and implementation of shoots 
Complete required documentation 
Survey sites and determine camera positions to achieve shots and compositions best suited to production requirements 
Generate a range of ideas that offer creative solutions for particular productions 
Appraise ideas for potential impact on cost, schedules, technical feasibility and suitability to meet production requirements 
Set up and implement lighting plans, and install required cables 
Confirm light temperature and exposures are sufficient for production requirements by utilising appropriate light meters 
Position microphones and conduct audio checks 
Liaise and collaborate with other production personnel and talent to maximise creative outcomes 
Rehearse shots as required 
Check camera movements to implement planned and rehearsed shots where applicable 
Ensure captured shots meet editing and other post-production requirements 
Employ photographic and composition techniques to achieve aesthetic requirements and to capture well-composed and well-focused shots 
Collaborate with other production personnel where applicable and respond to directions as required 
Coordinate inputs from other crew members as required to achieve the desired images 
Ensure safe work practices are applied at all times 
Record audio using appropriate microphones or coordinate sound operations as required 
Pack and store equipment using safe lifting practices 
Ensure recorded content is identified, labelled and available for post-production 
Ensure locations are left in original state 
Brief editors and producers on post-production issues as required 
Complete necessary documentation 
Review and reflect on own performance and note areas for improvement 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

CUFCAM401A - Shoot a wide range of television content
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

CUFCAM401A - Shoot a wide range of television content

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: