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

CUFCAM403A Mapping and Delivery Guide
Plan and implement installation of camera supports

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency CUFCAM403A - Plan and implement installation of camera supports
Description This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to plan for and rig all types of camera supports used in film or television production environments.A scaffolder's licence is required for the erection of camera towers and platforms.
Employability Skills This unit contains employability skills.
Learning Outcomes and Application This unit focuses on the skills and knowledge required to plan, erect and install mounts for cameras for a range of television and film productions. It includes the use of camera towers, platforms, dolly tracks, jibs and cranes. Generally this work is based on camera plans provided by a technical producer.Operations assistants employed at television stations or brought in as freelancers, are usually responsible for this work, which may involve the supervision of other team members.Towers, platforms and cranes are a feature of outside broadcasts but are used for some studio productions.The use of cranes mainly involves the installation of hothead camera mounts for remote-control operation.Typical programs include coverage of sporting events, concerts, festivals, and drama and comedy productions.Skills associated with manipulating cables during productions are covered in: CUFCAM301A Shoot material for screen productions.Skills associated with rigging cabling and dolly tracks for relatively complex productions are covered in:CUFCAM302A Rig camera infrastructure.Skills associated with operating cameras mounted on moving supports are covered in:CUFCAM402A Shoot television content in a multi-camera environment.
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: Plan and prepare camera mount equipment and support materials
  • With reference to camera plans, confirm equipment and support requirements for production
  • Assess risks and OHS issues associated with installing camera supports and operating cameras from supports during shoots
  • Incorporate into the planning process strategies to minimise risk and to address OHS issues
  • Identify aspects of camera plans that may require modification and negotiate changes with relevant production staff
  • Recommend alternative camera mounts where risk or cost of mount may outweigh the value of required shots
  • Purchase supplies and equipment according to agreed budgets
  • Check that equipment is operational and take appropriate action to repair faults
  • Ensure equipment and supports are available at correct locations in time for shoots
  • Complete documentation according to enterprise requirements
       
Element: Erect camera platforms and towers
  • Construct platforms and towers, ensuring platforms and towers are level, secure and on solid ground and capable of holding the required maximum load
  • Secure equipment fastenings and personnel harnesses
  • Ensure operational and electrical equipment meets OHS guidelines
  • Review structures to ensure that safety issues have been addressed
       
Element: Prepare cranes for camera
  • Confirm that camera cranes are in safe working order before work commences
  • Confirm the maximum safe working load of cranes before camera mounting commences
  • Display signage on crane to indicate its safe working load
  • Fix the snap plate or hothead mount according to manufacturer specifications
  • Attach cameras to mounts ensuring that they are secure, level and steady in mounts
       
Element: Attach and secure cameras
  • Attach appropriate camera mounts to supports in use or direct to moving object or vehicle being used to capture shots
  • Check that power supply is appropriate and run power cables from source to cameras, including for remote-control consoles and monitors
  • Ensure that camera operators are able to operate equipment without being a hazard to personnel involved in shoots or to the general public
  • Secure cameras and cabling safely to avoid damage and exposure to the elements when unattended
       
Element: Disassemble tracks, platforms and towers
  • Break down and carry equipment, employing safe lifting techniques
  • Clean and safely pack equipment to avoid damage and prepare for transport as required
  • Report and document equipment that requires repairs or maintenance according to enterprise procedures
  • Leave the worksite in the original or improved condition, ensuring that there has been no adverse impact on the site
       


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 plan the safe installation of camera supports to meet production requirements

strong teamwork capacities, including the ability to work under direction and to supervise others

safe construction of a variety of rigs for moving and static objects on more than one occasion.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure:

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

opportunities to work on productions that require the installation of camera supports

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

inspection of camera supports installed by the candidate to determine whether safe work practices have been followed

observation of the candidate installing camera supports 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:

CUFCAM302A Rig camera infrastructure.

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 provide information to others about:

plans for safe construction of camera of mounts and structures

safe working load requirements

safe height construction

technical skills sufficient to:

erect support equipment, e.g. scaffolding, bolts/clamps, joiners

repair and maintain camera support equipment

numeracy skills sufficient to interpret budgets and cost estimates

self-management and teamwork skills sufficient to:

work to deadlines

coordinate other team members as required

respond quickly to changes in production requirements

follow workplace documentation, e.g. codes of practice and operating procedures

literacy skills sufficient to interpret written instructions, e.g. camera plans, construction briefs

Required knowledge

industry knowledge, including:

roles and responsibilities of production team members

broadcast/film language and terminology

issues and challenges that arise in the context of installing camera supports for film/televisionshoots

features of a range of support equipment for a range of camera types

basic techniques of harnessing, rigging and fastening, including the use of ropes, lashings, carabiners, harnesses, knots and fixings

OHS regulations and requirements as they relate to:

statutory and legal requirements for construction of scaffolding

procedures for use of electrical equipment and construction of scaffolding

duty of care to colleagues and the general public

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.

Equipment and supports may include:

camera platforms

moving mounts/object

pedestals

scaffolding

static mounts/object

towers

tracks and dollies

tripods.

Shoots may include:

digital

film

multi-camera

single-camera.

Production staff may include:

camera operator

director

director of photography

gaffer

grip

head of department

lighting personnel

other specialist staff

other technical staff

safety officer

supervisor

technical director.

Productions may include:

animated productions

commercials

feature films

live or prerecorded television productions, e.g.:

music

drama

comedy

variety/infotainment

sport

studio debates

news

current affairs

music videos

outside broadcasts

short films.

Locations may include:

day

exterior

interior

night

studio.

Documentation may include:

computer generated

fault reports

manually written

production schedules

rig plans

stock orders

stock reports.

Fastenings may include:

bolts

carabiners

clamps

fixings

harnesses

joiners

knots

lashings

ropes.

Camera cranes may include:

camera remote

fluid heads

gear heads

hotheads

motorised heads

power pod.

Moving objects or vehicles used to capture shots may include:

aircraft

boats

cars

cranes

trains.

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
With reference to camera plans, confirm equipment and support requirements for production 
Assess risks and OHS issues associated with installing camera supports and operating cameras from supports during shoots 
Incorporate into the planning process strategies to minimise risk and to address OHS issues 
Identify aspects of camera plans that may require modification and negotiate changes with relevant production staff 
Recommend alternative camera mounts where risk or cost of mount may outweigh the value of required shots 
Purchase supplies and equipment according to agreed budgets 
Check that equipment is operational and take appropriate action to repair faults 
Ensure equipment and supports are available at correct locations in time for shoots 
Complete documentation according to enterprise requirements 
Construct platforms and towers, ensuring platforms and towers are level, secure and on solid ground and capable of holding the required maximum load 
Secure equipment fastenings and personnel harnesses 
Ensure operational and electrical equipment meets OHS guidelines 
Review structures to ensure that safety issues have been addressed 
Confirm that camera cranes are in safe working order before work commences 
Confirm the maximum safe working load of cranes before camera mounting commences 
Display signage on crane to indicate its safe working load 
Fix the snap plate or hothead mount according to manufacturer specifications 
Attach cameras to mounts ensuring that they are secure, level and steady in mounts 
Attach appropriate camera mounts to supports in use or direct to moving object or vehicle being used to capture shots 
Check that power supply is appropriate and run power cables from source to cameras, including for remote-control consoles and monitors 
Ensure that camera operators are able to operate equipment without being a hazard to personnel involved in shoots or to the general public 
Secure cameras and cabling safely to avoid damage and exposure to the elements when unattended 
Break down and carry equipment, employing safe lifting techniques 
Clean and safely pack equipment to avoid damage and prepare for transport as required 
Report and document equipment that requires repairs or maintenance according to enterprise procedures 
Leave the worksite in the original or improved condition, ensuring that there has been no adverse impact on the site 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

CUFCAM403A - Plan and implement installation of camera supports
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

CUFCAM403A - Plan and implement installation of camera supports

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: