CUFCAM601A - Direct cinematography for screen productions Competency Mapping Template

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

CUFCAM601A Mapping and Delivery Guide
Direct cinematography for screen productions

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024

Qualification	-	Unit of Competency	CUFCAM601A - Direct cinematography for screen productions
Description	This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to devise and manage camera shoots across a wide range of screen, media and entertainment productions.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	Directors of photography (DOPs), cinematographers and senior camera operators apply the skills and knowledge outlined in this unit. The term DOP is usually associated with major feature film and documentary productions.DOPs or cinematographers are responsible for providing screen productions with their unique visual look, which involves composing shots and lighting scenes. In this key creative role, they work closely with directors and camera and lighting crews to achieve the required creative outcomes. Shoots may be either single-camera or multi-camera, using digital or film formats.Even though DOPs operate with a high level of autonomy, the final call on the composition of shots and the look of productions rests with directors.Most DOPs work as freelancers, though some may find permanent employment with major studios or production houses. A typical pathway to DOP is experience as a camera operator but others emerge from lighting departments.Skills associated with devising camera coverage in the role of director are covered in:CUFDRT604A Devise camera coverage.
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	Participate in pre-production conferences with relevant production personnel to establish overall production requirements for shoots Undertake comprehensive review of scripts or screenplays to understand fully the required artistic and visual outcomes Conduct appropriate research relevant to needs of productions and contribute creative and technical solutions and ideas as required 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 and accessories, including supplies of stock, and arrange for acquisition in collaboration with relevant production personnel Block shots for use during rehearsals and actual productions in collaboration with relevant production personnel, taking into account impact on overall production requirements Assemble and brief relevant production personnel on production requirements, including equipment and accessories required for shoots Follow OHS requirements as they apply to the preparation and implementation of shoots
Element: Set up for shoots	Manage selection and set-up of equipment and accessories to meet planned shots, ensuring safety of relevant production personnel and other participants Ensure cameras are matched correctly and check 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 Ensure shots and lighting requirements are marked up and established to reflect artistic and style needs of the shoot Maintain ongoing supervision and collaboration with relevant production personnel to maximise creative outcomes
Element: Shoot content	Supervise technical and creative operations of camera shoots during productions consistent with actions devised during rehearsals Monitor output of camera operations to ensure cuts and dissolves between shots produce required technical and creative outcomes Operate camera where applicable while maintaining overview of creative and technical criteria Ensure camera movements are planned to avoid interference with other camera operators, technical personnel or performers Respond to cues received from relevant production personnel in a timely manner Communicate clearly to relevant production personnel unavoidable variations from predetermined plans 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 Ensure locations are left in original or improved state Participate in post-production editing activities as required, including providing additional materials, such as pick-ups Participate in post-production 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.


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: effective direction of cinematography for productions that demonstrates an ability to: realise the desired visual style and atmosphere of productions plan and organise shot lists for multi-camera shoots collaborate with and direct camera and lighting crews work under direction meet production deadlines take account of production and resource constraints sound knowledge of: properties of different cameras lighting techniques photographic principles.
Context of and specific resources for assessment	Assessment must ensure: practical demonstration of skills through planning and directing cinematography for at least two different types of productions access to a range of professional equipment currently used in the film and television industry based on items listed in the range statement opportunities to work on single-camera and multi-camera shoots 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 observation of the candidate directing cinematography to assess candidate's ability to achieve desired effects and to work effectively with production crews and/or directors evaluation of sequences filmed by the candidate to determine candidate's ability to meet creative production requirements 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: CUFDRT604A Devise camera coverage.

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 and teamwork skills sufficient to:

interpret creative information, scripts and images

provide creative input to production planning

work collaboratively with a wide range of production staff and others during shoots, including demonstrating leadership qualities

work effectively and cooperatively under direction, e.g. of director or producer

deliver clear briefings to production staff

respond appropriately to feedback about shoots from others

negotiate solutions to problems and conflicts that arise during the process of directing camera operations

high levels of initiative, enterprise and creativity in the context of:

demonstrating originality and innovative approaches to realising the desired visual style and atmosphere of productions

experimenting with cinematographic and narrative conventions and styles to achieve creative outcomes

being able to balance creative and technical requirements

being flexible enough to make last-minute adjustments to planned shots if unforeseen circumstances arise during shoots

planning, organising and literacy skills in the context of:

analysing complex outlines/scripts to inform decision making and planning

undertaking background research to enhance understanding and appreciation of production contexts

achieving required outcomes in the most efficient way, including taking account of budgetary and resource constraints

planning and organising shooting lists and activities

documenting camera plans and other work requirements

technical skills sufficient to:

operate a range of professional camera and lighting equipment in a single-camera or multi-camera environment

shoot program materials at a high level using a range of film or video equipment

shoot and supervise shooting for a range of program styles

ensure correct exposures and colour balances of recorded content

use the internet for research

use standard word processing and spreadsheet applications in the context of preparing documentation in relation to devising camera coverage

self-management and problem solving skills sufficient to:

evaluate own contribution to creative solutions

work under pressure to tight deadlines

self-management and learning skills sufficient to:

locate and use resources to broaden own creative experience

work under pressure to tight deadlines

solve problems and challenges during shoots in a timely and collaborative manner

evaluate own contribution to creative solutions

Required knowledge

industry knowledge, including:

roles and responsibilities of personnel in the screen production industry

sound understanding of artistic and technical elements associated with productions, e.g. staging, lighting, sound

issues and challenges that arise in the context of directing cinematography

features of a range of cameras and accessories

attributes of a range of film and video formats and stock

cinematographic language

preparation of shot cards and shot descriptions

production scheduling process

ways of documenting camera plans

techniques for handling cables, including compatibility with other equipment

well-developed understanding of photographic principles, such as:

exposure

tonal relationships

focus

light sources

sensitivity and balancing

camera's interpretation of colour

characteristics of lenses

colour correction techniques

colour temperature and compensation

camera to subject practice/framing and composition, including:

lens to eyeline

jump cuts

crossing the line

matching shots

thorough understanding of:

lighting techniques and equipment

editing and post-production procedures and requirements

duty of care to colleagues and general public, especially on location

occupational and public health and safety procedures, particularly as they relate to lifting, climbing rigs and using electrical equipment

detailed knowledge of the Recommended Safety Code for Film and Television


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.
Production personnel may include:	camera operators, e.g. first assistant camera, second unit costume designer director/producer floor manager floor manager gaffer grip heads of department lighting director location manager other specialist staff other technical staff production manager set designer technical director.
Production requirements may include:	budgets film or digital production locations period, e.g. historical post-production requirements, e.g. editing style production genre style timelines/deadlines.
Shoots may include:	combined video and audio function daytime external fixed/supported hand-held operation interior location night time separate video and audio record functions single-camera studio.
Research may include:	actual events audience analysis in location for production characters cultural/historical context environment imagination/inspiration life experience locations newspapers/magazines notes paintings/photographs/sketches period review of enterprise objectives review of other productions, e.g. movies settings social analysis (current or historical).
Productions may include:	advertisements/commercials animations documentaries features interactive media live on-stage performances promotions/presentations short films television series/serials, e.g. drama training videos.
Camera plans may include discussion of:	budget implications camera movements camera set-up how creative production requirements will be met lighting requirements number of cameras required OHS considerations. personnel required positioning of sets or other physical elements shooting material under special conditions, e.g.: underwater from moving vehicles studio and/or location constraints timelines.
Equipment and accessories may include:	autocue monitor batteries cables cameras, e.g.: digital - digital Betacam, DVC Pro film - Arriflex camera supports, e.g.: pedestal mounts cranes dollies track tripods spreaders fluid heads hotheads microphones - fixed, pole, lapel change bags cue card holders headphones filters, e.g.: colour correction colour graduated: hard-edge, soft-edge, attenuated coloured, neutral density correction filters ultraviolet polarising chromatic non-specific colour enhancers lens hood lenses, e.g.: fixed zoom wide-angle macro micro magazines mobile phones special effects equipment talkback facility tape recorder two-way intercom.
Stock may include:	analogue format, e.g. Beta SP digital tape, e.g.: Beta DVC Pro mini-DV film, e.g.: 16 mm 35 mm HDTV SDTV video disks.
Shots may include:	close-up cutaway shot establishing or master shot extreme close-up eye-level shot high-angle long shot low-angle mid shot overhead shot point-of-view shot wide shot zoom.
Other participants may include:	actors ambulance and medical staff council staff fire brigade general public, e.g. studio audiences, spectators interviewees interviewers journalists/reporters performers police presenters.
Lighting requirements may include:	types of luminaires architectural fixtures digital moving (intelligent) lights key light fill light back light bounced light effect light, e.g. on backgrounds HMI (hydrargyrum medium arc-length iodide) light meters. lights and accessories, e.g.: luminaires floods moving lights gobos interior lights spot light flood light special effects units, e.g.: electrical/electronic props strobes, mirror balls and motors, smoke machines, fog machines, ultraviolet light, oil and water crackers, effects projectors theatre-based units studio and location units tungsten
Artistic and style needs may include:	aesthetics camera height and distance from subject camera position composition continuity duration framing movement shot type timing.
Camera movements may include:	crab crane rigs dolly pan physical relocations/movement tilt track in/out zoom in/zoom out.
Documentation may include:	camera plans computer generated/manually written emails/SMS equipment and accessories lists lighting plans production schedules running sheets screenplay scripts shot lists.
Editing activities may include:	aspect ratios camera videotapes colour grading computer disks frame ratio and rates retakes rushes script and script changes sound effects libraries sound tracks tempo - duration of shots and segments uncut film footage, e.g.: work prints negative prints A and B rolls.

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 pre-production conferences with relevant production personnel to establish overall production requirements for shoots
Undertake comprehensive review of scripts or screenplays to understand fully the required artistic and visual outcomes
Conduct appropriate research relevant to needs of productions and contribute creative and technical solutions and ideas as required
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 and accessories, including supplies of stock, and arrange for acquisition in collaboration with relevant production personnel
Block shots for use during rehearsals and actual productions in collaboration with relevant production personnel, taking into account impact on overall production requirements
Assemble and brief relevant production personnel on production requirements, including equipment and accessories required for shoots
Follow OHS requirements as they apply to the preparation and implementation of shoots
Manage selection and set-up of equipment and accessories to meet planned shots, ensuring safety of relevant production personnel and other participants
Ensure cameras are matched correctly and check 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
Ensure shots and lighting requirements are marked up and established to reflect artistic and style needs of the shoot
Maintain ongoing supervision and collaboration with relevant production personnel to maximise creative outcomes
Supervise technical and creative operations of camera shoots during productions consistent with actions devised during rehearsals
Monitor output of camera operations to ensure cuts and dissolves between shots produce required technical and creative outcomes
Operate camera where applicable while maintaining overview of creative and technical criteria
Ensure camera movements are planned to avoid interference with other camera operators, technical personnel or performers
Respond to cues received from relevant production personnel in a timely manner
Communicate clearly to relevant production personnel unavoidable variations from predetermined plans
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
Ensure locations are left in original or improved state
Participate in post-production editing activities as required, including providing additional materials, such as pick-ups
Participate in post-production debriefings and reflect on own performance and that of production crews, noting areas for future improvement

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

CUFCAM601A - 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

CUFCAM601A - 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:

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

CUFCAM601A Mapping and Delivery Guide Direct cinematography for screen productions

Version 1.0 Issue Date: April 2024

Evidence Required

Submission Requirements

Assessment Tasks

Observation Checklist

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

CUFCAM601A - Direct cinematography for screen productions

Assessment task 1: [title]

Assessment Record Sheet

CUFCAM601A - Direct cinematography for screen productions

CUFCAM601A Mapping and Delivery Guide
Direct cinematography for screen productions

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024