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

CUFSFX401A Mapping and Delivery Guide
Create special effects items

Version 1.0
Issue Date: March 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency CUFSFX401A - Create special effects items
Description This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to construct physical special effects items for productions in the screen, media and entertainment industries.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 The construction of physical special effects is related to the construction of props and other elements of sets for productions. However, the scale and nature of special effects items can vary quite dramatically - from models and miniatures to electronic devices to animatronics and creatures.Specialist electronic or engineering skills may be required to complete items, so the ability to work cooperatively on projects is essential. This work is usually undertaken with some supervision and guidance.Skills associated with creating digital visual effects are covered in:CUFANM402A Create digital visual effects.
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 - special effects
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 to create special effects
  • Confirm special effects requirements 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
  • Agree on methods and techniques that will provide the best visual interpretation of script requirements, taking into account budget and other constraints
  • Select required equipment and materials according to design and production requirements
       
Element: Create special effects
  • Participate in ongoing discussions with relevant personnel throughout the construction process to ensure special effects design requirements are met
  • Create special effects items using selected materials and production techniques
  • Observe relevant OHS and public safety legislative requirements throughout the construction phase
  • Participate in ongoing production technique trials to establish the best results and solve any problems that arise during the creation of special effects items
  • Label and store partially completed special effects items to enable easy retrieval and to avoid loss or damage during the production phase
       
Element: 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
       


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:

creation of special effects items that meet production requirements and demonstrate:

correct interpretation of creative special effects designs

safe handling of hazardous materials

ability to meet deadlines

collaborative approach to work

attention to detail.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure:

practical demonstration ofskills through the making of special effects items for at least two productions

access to productions that require the creation of special effects items

access to materials required to make required special effects items

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 special effects items made by the candidate to determine whether production requirements have been met and correct procedures followed

written or oral 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:

CUFSFX301A Maintain and repair special effects items

CUFSFX402A Coordinate the logistics of special effects operations

CUVCRS06B Make scale models.


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, literacy and teamwork skills sufficient to:

interpret production documentation, special effects construction specifications and instructions

work collaboratively as a member of a production team

complete workplace documentation

initiative and flexibility sufficient to contribute ideas about the most efficient way to create special effects to meet creative requirements

technical skills sufficient to:

use hand and power tools to construct special effects items

handle hazardous materials in a safe manner

draw to scale and correct perspective

problem solving skills sufficient to make adjustments to special effects items during the construction phase so that requirements can be met

planning and organising skills sufficient to construct special effects in a logical sequence

self-management skills sufficient to:

work under pressure and meet deadlines

follow manufacturer specifications and organisational policies and procedures

seek expert advice when problems arise

numeracy skills sufficient to measure materials

Required knowledge

industry knowledge, including:

roles and responsibilities of art and construction personnel

broad understanding of the artistic and technical elements of productions

issues and challenges that arise when constructing physical special effects for productions in the screen, media and entertainment industries

principles of and techniques for constructing physical special effects for screen productions

sound knowledge of:

properties, applications and durability of different types of materials that can be used for special effects construction

behaviour of various materials, finishes, painting techniques and colours under lighting

properties and characteristics of a variety of materials before and after art finishing

techniques for testing finished and unfinished materials, such as fabric, leather, vinyl, plastic, foam, latex, found objects, straw, paper and cardboard

detailed knowledge of sections of the Australian Recommended Safety Code for Film and Television related to the construction of special effects

OHS procedures as they relate to the safe use of equipment and materials to construct physical special effects for productions

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.

Special effects items may include:

animatronics and creatures

automated and animatronic devices and controls

cables

computer controlled devices

electrical and mechanical winches

electro mechanical devices

electronic devices

electronic flashing and timing devices

floor effects, including:

weather effects

fire and smoke

collapsing and destruction

water

crashes

motion control systems

models and miniatures:

demonstration type

real type

figures

landscapes

buildings

motion control electronics and systems

pneumatics

power packs

road cases, boxes and crates for storage and transportation

sculpture - human, animal and inanimate.

Relevant personnel may include:

designer

director

director of photography

fire and safety officer

floor manager

head of department

medics

performer

personnel with specialist expertise in special effects productions and execution

producer

production designer

production manager

special effects department personnel

special effects production personnel

special effects supervisor and manager

specialist equipment designer

specialist manufacturer

supervisor

technical director

other technical/specialist staff.

Documentation may include:

budgets

call and running sheets

colour charts

computer generated

confirmation of receipt and dispatch notes

descriptive special effects checklists

fault reports

hire agreements

manually written

manufacture schedules

manufacturer specifications and instructions

measurement charts

memos of instruction

operational and project plans

paint colour formulas

production schedules

scripts

sketches

special effects breakdown lists

special effects construction schedules and plans

special effects design

stock orders

stock reports

technical drawings.

Techniques used may include:

fabrication

gluing and cementing

metalwork, including:

cutting

welding

brazing

moulding materials

painting and finishing

sculpting and other shaping methods

timber construction

woodworking.

Productions may include:

animated productions

commercials

documentaries

feature films

filmed events or performances

live events and entertainment

live or pre-recorded television productions of any type

music videos

short films

theatre productions.

Constraints may include:

availability of:

personnel

facilities

resources

locations:

studio

interior and exterior

outside broadcast

day and night

timelines.

Materials may include:

adhesives

canvas

clay

fabrics

fasteners

fibreglass

foam

latex

leather

masonite

metal products, e.g. bars, tubes and sheets

mouldable materials

moulded or cast metal

paper products

plaster

plastics, e.g. moulded sheet

polystyrene

resins

thermoplastic

timber

timber products, e.g. plywood, particle board and craft wood.

OHS and public safety legislative requirements may include:

commonwealth, state and territory OHS regulations

local government construction rules and regulations

national and international standards, guidelines and codes of practice, e.g. the Building Code of Australia.

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
Confirm special effects requirements 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 
Agree on methods and techniques that will provide the best visual interpretation of script requirements, taking into account budget and other constraints 
Select required equipment and materials according to design and production requirements 
Participate in ongoing discussions with relevant personnel throughout the construction process to ensure special effects design requirements are met 
Create special effects items using selected materials and production techniques 
Observe relevant OHS and public safety legislative requirements throughout the construction phase 
Participate in ongoing production technique trials to establish the best results and solve any problems that arise during the creation of special effects items 
Label and store partially completed special effects items to enable easy retrieval and to avoid loss or damage during the production phase 
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 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

CUFSFX401A - Create special effects items
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

CUFSFX401A - Create special effects items

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: