This unit applies to those who are engaged in researching aspects of dance culture. They could be documenting dance sequences or dance productions in the context of dance teaching, improving their own dance technique, devising dance sequences or preserving information about performances for historical or cultural purposes.
Work is usually undertaken under some supervision, though autonomy and judgement can be expected since people are sometimes expected to coordinate wide-ranging documentation projects.
Not applicable.
1. Prepare to document dance sequences | 1.1. Discuss with relevant personnel the reasons for documenting dance sequences and the range of components to be documented 1.2. Clarify elements of dance sequences that need special emphasis in documentation 1.3. Organise materials and resources required to document dance sequences |
2. Apply basic notation skills | 2.1. Agree on the form of basic written notation to be used 2.2. Practise using the symbols and terminology associated with agreed notation method 2.3. Notate aspects of dance sequences in line with requirements 2.4. Notate aspects of music as required 2.5. Review notation with relevant personnel to identify adjustments that need to be made 2.6. Finalise notation and submit to relevant personnel as required by agreed deadline |
3. Record dance sequences | 3.1. Set up basic recording equipment and accessories to accommodate angles, perspectives and sound quality required for documentation purposes 3.2. Coordinate recording of dance sequences and any commentary required 3.3. Review recordings progressively and request repetition of sequences as required 3.4. Interact with dancers and others involved in the recording process in ways that engender goodwill, trust and respect 3.5. Ensure that all activities are carried out with due regard to safety considerations |
4. Finalise documentation | 4.1. View raw footage of recordings with relevant personnel to determine editing requirements 4.2. Use standard features of basic digital imaging and video editing software to produce first cut of video clips 4.3. Review first cut with relevant personnel and incorporate feedback and suggestions into final version as required 4.4. Output files in the required format and ensure that backup copies are made according to enterprise procedures 4.5. Check that documentation material meets requirements and submit complete package to relevant personnel within agreed timeframe 4.6. Use feedback from relevant personnel and self-reflection to identify ways to improve documentation process |
Required skills
communication skills to:
clarify written and verbal instructions and specifications regarding dance documentation requirements
discuss dance documentation issues with a range of people
give and receive feedback on work in progress
initiative and enterprise skills to:
analyse dance movements for notation purposes
devise concepts for video recordings that meet documentation needs
anticipate and deal with issues that arise in the context of filming dance sequences
learning skills to improve basic dance notation skills through practice
literacy skills to:
read simple dance notation
use basic dance notation techniques
planning and organising skills to plan and implement all aspects of dance documentation projects
teamwork skills to work collaboratively with dancers and others involved in the recording of dance sequences
technology skills to:
set up and operate basic video recording equipment
edit video footage using a range of standard features in basic digital editing software
manipulate digital images using standard digital imaging software.
Required knowledge
well-developed knowledge of:
principles underlying dance movements and techniques, such as:
relationship with gravity
spatial awareness
successional movement
folding
extending
rotating
shifting weight
dance terminology
overview knowledge of:
theories of dance analysis
dance styles and genres, and conventions relevant to analysis
staging elements of live productions
choreographic process
range of methods for notating dance
OHS issues related to:
using video recording equipment to document dance
working for periods of time on computers.
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 ability to: notate a short dance sequence using symbols and terminology relevant to the dance style and selected notation method produce a video clip of a dance sequence that: meets specified documentation requirements demonstrates competency in basic: video recording and editing techniques digital image manipulation work collaboratively with others. |
Context of and specific resources for assessment | Assessment must ensure access to: dance notation reference materials video recording and editing equipment and facilities. |
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 third-party workplace reports of on-the-job performance evaluation of dance notation prepared verbal or written questioning to test knowledge as listed in the required skills and knowledge section of this unit case studies and scenarios as a basis for discussion of issues and challenges that arise in the context of documenting dance review of video clips produced. direct observation of candidate coordinating recording of dance sequences. Assessment methods should closely reflect workplace demands (e.g. literacy) and the needs of particular groups (e.g. people with disabilities and people who may have literacy or numeracy difficulties, such as speakers of languages other than English, remote communities and those with interrupted schooling). |
Guidance information for assessment | Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example: CUACHR403A Develop skills in the craft of choreography CUADLT301A Develop basic dance analysis skills CUFDIG303A Produce and prepare photo images CUSMLT303A Notate music. |
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.
Relevant personnel may include: | manager dance teacher dance student choreographer performer producer director wardrobe personnel make-up artist hair stylist venue staff camera operator representatives of dance societies sound recordist. |
Reasons may relate to: | creating a choreographic record teaching dance documenting all aspects of a production. |
Components may include: | dance movements costumes make-up sets props music use of silence lighting special effects. |
Elements may relate to: | effort, including: time: when the movement occurs in a composition weight: the intensity used to perform the movement space: shows where and what path the movement follows flow: how the movements are joined together spatial elements, such as: direction of movement in space level, where movement or gestures occurs on high, medium or low level shape, including symmetry and asymmetry dynamics, such as: rhythm: time and weight duration: length of time to perform a movement musical rhythms: association between musical notation and dance movements body and body actions, such as: body and body parts: the part of the body moving step or locomotor movement: complete transference of weight gesture, such as a movement that is not a step relationship to others, including audience. |
Materials and resources | reference material related to symbols and terminology used to document human movement notation software video editing software computers video recording equipment and accessories. |
Written notation | various notation methods, including: Labanotation Benesh DanceWriting in-house custom method motif notation notation software. |
Symbols may relate to documenting: | direction of the movement, such as: forward backward left forward diagonal right forward diagonal left side right side left backward diagonal right backward diagonal part of the body doing the movement level of the movement, including: low - bent leg middle - straight leg high - on the toes length of time it takes to do the movement related to music notation. |
Aspects of music notation may relate to: | musical rhythms, including: crotchet quaver semibreve minim time signatures, such as: 3/4 2/4 6/8. |
Adjustments may relate to: | gaps in notation legibility misinterpretations too much or too little emphasis on a particular element. |
Recording equipment and accessories may include: | camcorders tripods microphones microphone stands lights mini DV tapes DVDs sound recording equipment cables. |
Ways to accommodate may relate to: | mounting one or more cameras on tripods to film continuous long shots from different angles using hand held cameras to film close-up shots recording sound separately. |
Safety considerations relate to: | ensuring that the space is free of trip hazards testing and tagging electrical equipment running cables. |
Standard features may include: | cropping shots changing the sequence of shots juxtaposing long and close-up shots of the same movement slowing or speeding up motion inserting stills panning and zooming stills synchronising sound and vision when importing audio tracks replacing audio from original footage with separate audio tracks, such as: commentaries sound effects inserting captions and titles inserting pre-programmed animation effects. |
Software may include: | Final Cut Pro Pinnacle Studio Adobe Premiere Corel Video Studio Pro. |
Formats may include: | audio, including: MP3 WAV video, including: AVI MPEG FLV still images, including: JPEG TIFF GIF. |
Documentation material may include: | notated dance sequences music notation video clips raw footage still images of, for example: costumes make-up hairstyles wigs sets props written commentaries copies of program notes reviews testimonials. |
Performing arts - dance literacy
This unit contains employability skills.
No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement.