Application
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to direct film and television production crews.
It applies to individuals responsible for visualising and defining the style and structure of productions. They apply high-level communication skills to convey creative and visual ideas and motivate production personnel to play a part in producing their vision for screen productions. They act with a high degree of autonomy, are members of a production team, and need to collaborate with technical and administrative personnel and be willing to make compromises where necessary.
No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENT | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. |
1. Brief crew on shoot requirements | 1.1 Brief production crew and discuss proposed vision, artistic style and technical requirements for productions 1.2 Involve crew members in development of creative solutions to production requirements 1.3 Resolve difficult or complex shot requirements in consultation with crews 1.4 Confirm all technical requirements for productions are in place before shooting commences and organise back-ups or alternatives as required 1.5 Establish clear communication lines with production crew members |
2. Rehearse shoots | 2. 1 Distribute production documentation to crew members as required 2.2 Plan and execute shoot procedures and protocols according to organisational practices 2.3 Brief crews on their role in realising each scenic unit in context of the overall required narrative 2.4 Provide instructions to assist production crew maximise technical expertise in delivery of desired photographic and cinematographic (mise-en-scène effect) outcomes 2.5 Direct rehearsal of each shot, assess for creative or technical problems, and resolve issues with crew members |
3. Direct shoots | 3.1 Facilitate interactions between performers and production crew to meet planned technical and creative requirements 3.2 Direct retakes where necessary, arriving at innovative and imaginative solutions to problems, in collaboration with crew members 3.3 Provide clear instructions and cues to production crews 3.4 Record all sequences and additional material in line with production deadlines 3.5 Implement work health and safety (WHS) procedures according to organisational procedures 3.6 Evaluate shoots from a director’s perspective, including own performance, and note areas for future improvement 3.7 Provide feedback to production crew members and invite their comments on shoots. |
Evidence of Performance
Evidence of the ability to:
brief crew members on the creative and technical requirements of screen productions
invite input from crew members to the process of devising shots and finding solutions to complex shot requirements
direct rehearsals in a way that motivates crew members and provides opportunities for them to use their technical expertise to achieve desired creative outcomes
meet production deadlines.
Note: If a specific volume or frequency is not stated, then evidence must be provided at least once.
Evidence of Knowledge
To complete the unit requirements safely and effectively, the individual must:
describe roles and responsibilities of production crew members and how directors interact with them
identify typical problems that arise when directing screen production crews, and briefly describe solutions
explain conventions and practices for directing screen productions
outline how technical and artistic elements come together in screen productions
describe workplace health and safety procedures that apply to directing screen productions.
Assessment Conditions
Assessment must be conducted in a safe environment where evidence gathered demonstrates consistent performance of typical activities experienced in creative arts industry environments. The assessment environment must include access to:
opportunities for directing production crews
screen production facilities.
Assessors of this unit must satisfy the requirements for assessors in applicable vocational educational and training legislation, frameworks and/or standards.
Foundation Skills
This section describes language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills incorporated in the performance criteria that are required for competent performance.
Skill | Performance Criteria | Description |
Writing | 2.1, 3.3 | Uses clear, specific and industry-related terminology to complete and update workplace documentation |
Oral Communication | 1.1, 1.5, 2.3, 3.1-3.3, 3.7 | Uses clear language to provide instructions and explain requirements Uses listening and questioning to achieve understanding and agreement |
Navigate the world of work | 1.3, 1.5, 2.2, 2.3, 3.1, 3.5 | Meets expectations associated with a leadership role in compliance with organisational protocols and practices Implements WHS in compliance with organisational procedures |
Interact with others | 1.1, 1.2, 1.5, 2.3-2.5, 3.1-3.3, 3.7 | Collaborates with others playing a leading role in provision of direction, assistance and motivation to realise shared goals and outcomes Shares knowledge, information and experience openly as an integral part of working relationships Selects and uses appropriate communication methods and practices to elicit and provide feedback |
Get the work done | 1.3, 1.4, 2.1, 2.4, 2.5, 3.2, 3.4 | Organises, plans and sequences own workload, and that of production crews, to meet screen production requirements within time constraints and manages required communication Makes critical technical and creative decisions quickly in a pressured environment Applies a flexible, capable and creative approach to expected and unexpected complex shoot problems in collaboration with crew |
Sectors
Media and Entertainment Production – Directing