Application
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to construct physical special effects items for productions in creative arts industry environments.
It applies to individuals who usually work collaboratively on projects with some supervision and guidance. They may use specialist electronic or engineering skills to create a broad range of items including models, miniatures, electronic devices, animatronics and creatures.
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. Prepare to create special effects | 1.1 Confirm special effects requirements and timelines in consultation with relevant personnel and with reference to production documentation 1.2 Based on analysis of special effects requirements, suggest changes to specifications if appropriate, and confirm final requirements with relevant personnel 1.3 Discuss with relevant personnel a range of construction methods and techniques that could be used to meet design and production requirements 1.4 Consider the effect of lighting on materials and finishes when choosing methods and techniques 1.5 Agree on methods and techniques that will provide the best visual interpretation of script requirements, taking into account budget and time constraints 1.6 Select required equipment and materials according to design and production requirements |
2. Construct special effects | 2.1 Participate in ongoing discussions throughout the construction process to ensure special effects design requirements are met 2.2 Create special effects items using selected materials and production techniques 2.3 Observe health and safety and industry safety guidelines throughout the construction phase 2.4 Participate in ongoing production technique trials to achieve the best results and solve problems that arise during the construction phase 2.5 Label and store partially completed special effects items to enable easy retrieval and to avoid loss or damage during the production phase |
3. Finalise special effects | 3.1 In consultation with relevant personnel, evaluate and check special effects items for accuracy and compliance with design and production specifications 3.2 Adjust special effects items as required 3.3 Label and store finished special effects in readiness for productions 3.4 Evaluate own performance in the process of creating special effects items and note areas for improvement |
Evidence of Performance
Evidence of the ability to:
interpret special effects design documentation
contribute to planning construction of physical special effects to meet production requirements
select and use the most appropriate tools, equipment and techniques to safely construct special effects items that meet production requirements
complete work within agreed timelines
contribute to solving problems with special effects items identified in trials
work collaboratively with others on special effects construction projects.
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 art and construction personnel involved in design and construction of physical special effects
explain how artistic and technical elements of productions affect the process of constructing physical special effects items
identify typical problems of constructing physical special effects for screen and entertainment industry productions, and briefly describe solutions
outline principles and techniques for constructing physical special effects items
describe properties, applications and durability of different materials used to construct physical special effects
describe behaviours of different materials, finishes, painting techniques and colours under lighting
explain techniques for trialling special effects items during the construction phase
describe health and safety procedures and safety guidelines that relate to the safe use of equipment and materials to create physical special effects.
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:
productions that require creation of special effects items
materials and equipment required to make special effects items
interaction with others
production and safety documentation.
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 |
Reading | 1.1, 1.2 | Interprets production documentation and extracts and analyses relevant information to establish special effects design requirements |
Writing | 2.5, 3.3 | Records clear and detailed identification information |
Oral Communication | 1.1-1.3, 2.1, 3.1 | Uses specific and relevant language suitable to audience to convey information and ideas Uses listening and questioning to confirm understanding |
Navigate the world of work | 2.3, 3.4 | Takes personal responsibility for adherence to legal and regulatory safety requirements during construction of effects Understands own role and associated responsibilities and uses evaluation of own performance to identify potential improvements |
Interact with others | 1.1-1.3, 2.1, 3.1 | Collaborates with others to achieve joint outcomes Selects and uses appropriate communication methods and practices to clarify and provide information and engage in discussions with others about the realisation of special effects concepts |
Get the work done | 1.2, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 2.2-2.5, 3.1-3.3 | Plans and sequences special effects design and construction tasks to achieve safe and effective outcomes, within production timelines Analyses task requirements to select appropriate materials and techniques Identifies technical construction problems through testing processes and selects the most effective solution Evaluates special effects effectiveness, functionality and compliance against requirements to decide on final adjustments needed |
Sectors
Media and Entertainment Production – Special Effects