Individuals working in technical and staging support roles for live performances apply the skills and knowledge outlined in this unit. At this level, performances would usually be those staged by performing arts schools or amateur theatre companies in community venues.
Individuals undertaking this role would be required to use some discretion and judgement and operate within an established framework of plans and procedures. They would be supervised by personnel experienced in lighting, sound, staging and vision systems.
Not applicable.
1. Develop an understanding of the production staging process | 1.1. Discuss with relevant personnel the role of a production assistant and content found in event staging plans 1.2. Develop understanding of resources and equipment used in productions 1.3. Clarify OHS and regulatory requirements that apply to live productions 1.4. Become familiar with the roles and responsibilities of key production personnel |
2. Prepare for live performances | 2.1. Clarify key aspects of staging information with relevant personnel 2.2. Check the condition of materials, equipment and accessories to determine whether repairs or modifications are required 2.3. Organise repairs or modifications according to enterprise procedures and in a timely manner 2.4. Use appropriate equipment and tools to assist with repairs and modifications as required 2.5. Assist with setting up venues in line with production requirements |
3. Assist with production operations during and after performances | 3.1. Within own level of responsibility anticipate potential operational problems and take appropriate action to mitigate 3.2. Ensure OHS procedures are integrated into work activities and risk-management issues are addressed 3.3. Undertake work activities in ways that minimise the environmental impact of operations 3.4. Complete workplace documentation as required 3.5. Participate in bump-out operations |
4. Participate in production debriefs | 4.1. Contribute to reviews of production operations aimed at identifying factors affecting the efficiency of processes and procedures 4.2. Provide input into discussions on ways to improve productions operations 4.3. Seek feedback on own performance and note areas for future improvement |
Required skills
communication skills to:
interpret production documentation, including work plans
discuss work requirements with production personnel
initiative and enterprise skills to contribute ideas about improving production processes and procedures
learning skills to become familiar with technical aspects of staging productions
problem-solving skills to anticipate and respond to production and operational problems
planning and organising skills to:
contribute to a work plan that takes into account a number of variables
organise production resources in a timely fashion
self-management skills to:
prioritise work tasks
follow OHS procedures in relation to:
manual-handling techniques
electrical equipment
teamwork skills to work collaboratively with others involved in staging live productions
technical skills to:
use hand and power tools effectively and safely
apply paints and adhesives effectively and safely.
Required knowledge
well-developed knowledge of:
bump-in and bump-out procedures
stage and production terminology
staging elements
differing potentials of a range of indoor and outdoor performance spaces
issues and challenges that can arise in the context of assisting with production operations
OHS principles and procedures in relation to staging live productions, such as:
safe manual handing
working with electrical equipment
emergency procedures
overview knowledge of:
audio equipment, such as:
effects of environment on audio equipment
fault detection procedures
legal and licensing issues related to repair and maintenance of audio equipment
maintenance needs and schedules
meaning and use of electrical terminology
staging, such as:
basic set assembly
common stage machinery
methods of tying cloths, tabs and drapes
signals and other communication devices used when operating stage machinery
variety of knots
props, such as:
properties and application of commonly used adhesives and paints
properties and application of commonly used materials
safety and environmental issues associated with prop construction
scope of items that may be constructed
commonly used tools and equipment
lighting, such as:
colour recognition
general features of differing light sources
relationship between lighting and other production operations
special requirements for automated light systems
legal, security and risk-management issues relevant to staging live performances.
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: use correct and safe techniques to make simple alterations to staging elements work effectively in a performance production team solve production operation problems within scope of responsibilities provide efficient and safe assistance with production operations within scope of responsibilities contribute to analysis of productions suggest ways of improving production operations. |
Context of and specific resources for assessment | Assessment must ensure: access to work on live performance productions interaction with others in a work team presence of realistic time constraints for completion of work activities access to required tools and equipment access to a range of staging machinery and equipment access to a range of lighting and audio equipment access to workplace documentation. |
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 tasks completed during bump-in and bump-out verbal or written questioning to test knowledge as listed in the required skills and knowledge section of this unit direct observation or video recording of candidate assisting with production operations. 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: CUSOHS301A Follow occupational health and safety procedures. |
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: | floor manager head of department manager mechanist producer production manager props and sets personnel stage hand stage manager supervisor technical director other technical or specialist staff. |
Event staging plans | choreography or performance plans lighting plans list of resources required, such as: props scenery sets lighting audio OHS requirements roles and responsibilities of personnel time-line scripts sound plans stage plans technical specifications, such as: budget records costing sheets equipment lighting performance standards regulatory requirements sound equipment theme-related requirements venues. |
Resources and equipment may include: | framed scenery, such as: doors flats profiles windows furniture and other set items lighting equipment, such as: architectural fixtures, such as wall lights cables cyclorama lights ellipsoidal profile floods fresnels lighting desk parabolic aluminised reflector (PAR) lamps pebbled convex (PC) lamps profile snoots non-weight bearing scenery, such as: columns trees staging, such as: revolves fly tower traps sets, props and scenic art soft scenery, such as: borders canvas legs cloths cycloramas backdrops sound equipment, such as: audio mixing consoles cables input source equipment loudspeakers trucks visual display equipment weight-bearing scenery, such as: ramps rostrums steps flats flown pieces models props, such as: cable controlled props costume props electronically controlled props hand props mechanised props pneumatically controlled props. |
Staging information | attendance numbers costumes event or production time lines props sets technical production, such as: lighting sound audiovisual venue or stage set-up. |
Appropriate equipment and tools | materials relevant to the tasks of repair, alteration or development of: lighting props scenery sets sound staging personal safety equipment plant equipment power sources power tools spray rooms work benches. |
Setting up | working with technicians working with venue staff running cables moving equipment assisting with stage or equipment set-up. |
Operational problems | client dissatisfaction delays equipment breakdown inadequate supplies non-arrival of key talent running repairs. |
Action to mitigate | explanations to client notification to supplier referral to producer or director referral to supervisor or technician repairs. |
OHS procedures | electrical safety ensuring clear access routes food safety identifying potential hazards personal hygiene restricting access. |
Risk-management issues | audience behaviour crowd control security service quality. |
Environmental impact | managing waste recycling reducing: dust energy consumption noise water usage. |
Documentation | attendance lists checklists equipment labelling fault reports running sheets. |
Performing arts - staging
This unit contains employability skills.
No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement.