CUECOS302A
Dress performers

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to prepare and maintain costume items, and dress performers, throughout any production within the cultural industries.No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement.

Application

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to dress performers for any production within the cultural industries and undertake relevant preparatory tasks. Wardrobe personnel in the process of learning more advanced costume production skills may undertake this role in other contexts where there is a dedicated job role of 'dresser'.


Prerequisites

Nil


Elements and Performance Criteria

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Prepare to dress performers

1.1. Interpret production or other documentation accurately to determine relevant costume requirements

1.2. Ensure that costume and accessory labels are accurate and securely attached and re-label where necessary

1.3. Ensure relevant costumes, items and accessories will be available at the appropriate location at the appropriate time, ensuring costumes are handled with care to minimise damage

1.4. Organise all costumes, accessories and any duplicates required into a line up to meet the requirements of the production schedule/running sheet

1.5. Make costumes available to performers in sufficient time to allow for their dressing to meet the call

1.6. Secure all costume items and accessories to minimise theft or damage before, during and after the production

2. Dress performer ready for call

2.1. Assist the performer to dress and change costumes in accordance with design, performer and production requirements, with minimum damage to costume

2.2. Treat performers with tact and sensitivity to ensure their personal privacy is maintained

2.3. Conform with performer requests relating to costume requirements or accurately communicate these to relevant personnel

2.4. Complete dressing of performers in time to meet their calls whilst giving due attention to the care requirements of all costume items

2.5. Check costumes to ensure that they fit securely, are comfortable for the performer and meet the production requirements

2.6. Promptly identify any problems and take appropriate action to rectify

2.7. Observe production etiquette and protocols throughout the dressing process

2.8. Use all equipment safely and in accordance with any manufacturer instructions throughout the dressing process

Required Skills

Required skills

communication skills sufficient to relate with performers during dressing

literacy skills sufficient to read and interpret production documentation, costume labels and costume care instructions

negotiation skills sufficient to deal with conflict situations

numeracy skills sufficient to interpret measurement charts

planning and organising skills sufficient to manage time effectively

Required knowledge

etiquette and protocols in relation to the dressing of performers

film and television production schedule terminology

format and meaning of production documentation used by dressers

machine and hand sewing and methods of altering costumes

OHS legislation/regulations that affect the dresser (hygiene&use of equipment)

principles and techniques of costume construction and fitting

properties of different fabrics, and how they should be handled

properties of different types of costumes and how they should be handled

Evidence Required

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:

ability to accurately interpret dressing requirements and to dress performers to meet those requirements within workplace realistic timeframes and without damage to costumes

application of organisational skills to facilitate efficient preparation for the dressing process.

This unit of competence applies to a range of industry sectors. The focus of assessment will depend on the industry sector. Assessment must be customised to meet the needs of the particular sector in which performance is being assessed. Assessment should only address those variable circumstances, listed in the range of variables statements, which apply to the chosen context.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure:

access to a range of equipment as listed in the Range Statement of this unit

access to costumes, production documentation that specifies dressing/costume requirements and performers to be dressed

access to appropriate learning and assessment support when required

the use of culturally appropriate processes, and techniques appropriate to the language and literacy capacity of learners and the work being performed.

Method of assessment

The following assessment methods are appropriate for this unit:

direct observation of the candidate dressing performers and making relevant preparations

oral questioning/interviewing to assess knowledge of issues to be considered when dressing performers, including care requirements for particular types of costumes

review of portfolios of evidence and third party workplace reports of on-the-job performance by the candidate.

Guidance information for assessment

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:

CUECOS303A Modify, repair and maintain costumes.


Range Statement

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.

Production or other documentation may include:

call/running sheets

confirmation of receipt and dispatch notes

continuity reports/checklists

costume breakdown lists

costume design

costume plots

descriptive costume checklists

hire agreements

manufacturer specifications/instructions

measurement charts

memos of instruction

production schedules

scripts

Costumes may include:

accessories

character costumes

contemporary wear

dance wear

female, male and child costumes

hard and soft sculpture costumes

millinery

period costumes

tailored costumes

Production may include:

commercials

documentaries

feature films

filmed events or performances

live events/entertainment/performance

live or pre-recorded television productions

music video

short films

stage performances

television productions of any type (e.g. music, drama, comedy, variety, sport)

Design, performance and production requirements may include:

continuity

continuity aids (labels, photographs, polaroids)

costume requirements:

daily

for the run of a production

scene by scene

particular performer issues

production environments:

dressing room

on location (interior, exterior)

outside broadcast

soundstage

stage/theatre/venue

studio

repairs (hand/machine sewn, patching)

special fitting requirements/security of fitting

special handling

stocks (e.g. brush, dry-cleaning fluid, dulling spray, glues, safety pins, starch, water sprays)

timing and speed

Relevant personnel may include:

costume production staff

designer (costume, production)

director (photography, technical)

extra

floor manager

head of department

performer

producer

supervisor

technical and specialist staff

wardrobe department personnel


Sectors

Unit sector


Competency Field

Visual communication - costume


Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.


Licensing Information

Not applicable.