Elements and Performance Criteria

Element

Performance Criteria

1

Install follow spots.

1.1

Position follow spots and accessories in accordance with the lighting plan and ensure safety for the operator and audience.

1.2

Set up stands securely and adjust for height as required.

1.3

Check and adjust balance, focus and sights of the follow spot as appropriate.

1.4

Install follow spot dimmer as required.

1.5

Secure follow spot cabling safely.

1.6

Install manual colour changer correctly and colour in accordance with the lighting plan.

1.7

Test follow spot to ensure it is operational and that all accessories are in working order.

1.8

Focus follow spot and check multiple spots for consistency of focus and colour temperature.

2

Participate in technical or creative run through.

2.1

Participate in any required technical or creative run through, note any equipment deficiencies or technical adjustments to be made.

2.2

Rehearse technical aspects of the show and communicate to performers as required.

2.3

Set back-up options in the event of an equipment malfunction and test to ensure that they are in working order.

2.4

Plot and run through cues on direction from the appropriate personnel and in accordance with equipment, sequencing, timing and speed requirements.

2.5

Make any necessary changes to cues and modify cue sheets as required.

2.6

Execute any necessary changes to equipment in accordance with modifications required.

3

Prepare for follow spot operation.

3.1

Power up follow spot and check height, balance, sights, focus, operation of iris, operation of any additional follow spot accessories and dimmer.

3.2

Check colour and/or operation of colour changer.

3.3

Check that final requirements for equipment operation have been identified, implemented and documented.

3.4

Check communications equipment to ensure that it is in working order.

3.5

Correctly identify and rectify any faults or problems and inform relevant personnel of any ongoing problems.

4

Operate follow spots.

4.1

Operate follow spot on cue/on direction from the stage manager, head follow spot operator or running sheet as appropriate.

4.2

Operate spot so that beam diameter, shape, edge, colour and intensity level meet performance requirements.

4.3

Synchronise follow spot operation with other lighting and staging effects.

4.4

Modify follow spot cues as required to cater for unexpected contingencies.

4.5

Operate spot in a manner that does not distract the audience and maintains reasonable comfort for the operator.

4.6

Identify and rectify problems safely, using logical problem solving techniques and in accordance with venue procedures and inform appropriate personnel are informed as required.

4.7

Correctly identify the need for the use of back-up systems and implement when required.

4.8

Recalibrate follow spot correctly after changing a lamp where appropriate.

5

Shut down and disassemble equipment.

5.1

Turn off power to the follow spot in accordance with cool-down procedure and dismantle store or cover equipment in accordance with organisational procedures and performance requirements.

5.2

Note changes to cue sheets and update and file documentation as required in accordance with organisational procedures.

Required skills:

hand/eye coordination skills

literacy skills sufficient to interpret a lighting plan.

Required knowledge:

knowledge of the main types of lanterns, including profile, fresnel, pebble/convex, flood, moving lanterns and PAR, their uses and operations (optical and mechanical) and accessories

different types of follow spots and their features, including incandescent and discharge units

the relationship between follow spot operation and other lighting and stage effects

techniques for the operation of follow spots, including how to adjust for colour temperature and beam.

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.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

The following evidence is critical to the judgement of competence in this unit:

application of excellent hand/eye coordination skills to follow spot operation for productions with extensive movement on stage

knowledge of different techniques for effective follow spot operation.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

The assessment context must provide for:

practical demonstration of skills through the operation of a follow spot for an actual production on more than one occasion and for more than one production

involvement of, and interaction with, a production team to reflect the collaborative nature of the process.

Method of assessment

Assessment may incorporate a range of methods to assess performance and the application of essential underpinning knowledge, and might include:

direct observation of the candidate installing or operating follow spots

evaluation of a performance where the candidate is responsible for follow spot operation

oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of follow spot equipment, operating techniques or specific OHS issues

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

Assessment methods should closely reflect workplace demands and the needs of particular groups (eg 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).

Assessment of this unit requires access to:

follow spots and accessories as identified in the Range Statement

a production and production venue.

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.

Follow spots may include:

discharge units

incandescent.

Follow spot accessories may include:

% power selection switches

ballasts

colour magazines

gobos

irises

mechanical blackouts

mechanical dimmers

shutters

stands.

Documentation may include:

colour lists

cue sheets

emergency procedures

equipment lists

focus notes

patch sheets.

Appropriate personnel may include:

designer

director

stage manager

supervisor, head of department

other follow spot operator

other specialist staff.

Faults and problems with follow spots may include:

blown globe

defective colour

defective iris/sights/dimmer

differences in colour temperature between different units

faulty balance

incorrect height adjustment

mis-aligned sights

problems with manual colour changer

unexpected changes by performers, eg moving out of range, behind scenery.