CUEPRP07B
Make props using mixed media

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to interpret props production schedules and specifications, and to produce props for productions within the cultural industries. Media for props vary widely. This unit relates to the creation of props, which require the use of mixed media. As such, the unit builds on skills found in other props construction units.No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement.

Application

Props makers in the entertainment and screen and media industries apply the skills and knowledge outlined in this unit. The props department may be supervised by a props manager and the props team works closely with set designers, directors and continuity personnel before and during productions.

This unit has linkages to a range of other props, sets and scenic art units and to units in the CUV03 Visual Arts Craft and Design Training Package. Combined assessment and/or training with those units may be appropriate.


Elements and Performance Criteria

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Determine props requirements

1.1. Correctly interpret the props production schedule, props specifications, lists and scale drawings

1.2. Liaise with relevant personnel to confirm the props production requirements

1.3. Contemplate and consider props construction methods and techniques to ensure that correct visual interpretation of the production requirements is met through close liaison with relevant personnel

2. Prepare for props production

2.1. Ensure that props construction meets the aesthetic requirements and provides the correct visual interpretation of the production requirements

2.2. Determine the accurate measurements for the construction of the props item and make any alterations to the design scale drawings

2.3. Select and prepare the required equipment, tools and materials in accordance with the design and specification requirements

2.4. Determine the appropriate methods and techniques to be used for the production of the prop, in accordance with the design and specification requirements

3. Make props

3.1. Participate in ongoing discussions with appropriate personnel throughout the construction process, to ensure props design requirements are met

3.2. Construct the props items using the selected materials, construction techniques and finishes

3.3. Follow appropriate safety procedures throughout the construction process in accordance with organisational and legislative requirements

3.4. Participate in any ongoing production technique trials to establish the best results during the production of the props items, including: colour mixes, textures, materials, construction techniques, construction of prototypes and painting styles

3.5. Correctly label and code all partially finished props items for identification during the production phase

3.6. Store the partially finished props items during the production phase to avoid loss or damage

4. Finish and check mixed media props

4.1. Complete required fireproofing in accordance with occupational and public health and safety legislation requirements

4.2. Liaise with relevant personnel to evaluate and check the props items for accuracy and compliance with design and production specification requirements

4.3. Identify and make any necessary adjustments in accordance with discussions, making accurate changes to relevant documentation

4.4. Correctly label and code all props elements for identification during the production

4.5. Store the props in accordance with organisational procedures

4.6. Clean, maintain and store tools, equipment and materials in accordance with relevant workplace and safety requirements

Required Skills

Required skills

literacy skills sufficient to interpret production documentation

numeracy skills sufficient to calculate measurements and quantities and to interpret construction plans

Required knowledge

detailed knowledge of the properties, applications and durability of different types of materials that can be used for prop construction and how these can be combined

legislative and organisational occupational health and safety standards, including safe handling of hazardous materials

the behaviour of various materials, finishes, painting techniques and colours under lighting

the properties and characteristics of a variety of materials before and after art finishing

general knowledge of the properties of materials used in props construction

environmental issues associated with tools and materials used in props

awareness of copyright, moral rights and intellectual property issues and legislation

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

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

use of safe techniques to create mixed-media props to meet production requirements

detailed knowledge of the props construction process, the use of different media and the effects that can be achieved.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

The assessment context must provide for:

practical demonstration of skills through the creation of mixed-media props for a nominated production

involvement of and interaction with a production team to reflect the collaborative nature of the production 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 using techniques to create props

evaluation of items created by the candidate in terms of suitability of construction methods and quality of finishing

oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of different techniques and safety issues

review of portfolios of evidence and 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 (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

Assessment of this unit requires access to:

equipment and materials used to make props

design specifications for props.


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.

Props may include:

cable controlled props

costume props, e.g.: armour, weapons, jewellery

electrically controlled

equipment

furniture

hand props, e.g.: food and beverage, blood, gore

mechanised props

pneumatically controlled props

pre-production prototypes

special effects props

vehicles

Relevant personnel may include:

designers

director of photography

directors

performers

producers

supervisors

other props staff

other technical staff

Methods and techniques within this unit could be quite broad in nature and may include:

gluing

metalwork, e.g. cutting, welding, brazing

moulding

painting

sculpting and other shaping methods

woodworking

Props must be constructed from a range of different media. Media may include:

adhesives

fabric

fabrics

fasteners

fibreglass

leather

masonite

metal products, e.g.: bars, tubes, sheets

mouldable materials

moulded or cast metal

paper products

plaster

plastics, e.g.: moulded sheet

polystyrene

thermoplastic

timber

timber products, e.g.: plywood, particle board, craftwood

Documentation may include:

budgets

colour charts

descriptive props checklists

fault reports

measurement charts

operational/project plan

paint colour formulas

production schedules

props breakdown lists

props design

props schedule/plan

running sheets

scripts

sketches

technical drawings


Sectors

Unit sector


Competency Field

Visual communication - props


Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.


Licensing Information

Not applicable.