Senior or experienced props personnel apply the skills and knowledge outlined in this unit. In this role they are responsible for liaising with workshop managers and designers and could be supervising others.

This unit has linkages to props construction units and to general drawing units. It is strongly recommended that this unit be assessed with or after those units.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Interpret set/props design from a construction perspective

1.1. Read and interpret the set/props design and other production documentation to determine the scope and nature of props requirements

1.2. Contemplate and consider props construction methods and techniques which will lead to the best realisation of the design concept while meeting production budgets

1.3. Identify potential practical construction problems and limitations with proposed designs and communicate these to relevant personnel

1.4. Assess potential solutions and develop creative approaches to minimise problems and limitations

1.5. Liaise with design and other relevant personnel to discuss and confirm construction requirements

2. Develop props construction plans and drawings

2.1. Translate the design into a practical plan for props construction in accordance with production requirements and relevant codes and regulations

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

2.3. Identify and consider any specific production or performance issues that will impact on the nature of props construction

2.4. Identify and consider any safety issues that will need to be integrated into the construction process and the way in which props will be used

2.5. Complete accurate specifications and drawings to a level of detail sufficient to guide the construction process

2.6. Correctly identify the materials, tools and equipment required for props construction, including budgetary estimates to meet production requirements

2.7. Communicate practical details for props construction to relevant personnel at the appropriate time to ensure deadlines can be met and workflow efficiency is maximised

Required skills

analytical skills particularly in relation to the evaluation of information that impacts on prop construction planning

communication and negotiation skills particularly in relation to working with creative personnel to realise design concepts

Required knowledge

techniques for creating technical plans from designs or other sources, e.g. painting, photograph, drawing, description

construction methods used to achieve a range of commonly required props effects

features, formats and contents of construction specifications and how to develop these

costs of materials typically used in props construction

organisational and legislative occupational health and safety procedures particularly in relation to planning and completion of props construction work

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:

effective communication skills to liaise with designers/directors

ability to translate design concepts into creative and workable construction plans

ability to develop accurate construction specifications and drawings on which construction tasks can be based.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

The assessment context must provide for:

practical demonstration of skills through the creation of construction drawings/plans for props for more than one production

involvement of and interaction with a team to reflect the collaborative nature of the props construction process

Method of assessment

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

evaluation of props for which the candidate has made the construction plans

case studies to assess ability to develop plans for a range of different props designs/production needs

evaluation of specifications and drawings produced by the candidate

oral and written questioning to assess knowledge of props constructions issues and techniques

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:

props designs from which the candidate can develop construction plans.

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

Production documentation may include:

costume plots

drawings

lighting design

paintings

photographs

scripts

set design

sound design

venue specifications

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

Practical construction problems and limitations may relate to:

building regulations

construction risks

durability

safety considerations technical and performance personnel

size of performance space

timelines

Relevant personnel may include:

carpenters

designers

external suppliers

production managers

stage managers

other technical specialists

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

fabric

fabrics

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

Occupational and public health and safety legislative requirements may include:

Commonwealth, State and Territory occupational health and safety regulations

relevant local government legislation and regulation

relevant national and international standards, guidelines and codes of practice, e.g. the Building Code of Australia.

safety and legal requirements include fire proofing of all set and scenic elements.

Unit sector

Visual communication - props

This unit contains employability skills.