Vision mixers apply the skills and knowledge described in this unit. They work closely with, and often but not always, under the direction of a director or producer. Vision mixers operate in a multi-source environment from a studio control room or an outside broadcast van. They carry responsibility for creating required composite images, transitions and effects for television productions. Productions utilising the skills of vision mixers are often live. They can include variety, music, comedy, drama, news, sport, current affairs, live events broadcasts (e.g. concerts, New Year's Eve celebrations), children's programs, lifestyle productions. |
ELEMENT | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
Prepare a script or production schedule for vision mixing | 1. Liaise with relevant production personnel to confirm production requirements and recommend creative solutions where appropriate 2. Analyse production requirements to determine quantity, nature and style of effects and processes 3. Mark known effects and processes on production documentation according to enterprise procedures and confirm accuracy with relevant production personnel 4. Prepare contingency plans for unscripted effects and processes that may arise during recording of productions in consultation with director or producer 5. Contribute to creative process as required and explore potential for creating original ideas and proposals |
Set up for vision mixing | 6. Select vision mixing methods to achieve creative and technical output for productions 7. Negotiate alternative strategies with relevant production personnel where designated effects and processes are beyond the capability of available equipment 8. Check that identified effects and processes are fully functional and monitors are working within specifications 9. Check and assign or route required vision sources so they are accessible on the vision mixing unit and can be previewed on monitoring equipment 10. Identify and note key reference points and complexities requiring special attention during production 11. Ensure equipment is tested and confirm it is capable of meeting production requirements |
Mix vision | 12. Ensure that actions throughout productions are correctly identified on scripts or production schedules 13. Communicate with relevant production personnel throughout the mixing process to achieve the desired effect 14. If appropriate, preview sources throughout the production process and put to air on cue 15. Respond promptly to cues received from relevant production personnel and ensure consistency of timing 16. Perform planned transitions between vision sources, reassign sources as and when required, and perform effects transitions to ensure production requirements are met 17. Assign effects and processes to appropriate storage device 18. React to equipment failure by applying alternative effects and processes as necessary 19. Monitor quality of creative and technical output during productions |
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Required skills |
communication and organisational skills sufficient to: liaise with relevant production personnel plan and schedule relevant aspects of video mixing processes communicate effectively and efficiently using two-way communication devices organise television and interactive media content logically and accurately utilise relevant file management protocols for specified operating systems initiative and enterprise in the context of: achieving creative outcomes within technical constraints visualising and interpreting creative concepts responding appropriately and effectively in unanticipated situations technical skills sufficient to: operate specific vision mixing equipment work in both non-linear and linear configurations judge picture-to-sound synchronisation check and test that equipment is working to specifications undertake basic maintenance of a range of mixing devices and equipment self-management skills sufficient to: prioritise work tasks work calmly under pressure and to tight deadlines make decisions within level of own responsibility seek expert assistance when problems arise literacy and numeracy skills sufficient to: interpret scripts and other relevant documentation, e.g. equipment specifications prepare and write reports document, log and file source materials, e.g. composites, video digital effects record durations of sequences and measure timings for transitions and effects |
Required knowledge |
industry knowledge, including: roles and responsibilities of personnel in broadcast operations and production basic understanding of the characteristics of television standards, e.g. PAL, NTSC, SECAM basic understanding of television broadcast systems and transmission facilities nature, function and limitations of video mixers nature and purpose of test signals sources of advice, information, and technical support issues and challenges that arise in the context of vision mixing television productions broadcast terminology concept and judgement of image and audio broadcast quality OHS standards as they apply to working in broadcast operations |
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: correct interpretation of pre-production documentation to meet vision mixing requirements collaborative approach to work ability to mix a range of vision inputs according to production requirements. |
Context of and specific resources for assessment | Assessment must ensure: practical demonstration of skills through a range of vision mixing tasks in a television production environment access to broadcasting facilities access to appropriate learning and assessment support when required use of culturally appropriate processes and techniques appropriate to the language and literacy capacity of learners and the work being performed. |
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 and third-party workplace reports of on-the-job performance evaluation of a selection of television programs for which the candidate mixed the vision observation of the candidate in a vision mixing role written or verbal questioning to test knowledge as listed in the required skills and knowledge section of this unit. |
Guidance information for assessment | Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example: BSBCRT402A Collaborate in a creative process. |
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 requirements may include: | back-ups blue screen/green screen compiles deadlines edits production style production type recordings replays retakes schedules transfers. |
Effects and processes may include: | backgrounds borders captions digital video effects dissolves drop shadows fades jump cuts keys - chroma and external linear and non-linear moves mattes mixes picture composites reveals split screens stills/graphics titles transitions tumbles wipes zooms. |
Documentation may include: | computer generated cue sheets enterprise procedure manuals equipment manuals fault reports information sheets logging sheets manually generated schedules, e.g. production, transmission scripts. |
Production personnel may include: | camera personnel director floor manager graphics personnel lighting personnel producer sound personnel special effects personnel technical director/producer video operators other technical personnel, e.g. maintenance. |
Productions may include: | live-to-air live-to-tape news and current affairs programs pre-recorded sport programs variety programs. |
Creative and technical output may include: | artistic style audio levels, e.g. mono, stereo black levels burst phase chrominance gain colour balance colour bars luminance quality of image and sound rhythm timings tone. |
Equipment may include: | monitors still stores talkback facility - intercom vision mixers, e.g.: key bus hot bus auto buttons downstream key chroma key luma key matte key T-bar. |
Sources may include: | cameras character generator local feed overseas camera feed pre-recorded video material satellite feed stills. |
Cues may include: | by hand signal computer automated cues countdowns ready calls roll cues, e.g. roll tape script references stand-by cues talkback with floor manager time calls verbal written messages. |
Storage may include on: | computer hard drive disks servers videotape. |
Unit sector |
Media and entertainment production - broadcasting |
This unit contains employability skills. |
Not applicable.