CUFBRT404A
Coordinate outside broadcasts

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to coordinate outside broadcasts in the media industries.No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement.

Application

Broadcast technicians or technologists apply the skills and knowledge described in this unit. Although they work under the direction of a broadcast engineer or technical director, they are expected to work with minimum supervision and, in the context of outside broadcasts, would usually be responsible for supervising others.

The person coordinating outside broadcast technical operations requires a broad range of technical skills associated with setting up and monitoring live feeds, as well as the flexibility to rectify faults quickly and efficiently. They also need to understand the requirements of others involved in the production chain.

Note: To meet the requirements of this unit, candidates need to demonstrate competency in the coordination of outside broadcasts for either television or radio. The Required Skills and Knowledge section should be tailored accordingly.


Elements and Performance Criteria

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Prepare for outside broadcasts

1. In consultation with relevant personnel, determine scope of outside broadcast requirements

2. Check functionality of equipment to be used and organise repairs as required in readiness for outside broadcasts

3. Organise link from OB point to program centre, including site surveys as required

4. Participate in pre-production sessions as required to ensure effective coordination of production and technical operations associated with outside broadcasts

5. Anticipate potential problems and negotiate solutions or contingency plans that pay due regard to creative, technical and budgetary requirements

Coordinate technical operations during outside broadcasts

6. Power up the OB vehicle on location according to enterprise procedures

7. Ensure that installation and testing of equipment at OB locations is carried out in a safe manner and in accordance with regulatory and industry standards

8. Establish and maintain signal and communication paths between OB point and the program centre

9. Use appropriate protocols in communication between an OB point and master control

10. Respond promptly and appropriately in the event of equipment failure

11. Monitor quality of signal from OB point and make adjustments as required

12. Assist relevant personnel with OB queries, taking care to communicate without over-use of jargon and technical language

Finalise OB location operations

13. Ensure that equipment is dismantled and stored according to enterprise procedures

14. Return OB location to original or improved condition

15. Complete production documentation and reports as required

16. Ensure that equipment is sent for repair as required

17. Participate in debriefing sessions and note areas for improvement in future outside broadcasts

Required Skills

Required skills

communication and literacy skills sufficient to:

interpret information from system drawings, equipment specifications and technical handbooks

complete workplace documentation

work and communicate effectively as a team member, including team leadership

planning and problem solving skills sufficient to:

diagnose faults in specified equipment and broadcast system

plan operational aspects of outside broadcasts, including contingency planning

technical skills sufficient to:

use test equipment in a safe manner

operate equipment in a specified outside broadcast vehicle/facility

connect and monitor performance of link between OB point and program centre

numeracy skills sufficient to interpret and record test measurement data

self-management skills sufficient to:

prioritise work tasks

meet deadlines

seek expert assistance as required

Required knowledge

industry knowledge, including:

structure of the broadcasting industry

roles and responsibilities of personnel in the broadcasting industry

impact of technological changes on outside broadcast operations

correct terminology, e.g. symbols, terminology and conventions used for electrical, mechanical and electronic drawings and specifications

regulatory and industry standards relevant to field of work (see range statement for examples)

product knowledge, e.g. manufacturer standards and specifications

sources of advice, information, and technical support

issues and challenges that arise in the context of coordinating outside broadcasts

features and operational standards for enterprise-specific outside broadcasting equipment, facilities and systems

well-developed understanding of the features of communication links used in OB operations

television standards, e.g. PAL, NTSC, SECAM, digital

OHS requirements as they relate to outside broadcast operations, e.g. RF awareness, working safely with electrical tools and equipment

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:

correct set-up and operation of outside broadcasts for either radio or television

effective team leadership abilities

efficient organisation and coordination of outside broadcasts

ability to meet production deadlines.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure:

access to either radio or television outside broadcasting facilities

coordination of outside broadcasts on at least three occasions

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

observation of the candidate setting up and monitoring technical operations for an outside broadcast

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:

CUFBRT402A Maintain broadcasting facilities and equipment

CUFBRT403A Ensure quality of broadcast output.


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.

Relevant personnel may include:

director

equipment operators

floor manager

head of department

producer

production assistant

production designer

production manager

program manager

station manager

subcontracted personnel

supervisor

technical director

volunteers coordinator

other technical/specialist personnel.

Outside broadcasts may be required for:

awards nights

concerts

election coverage

festivals

live events

news coverage

public rallies

sporting events.

Equipment may include:

cables

communication equipment, e.g. two-way communication devices

display devices, e.g. monitor

line equipment, e.g. audio/video DAs

production video and audio equipment, e.g. sound/vision mixer, microphones

record/replay machines, e.g. cameras, audio recorders.

Links may include:

balanced audio cable directly wired

IP streaming

ISDN line

microwave

satellite

telephone line

UHF

VoIP.

Potential problems may include:

audience or general public interference

communication dysfunctions

punctuality of production personnel

technical failures of equipment

topography of land or buildings

weather conditions.

Power may include:

back-up supply

generator

mains.

Testing may include:

assessing error performance levels

checking alarms

checking compliance with equipment parameters:

amplitude response

frequency response

distortion

noise performance

phase

timing

data network performance

bit error rate (BER)

mechanical performance

working temperature

checking that performance measurements:

accord with predetermined specifications

meet approved operating margins

signal strengths of radio, microwave and satellite links

the testing of protection mechanisms.

Regulatory and industry standards may include:

ACMA technical standards

Australian and international standards

Australian building codes and regulations

confined spaces regulations

environmental legislation

fire regulations

heritage legislation

industry codes of practice

noise abatement

OHS

trade practices legislation.

Protocols may include:

appropriate timing of communication

means of communication, e.g.:

telephone

radio

order wire

talkback

method of identifying source and destination of communication

which personnel communicate with whom.

Problems with the quality of signal may be related to:

audio quality:

level

frequency response

noise

crosstalk

distortion

video quality:

levels

peak white

white

black set-up

sync tip

burst

durations

1 line, 1 field, 1 frame

blanking (vertical and horizontal)

burst duration

back porch

front porch

H sync

degradation

differential phase

differential gain

delta gain

line time non-linearity

chrominance/luminance

gain/delay

inequality response

pre ringing or post-ringing

cable length attenuation

time distortions

frequency response errors

digital characteristics

sampling rate for Y and Chroma

level

max jitter

NRZI encoding, e.g. polarity independent

embedded audio

spectral make-up of signal.

start of active picture.


Sectors

Unit sector


Competency Field

Media and entertainment production - broadcast technology


Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.


Licensing Information

Not applicable.