CUFDRT401A
Direct television programs and segments

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to direct television programs and segments.No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement.

Application

Television producers and directors who work on programs with a clearly-defined format apply the skills and knowledge described in this unit.

Directors are responsible for directing the crew, as well as program guests, interviewees or any member of the public being filmed for programs. Even though directors act with a fair degree of autonomy, they are members of a production team. In general they report to an executive producer, news editor or program producer.

In some circumstances, the role of director and producer may be combined.


Elements and Performance Criteria

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Undertake pre-production.

1.1. Determine program format, location and requirements in consultation with relevant personnel.

1.2. Determine optimal approach to achieve creative and technical aspects of programs and program segments.

1.3. Devise camera coverage in consultation with relevant personnel and within own level of responsibility.

1.4. Ensure that all program elements are listed on running sheets in line with enterprise procedures.

2. Direct program segments.

2.1. Oversee camera and sound check and rehearsal of shots.

2.2. Provide final briefings to talent and crew and respond to queries as required.

2.3. Direct talent and crew to achieve required style and in a way that minimises the need for editing.

2.4. Review recorded segments to determine if they meet production requirements and re-shoot as required.

2.5. Direct the editing of segments as required, in line with production requirements and deadlines.

3. Direct programs.

3.1. Oversee camera and sound check and rehearsal of shots.

3.2. Provide final briefings to talent and crew and respond to queries as required.

3.3. Check that two-way communication equipment is functioning.

3.4. Direct cameras and operations to achieve required style.

3.5. Direct live switches as required.

3.6. If directing live programs, be prepared to make decisions on the fly in the event of unforeseen circumstances.

3.7. Monitor pace and flow of programs and take action to bring them back on track if necessary.

4. Review programs.

4.1. Debrief with relevant personnel about how well programs achieved creative and technical goals.

4.2. Incorporate suggestions for improvement into future programs.

4.3. Finalise requisite documentation and ensure required copies of programs are kept in accordance with legislative and enterprise procedures.

Required Skills

Required skills

well-developed communication and literacy skills in the context of:

delivering clear briefings to production crew and program guests

providing clear verbal and non-verbal cues during productions

interacting with people in sensitive situations

interpreting production documentation

teamwork skills in the context of:

fostering cooperation and creative synergy within production teams

giving and receiving constructive feedback on performance

technical skills sufficient to:

direct television production crews

direct the editing of program segments

use two-way communication devices

aural discrimination skills in relation to ensuring that sound levels are consistent

visual discrimination skills in relation to advising on the overall look of visual content

initiative and flexibility in the context of:

resolving unexpected problems

managing a range of tasks concurrently

contributing ideas about camera coverage to achieve required creative outcomes

self-management and planning skills sufficient to:

work under pressure and meet deadlines

manage work calmly and effectively to achieve goals and results.

Required knowledge

industry knowledge, including:

roles and responsibilities of personnel involved in television production areas, such as camera, lighting, sound, post-production and graphics

issues and challenges that arise in directing television programs

single and multi-camera techniques for making programs that require minimal editing

features of a range of cameras and accessories

communication techniques, including effective listening, questioning and non verbal cues

OHS standards as they apply to directing television programs

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:

directing of television programs that demonstrates:

effective communication with cast and crew

ability to integrate a number of different tasks simultaneously

knowledge of single and multi-camera operations

ability to meet production deadlines

collaborative approach to work.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure:

access to television production facilities and field assignments to enable practical demonstration of directing skills on a number of occasions

access to video playback equipment to enable evaluation of programs directed by the candidate

access to appropriate learning and assessment support when required

the use of culturally appropriate processes, and techniques appropriate to the oracy, language and literacy capacity of the assessee and the work being performed.

Method of assessment

The following assessment method is 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 programs directed by the candidate, including discussion with candidate about the process followed to direct the programs

observation of the candidate directing programs or program segments

written or oral 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:

CUFPPM401A Produce programs and program segments.


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:

announcers

broadcasters

clients

contestants

designers

interview subjects

journalists

performers

presenters

producers

program hosts

program managers and directors

sales representatives

technical directors

technical staff

other specialist staff.

Technical aspects may include:

announcers

broadcasters

clients

contestants

designers

interview subjects

journalists

performers

presenters

producers

program hosts

program managers and directors

sales representatives

technical directors

technical staff

other specialist staff.

Program elements may include:

comedy segments

commercials and sponsorship

community announcements

current affairs

drama segments

front and back announcements

interviews

live crosses

music

news

prerecorded segments

sound effects

telephone calls.

Contributors and talent may include:

academics

artists

community representatives

contestants

government representatives

historians

members of the general public

news-makers

performers

philosophers

politicians

scientists

sports people

topic specialists.

Style may include:

adequate pauses

articulation

body language

dress, hair and make-up

enunciation

inflection

mood

pace

tone of voice

visual presentation

Documentation may include:

cue sheets

log sheets

on-air front and back announcements

program documentation, such as:

broadcast date and time

track numbers

plot and thematic information

master copy and duplicates.

Production requirements may include:

attributions

audience

budget

capabilities of the studio

confidentiality

content

contractual

copyright

deadlines

direct quotes

duration

ethics

intellectual property

interviews

location

purpose

schedule

style.


Sectors

Unit sector

Media and entertainment production - directing


Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.


Licensing Information

Not applicable.