People assisting with lighting operations in the screen, media and entertainment industries apply the skills and knowledge outlined in this unit. They are working under the direct supervision of an experienced lighting technician.

The role includes the need for an understanding of the role of lighting technicians, lighting system layouts and the functions of a range of lighting equipment. Equipment operation is at a routine level.

Higher level skills associated with lighting operations are covered in units such as:

CUFLGT301A Prepare, install and test lighting equipment

CUFLGT302A Record and operate standard lighting cues.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Make preparations for lighting set-up

1. Confirm work requirements with relevant personnel with reference to designated lighting plans

2. Correctly identify appropriate rigging and positioning points for lights and lighting equipment

3. Correctly identify cables and connectors used with different lighting components

4. Identify and sort lighting equipment and accessories in preparation for set-up, ensuring appropriate handling and taking account of equipment differences

5. Follow enterprise procedures and comply with OHS requirements at all times

Complete tasks using lighting equipment

6. Correctly use a lighting desk to bring up channels for focusing and adjustment

7. Correctly and safely power up dimmers and set up patch system

8. Attach light beam control accessories to ensure use of lights is according to instructions and procedures

9. Correctly handle cables, including rolling/unrolling, storage and safe manual handling

10. Identify problems with equipment promptly, take action within the scope of individual responsibility or report to relevant personnel

11. Check and replace spares and consumables and ensure production equipment is ready and available to productions at specified locations

12. Communicate appropriately with relevant personnel, clients or the public during the completion of tasks

Required skills

effective communication, literacy and teamwork skills sufficient to:

work effectively as a member of a production team

interpret lighting plans

understand use of scale, lighting symbols and notation conventions

technical skills sufficient to:

operate a lighting desk at a basic level

undertake basic maintenance of lighting components, e.g. replacing bulbs, checking condition of cables

numeracy skills sufficient to:

count and sort equipment and use numerical features of lighting desks

understand and calculate power loadings (amperage)

Required knowledge

the general scope and potential of lighting operations within different production contexts, e.g. theatre, music, corporate, film and television

basic understanding of electrical theory, e.g. watts, amps, kilowatts

roles and responsibilities of lighting technicians in different contexts, including career paths

the relationship between lighting operations and other technical and performance areas, including audio, vision systems and performance

lighting system options in a range of venue types

colour recognition

specialised terminology that applies to lighting operations

general features of lanterns and accessories, dimmers and control systems

overview of different types of automated lights and the special requirements of this type of technology, including:

rigging orientation

powering

requirement for data supply and fixture addressing

overview of appropriate use of standard pump-propelled glycol-based atmospheric (smoke) effects

requirements for storage of lighting equipment

OHS legislation and enterprise standards in relation to lighting operations, e.g. electrical restrictions

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:

completion of lighting-related tasks according to health and safety procedures

recognition of lighting equipment, including key features and purpose.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure:

practical demonstration of skills through the completion of a range of preparatory and set-up tasks with industry-standardlighting equipment

project or work activities that allow knowledge to be applied to specific production contexts and situations

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

direct observation of the candidate completing lighting-related tasks

inspection of equipment set up by the candidate to determine whether set-up meets production requirements

verbal or written questioning to assess knowledge of equipment types.

Guidance information for assessment

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:

CUSOHS301A Follow occupational Health and safety procedures

CUETGE15B Handle physical elements safely during bump in/bump out.

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:

camera crew

clients

customers

lighting designer

lighting technicians

performers/actors

special effects operators

supervisor.

Lights and lighting equipment may include:

architectural fixtures, e.g. wall lights

cyclorama lights

ellipsoidal profile

floods

fresnels

outside broadcast equipment

PAR (parabolic aluminised reflector) lamps

PC (pebbled convex) lamps

profile

snoots

studio and theatre-based equipment.

Lighting desk may include:

controlled lighting effects

lighting desk peripherals, e.g.:

monitors

printers

external memory storage

riggers' controls

desk lamp

control cables

effects unit

back-up equipment

manual preset operation

manual/memory desks

manually operated desks

single scene sub-master operation

sub-master cue stacker and playback

theatrical cue set-up and playback.

Dimmers may include:

analogue dimmers

multiplexed analogue dimmers

multiplexed digital dimmers, e.g. DMX512

MUX and DMUX units, e.g. analogue conversion

Single-unit (follow spot) dimmers, e.g. Model 1 or Monopak

small self-contained dimmable controllers, e.g. Fourpack, Quadpak.

Patch system may include:

automated lighting, i.e. direct power and data lines required (no dimmer)

distributed dimming, e.g. dimmers located where required

distributed patching, e.g. patch lines from a single dimmer to lights

dual systems, i.e. combination of both layouts as above.

Light beam control accessories may include:

animation discs

barn doors

black wrap

colour frames

cookies

cut-outs

doughnuts and top hats

flags

flood mechanisms

fresnel/PC barn doors

gel frames

gels

gobos/gobo holders/rotators

iris

profile shutters.

Use of lights may include:

avoiding incorrect orientation of a lamp (which can reduce filament and lantern life)

identifying the correct replacement lamp and wattage of lanterns

identifying the different types of lamp bases

knowing how heat is dissipated by a lantern

using correct bubble handling techniques.

Spares and consumables may include:

batteries

bulbs

cables

cables

fuses

gaffer tape

gels.

Unit sector

Media and entertainment production - lighting

This unit contains employability skills.