Lighting technicians or lighting assistants in the screen, media and entertainment industries apply the skills and knowledge described in this unit.

Within this largely operational role, follow spot operators need to exhibit a degree of artistic flair, including an ability to empathise with performers and modify follow spot cues quickly and effectively to accommodate unexpected movements during productions.

Follow spot operators work with other members of a production team and are typically supervised by a senior lighting technician or lighting designer.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Install follow spots

1. Position follow spots and accessories according to relevant documentation and ensure safety for the operator and audience

2. Set up stands securely and adjust for height as required

3. Check and adjust balance, focus and sights of follow spots

4. Install follow spot dimmers as required

5. Secure follow spot cabling safely

6. Install manual colour changer correctly and colour according to lighting plans

7. Test follow spots to ensure they are operational and that accessories are in working order

8. Focus follow spots and check multiple spots for consistency of focus and colour temperature

Participate in technical or creative run-throughs

9. Participate in technical or creative run-throughs as required, noting required equipment deficiencies or technical adjustments

10. Rehearse technical aspects of production and communicate to performers and relevant personnel as required

11. Set back-up options in the event of an equipment malfunction and test to ensure that they are in working order

12. Plot and run through cues on direction from relevant personnel and according to equipment, sequencing, timing and speed requirements

13. Make necessary changes to cues and modify cue sheets as required

14. Execute necessary changes to equipment according to modifications required

Prepare for follow spot operations

15. Power up follow spots and check height, balance, sights, focus, operation of iris, operation of additional follow spot accessories and dimmer

16. Check colours and operation of colour changer

17. Check that final requirements for equipment operation have been identified, implemented and documented

18. Check communication equipment to ensure that it is in working order

19. Correctly identify and rectify faults or problems and inform relevant personnel of ongoing problems

Operate follow spots

20. Operate follow spots on cue or direction from relevant personnel or running sheet

21. Operate spots so that beam diameter, shape, edge, colour and intensity level meet performance requirements

22. Synchronise follow spot operation with other lighting and staging effects

23. Modify follow spot cues and operation as required to cater for unexpected contingencies and creative requirements

24. Operate spots in a manner that does not distract the audience and maintains reasonable comfort for the operator

25. Identify and rectify problems safely, using logical problem solving techniques and according to venue procedures, and inform relevant personnel as required

26. Correctly identify the need for the use of back-up systems and implement as required

27. Recalibrate follow spots correctly after changing lamps as required

Shut down and disassemble equipment

28. Turn off power to follow spots according to cool-down procedures and dismantle, store or cover equipment according to enterprise procedures and performance requirements

29. Note changes to cue sheets and update and file documentation as required according to enterprise procedures

30. Participate in reviews of overall performance to maximise creative outcomes in future productions

Required skills

communication, literacy and teamwork skills sufficient to:

liaise with other production staff, e.g. other spot operators

respond to cues and directions in an effective and efficient manner

interpret and update production documentation

initiative and flexibility in the context of changing lighting cues quickly and effectively to accommodate unexpected movements by performers during productions

problem solving skills sufficient to identify and rectify follow spot problems during productions with minimum disruption to work flows

technical skills sufficient to:

demonstrate hand/eye coordination skills

operate follow spots and beam, and associated computer programs, including how to adjust for colour temperature

self-management skills sufficient to work under pressure and meet deadlines

Required knowledge

features and operations (optical and mechanical) of the main types of lanterns, e.g.:

profile

fresnel

pebble/convex

flood

moving lanterns

PAR (parabolic aluminised reflector) lamps

lantern accessories

different types of follow spots and their features, including incandescent and discharge units

relationship between follow spot operation and other lighting effects

industry knowledge, including:

roles and responsibilities of personnel in the relevant industry sector

impact of technology on production operations

broad understanding of the artistic and technical elements of a production

duty of care to colleagues and the general public, especially on location

OHS procedures as they relate to installing and operating follow spots

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:

application of excellent hand/eye coordination skills to follow spot operation for productions with extensive movement on stage

knowledge of different techniques for effective follow spot operation

collaborative approach to work.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure:

practical demonstration of skills through the operation of a follow spot for an actual production on more than one occasion and for more than one production

involvement of, and interaction with, a production team to reflect the collaborative nature of the process

access to follow spots and accessories as identified in the range statement

access to a production and production venue

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 operating follow spots during productions

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:

CUFLGT301A Prepare, install and test lighting equipment

CUFLGT302A Record and operate standard lighting cues.

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.

Follow spots may include:

discharge units

DMX controlled

incandescent

xenon arc.

Accessories may include:

% power selection switches

ballasts

colour magazines

gobos

irises

mechanical blackouts

mechanical dimmers

shutters

stands.

Documentation may include:

colour lists

cue sheets

emergency and safety procedures

equipment lists

focus notes

lighting plan

manuals

patch sheets

running sheets

scripts.

Relevant personnel may include:

director

lighting designer

other spot operators

producer

specialist staff

stage manager

supervisor

technical director.

Faults or problems may include:

blown globe

defective colour

defective iris/sights/dimmer

differences in colour temperature between different units

faulty balance

incorrect height adjustment

misaligned sights

problems with manual colour changer

unexpected changes by performers, e.g. moving out of range, behind scenery.

Unit sector

Media and entertainment production - lighting

This unit contains employability skills.