Laboratory technicians and film processors apply the skills and knowledge contained in this unit. Usually under the supervision of a senior laboratory officer, they work closely with film editors and camera personnel. They are responsible for working with processing and printing equipment to produce unexposed print copies from negative and positive film. A combination of mechanical and analytical skills is required as the work can be exacting. A reasonable level of literacy and numeracy skills is necessary in the context of interpreting and calculating printing requirements. |
ELEMENT | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
Receive and check film rolls | 1. Read and interpret documentation, log receipt and processing of relevant film type 2. Identify deadlines for production of film and ensure work is completed promptly to meet production requirements 3. Check original film to identify type and condition 4. Select appropriate printing stock, and note special printing requirements 5. Handle film with care to avoid damage throughout production process, including protection from light sources |
Power up equipment for film printing | 6. Power or start up equipment according to manufacturers specifications, enterprise procedures and in a safe manner 7. Select the correct settings for film printing according to the requirements of the print |
Lace up film | 8. Lace film according to manufacturer instructions and enterprise procedures 9. Match image and sound components on equipment to ensure they are not scratched or otherwise damaged 10. Ensure that sound and image are synchronised 11. Check and adjust tensions to prevent slackness or stretching of source film or unexposed print copies 12. Load frame cue count (FCC), red, green, blue into the frame cue count unit to ensure correct colour grading of film |
Monitor printing process | 13. Monitor operation of equipment throughout the process and regulate voltages 14. Complete recovery operations in response to faults, to avoid damage to or loss of source film or unexposed print copies |
Complete the printing process | 15. Remove source film from equipment and check physical quality of unexposed print copies 16. Shut down equipment according to manufacturer instructions and enterprise procedures 17. Produce required documentation to report on quality of unexposed print copies produced and stock consumed 18. Log completed film job and deliver to required personnel according to enterprise procedures |
|
Required skills |
communication, teamwork and organisational skills sufficient to: interpret film printing specifications and instructions as required liaise with other personnel, e.g. editors, camera personnel, laboratory staff problem solving skills sufficient to anticipate and deal with minor equipment set-up problems self-management skills sufficient to: work under pressure meet deadlines follow workplace procedures with regard to the safe handling of all types of film, negative and positive film rolls, printing stock and chemicals used to process film seek expert assistance when problems arise technical skills sufficient to use a range of film printing equipment literacy and numeracy skills sufficient to: identify and label accurately source materials and copies implement accurate logging and filing of film information using relevant file management protocols for specified operating systems implement and record time codes and timings where relevant document image and sound components, e.g. completion of logging sheets interpret manufacturer specifications interpret chemical labels and material safety data sheets |
Required knowledge |
industry knowledge: roles and responsibilities of project team members, e.g. laboratory technicians, media archivists, telecine and video operators industry terminology relevant to film production and laboratory operations features of a range of printing and processing software and equipment film types and their characteristics OHS requirements as they relate to working for periods of time on close-up work, manual handling and chemicals current film printing techniques and application of different methods sound understanding of a range of film types and their attributes well-developed film handling techniques |
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: printing of motion picture film that demonstrates: safe handling of hazardous materials and negatives and unexposed print film correct interpretation of job instructions attention to detail collaborative approach to work. |
Context of and specific resources for assessment | Assessment must ensure: practical demonstration of skills within timeframes in a work environment access to motion picture film printing opportunities, together with a reasonable variety of assignments access to a range of motion picture film printing software and hardware 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 inspection of film printed by the candidate in response to instructions received from a supervisor observation of the candidate printing film to determine whether correct procedures have been followed 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: CUFPOS301A Prepare motion picture film for printing or transfer CUFPOS302A Process motion picture film. |
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. | |
Documentation may include: | can labels, e.g.: roll number magazine number stock type date camera sheets client details computer generated deadline details job card job code job sheet job title manually written printing instructions production schedule work order. |
Film may include: | black and white colour film exposed film film of any gauge, e.g. 16 mm, 35 mm, 70 mm negative film: camera original duplicate material optical effects negative positive film: release print duplicate intermediate material sound negative subtitles unexposed film. |
Equipment may include: | bobbins film rewind benches film splicers printing machines, e.g. 35 mm, 16 mm: continuous contact step contact step optical wet or dry gate spools. |
Settings may include: | EI (exposure index) of film other settings appropriate to the equipment picture light voltage printing speed red, green, blue trims settings of wet gate circulation pumps sound lamp voltage temperature of wet gate chemical solutions. |
Printing may include: | black and white printing colour printing dry printing optical printing printer test films wet printing. |
Prints may include: | archival intermediates first answer print release print subsequent answer prints. |
Faults may include: | age and fragility of original material blown lamps broken splices broken sprocket holes decomposition dirt equipment malfunction FCC data errors FCC tape damage film breaks film jams loss of image, focus and colour scratches. |
Personnel may include: | archival film service officers archivists camera personnel directors film editors motion picture laboratory officer other laboratory technicians producers. |
Unit sector |
Media and entertainment production - post-production |
This unit contains employability skills. |
Not applicable.