Application
Negative cutters apply the skills and knowledge outlined in this unit. They work closely with a range of post-production personnel and are responsible for producing negative cut in preparation for the production of a final exhibition print. This involves transferring footage shot on film to a digital format and using a non-linear editor to generate an EDL. They then cut and splice the original camera negative to conform to the EDL, or select sections of negative for further digital processing. Negative cutters carry a significant level of responsibility to ensure accuracy and total care of original negative film. They work generally in a broader production team and rely on detailed information from clients and other editing personnel. They may be responsible for supervising the work of others. Skills associated with preparing film for editing and non-linear editing are covered in: CUFPOS301A Prepare motion picture film for printing or transfer CUFPOS401A Edit screen content for fast turnaround. |
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENT | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
Prepare for negative matching | 1. Ensure that source material for productions is filed correctly and available as required 2. Liaise with relevant personnel to confirm production requirements to ensure negative matching is processed promptly 3. Retrieve original negative from storage and ensure that equipment is in good working order 4. Establish frame sequence required for final negative or for select takes according to production requirements 5. Review requirements as noted on edit decision lists prior to proceeding with negative matching 6. Manage negative with care to avoid damage during production process using appropriate protective gloves |
Extract and match negative | 7. Check frame sequence required for selected negative according to instructions and select designated takes 8. Identify and locate required frames on negative to match EDLs 9. Accurately cut selected frames until the negative matching process has been completed according to production requirements 10. Extract negative for opticals or digital treatment, complete necessary documentation and dispatch to required destination according to enterprise procedures 11. Supervise the work of others as required, ensuring that negative matching conforms with EDLs 12. Deal promptly and efficiently with problems that arise during the negative matching process to ensure that production deadlines are met |
Assemble, clean and check negative | 13. Attach leader film and label negative appropriately according to enterprise procedures 14. Assemble selected frames into correctly sequenced A and B rolls if required 15. Splice negative using correct editing procedures to meet final print criteria or scanning requirements 16. Assemble and label unused negative takes and store safely or return to relevant personnel according to enterprise procedures 17. Ensure that completed negative is clean and free from faults |
Wrap up operations | 18. Produce required documentation to report on the quality of selected negative 19. Ensure that negative is dispatched to the required destination according to enterprise procedures 20. Provide feedback on negative extraction and matching process to team members in a way that fosters a positive work environment 21. Review own performance on a regular basis and note areas for future improvement |
Required Skills
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Required skills |
excellent communication and organisational skills sufficient to: liaise with relevant production personnel, e.g. editors, directors, producers supervise team members plan and schedule aspects of post-production processes related to negative matching organise content logically and accurately self-management skills sufficient to: prioritise work tasks work under pressure meet deadlines seek expert assistance when problems arise problem solving skills sufficient to anticipate and deal with problems that arise in the context of extracting and matching negative technical skills sufficient to: use a range of negative extraction and matching equipment use relevant file management protocols for specified operating systems observe safety procedures when handling negative and work print rolls, and hazardous materials, such as cleaner solvents literacy and numeracy skills sufficient to: interpret relevant documentation prepare reports in relation to the negative extraction and matching process document, log and file source and edited materials implement and record time codes and copies |
Required knowledge |
attributes of a range of film types film handling techniques the properties and applications of different types of cleaning solvents industry knowledge, including: roles and responsibilities of project team members, e.g. post-production personnel, laboratory technicians, archivists, telecine and video operators issues and challenges that arise in the context of extracting and matching negative film language and terminology phases in the production and post-production process well-developed understanding of current editing techniques and application of different methods OHS requirements as they relate to working for periods of time on close-up work, manual handling of film negative and cleaning solvents duty of care to colleagues |
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: extraction and matching of negative that demonstrates an ability to: correctly interpret computer generated EDLs and job instructions handle negative cleanly, carefully and accurately follow correct safety procedures when handling film negative and hazardous materials work to deadlines attention to detail a collaborative approach to work, including the ability to supervise the work of others. |
Context of and specific resources for assessment | Assessment must ensure: access to editing equipment and software that enables the management of EDLs and other data opportunity to work on a range of relatively complex materials involvement with film laboratory procedures 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 evaluation of negative extraction and matching process undertaken by the candidate to determine whether the output meets requirements direct observation of candidate cutting and matching film negative 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 CUFPOS401A Edit screen content for fast turnaround BSBWOR402A Promote team effectiveness. |
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: | assistant editor colour grader/colourist director director of photography editor producer sound editor. |
Production requirements may include: | deadlines grading requirements special effects. |
Negative may be: | black and white negative colour negative duplicate negative negative produced from exposed camera film footage original negative. |
Equipment may include: | cement and ultrasonic splicers commercial processing machines computers edit bench film rewind benches film splicers synchronisers ultrasonic cleaning machines, of a commercial or industrial nature video replay decks. |
Edit decision lists may include instructions regarding: | composition dialogue effects transitions, e.g.: wipes dissolves fades use of graphics frame ratio and rate frame numbers: head tail glitches, faults, drop-outs image treatment or digital repair music soundtrack special effects speed takes tempo - duration of shots and segments timing. |
Digital treatment may include: | digital animations digital image repair digital opticals digital visual effects graphics motion effects titles transitions. |
Documentation may be: | can labels client instructions computer generated edited fine cut work print EDLs (edit decision lists) job code, title and client details log sheets manually written roll numbers shot/camera lists stock type. |
Print criteria may include: | correct alignments flush edge splices jump free rolls pressure resistant. |
Faults may include: | broken splices data errors dust emulsion distortion machine malfunction scratches solvent stains. |
Sectors
Unit sector |
Competency Field
Media and entertainment production - post-production |
Employability Skills
This unit contains employability skills. |
Licensing Information
Not applicable.