CUFPPM407A
Coordinate continuity

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to provide continuity services in the screen, media and entertainment industry sectors.Managing correct continuity during a production is about ensuring consistency of the characteristics of persons, plot, objects, places and events. Continuity is essential to ensure smooth transitions between shots and scenes, thus facilitating post-production editing.The process of continuity involves tracking details of each shooting session, knowing that many scenes are shot out of sequence. Accuracy in continuity is crucial in preventing costly retakes or revisions after the production phase has been completed.No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement.

Application

The role of continuity is carried out usually by a continuity supervisor or script supervisor. This person is the prime liaison between director and editor, but may be answerable to a producer. The person also communicates script changes to cast and crew, including props, make-up and wardrobe. The role is described often as the scribe for a production. A script supervisor takes notes on all details required to recreate the continuity of a particular scene, location or action.


Elements and Performance Criteria

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Prepare scripts for continuity

1. Analyse and break down scripts to determine continuity implications of scenes to be shot

2. Collaborate with relevant production staff to determine most efficient shooting sequence

3. Prepare relevant continuity documentation to deliver basic continuity information for each scene

4. Identify story days and sequence of story within the script and mark against production schedule

5. Note continuity information on script, production schedules or in a continuity diary according to organisational or standard industry practices

6. Confirm dialogue requirements with relevant production staff to verify purpose and storyline

Conduct continuity during production phase

7. Log information for each action or take on script or in continuity diary

8. Produce detailed notes on all elements associated with each scene to enable precise reproduction at a later date if required

9. Take photographs of all characters, sets and locations to assist facilitation of continuity

10. Time and record duration of all sequences during shoots

11. Describe shots in terms of relevant technical information according to organisational requirements

12. Provide progress reports to relevant production staff as required and update continuity documentation on an ongoing basis during productions

Advise on continuity during productions

13. Advise director of effects of changes to dialogue and other elements and their implications for production schedules and costs

14. Communicate approved changes to cast and crew in terms of effects on them either verbally or through relevant continuity documentation

15. Liaise with personnel from other departments responsible for specific areas of continuity to ensure that correct continuity for the whole production is maintained

16. Advise director of continuity problems according to organisational procedures and offer solutions

Required Skills

Required skills

communication skills sufficient to:

work effectively as a team member advising on continuity issues

negotiate changes to shooting sequences with minimum disruption to schedules

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

analytical and planning skills sufficient to:

analyse scripts and production schedules

contribute to the planning of shooting schedules

initiative and enterprise sufficient to anticipate continuity problems and address them in a timely and efficient manner

literacy skills sufficient to interpret and provide written documentation, e.g. shot lists, labelling and script changes

numeracy skills sufficient to make and record accurate timing sequences

technical skills sufficient to operate a stills camera in the context of taking continuity photos

Required knowledge

protocols as they relate to production operations

continuity conventions, including:

direction and line of action

crossing the line

eyeline

types of shots

angles

position of cameras

position of performers

script changes

visualisation and interpretation of creative and technical concepts sufficient to coordinate all aspects of production continuity

industry knowledge, including:

structure of the screen, media and entertainment industry sectors

roles and responsibilities of production personnel

filmic language and terminology

administrative procedures and documentation associated with running a production

issues and challenges that arise when coordinating continuity

duty of care to colleagues and general public

OHS and public safety legislation and regulations as they apply to film and television sets and locations

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:

attention to detail

ability to document a wide range of information accurately

ability to work under pressure and work effectively as a team member

effective organisation of information.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure:

practical demonstration of skills through coordinating continuity for at least two productions

access to productions requiring continuity

access to scripts for analysis

access to a range of sets, wardrobe, props and locations on which to practise continuity skills

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 continuity documentation produced by the candidate, including discussion with candidate about the process followed to coordinate continuity

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:

BSBCRT402A Collaborate in a creative process

CUFCOS301A Maintain costume continuity

CUFMUP402A Maintain make-up and hair continuity.


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.

Production staff may include:

camera operator

director

director of photography

editor

heads of department

lighting personnel

make-up

producer

props

props supervisor

second assistant camera

sound personnel

studio personnel

technical director

wardrobe

wardrobe supervisor.

Continuity documentation may include:

checklists

coloured pages for script variations

computer generated

digital images

lined scripts

logging information

make-up and hair plans

manually written

memos of instruction

photos

production schedules

progress reports

props lists

running sheets

shooting scripts.

Continuity information may include:

camera and sound rolls

comments for review

make-up details:

hairstyle

personal appearance of performer

special requirements in action sequences

number of takes

props details:

placement of accessories

performers' use of props

condition of props

special requirements of action sequences

pyrotechnics and firearms

scene details

script breakdown

slate numbers

sync takes

timings

wardrobe details:

costume appearance

costume condition

performer appearance in costume.

Action or takes may include:

dialogue details

direction of movements

duration of scenes

duration of takes or shots

number of takes or repeats

positions of main actors

variations to script during production.

Technical information may include:

ambience of location

camera model

focal length

lighting details

sound details

types of lenses used

weather conditions.

Progress reports may include:

crew overtime

overall timings

scene timings

scenes shot

schedule updates, e.g. incomplete progress

shooting ratios

start and finish times.

Productions may include:

animated productions

commercials

documentaries

feature films

interactive media productions

music videos

short films

television productions of any type.

Specific areas of continuity may include:

make-up

props

special effects

wardrobe.

Continuity problems may include:

issues related to storyline

logic of action

screen direction, e.g. crossing the line

viewer experience and feedback

weather conditions.


Sectors

Unit sector


Competency Field

Media and entertainment production - production planning and management


Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.


Licensing Information

Not applicable.