Post-production supervisors in film and media industry sectors apply the skills and knowledge described in this unit. Major duties include the supervision of editing personnel and the acquisition of post-production resources.

In larger productions, supervisors may be involved in planning and scheduling at the pre-production phase, especially where complex computer generated images (CGIs) are required.

As a rule, post-production supervisors are employed on a freelance basis, reporting to producers and production managers.

The position is pivotal in ensuring the post-production process is achieved within budget and on time.

Post-production supervisors may employ an assistant and may manage a number of projects simultaneously.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Clarify post-production briefs

1. Participate in meetings with relevant production personnel to determine required post-production resources assessed against proposed production medium

2. Provide ongoing strategic advice to production team to improve efficiency of post-production activities

3. Identify and analyse specific technical or creative requirements for post-production

4. Identify available budgets and timelines required

5. Provide specific advice on costs and operational implications for editing, taking into account required techniques for production

Develop an operational plan

6. Draw up specific schedules to ensure post-production activity meets expected deadlines

7. Investigate availability and cost of post-production resources and staff in order to complete post-production plans

8. Ensure OHS requirements are established in line with organisational procedures

9. Develop documentation for anticipated stages in post-production process and confirm with relevant production personnel

10. Ensure documentation is accessible to all involved with post-production activities as required

11. Finalise operational plan in consultation with relevant production personnel and obtain sign-off according to organisational procedures

Implement post-production processes

12. Book and check post-production resources and finalise all contractual arrangements with personnel and suppliers in line with enterprise procedures

13. Identify and resolve problems, ensuring proposed solutions are discussed with affected staff prior to implementing changes

14. Negotiate provision of any previously unplanned or additional post-production services in conjunction with relevant production personnel

15. Monitor and manage post-production activities on a proactive basis and according to agreed operational plan

16. Prepare progress reports where applicable and organise appropriate review sessions for relevant production personnel

Wrap post-production activities

17. Attend ongoing post-production evaluation sessions to ensure final product meets creative, technical and budgetary requirements of the production

18. Obtain lock-off approval for project from relevant production personnel

19. Complete required documentation and arrange for return of hired post-production resources as applicable

20. Evaluate all aspects of completed projects and note areas for improvement

Required skills

communication skills sufficient to:

interact effectively with people with diverse interests and needs

show strong leadership qualities and work closely with team members

conduct effective negotiations with a wide range of production personnel, and external suppliers and service providers

coordinate production meetings and brief staff to achieve required outcomes

well-developed planning and organisational skills sufficient to coordinate all aspects of post-production

well-developed project management skills covering both physical and human resources

ability to address and resolve problems and challenges in a timely and collaborative manner

self-management skills sufficient to:

work under pressure

provide appropriate and timely post-production documentation

meet post-production deadlines

evaluate own performance

initiative and flexibility when responding to unexpected changes in the post-production schedule or process

literacy skills sufficient to interpret written instructions, such as script requirements, and to prepare progress reports

numeracy skills sufficient to interpret, monitor and adjust budgets and cost estimates

Required knowledge

meeting procedures and protocols as they relate to post-production operations

artistic and technical elements associated with post-production for film and media productions sufficient to coordinate all aspects of post-production

well-developed understanding of:

administrative procedures associated with running a post-production operation

content, format and timing of different types of documentation developed and distributed by a production supervisor

duty of care to colleagues and general public

industry knowledge, including:

structure of the relevant industry sector

roles and responsibilities of personnel

current industry practices, e.g. industrial awards, workers' compensation and contracts

filmic language and other relevant terminology, as required

sources of products, supplies and equipment

impact of technology on production and post-production operations

phases and practices in the production and post-production process, including problems and challenges that arise

OHS and public safety legislation and regulations as they apply to post-production

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:

high-level management and communication skills as a team leader

ability to coordinate at a practical level creative and technical requirements of post-production, across a range of formats

ability to produce creative solutions within constraints of budgets and resources.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure:

access to post-production activities across a range of formats, e.g. film, video and interactive media

access to a selection of post-production resources and equipment as listed in the range statement

opportunities to work with and manage a team of editors and other specialist staff

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

review of post-production documentation prepared by the candidate

discussion with the candidate about the management of the post-production process, challenges faced and how these were overcome

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:

BSBFIM501A Manage budgets and financial plans

BSBMGT502B Manage people performance

BSBPMG510A Manage projects

CUFPPM601A Plan and manage film and media pre-production.

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 personnel may include:

assistant editor

CGI personnel

director

director of photography

editor

executive producer

graphic designer

laboratory personnel

mixer

music composer

picture editing personnel

producer

production accountant

production manager

sound designer

sound editing personnel

sound effects personnel

sound recordist

technical director

telecine operator

other technical/specialist staff.

Post-production resources may include:

commercial facilities

consumable materials, including:

computer disks

videotapes

splicing tapes

viewer globes

film leaders

labels

digital audiotape player (DAT)

digital disk recorder (DDR)

digital effects system (DVE)

edit controllers

editing programs, e.g. Final Cut Pro and Avid

editing suites

equipment

film editing flatbed

in-house facilities

laboratory services

mixers, e.g. sound and vision

multi-track audio recorders

rewinders

splicers

suppliers

synchronisers

title generators

vehicles

video transfer recorder (VTR)

viewers

vision switchers.

Production medium may include:

CD and DVD

CGI

computerised data

digitised media - vision and sound

film of any gauge

graphics

magnetic sound tape

MP3

still imagery

videotape of any format

web.

Editing may include:

animations

CGIs

credits

digital non-linear

film

linear

offline

online

opticals

sound requirements:

additional dialogue recording (ADR)

music

sound effects

foley

atmosphere

special effects

titles

videotape.

Productions may include:

animated productions

commercials

documentaries

feature films

filmed events or performances

inserts for live or pre-recorded television productions

interactive media productions

music videos

radio productions

short films

television productions of any type, including music, drama, comedy, variety and sport.

Documentation may include:

budgets

camera reports

computer generated

contact sheets

continuity reports

contracts

flex-files

hire agreements

manually written

manufacture schedules

manufacturer specifications and instructions

memos of instruction

OHS procedures

operational and project plans

production schedules

scripts

sound reports

supplier catalogues.

Post-production services may include:

compression of production for variable digital formats, e.g. streaming, DVD, CD and websites

laboratory services, e.g.:

development of exposed camera film

production of contact work print

production of daily rushes

negative matching

transfer of video to film (kine)

transfer of film to tape

production of opticals and titles

production of answer and release prints

production of premix and final mix prints.

Lock-off may apply to:

sound

vision.

Unit sector

Media and entertainment production - production planning and management

This unit contains employability skills.