Props assistants and set dressers apply the skills and knowledge described in this unit.

People in this position are generally supervised by a props manager or supervisor and are members of a team that includes set dressers, set designers and continuity personnel.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Check condition of props

1. Liaise with relevant production personnel to confirm production requirements

2. Check props required for production to identify faults that need to be repaired or alterations that need to be made

3. Demonstrate features of props to cast and crew members as required

4. Ensure all props are capable of functioning throughout production

5. Ensure props are labelled, coded and stored safely in an appropriate order to meet production requirements

6. Ensure consumable or hazardous props are handled correctly and according to relevant OHS regulations

Make alterations to props

7. Liaise with relevant production personnel to confirm required alterations

8. Clean props, ensuring delicate or problem materials are serviced with care

9. Undertake reconditioning of props as required

10. Complete minor repairs to props as appropriate and store to enable ease of retrieval

11. Use appropriate techniques to make alterations to props as required

12. Ensure sufficient supplies of materials are available to cover needs during production

Maintain props during productions

13. Maintain all props in storage as required ensuring they are ready to meet production requirements

14. Check state of props continuously during production and carry out modifications and running repairs promptly as required

15. Ensure repaired props are replaced correctly taking into account continuity requirements of production

16. Ensure props are returned in good condition to correct sources at conclusion of production

17. Complete documentation in accordance with enterprise procedures

Required skills

communication and teamwork skills sufficient to:

liaise with relevant production personnel, e.g. set designers and continuity personnel

understand and carry out instructions and creative directions as required

explain the features of prop items to others

complete routine workplace documentation

work effectively as a team member

communicate effectively on the telephone

literacy and numeracy skills sufficient to:

interpret design documentation and scale drawings

interpret measurements accurately

account for minor expenditures, e.g. petty cash

technical skills sufficient to:

use a range of hand and power tools and equipment to alter and maintain props

use and apply a range of materials, e.g. plaster, adhesives and mouldings

self-management and planning skills sufficient to:

prioritise work tasks

work under pressure and meet deadlines

seek expert assistance when problems arise

label and store props in an orderly manner

maintain a clean and safe work area

Required knowledge

industry knowledge, including:

roles and responsibilities of personnel involved in designing and realising productions

understanding the artistic and technical elements of productions

characteristics of different types of props

prop design and construction processes

familiarity with storage and identification processes and systems

methods for the safe handling of hazardous materials

OHS standards as they apply to maintaining and altering props

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:

ability to:

organise and store props in line with production requirements

demonstrate attention to detail when repairing, maintaining and altering a range of props

follow directions and instructions

handle hazardous materials and equipment in a safe manner

collaborative approach to work.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure:

completion of props maintenance tasks within typical workplace time constraints

access to the tools required to complete repair and maintenance tasks

access to a range of props used in productions

access to productions requiring a range of props

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

direct observation of the candidate repairing, maintaining or altering props

inspection of props repaired, maintained or altered by the candidate

review of props maintenance reports prepared by the candidate

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:

CUEPRP03B Apply a general knowledge of props construction.

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:

art director

continuity

director

director of photography

floor manager

head of department

producer

production designer

production manager

props department personnel

props designer

props production staff

props supervisor and manager

set dresser

technical director

other technical/specialist staff.

Production requirements may include:

day and night

deadlines

hazardous situations

in a studio

on location - exterior

on location - interior

outside broadcast.

Props may include:

cable controlled props

consumables, such as:

food

beverages

blood and gore

costume props, such as:

armour

weapons

jewellery

electrically controlled props

equipment

furniture

hand props

mechanised props

pneumatically controlled props

pre-production prototypes

vehicles.

Productions may include:

animations

commercials

documentaries

feature films

filmed events

interactive media productions

live or pre-recorded productions of any type:

music

drama

comedy

variety

sport

news and current affairs

game shows

forums or special events

live theatre or events

music videos

short films .

Faults may include:

breakages

chips

dirt

marks

mechanical dysfunction

rips

stains

weathering.

OHS regulations may include:

commonwealth, state and territory OHS regulations

relevant local government construction rules and regulations

relevant national and international standards, guidelines and codes of practice, e.g. the Building Code of Australia.

Techniques may include:

gluing

metalwork, e.g.:

cutting

welding

brazing

moulding materials

painting materials

sculpting and other shaping methods

woodworking.

Materials may include:

adhesives

fabrics

fasteners

fibre glass

gaffer tape

leather

metal products, e.g.:

bars

sheets

tubes

nails and screws

paints

paper products

plaster

plaster board

plastics

polystyrene

putties of various types

spare parts

thermoplastic

timber

timber products, e.g.:

plywood

particle board

craftwood

tools.

Storage may include:

containers

offices

on location

refrigeration

shelving

temporary buildings

warehouses.

Sources may include:

hire companies

in-house props department

museums

opportunity shops

private individuals

retail stores

theatre companies.

Documentation may include:

colour charts

computer generated

confirmation of receipt and dispatch notes

descriptive props checklists

fault reports

manually written

manufacture schedules

manufacturer specifications and instructions

measurement charts

memos of instruction

paint colour formulas

petty cash dockets

production schedules

props breakdown lists

props design

props maintenance reports

props schedules and plans

running sheets

sketches

stock orders

stock reports

technical drawings.

Unit sector

Visual communication - props

This unit contains employability skills.