CUFPRP301A
Assemble and maintain props

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to assemble and maintain props for productions in the film, television, media and entertainment industry sectors.Key duties include acquisition, assembly and maintenance of required props. In addition, props personnel assist in dressing sets and are responsible for maintaining continuity of props during productions.As a rule, props personnel require good organisational skills, a capacity to adapt to unexpected situations and an ability to carry out repairs and maintenance.No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement.

Application

Props personnel apply the skills and knowledge outlined in this unit. Personnel may include props makers, props storepersons and props dressers.

The props department may be supervised by a props manager and the props team works closely with set designers, directors and continuity personnel before and during productions.


Elements and Performance Criteria

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Prepare props for productions

1. Liaise with relevant production personnel to confirm production requirements

2. Review and analyse all documentation relevant to productions to ensure prop requirements are fully met

3. Confirm availability of secure storage facility for props on location and arrange for safe transport to destination

4. Ensure props are labelled and stored correctly to facilitate production requirements, including provision and care of consumables where applicable

5. Document condition of props from all sources to ensure they meet required quality standards for production

6. Ensure production personnel are briefed thoroughly on use, functions and placement of props, including requirements for complying with OHS regulations

Dress sets

7. Assist relevant production personnel to dress sets according to production requirements ensuring safe handling of props

8. Record accurately placement of props on set and ensure duplicates are available where applicable

9. Complete and check the set dressing in time to meet production calls

10. Confirm required variations to initial production plans with relevant production personnel

11. Identify and sequence set strike and re-dress tasks according to production requirements and deadlines

12. Observe on-set etiquette and protocols at all times

Maintain continuity during productions

13. Ensure changes to continuity are updated on an ongoing basis and are accurately recorded on script breakdown

14. Make arrangements for replacement of props with specific characteristics to maintain continuity during productions, including reliability of supplies

15. Dress sets on an ongoing basis throughout productions to replicate or adjust from previous takes or scenes as directed

16. Refer at all times to continuity documentation during productions and carry out dressing duties as required

Maintain condition of props

17. Use appropriate materials and techniques to complete minor repairs or alterations as required or refer to relevant production personnel according to individual level of responsibility

18. Assess whether damaged props can continue to be used in production and arrange for replacements where necessary after referral to relevant production personnel

19. Ensure consumable props are handled and stored according to OHS regulations and enterprise procedures

20. Ensure props no longer required during production are stored securely and safely or returned to original sources in good condition

21. Finalise required documentation in accordance with enterprise procedures and protocols

Required Skills

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

prepare relevant documentation and production information

work effectively as a team member

communicate effectively on the telephone and using two-way communication devices

literacy and numeracy skills sufficient to:

interpret design documentation, scale drawings and set construction specifications and instructions

interpret measurements accurately

initiative and enterprise in the context of being flexible and dealing with the unexpected during productions

technical skills sufficient to:

use a range of hand and power tools and equipment to dress sets

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

make decisions within level of own responsibility

seek expert assistance when problems arise

dress sets with props accurately and maintain continuity during productions

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

terminology associated with production scheduling

set etiquette and protocols

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 dressing and maintaining the continuity of sets

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:

ability to:

assemble props required for productions

maintain props continuity during productions

handle hazardous materials and equipment in a safe manner

collaborative approach to work

effective verbal and written communication skills.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure:

completion of props assembly tasks within typical workplace time constraints

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 assembling props for productions

inspection of props assembled by the candidate to determine whether production requirements have been met and proper procedures followed

review of props continuity documentation 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:

CUFPRP201A Repair, maintain and alter props.


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 personnel may include:

armourer

art director

costume designer

designer

director

director of photography

floor manager

head of department

performer

producer

production designer

production manager

props department personnel

props maker

props manager

props storeman

set designer

stand-by props personnel

technical director

wardrobe department personnel

wardrobe supervisor and manager

other technical/specialist staff.

Production requirements may include:

day and night

deadlines

hazardous situations

interior and exterior

multiple locations

operational cooking facilities, e.g. gas stove

special effects, e.g. rain or war zone

special vehicles.

Documentation may be:

call sheets

colour charts

computer generated

confirmation of receipt and dispatch notes

continuity reports and checklists

descriptive props checklists

fault reports

hire agreements

manually written

manufacture schedules

manufacturer specifications and instructions

measurement charts

memos of instruction

paint colour formulas

production schedules

props breakdown lists

props design

props schedules and plans

running sheets

sketches

stock orders

stock reports

technical drawings.

Productions may include:

animations

commercials

documentaries

feature films

interactive media

live or pre-recorded television productions

live theatre and events

music video

short films

television productions of any type.

Storage facility may include:

car boot

caravan

lock-up facility

office

on-site shed

safe

secure strong box

warehouse.

Props may include:

cable controlled props

consumables, such as:

food and beverages

blood and gore

fireworks

pyrotechnics

cigarettes

candles

costume props, such as:

armour

weapons

jewellery

electrically controlled

equipment

furniture

hand props

mechanised props

pneumatically controlled props

pre-production prototypes

special effects props

vehicles.

Locations may include:

in a studio

on location - exterior

on location - interior

outside broadcast

sound stage

theatre or entertainment venue.

Sources may include:

corporate sponsors

hirers

individuals

museums

retail suppliers

ships chandlers

theatres.

OHS regulations may include:

Australian Recommended Safety Code for Film and Television

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.

Set dressing may include:

hanging pictures

photographs

placement of props

provision of working props, e.g. stoves and sinks

pyrotechnics

replacement of consumable props.

Characteristics may include:

props with changing properties, such as:

cigarettes

food

drinks

letter writing paper

inkwells

special effects props.

Continuity documentation may include:

labels

photographs

polaroids.

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.

Techniques may include:

moulding materials

painting materials

sculpting and other shaping methods

gluing

metalwork, e.g.:

cutting

welding

brazing

woodworking.


Sectors

Unit sector


Competency Field

Visual communication - props


Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.


Licensing Information

Not applicable.