The maintenance and assembly of physical special effects is related to the maintenance of props and other elements of sets for productions in television, film, entertainment and interactive media industries. However, the scale and nature of special effects items can vary quite dramatically - from models and miniatures to electronic devices to animatronics and creatures.

People who apply the skills and knowledge described in this unit work under direct supervision. They need to be proficient in the use of a range of hand and power tools.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Maintain appearance of special effects items

1. Liaise with relevant personnel to confirm appearance of special effects items

2. Check special effects items for dirt, stains or marks

3. Clean special effects items, ensuring that delicate or problem materials are serviced with care

4. Apply new paint or other finish to required areas where appropriate

5. Ensure that special effects are always accurately labelled, coded and stored according to enterprise procedures

Repair special effects items

6. Identify faults, rips or breakages in special effects items

7. In consultation with relevant personnel, agree on minor repairs to be made according to individual level of responsibility

8. Use appropriate techniques and materials to complete minor repairs to special effects items

9. Organise repair of special effects items requiring specialist expertise in line with enterprise procedures

10. Complete documentation in accordance with enterprise procedures

11. Follow up specialist repairs to ensure that special effects items are available on location and functioning correctly in line with production schedules

12. Advise relevant personnel of any repair-related problems that require attention in a timely manner

Make alterations to special effects

13. Liaise with relevant personnel to identify alterations that need to be made

14. Read and interpret instructions for the required alterations

15. Complete alterations to special effects items or refer to relevant personnel, according to individual level of responsibility

16. Observe relevant OHS and public safety legislative requirements while repairing and maintaining special effects items

17. Complete relevant workplace documentation in accordance with enterprise procedures

Maintain special effects items during productions

18. Assist with the safe packing and loading of special effects items for transportation to production locations

19. Confirm with relevant personnel techniques, materials and tools required to assemble special effects items on location

20. Participate in ongoing discussions throughout the assembly process to ensure that special effects design requirements are met

21. Store partially finished special effects items and equipment during the assembly phase to avoid loss or damage

22. Assemble and disassemble special effects items throughout productions in line with production requirements, ensuring that continuity of appearance of items is maintained

23. Disassemble special effects items at the conclusion of productions and safely pack and load them for transportation

Required skills

communication, literacy and teamwork skills sufficient to:

interpret written and verbal instructions related to the repair and maintenance of special effects items

liaise with specialist repair services for specified special effects items

work collaboratively as a member of a production team

complete workplace documentation

problem solving skills sufficient to make adjustments to special effects items during routine maintenance and repair activities

planning and organising skills sufficient to:

ensure that repairs are completed on time

assist with the assembly, maintenance and disassembly of special effects items during productions

technical skills sufficient to:

use hand and power tools to repair and maintain special effects items

handle hazardous materials in a safe manner

draw to scale and correct perspective

self-management skills sufficient to:

work under pressure and meet deadlines

follow manufacturer specifications and organisational policies and procedures

maintain a clean and safe work area

seek expert advice when problems arise

numeracy skills sufficient to interpret scale drawings and measurements

Required knowledge

detailed knowledge of sections of the Australian Recommended Safety Code for Film and Television related to the maintenance of special effects

special effects design and construction process

industry knowledge, including:

roles and responsibilities of art and construction personnel

issues and challenges that arise sufficient to maintain physical special effects for screen productions

set etiquette and protocols

OHS procedures as they relate to the safe use of equipment and materials to maintain physical special effects for screen productions

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:

demonstrate attention to detail when repairing, maintaining and altering special effects items

follow directions and instructions

handle hazardous materials and equipment in a safe manner

assemble and disassemble special effect items on location in line with production requirements

maintain continuity of appearance of special effects items during productions

collaborative approach to work.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure:

completion of special effects maintenance tasks within typical workplace time constraints

access to the tools required to complete repair and maintenance tasks

access to a selection of special effects items listed in the range statement

access to productions requiring special effects items

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 maintaining, repairing or altering special effects items

direct observation of the candidate assembling or disassembling special effects items on location

inspection of special effects items maintained, repaired or altered by the candidate

review of 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:

CUFPRP301A Assemble and maintain props.

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:

designer

director

director of photography

fire and safety officer

floor manager

head of department

medic

performer

personnel with specialist expertise in special effects productions and execution

producer

production designer

special effects department personnel

special effects production personnel

special effects supervisor and manager

specialist equipment designer

specialist manufacturer

technical director

transportation provider and crew

other technical/specialist staff.

Special effects items may include:

animatronics and creatures

automated and animatronic devices and controls

cables

computer controlled devices

electrical and mechanical winches

electro mechanical devices

electronic devices

electronic flashing and timing devices

electronic hardware

floor effects, including:

weather effects

fire and smoke

collapsing and destruction

water

crashes

motion control systems

models and miniatures, including:

demonstration type

real type

figures

landscapes

buildings

motion control electronics and systems

pneumatics

power packs

road cases, boxes, crates for storage and transportation

sculpture - human, animal and inanimate.

Techniques may include:

fabrication

gluing and cementing

metalwork, including:

cutting

welding

brazing

moulding materials

painting and finishing

sculpting and other shaping methods

timber construction

woodworking.

Materials may include:

adhesives

canvas

clay

fabrics

fasteners

fibreglass

foam

latex

leather

masonite

metal products, e.g. bars, tubes and sheets

mouldable materials

moulded or cast metal

paper products

plaster

plastics, e.g. moulded sheet

polystyrene

resins

thermoplastic

timber

timber products, e.g. plywood, particle board and craft wood.

Documentation may be:

budgets

call and running sheets

colour charts

computer generated

confirmation of receipt and dispatch notes

descriptive special effects checklists

fault reports

hire agreements

manually written

manufacture schedules

manufacturer specifications and instructions

measurement charts

memos of instruction

operational and project plans

paint colour formulas

production schedules

scripts

sketches

special effects breakdown lists

special effects construction schedules and plans

special effects design

stock orders

stock reports

technical drawings.

Locations may include:

day and night

on location - exterior

on location - interior

outside broadcast

studio.

Productions may include:

animated productions

commercials

documentaries

feature films

filmed events or performances

live events and entertainment

live or pre-recorded OHS and public safety legislative requirements may include:television productions

music videos

short films

theatre productions.

OHS and public safety legislative requirements may include:

commonwealth, state and territory OHS regulations

local government construction rules and regulations

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

Transportation may involve:

hired vehicles

specialist handling and packaging of dangerous goods, including explosives, chemicals and pyrotechnic items

use of boats, planes, helicopters and trains

use of special transport low loaders.

Unit sector

Media and entertainment production - special effects

This unit contains employability skills.