Reporters at radio stations typically apply the skills and knowledge outlined in this unit. This work is usually assignment-based and clear instructions on production requirements are provided by supervising staff.

On location, the reporter is typically responsible for setting up equipment and recording the audio material. During the editing process, the reporter has access to supervising staff to help resolve problems.

More complex skills associated with conducting in-depth interviews are covered in:

CUFAIR401A Conduct interviews.

Skills associated with a full range of basic sound editing skills are covered in:

CUFSOU204A Perform basic sound editing.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Prepare to record audio material

1. Confirm production requirements and deadlines with relevant personnel

2. Become sufficiently familiar with topics to ask appropriate questions of interviewees

3. Prepare appropriate questions that elicit information relevant to production requirements and that ensure interview purpose is met

4. Rehearse questions as required

5. Check that portable audio recording equipment and accessories are fully functional and report equipment faults to relevant personnel

6. Ensure charged batteries are in sufficient supply to meet recording needs

Record audio material on location

7. Position microphone to achieve optimum audio quality, taking into account weather conditions and background noise at location

8. Conduct sound and level check to ensure that audio recording equipment is fully functional

9. Record an identification according to station procedures

10. Record audio material according to production requirements

11. Record ambient sound as bridging material for the editing process

12. Dismantle audio recording equipment and check that all equipment is accounted for before leaving location

Edit audio material using digital editing systems

13. Listen to recorded audio and identify edit positions to produce required audio segment

14. Transfer audio material into computer hard disk storage system or software

15. Use software functions to edit audio material in accordance with production requirements and within time constraints

16. Listen to edited material to evaluate quality and content and to identify problems

17. Manipulate the editing software to solve identified problems and seek expert advice if required

18. Save final edit in appropriate format

Submit edited material for broadcast

19. Leave the worksite in the original or improved condition for use by colleagues

20. Complete documentation and submit edited material for approval to relevant personnel by the agreed deadline

21. Make final adjustments in response to feedback from relevant personnel

22. Archive edited material in accordance with station procedures

Required skills

communication skills sufficient to:

interpret and clarify written or verbal instructions

ask basic questions clearly and confidently of interviewees

ability to work as a member of a production team, both independently on assignment and under direction

initiative and enterprise in the context of setting up recording equipment to optimise quality of recorded material

technical skills sufficient to:

make simple adjustments to, and operate, basic audio recording equipment in a range of locations

use basic functions of digital editing software to produce audio material for broadcast

literacy and numeracy skills sufficient to:

interpret written background information

complete workplace documentation

accurately label source materials and copies

time segments to meet production requirements

self-management skills sufficient to:

work under pressure

meet deadlines

seek expert assistance when problems arise

problem solving skills sufficient to anticipate and deal with minor equipment set-up problems

Required knowledge

industry knowledge, including:

roles and responsibilities of personnel involved in the production process

issues and challenges that arise in the context of compiling audio material for broadcast

techniques for:

recording audio in variable weather conditions

minimising the effect of background location noise while recording audio

characteristics of commonly used microphones and portable audio recording equipment

OHS requirements as they relate to recording audio material on location and working for periods of time on computers

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 work within production deadlines

ability to work effectively as a team member and independently on clearly defined assignments

ability to operate basic audio recording equipment in locations such as those listed in the range statement

ability to edit audio material using the basic functions of digital editing software.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure:

access to a functional set of equipment based on items listed in the range statement. Equipment must be sufficient to enable the compilation of a portfolio of edited audio material recorded in different locations, including exterior and interior, and variable weather conditions

that the candidate demonstrates competency in recording and editing audio material in a production environment over a period of time

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 a range of audio material recorded and edited by the candidate in response to instructions

observation of the candidate recording material in the field

written or verbal 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:

CUFPPM301A Plan and prepare programs

CUFRES201A Collect and organise content for broadcast production

CUFSOU204A Perform basic sound editing.

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 requirements may include:

events

landline links

live and pre-recorded radio broadcasts

live and pre-recorded television broadcasts

live feeds

outside broadcasts

satellite-linked interviews

studio productions

syndications

test viewings.

Relevant personnel may include:

broadcasters (remote broadcast engineers)

clients

directors/producers/supervisors

post-production editors/mixers

programmers/program managers

sound effects persons

sound engineers

sound technicians (designers, editors, mixers, recordists, re-recording mixers)

technical support staff.

Interview purpose may include:

delving into a personality

eliciting anecdotal information

gaining information/facts

justifying, interpreting or obtaining an opinion/ comment

recounting a personal experience.

Audio recording equipment and accessories may include:

analogue recorders

batteries and battery charger

clamp-on adaptors

cables and leads

digital recorders, e.g.:

hard disk

mini disk

DAT

headphones

microphones, e.g.:

uni-directional

omni-directional

cardiod

shotgun

lapel

microphone stand

pop shields.

Identification may include:

date

interviewee

interviewer

location

program

topic.

Audio material may include:

basic interviews

material from live events/incidents

material from press conferences

vox pops.

Ambient sound may include:

location sound effects

room sound

sounds of nature

street noise.

Location may include:

exterior, e.g.:

street

festival/event

interior, e.g.:

press conference

event

private home

commercial premises.

System or software may include:

professional-standard applications

systems or software applications developed in-house.

Software functions may include:

copy

cut

fade

move

normalise levels

paste.

Appropriate format may include:

AAC

AIFF

Apple Lossless

FLAC

MP3

TTA

WAV

WMA.

Documentation may include:

cue sheets (intro and outro cues, duration)

fault reports

labels

running sheets.

Unit sector

Media and entertainment production - audio/sound

This unit contains employability skills.