• CUSSOU407A - Coordinate location sound recording

CUSSOU407A
Coordinate location sound recording

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to coordinate location sound-recording operations for screen productions. Well-developed understanding of how sound is used in screen productions is essential, along with the ability to work cooperatively and sensitively with performers and other production crew members.

Application

Senior sound recordists apply the skills and knowledge described in this unit. They are responsible for ensuring that all dialogue and sound is recorded in line with technical and creative production requirements. On a low budget production they would typically be responsible for recording all sound, while on a large budget production they could be supervising sound recordists and monitoring the quality of recorded sound from a mixing desk.


Prerequisites

Not applicable


Elements and Performance Criteria

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Clarify recording requirements

1.1 Participate in pre-production meetings with relevant personnel to determine scope of recording required

1.2 Plan recording with reference to scripts and other production documentation

1.3 Organise script extracts for sound recordists as required

1.4 Visit all locations to identify issues or problems that might arise in the context of recording sound and plan accordingly

1.5 Prepare a team work plan as required and brief personnel accordingly

1.6 Ensure the selection of sound equipment and accessories meets production requirements

2. Prepare for location recording

2.1 Ensure recording devices have sufficient capacity for expected duration of recordings

2.2 Ensure adequate supply of consumables is available for duration of sound recordings

2.3 Check that sound equipment and accessories are in working order prior to shoots

2.4 Negotiate with relevant personnel prior to shoots to ensure that recorded sound will meet post-production requirements

2.5 Ensure that sound equipment and accessories are rigged according to safety, and technical and production requirements

3. Monitor location sound recording

3.1 Participate in technical run-throughs or rehearsals to determine optimum positioning of boom and other microphones for recording dialogue and sound effects

3.2 Monitor the quality of sound being recorded and request additional takes as required

3.3 Provide advice to and supervise sound recordists as required

4. Finalise sound-recording operations

4.1 Ensure that recordings are saved in the appropriate format and logged/filed in line with organisational procedures

4.2 Ensure that safety copies or backups are made in line with organisational procedures

4.3 Ensure that sound equipment and accessories are de-rigged, checked and cleaned appropriately

4.4 Ensure that locations are clean and restored to their pre-recording condition

4.5 Provide feedback to team members as required

4.6 Evaluate own performance against technical and creative criteria and note areas for improvement

Required Skills

Required skills

communication and teamwork skills sufficient to:

work cooperatively with camera and lighting operators and others involved in film shoots

supervise sound-recording personnel

respond appropriately to requests from performers

treat performers sensitively and with respect when requesting additional sound takes

numeracy skills sufficient to calculate duration and capacity of recording media at various speed/sample rates

learning skills sufficient to maintain currency of knowledge of recording equipment upgrades

literacy skills sufficient to read and interpret scripts and production documentation

planning and organisational skills sufficient to:

prioritise work tasks

meet deadlines

initiative and enterprise skills in the context of:

finding creative solutions to sound-recording challenges

demonstrating a precise attention to detail

problem-solving and self-management skills sufficient to:

apply critical-listening skills to sound recordings to identify faults in recording

comply with on-set protocols

work effectively under pressure

technology skills sufficient to:

use a variety of sound-recording equipment

manage file structures to ensure compatibility with syncing and editing

make regular backups

Required knowledge

roles and responsibilities of film and television production personnel

on-set protocols

well-developed understanding of how sound is used in film productions, including the interrelationship of dialogue, sound effects and musical elements

well-developed understanding of sound post-production requirements

principles and techniques of recordingsound for screen productions, including:

picture and sound synchronisation

creating a sense of audio continuity

interaction with camera and lighting crew

principles of sound, in particular direct versus reflected sound, sound perspective

operational principles of microphones, including microphone placement

operational/technical limitations of recording media

acceptable compromises when it comes to the quality of captured sound

potential for parallax errors when operating side-on to the sound source

cues and how to respond to them

recording formats and technical standards

timecode levels and standards in analogue and digital applications

issues and challenges that typically arise in the context of coordinating location sound recording

OHS principles of safe listening, including safeguards against hearing loss

relevant sections of the Safety Guidelines for the Entertainment Industry

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 ability to:

plan sound-recording operations for screen productions

monitor the quality of sound recording on location in line with production requirements

work cooperatively in a team environment

meet deadlines

observe safety guidelines on set.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure:

access to screen projects where dialogue and sound are being recorded

access to industry-current sound equipment and accessories

use of culturally appropriate processes, and techniques appropriate to the language and literacy capacity of learners and the work being performed.

Method of assessment

The following assessment methods are appropriate for this unit:

case studies to assess candidate's ability to deal with challenges that typically arise in the context of coordinating location sound recording

evaluation of dialogue and sound recorded by and/or under the supervision of the candidate

evaluation of work plans prepared by the candidate

observation of candidate monitoring sound-recording operations on location

written or oral questioning to test knowledge as listed in the required 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:

CUSSOU401A Record sound

CUSSOU406A Record sound on location.


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.

Relevant personnel may include:

director

producer

director of photography

production manager

first assistant director (1st AD)

sound supervisor

sound designer

sound recordist

boom operator

sound engineer

performer

actor

camera operator

lighting crew

art department

wardrobe department

make-up artist.

Documentation may include:

production schedules

budgets

scripts

storyboards

shot lists.

Equipment and accessories may include:

hard disk recorders

headphones

batteries

microphones, including:

dynamic

condenser

radio

omnidirectional

cardioid

hyper-cardioid

figure of eight

shotgun

microphone accessories, including:

tripod

windscreens

boom pole, including:

aluminium

carbon fibre

fisher

hand-held

perambulator

remote panner

cables, including:

balanced

unbalanced

cable extensions

clips

connectors, including:

female

male

XLR

housing

pop filters

shock mounts

stands, including:

desk

floor

gooseneck

amplifiers

mixers

speakers.

Productions may include:

feature films

documentaries

short films and videos

animation

corporate videos

training films and videos

drama programs

variety and lifestyle programs

news and current affairs

music videos

recordings of live productions

commercials

print advertisements.

Consumables may include:

CDs

DVDs

memory cards

batteries

masking tape, marker pens and labels

cue sheets.

Post-production requirements may include:

sync FX

location sound (atmos)

additional dialogue

file management systems.

Positioning may involve:

ensuring that boom and microphone are out of the frame of the camera

placing boom and microphone overhead

miking from below

mounting boom and microphone on a dolly

determining movement of boom and microphone during recording of shots

ensuring that position of the microphone, mounts, their shadows and reflections are as unobtrusive as possible

ensuring that extraneous and unwanted noises are not captured

ensuring that boom and microphone are not safety hazards

placing multiple microphones in different positions to capture sound perspective of effects being recorded.


Sectors

Media and entertainment production - audio/sound


Employability Skills

Not applicable


Licensing Information

No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement.