Production administrators, executive producers or project managers apply the skills and knowledge described in this unit. They are responsible for managing the production of sound designs, including planning and monitoring the production, engaging specialists where required and overseeing and evaluating sound aspects of productions. They could be working in the live entertainment or screen production industries.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Clarify sound design brief

1. Participate in preliminary concept meetings with relevant personnel to discuss sound-design specifications for productions

2. Read and interpret sound-design specifications to determine and confirm production requirements

3. Identify and confirm personnel required for the production

4. Take account of financial and time constraints when planning production of sound designs

5. Document all operational requirements needed for the production of sound designs

Plan the production of sound designs

6. Secure the personnel, facilities and equipment needed in a timely fashion

7. Ensure that copyright requirements are met

8. Contract and brief personnel as required

9. Ensure that arrangements are in place for ongoing communication with sound designers and other relevant personnel so that artistic vision of sound designs can be achieved and resources are available when required

10. Anticipate issues that may arise during the production of sound designs and plan accordingly

Direct the production of sound designs

11. Source and obtain all sound components necessary to fulfil creative and technical requirements of production briefs

12. Comply with relevant OHS legislation and guidelines throughout all stages of productions

13. Direct the final mix, including recording, mixing and/or editing sound components to achieve the desired sonic finish/style and spatial placement

14. Obtain feedback from relevant personnel about the sound design and negotiate changes as required

15. Deal effectively and promptly with conflicts that arise and work towards solutions that cause least disruption to production schedules

16. Ensure that final mixdown is locked off and transferred to a suitable medium in line with production requirements

17. Ensure that backup copies are provided for relevant personnel in the required format

18. Maintain documentation as required through all stages of sound-design implementation

Finalise production of sound designs

19. Discuss and obtain agreement from relevant personnel about evaluation techniques

20. Focus evaluations on the design-production management process and document results

21. Evaluate own role in operations and note areas for improvement

22. Provide feedback to team members on their performance as required

23. Document evaluation of operations in line with enterprise procedures

24. Communicate results to relevant personnel and use results to improve future practice

Required skills

communication skills sufficient to:

interact effectively with people with diverse interests and needs

show strong leadership qualities and work closely with team members

conduct effective negotiations with a wide range of production personnel, external suppliers and service providers

coordinate production meetings and brief staff to achieve required outcomes

identify and deal positively and constructively with conflictin a timely and collaborative mannerto achieve best production outcomes

well-developed planning and organisational skills sufficient to coordinate all aspects of managing the production of sound designs, including working within budgets

well-developed project management skills covering both physical and human resources

self-management skills sufficient to:

work under pressure

provide appropriate and timely documentation

meet deadlines

evaluate own performance

initiative and flexibility when responding to unexpected changes in the production schedule or process

literacy skills sufficient to interpret written instructions and to prepare progress and evaluation reports

numeracy skills sufficient to interpret, monitor and adjust budgets and cost estimates

Required knowledge

meeting procedures and protocols as they relate to productions

musical, artistic and technical elements associated with music productions and recordings

well-developed understanding of:

administrative procedures associated with managing a production

content, format and timing of different types of documentation

duty of care to colleagues and general public

industry knowledge, including:

structure of the relevant industry sector

roles and responsibilities of personnel

current industry practices, e.g. industrial awards, workers' compensation and contracts

music and sound terminology

sources of products, supplies and equipment

impact of technology on production operations

phases and practices in the production process

issues and challenges that typically arise in the context of managing the production of sound designs

OHS and public safety legislation and regulations as they apply to 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 ability to:

demonstrate high-level management and communication skills as a team leader

manage at a practical level the production of sound designs

produce creative solutions within constraints of budgets and resources.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure:

access to a range of industry-current equipment as listed in the range statement

access to a range of productions

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:

evaluation of sounddesigns, where the production was managed by candidate, and of their quality in terms of meeting specifications

written or oral questioning to test knowledge as listed in the required knowledge section of this unit

case studies to assess ability to manage the production ofsound designs for different types of productions or events

observation or video/audio recordings of production meetings chaired by the candidate to assess team leading skills.

Guidance information for assessment

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:

BSBFIM501A Manage budgets and financial plans

BSBOHS509A Ensure a safe workplace

BSBPMG510A Manage projects

CUFCMP501A Manage and exploit copyright arrangements

CUSSOU602A Manage production of sound recordings.

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:

clients

artists, musicians and performers

program managers

audio personnel:

sound engineers

sound technicians

sound editors

sound designers

sound effects personnel

post-production editors

foldback mixers

front-of-house mixers

recordists

re-recording mixers

audio stagehands

broadcasters

broadcast engineers

directors

producers

photographers

program managers

stage managers

floor managers

film/video crew.

Sound-design specifications may include:

dubbing charts

cue sheets

scripts

storyboards

scores

oral descriptions

recording formats.

Productions may include:

feature films and videos

short films and videos

documentaries

drama programs

variety programs

news and current affairs

commercials

print advertisements

talkback programs

live events and performances

music programs

interactive games.

Production requirements may include:

technical

creative

artistic

attributions

audience

budget

confidentiality

content

contractual arrangements

copyright

deadlines

direct quotes

duration

intellectual property

interviews

location

purpose

schedule

style.

Documentation may include:

pre-mix scripts

mixing sheets

track sheets

de-noising documents

cue sheets

dubbing sheets

queries

notes

manuals.

Operational requirementsmay include:

sound materials

sound sources

facilities, equipment and personnel

technical specifications

schedules.

Facilities may include:

dubbing theatre

on location, including interior and exterior

outside broadcast

post-production studio

recording studio

sound stage.

Equipment and accessories may include:

amplifiers

analogue to digital converters

cables

compact disc (CD) and digital versatile disc (DVD) players and burners

computer technology and associated software

recording devices:

hard disk recorder, e.g. digital audio workstation (DAW)

mini disc recorder (MD)

modular digital multi-track recorder (MDM)

digital audio players, such as:

iPod

MP3

headphones

microphones and accessories

mixing consoles

monitors and speakers

signal processors and plug-ins.

Copyright requirements may include:

provisions of current Copyright Act

copyright permission procedures

attribution

moral rights and performers' rights

negotiating with copyright organisations, such as:

owners of copyright: publishers, composers, etc.

Australasian Performing Rights Association (APRA)

Phonographic Performance Company of Australia Limited (PPCA)

Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society (AMCOS)

Copyright Agency Limited (CAL)

archives.

Sound components may include:

dialogue

additional dialogue recording (ADR)

music

literal sound effects

sound samples

synthesised sound

atmospheric sound

ambient sound

sound effects (FX)

foley.

Media may include:

radio

video

CD

DVD

computer hard drive

internet

mobile device

film.

Evaluation techniques may include:

interviews

surveys

questionnaires

focus groups

demographic data

feedback

reviews

evaluation may include:

clients

stakeholders

audience

project personnel

specialists.

Unit sector

Media and entertainment production - audio/sound

This unit contains employability skills.