Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to shoot screen material using a single-camera unit.

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

Application of the unit 

Camera operators apply the skills and knowledge described in this unit. Their prime responsibility is to capture screen images using a range of video equipment.

Operators in this context generally work under direction but perform all camera, sound and lighting functions. Occasionally they will be assisted by a camera assistant or sound recordist. On occasion, they may be required to assist other camera operators with the movement and handling of cameras and cables.

Mainstream activities include shooting for news and current affairs, short documentaries, and corporate and training videos.

More specialised duties may include the capture of materials for animations and stop-motion animated productions.

Typically camera operators are employed by television stations, production houses or corporate video units. In addition, there is a growing body of camera operators who work on a freelance basis.

More complex skills associated with shooting television material on location, often as a one-person camera crew, are covered in:

• CUFCAM401A Shoot a wide range of television content.

Prerequisite units 

Employability skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the required skills and knowledge section and the range statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

Prepare for shoots

1. Participate in pre-production briefings as required to confirm production and post -production requirements 

2. Arrange equipment and accessories  for shoots  as directed, ensuring that everything is clean and operational

3. Safely charge batteries  according to manufacturer specifications and ensure sufficient supply of charged batteries to meet the needs of production schedules

4. Select required capture media  and ensure sufficient supply for the intended production 

5. Prepare and pack lighting  equipment, including gels and cables as required

6. Undertake minor repairs on faulty equipment or report significant faults to relevant production personnel 

7. Confirm location , shooting schedules and timelines with relevant production personnel

8. Complete appropriate documentation  prior to shoots

Set up on location

9. Determine camera positions to ensure that composition of shots  provides correct visual interpretation of production requirements

10. Liaise and collaborate with crew and talent and contribute ideas to initial concepts

11. Set up equipment and accessories to ensure the safety of personnel on location

12. Consider requirements for repositioning equipment and accessories during shoots taking into account production schedules

13. Ensure cameras and other equipment are safely secured

14. Label and load capture media and check camera functions

15. Position microphones as required and conduct audio check

Set up lighting

16. Assess the quality and quantity of available light and determine the amount of correction required if necessary

17. Mount and position lighting equipment following safety guidelines

18. Run lighting cables and connect safely to power sources 

19. Install colour frames and gels in accordance according to requirements for the specific shoot

20. Select lenses  and filters  appropriate to the prevailing conditions

Position and operate camera to capture shots

21. Consider camera shots and angles, where feasible, to ensure cuts between shots produce the desired result

22. Take account of editing or other post-production requirements while shooting

23. Ensure camera set-up meets criteria for shoot

24. Check camera movements  to implement planned or rehearsed shots according to direction from relevant production personnel

25. Shoot and record sequences as directed, maintaining focus throughout

Manipulate cables and camera positioning

26. Participate in pre-production meetings and rehearsal, if required, and ensure that final camera and cable movements are understood

27. Communicate with relevant production personnel during shoots and position and move camera cabling according to instructions and cues received

28. React consistently to cues received from relevant production personnel and ensure consistency of timing without undue lapses

29. Move cameras and cabling without impeding the operation of camera operators and work in cooperation with other personnel to achieve the desired camera movements

30. Ensure that camera operators do not collide with other elements

31. Complete cabling handling operations without damage to equipment or injury to personnel

Wrap up the shoot

32. Check and pack equipment and accessories using safe lifting techniques

33. Ensure recorded material is labelled properly, together with relevant documentation

34. Report equipment faults and complete required documentation

35. Leave locations in original condition to ensure no adverse effect on the site

36. Review and reflect on performance and note areas for improvement

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

This section describes the skills and knowledge required for this unit.

Required skills 

• communication, teamwork and literacy skills sufficient to:

• work collaboratively as a member of a production team
• understand and carry out instructions and creative directions as required
• interpret and complete production documentation

• technical skills sufficient to operate a range of professional camera, lighting and audio equipment
• problem solving skills in the context of anticipating and addressing equipment set-up problems
• self-management skills sufficient to:

• prioritise work tasks
• meet deadlines

• seek expert assistance when problems arise

Required knowledge 

• industry knowledge, including:

• roles and responsibilities of production and post-production personnel
• broadcast language and terminology
• issues and challenges that arise in the context of shooting material for screen productions

• different image capture formats and their uses
• basic framing techniques and methods of composition
• camera-to-subject practice, i.e. lens to eye line, crossing the line, matching shots
• characteristics of commonly used microphones and audio equipment
• the effect of different light sources, diffusion materials, filters and reflectors on the lighting environment, which includes both talent and set
• types of artificial/introduced light sources available to camera operators
• basic principles of lighting, e.g. key, fill and back light
• basic concepts and techniques of cable handling and compatibility with other equipment
• OHS procedures, particularly as they relate to shooting on location

EVIDENCE GUIDE 

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 under direction
• ability to provide ideas to assist with capturing the desired style of moving image
• ability to operate a range of professional video camera equipment and accessories
• ability to set up lighting as directed.

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 screen material shot in different locations, including exterior daytime, interior, night shoots, stormy weather
• that the candidate demonstrates competency in shooting material for screen productions within 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 screen content shot by the candidate to determine whether production requirements have been met
• observation of the candidate setting up and operating camera and lighting equipment on location
• 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:

• CUFLGT101A Apply a general knowledge of lighting to work activities
• CUSSOU201A Assist with sound recordings.

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 and post -production requirements  may relate to:

• night shoots
• post-production process
• props
• sets
• specialised equipment
• venues.

Equipment and accessories  may include:

• autocue monitor
• Betacam SP
• cables
• cue card holders
• digital Betacam
• digital DVC Pro
• digital SLR, e.g.:

• stop-motion and software
• iStop Motion (Mac)
• Stop Motion Pro (PC)

• DV Cam
• HDDV
• headphones
• lighting bulbs
• lighting kit
• lights
• microphones, e.g.:

• fixed
• pole
• lapel

• mini DV
• mobile phones
• motion capture facility for animation
• mounts
• recording device (e.g. audiotape recorder)
• talkback facility
• tripod
• two-way intercom
• video split monitor
• video stock.

Shoots  may include:

• animations, e.g. stop-motion
• combined video and audio function
• fixed/supported
• hand-held operation
• separate video and audio record functions
• single-camera.

Batteries  may include:

• lead/acid
• lithium ION
• Ni-Cad.

Capture media  may include:

• CD
• DVD
• flashcards
• P2 solid-state drive
• small hard drive
• videotape.

Production  may include:

• animations, e.g.:

• modelling
• flat plane

• corporate videos
• EFP (electronic field production)
• ENG (electronic news gathering)
• events or performances
• news and current affairs
• short documentaries
• training videos.

Lighting  may include:

• back light
• bounced light
• effect light, e.g. on backgrounds
• fill light
• flood light
• HMI (hydrargyrum medium arc-length iodide)
• interior lights
• key light
• light meters
• luminaires
• spot light
• tungsten.

Personnel  may include:

• animation director
• camera assistant
• director/producer
• floor manager
• general public
• safety officer
• sound recordist
• supervisor
• technical staff
• talent, e.g.:

• presenters
• actors
• reporter/journalist

• interviewee.

Locations  may include:

• day
• exterior
• interior
• night
• studio.

Documentation  may include:

• animation, e.g.:

• scoring sheets
• style sheets
• character sheets
• storyboards

• computer generated
• fault reports
• film and battery labels
• manually written
• production schedule
• running sheets
• script
• shot lists
• stock order forms.

Shots  may include:

• close-up
• cutaway shot
• establishing or master shot
• extreme close-up
• eye-level shot
• hand-held
• high-angle
• long shot
• low-angle
• mid shot
• pan
• point-of-view shot
• static
• tilt
• track
• wide shot
• zoom in
• zoom out.

Power sources  may include:

• batteries
• generators
• mains power.

Lenses  may include:

• fixed
• lens filters
• lens hood
• macro
• micro
• wide-angle
• wide-angle adaptor
• zoom.

Filters  may include:

• chromatic
• colour
• colour correction
• correction filters
• enhancers
• graduated: hard-edge, soft-edge, attenuated, coloured, neutral density
• non-specific colour
• polarising
• ultraviolet.

Camera movements  may include:

• hand-held
• pan
• tilt
• track
• zoom in
• zoom out.

Unit sector 

Competency field 

Media and entertainment production - Camera/cinematography

Co-requisite units