Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to set and operate a range of floor electrics for live productions or performances.

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

Application of the unit 

Experienced lighting technicians generally apply the skills and knowledge outlined in this unit. The operation of floor electrics is required for specific on-stage effects, which could involve both front and backstage lighting facilities.

Cues for floor electrics are typically included in a lighting plan supplied to operators by a supervising senior lighting technician or lighting designer.

More complex skills associated with setting up, recording and operating lighting cues are covered in:

• CUFLGT402A Set up, record and operate lighting cues and effects.

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 

Participate in technical and creative run-throughs

1. Set floor electrics according to performance /production  requirements

2. Integrate the operation of floor electrics into the run-through and advise relevant personnel  of issues requiring attention

3. Plot, record, rehearse and execute cues on direction from relevant personnel

4. Set back-up systems for use in the event of equipment malfunction and test to ensure that they are in working order

5. Implement changes to cueing and modify cue sheets accurately as required

Prepare to operate floor electrics

6. Identify, implement and document changes to floor electrics operation as required

7. Check communication equipment to ensure that it is in working order

8. Check that supplies of consumables  are adequate for performances/productions

9. Place floor electrics elements  in stand-by position for the start of performances/productions according to safety and production requirements

10. Identify equipment requiring warm-up and turn on at the appropriate time

11. Check floor electrics elements to ensure that they are operating to specifications

12. Identify problems or faults promptly, take safe and appropriate action to rectify or report to relevant personnel

13. Isolate smoke detectors and check changes to air-conditioning as required

14. Check that cables are run safely and neatly

Operate floor electrics

15. Execute floor electrics changes on cue according to running sheets, directions and the requirements of the performance/production and/or venue

16. Check cables to ensure correct setting

17. Make modifications to floor electrics cues when required, to cater for unexpected contingencies, and inform relevant personnel

18. Identify problems or faults promptly, take safe and appropriate action to rectify or report to relevant personnel

19. Use back-up systems correctly when required

Shut down and disassemble equipment

20. Turn off power to floor electrics elements or set to standby as required

21. Reset smoke detectors and air-conditioning as required

22. Prepare and position floor electrics elements correctly for use as required, or return equipment to stand-by

23. Make accurate updates on cue sheets and other documentation  and file according to enterprise procedures

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

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

Required skills 

• effective communication, literacy and teamwork skills sufficient to:

• work with other technicians and designers in a production environment
• interpret lighting plans
• interpret equipment and production documentation, including back-up systems used in conjunction with lighting control

• problem solving skills, particularly in relation to installation and operation of floor electrics
• technical skills sufficient to operate floor electrics in a range of production environments

Required knowledge 

• industry knowledge, including:

• roles and responsibilities of personnel in the relevant industry sector
• major types of floor electrics equipment and their uses in different production contexts
• lighting terminology, particularly in relation to the operation of floor electrics
• relationship of floor electrics to other lighting and staging effects
• impact of technology on production operations
• broad understanding of the artistic and technical elements of a production

• duty of care to colleagues and the general public, especially on location
• OHS procedures as they relate to the testing, installation and operation of floor electrics

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:

• knowledge of electricity as it relates to floor electrics
• applying safe procedures for working with electricity
• communicating effectively with colleagues and clients within the range of situations defined for the job role.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Assessment must ensure:

• demonstration of skills in operating floor electrics for an actual performance on more than one occasion
• demonstration of skills in multiple performance contexts and with different types of floor electrics
• involvement of and interaction with a team to reflect the collaborative nature of the technical production process
• use of industry-standard equipment
• access to a venue with the capacity for floor electrics operation
• access to floor electrics equipment
• access to cueing and other production documentation from which floor electrics are operated
• access to a production on which the candidate can work
• 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 a performance where the candidate is responsible for the operation of floor electrics
• verbal or written questioning to assess knowledge of equipment types and features and safety issues
• case studies or problem solving exercises to assess the candidate's ability to respond to different operational situations and contexts.

Guidance information for assessment 

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

• CUFLGT302A Record and operate standard lighting cues
• CUFLGT301A Prepare, install and test lighting equipment.

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.

Performances /productions  may include:

• animations
• documentaries
• feature films
• interactive media productions
• live concerts, e.g. rock concerts, open-air concerts/events
• music videos
• stage productions, e.g. plays, musicals
• television productions.

Relevant personnel  may include:

• director
• director of photography
• gaffer
• lighting designer
• performers/actors
• producer
• production manager
• senior lighting technician
• stage manager
• supervisor
• technical director
• other technical/specialist staff.

Consumables  may include:

• connectors
• gaffer tape
• gel
• globes
• lamp stock
• PVC tape.

Floor electrics elements  may include:

• barn doors
• cables
• connectors
• floor pockets
• gels
• lighting fixtures
• lights, e.g. floods
• pracs
• shutters
• special effects lighting, e.g. strip neon, fibre optic.

Documentation  may include:

• colour lists
• cue sheets
• emergency and safety procedures
• equipment lists
• focus notes
• lighting plan
• manuals
• patch sheets
• running sheets
• scripts.

Unit sector 

Competency field 

Media and entertainment production - lighting

Co-requisite units