Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to style wigs and hairpieces for productions in the film, television and live entertainment industries.

The unit is broadly based on but not equivalent to WRH07A Apply and maintain wigs and hairpieces from the Hairdressing Training Package and reflects a level of skills appropriate to entertainment and media contexts.

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

Application of the unit 

Hair stylists and/or make-up artists apply the skills and knowledge described in this unit. They use a range of cutting, temporary colouring, setting and dressing methods to produce the required appearance of wigs and hairpieces for performers. They are also responsible for the maintenance of wigs and hairpieces.

Good communication skills are essential, since hair stylists need to create a work environment where performers feel at ease when wigs and hairpieces are fitted.

Depending on the nature of the job, a hair stylist can work alone, as an assistant to a more senior colleague or as part of a make-up/hair design team. Employment is usually on a contract basis and make-up skills are often required.

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 styling wigs and hairpieces

1. Confirm hairstyle design elements  and production requirements  with relevant personnel 

2. Select wigs and hairpieces  according to hairstyle design and performers' measurements

3. Clean and condition wigs and hairpieces taking into account stitching , knotting and fibre type 

Cut wigs and hairpieces

4. Apply hairpieces to scalp area and trim to blend with existing natural hair

5. Apply wigs to performers and adjust to ensure a comfortable fit

6. Apply hair cutting techniques to achieve the required wig appearance

7. Cut switches and postiche as required to blend with required appearance

Apply design finishes to wigs and hairpieces

8. Select styling aids  and tools and techniques  appropriate to required hairstyles

9. Use hairstyle design elements to produce hairstyles according to production  requirements

10. Confirm with relevant personnel that hair designs meet production requirements and adjust styles as required

11. Attach wigs and hairpieces to performers' heads or place on head blocks for fitting at a later time

12. Document hair designs for future performances and continuity purposes

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

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

Required skills 

• communication and literacy skills sufficient to:

• work effectively as a team member
• negotiate with others to resolve styling issues for wigs and hairpieces
• relate to people from diverse backgrounds
• complete workplace documentation, e.g. continuity diary
• document details of styles for wigs and hairpieces

• initiative and flexibility in the context of contributing creative ideas to hair designs
• self-management skills sufficient to:

• work under pressure and to deadlines
• seek expert advice as required

• planning and organising skills sufficient to:

• select and apply wig cleaning and styling products, tools and techniques
• finalise designs to meet production requirements
• analyse production documentation to plan styling of wigs and hairpieces

• problem solving skills sufficient to plan and apply hair designs to compensate for particular face shapes or characteristics
• numeracy skills sufficient to calculate time to complete hair designs to meet production schedules
• technical skills sufficient to use a range of tools and styling aids to style and maintain wigs and hairpieces

Required knowledge 

• industry knowledge, including:

• roles and responsibilities of personnel in productions in the relevant industry sector
• codes of practice relating to the provision of hairdressing services
• issues and challenges that arise in the context of providing hairdressing services

• the provisions of health and hygiene regulations/requirements
• the provisions of OHS regulations with regard to the provision of hairdressing services
• knowledge of face and body shapes and their relationship to the elements and principles of hair design
• effects and use of various design tools and techniques on curl shape, wave movements, hair volume, hair texture and style
• elements and principles of hair design
• effects of humidity on set hair
• balancing hair length and volume
• characteristics of human and synthetic hair types
• techniques for:

• sorting and mixing hair
• hackling
• applying base materials
• stitching and knotting
• fixing wigs and hairpieces

• maintenance and storage requirements for wigs and hairpieces
• basic knowledge of hair colour, in particular with regard to the appearance of hair colour under lights and its relation to skin tone
• potential skin reactions from fixing wigs and hairpieces to people
• advantages and disadvantages of different hairstyling products
• awareness of characters in productions and how to interpret hair needs to enhance characterisation

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:

• finished designs of wigs and hairpieces that meet creative production requirements
• ability to work to deadlines
• consistent application of local health and hygiene requirements/regulations in relation to hairstyling services
• consistent application of OHS practices in regard to the provision of hair services
• collaborative approach to work
• attention to detail
• ability to communicate effectively with performers while providing hairdressing services.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Assessment must ensure:

• practical demonstration of styling wigs and hairpieces across a range of hair design and application tasks for at least two productions
• access to a range of wigs, hairpieces, hair products, styling aids and tools as listed in the range statement
• access to productions requiring wigs and hairpieces
• 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
• observation of the candidate styling wigs and hairpieces in a production context
• evaluation of hairstyles prepared by the candidate to determine whether production requirements have been met, correct procedures followed and appropriate hair products applied
• 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:
• CUFMUP402A Maintain make-up and hair continuity
• CUFMUP403A Style hair for performances or productions
• WRHHD408A Make wigs and hairpieces.

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.

Hairstyle design elements  may include:

• cut
• direction
• line
• movement
• setting
• shape
• size
• styling techniques
• temporary colouring
• texture.

Production requirements  may include:

• health and hygiene requirements
• lighting effects
• performer's skin
• production schedule
• resource constraints
• shooting conditions
• specifications from designers and directors.

Relevant personnel  may include:

• continuity personnel
• costume designer and wardrobe personnel
• designer
• director
• director of photography
• floor manager
• lighting personnel
• make-up/hair supervisor
• other make-up/hair personnel
• performer
• producer
• production manager
• special make-up effects personnel
• technical director
• other technical/specialist staff.

Wigs and hairpieces  may include:

• artificial beards and moustaches
• button
• frangia, e.g.:

• long
• short

• full head wigs
• hair of any length or type
• natural or artificial colours
• pastiche, e.g.:

• square
• round
• heart
• fantasy shape

• switch hairpieces (one, two or three stem)
• toupees
• wiglet (variety of base shapes).

Stitching , knotting and fibre type  may include:

• animal hair
• hand knotting
• human hair, e.g.:

• European
• Asian
• Euro-Asian

• machine stitching
• synthetic fibre.

Styling aids  may include:

• gels
• glazes
• mousses
• setting lotions
• sprays
• waxes.

Tools and techniques  may include:

• blow drying
• blow waving
• brushes
• combs and other techniques that achieve desired looks
• moulding
• pin-curling
• roller placements
• use of hair dryers
• use of heat diffusers
• water waving.

Productions  may include:

• commercials
• documentaries
• feature films
• filmed events or performances
• music video
• short films
• television productions.

Unit sector 

Competency field 

Visual communication - make-up

Co-requisite units