Modification History
Not applicable.
Unit Descriptor
Unit descriptor |
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to make character costumes for any production within the cultural industries. No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement. |
Application of the Unit
Application of the unit |
Costume makers apply the skills and knowledge outlined in this unit. They could be working in a range of contexts - from large commercial productions in the entertainment and screen industries to amateur theatre. In broad terms, character costume refers to any costume that incorporates significant elements beyond normal human clothing styles or which exaggerates normal human clothing styles, e.g. animal or fantasy costumes, clowns, bag lady. This unit has linkages to other costume units and combined assessment and/or training with those units may be appropriate, e.g.:
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Licensing/Regulatory Information
Not applicable.
Pre-Requisites
Prerequisite units |
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Employability Skills Information
Employability skills |
This unit contains employability skills. |
Elements and Performance Criteria Pre-Content
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. |
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENT |
PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
1. Conduct character costume research |
1.1. Undertake appropriate research to identify the historical, cultural and other factors that might influence character costume styles, construction techniques and costume development 1.2. Analyse designs for character costumes, and identify the relationship between costumes and character portrayal and development 1.3. Gather various and appropriate research materials to develop knowledge of character costume options |
2. Interpret brief for character costume design |
2.1. Liaise with the relevant colleagues to confirm the period costume production requirements and gain approvals where required 2.2. Read and correctly interpret the costume production schedule, specifications and lists 2.3. Interpret design into practical plans for making character costumes in accordance with production requirements |
3. Prepare for character costume construction |
3.1. Select materials and methods of costume construction in accordance with production requirements and the factors affecting the particular character 3.2. Identify and integrate health and safety considerations into costume planning 3.3. Take and record accurate measurements of performers to ensure correct fitting of costumes 3.4. Determine if scale prototype is required based on 3-dimensional (3D) reconstruction 3.5. Identify style and fabric characteristics which influence character costume construction and clarify any queries with relevant personnel 3.6. Select appropriate grade plan or grade rule table |
4. Make and grade patterns for character costumes |
4.1. Produce or adjust pattern to required specifications, ensuring that patterns comply with: gender and figure proportions and performance requirements 4.2. Grade pattern manually or by computer, adjusting design, maintaining accuracy and shape, notches, design proportion and other design requirements 4.3. Check pattern for accuracy and make any necessary adjustments 4.4. Store patterns in accordance with workplace procedures |
5. Lay up and cut work for character costume |
5.1. Establish the required meterage of fabric and other materials to minimise wastage 5.2. Check materials for quality, faults, width, selvedges, dye, lot and marking requirements 5.3. Identify and assemble appropriate base and outer fabrics 5.4. Lay up base and self fabrics and check alignment as necessary to ensure conformance to specifications 5.5. Cut materials to meet requirements of the pattern 5.6. Prepare fabric base and mount fabrics, as necessary, to achieve required stiffening or support effect |
6. Sew and fit character costumes |
6.1. Pin or sew fabric pieces and linings and hang, as appropriate, in readiness for assembly 6.2. Conduct fittings with performers and identify, record and action required adjustments and alterations 6.3. Sew costume pieces together to form the whole costume and attach all required trimmings, fasteners and decorations using appropriate techniques 6.4. Press finished character costume in accordance with requirements 6.5. Identify modifications to character costume in consultation with performer/cast and/or designer, where necessary |
Required Skills and Knowledge
REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE |
This section describes the skills and knowledge required for this unit. |
Required skills |
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Required knowledge |
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Evidence Guide
EVIDENCE GUIDE |
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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. |
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Overview of assessment |
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Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit |
The following evidence is critical to the judgement of competence in this unit:
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Context of and specific resources for assessment |
The assessment context must provide for:
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Method of assessment |
Assessment may incorporate a range of methods to assess performance and the application of essential underpinning knowledge, and might include:
Assessment methods should closely reflect workplace demands and the needs of particular groups (e.g. people with disabilities, and people who may have literacy or numeracy difficulties such as speakers of languages other than English, remote communities and those with interrupted schooling). |
Guidance information for assessment |
Assessment of this unit requires access to:
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Range Statement
RANGE STATEMENT |
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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. |
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Character costumes may include: |
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Research materials for character costumes may include: |
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Adaptation of clothing styles for performance may require consideration of: |
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Relevant colleagues may include: |
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Health and safety issues may include: |
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Performance requirements may relate to: |
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Unit Sector(s)
Unit sector |
Competency field
Competency field |
Visual communication - costume |
Co-requisite units
Co-requisite units |
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