Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to construct props that include the use of mechanical devices. It covers assessment of mechanical prop requirements and the selection and use of construction techniques.

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

Application of the unit 

Props makers in the entertainment and screen and media industries apply the skills and knowledge outlined in this unit. The props department may be supervised by a props manager and the props team works closely with set designers, directors and continuity personnel before and during productions.

This unit has linkages to a range of other general technical and props construction units, and combined assessment and/or training with those units may be appropriate, e.g.:

• CUESET17B Develop props construction plans to meet design requirements
• CUESET04C Use research, innovation and experimentation to create props.

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 

1. Assess the need for mechanical props

1.1. Liaise with relevant colleagues  to confirm props production requirements

1.2. Read and correctly interpret the props production schedule, props specifications, lists and scale drawings when available

1.3. Assess the precise nature of mechanical prop  requirements based on review of documentation and in consultation with relevant colleagues

2. Select techniques and equipment for making mechanical props

2.1. Select the most appropriate construction  technique and mechanical device based on an analysis of how the prop is to be used

2.2. Correctly identify any budgetary or other constraints when making mechanical prop construction decisions

2.3. Select correct tools, equipment and materials for mechanical props in accordance with construction plan

2.4. Calculate correct quantities of materials, avoiding wastage where possible

3. Make mechanical props

3.1. Use techniques, tools and materials correctly and safely to create mechanical props 

3.2. Correctly interpret and follow construction plans

3.3. Check mechanical prop in terms of required durability, quality of finish and suitability for production requirements

3.4. Identify the need for adjustments and action accordingly

3.5. Prepare items in readiness for finishing in accordance with production requirements

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

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

Required skills 

• literacy skills sufficient to interpret production documentation
• numeracy skills sufficient to calculate measurements and quantities and to interpret construction plans

Required knowledge 

• typical ways in which mechanical props may be used as a prop in different production/event contexts, including the use of cable-controlled, mechanically-controlled, pneumatically-controlled and electrically-controlled props
• types of mechanical props that might be constructed and those most likely to be acquired by other means
• properties and applications of devices commonly used for mechanical props, including an understanding of cables, levers, fulcrums and issues associated with electrically-controlled props
• commonly-used mechanical devices and their ability to create different effects on stage
• safety issues associated with the use of materials, tools and equipment in mechanical props

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 

The following evidence is critical to the judgement of competence in this unit:

• safe and correct use of techniques to integrate the use of mechanical devices within props
• knowledge of specific mechanical devices, their uses and associated safety issues.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

The assessment context must provide for:

• practical demonstration of skills through the creation of mechanical props for a production/event
• construction of mechanical props within a commercially-realistic timeframe.

Method of assessment 

Assessment may incorporate a range of methods to assess performance and the application of essential underpinning knowledge, and might include:

• evaluation of props constructed by the candidate in terms of suitability for production and quality of finish
• oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of safety issues and particular construction techniques
• review of portfolios of evidence and third party workplace reports of on-the-job performance by the candidate.

Guidance information for assessment 

This unit requires access to:

• equipment, tools and materials used to construct mechanical props
• work area where mechanical props can be safely constructed.

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.

Relevant colleagues  may include:

• designers
• directors
• performers
• technical colleagues, e.g. costume, lighting
• other props personnel
• other workshop personnel, e.g. set builder, scenic artist

Mechanical props  are those props, which include the use of any mechanical device and may be:

• cable-controlled
• electrically-controlled
• pneumatically-controlled

Nature of mechanical construction  may be impacted by:

• availability of mechanical devices
• how the item will be used
• number of times to be used
• proximity of audience
• safety issues
• simplicity of the device
• style of rest of the set
• the level of movement required
• visibility by audience, e.g. only front will be seen

Devices used for the creation of mechanical props  may include:

• cables
• fulcrums
• levers

Unit sector 

Competency field 

Visual communication - props

Co-requisite units