Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to interpret the set design and develop practical construction plans and specifications to meet design requirements for a complete set.

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

Application of the unit 

Senior or experienced set builders apply the skills and knowledge outlined in this unit. In this role they are responsible for liaising with workshop managers and designers and could be supervising others.

This unit also has linkages to other set construction units and combined assessment and/or training in conjunction with those units may be appropriate.

Prerequisite units 

It is strongly recommended that this unit be assessed with or after the following unit:

CUESET302A

Make sets

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. Interpret the set design from a construction perspective

1.1. Read and interpret the set design and other production documentation  to determine the scope and nature of set elements and devices  that need to be constructed

1.2. Contemplate and consider set construction methods and techniques  which will lead to the best visual realisation of the design concept while meeting production budgets

1.3. Identify potential practical construction problems and limitations  with proposed designs and communicate these to relevant personnel 

1.4. Assess potential solutions and develop creative approaches to minimise problems and limitations

1.5. Liaise with design and other relevant personnel to discuss and confirm construction requirements

2. Develop set construction plans and drawings

2.1. Translate the set design into a practical plan for set construction in accordance with production requirements and relevant codes and regulations

2.2. Ensure that set construction meets aesthetic requirements and provides the correct visual interpretation of the production requirements

2.3. Identify and consider any specific production or performance issues that will impact on the nature of set construction

2.4. Identify and consider any safety  issues that will need to be integrated into the construction process

2.5. Complete accurate specifications and drawings to a level of detail sufficient to guide the construction process

2.6. Correctly identify the materials , tools and equipment required for set construction, including budgetary estimates to meet production requirements

2.7. Communicate practical details for set construction to appropriate personnel at the appropriate time to ensure deadlines can be met and workflow efficiency is maximised

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

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

Required skills 

• analytical skills for the evaluation of information that impacts on set construction planning
• communication and negotiation skills in relation to working with creative personnel to realise design concepts

Required knowledge 

• techniques for creating technical plans from designs or other sources, e.g. painting, photograph, drawing, description
• construction methods used to achieve a range of commonly required set effects
• features, formats and contents of construction specifications and how to develop these
• costs of materials typically used in set construction
• typical stage dimensions, constructions and their impact on set construction planning
• organisational and legislative occupational health and safety procedures in relation to planning and completion of set construction work

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:

• effective communication skills to liaise with designers/directors
• ability to translate design concepts into creative and workable set construction plans
• ability to develop accurate construction specifications and drawings on which construction tasks can be based.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

The assessment context must provide for:

• practical demonstration of skills through the creation of construction plans for more than one production
• involvement of and interaction with a team to reflect the collaborative nature of the set construction process.

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 sets for which the candidate has made the construction plans
• case studies to assess ability to develop construction plans for a range of different designs/production needs
• discussion with those involved in the set construction process regarding the quality and accuracy of specifications, drawings and plans
• evaluation of specifications and drawings produced by the candidate
• oral and written questioning to assess knowledge of set construction techniques and safety issues
• portfolios of evidence and third party workplace reports of on-the-job performance by the candidate.

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:

• set designs from which the candidate can develop construction plans.

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 documentation  may include:

• costume plots
• drawings
• lighting design
• paintings
• photographs
• scripts
• set design
• sound design
• venue specifications

Set elements and devices  may be required for interior or exterior conditions and may include:

• backdrops
• borders
• cycloramas
• drops large props, eg furniture
• flats
• flooring and floor cladding, eg tarkett
• flown pieces
• lifts
• pulleys
• rakes
• revolves
• rostra
• scaffolding
• set building accessories, eg castors
• slides
• soft drapes, eg legs
• stairs
• tracks
• traps
• treads
• trucks
• wires

Appropriate techniques  may include:

• fastening
• gluing
• joining
• metalworking, eg welding cutting
• timber construction techniques, e.g. cutting

Practical construction problems and limitations  may relate to:

• building regulations
• construction risks
• durability
• safety considerations technical and performance personnel
• size of performance space
• timelines

Relevant personnel  may include:

• carpenters
• designers
• external suppliers
• other technical specialists
• production manager
• stage manager

Occupational and public health and safety  legislative requirements may include:

• Commonwealth, State and Territory occupational health and safety regulations
• fire proofing of all set and scenic elements
• relevant local government legislation and regulation.
• relevant national and international standards, guidelines and codes of practice, e.g. the Building Code of Australia

Set materials  may include:

• adhesives
• canvas and other fabrics
• craftwood
• fabric
• fasteners
• fibreglass
• Masonite
• metal products, e.g. bars, tubes, sheets, moulded or cast metal
• paper
• particle board
• plastics, e.g. moulded
• sheet
• timber
• timber products, e.g. plywood

Unit sector 

Competency field 

Visual communication - sets

Co-requisite units