Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to plan for and rig all types of camera supports used in film or television production environments.

A scaffolder's licence is required for the erection of camera towers and platforms.

Application of the unit 

This unit focuses on the skills and knowledge required to plan, erect and install mounts for cameras for a range of television and film productions. It includes the use of camera towers, platforms, dolly tracks, jibs and cranes. Generally this work is based on camera plans provided by a technical producer.

Operations assistants employed at television stations or brought in as freelancers, are usually responsible for this work, which may involve the supervision of other team members.

Towers, platforms and cranes are a feature of outside broadcasts but are used for some studio productions.

The use of cranes mainly involves the installation of hothead camera mounts for remote-control operation.

Typical programs include coverage of sporting events, concerts, festivals, and drama and comedy productions.

Skills associated with manipulating cables during productions are covered in:

• CUFCAM301A Shoot material for screen productions.

Skills associated with rigging cabling and dolly tracks for relatively complex productions are covered in:

• CUFCAM302A Rig camera infrastructure.

Skills associated with operating cameras mounted on moving supports are covered in:

• CUFCAM402A Shoot television content in a multi-camera environment.

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 

Plan and prepare camera mount equipment and support materials

1. With reference to camera plans, confirm equipment and support  requirements for production 

2. Assess risks and OHS issues associated with installing camera supports and operating cameras from supports during shoots 

3. Incorporate into the planning process strategies to minimise risk and to address OHS issues

4. Identify aspects of camera plans that may require modification and negotiate changes with relevant production staff 

5. Recommend alternative camera mounts where risk or cost of mount may outweigh the value of required shots

6. Purchase supplies and equipment according to agreed budgets

7. Check that equipment is operational and take appropriate action to repair faults

8. Ensure equipment and supports are available at correct locations  in time for shoots

9. Complete documentation  according to enterprise requirements

Erect camera platforms and towers

10. Construct platforms and towers, ensuring platforms and towers are level, secure and on solid ground and capable of holding the required maximum load

11. Secure equipment fastenings  and personnel harnesses

12. Ensure operational and electrical equipment meets OHS guidelines

13. Review structures to ensure that safety issues have been addressed

Prepare cranes for camera

14. Confirm that camera cranes  are in safe working order before work commences

15. Confirm the maximum safe working load of cranes before camera mounting commences

16. Display signage on crane to indicate its safe working load

17. Fix the snap plate or hothead mount according to manufacturer specifications

18. Attach cameras to mounts ensuring that they are secure, level and steady in mounts

Attach and secure cameras

19. Attach appropriate camera mounts to supports in use or direct to moving object or vehicle  being used to capture shots

20. Check that power supply is appropriate and run power cables from source to cameras, including for remote-control consoles and monitors

21. Ensure that camera operators are able to operate equipment without being a hazard to personnel involved in shoots or to the general public

22. Secure cameras and cabling safely to avoid damage and exposure to the elements when unattended

Disassemble tracks, platforms and towers

23. Break down and carry equipment, employing safe lifting techniques

24. Clean and safely pack equipment to avoid damage and prepare for transport as required

25. Report and document equipment that requires repairs or maintenance according to enterprise procedures

26. Leave the worksite in the original or improved condition, ensuring that there has been no adverse impact on the site

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

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

Required skills 

• communication skills sufficient to interpret and provide information to others about:

• plans for safe construction of camera of mounts and structures
• safe working load requirements
• safe height construction

• technical skills sufficient to:

• erect support equipment, e.g. scaffolding, bolts/clamps, joiners
• repair and maintain camera support equipment

• numeracy skills sufficient to interpret budgets and cost estimates
• self-management and teamwork skills sufficient to:

• work to deadlines
• coordinate other team members as required
• respond quickly to changes in production requirements
• follow workplace documentation, e.g. codes of practice and operating procedures

• literacy skills sufficient to interpret written instructions, e.g. camera plans, construction briefs

Required knowledge 

• industry knowledge, including:

• roles and responsibilities of production team members
• broadcast/film language and terminology
• issues and challenges that arise in the context of installing camera supports for film/televisionshoots

• features of a range of support equipment for a range of camera types
• basic techniques of harnessing, rigging and fastening, including the use of ropes, lashings, carabiners, harnesses, knots and fixings
• OHS regulations and requirements as they relate to:

• statutory and legal requirements for construction of scaffolding
• procedures for use of electrical equipment and construction of scaffolding

• duty of care to colleagues and the general public

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:

• ability to plan the safe installation of camera supports to meet production requirements
• strong teamwork capacities, including the ability to work under direction and to supervise others
• safe construction of a variety of rigs for moving and static objects on more than one occasion.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Assessment must ensure:

• access to professional equipment based on items listed in the range statement.
• opportunities to work on productions that require the installation of camera supports
• 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
• inspection of camera supports installed by the candidate to determine whether safe work practices have been followed
• observation of the candidate installing camera supports on location
• 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:

• CUFCAM302A Rig camera infrastructure.

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.

Equipment and supports  may include:

• camera platforms
• moving mounts/object
• pedestals
• scaffolding
• static mounts/object
• towers
• tracks and dollies
• tripods.

Shoots  may include:

• digital
• film
• multi-camera
• single-camera.

Production staff  may include:

• camera operator
• director
• director of photography
• gaffer
• grip
• head of department
• lighting personnel
• other specialist staff
• other technical staff
• safety officer
• supervisor
• technical director.

Productions  may include:

• animated productions
• commercials
• feature films
• live or prerecorded television productions, e.g.:

• music
• drama
• comedy
• variety/infotainment
• sport
• studio debates
• news
• current affairs

• music videos
• outside broadcasts
• short films.

Locations  may include:

• day
• exterior
• interior
• night
• studio.

Documentation  may include:

• computer generated
• fault reports
• manually written
• production schedules
• rig plans
• stock orders
• stock reports.

Fastenings  may include:

• bolts
• carabiners
• clamps
• fixings
• harnesses
• joiners
• knots
• lashings
• ropes.

Camera cranes  may include:

• camera remote
• fluid heads
• gear heads
• hotheads
• motorised heads
• power pod.

Moving objects or vehicles  used to capture shots may include:

• aircraft
• boats
• cars
• cranes
• trains.

Unit sector 

Competency field 

Media and entertainment production - Camera/cinematography

Co-requisite units