Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to develop camera coverage of scenes for a screen production for film, television and interactive media.

The unit describes the skills and knowledge required by directors to interpret and use key elements of scripts or shot plans as the basis for devising camera coverage for relatively large-scale productions. These could include feature films, short films or television dramas.

A high level of creativity and innovative thinking is required, since a director's role is to establish the big picture view for productions and to create a sense of overall unity within productions.

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

Application of the unit 

To arrive at a final camera plan, directors need to work closely with other creative and production personnel such as directors of photography, designers, and camera and lighting operators. In the final analysis, directors may be answerable to a producer, but they often perform both roles.

Devising camera coverage is an important pre-production activity that relies on strong creative skills in visual story-telling and a sound knowledge of the technical aspects of productions.

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. Interpret creative brief.

1.1. Analyse available documentation to determine creative and technical criteria for productions.

1.2. Participate in preliminary concept meetings with relevant production personnel to discuss potential production requirements.

1.3. Identify factors that may determine and affect camera plans and coverage design.

1.4. Generate a range of preliminary ideas for camera coverage that responds sympathetically to the brief and provides creative solutions to creative and technical criteria.

1.5. Discuss and refine ideas with relevant production personnel until a workable approach emerges.

2. Identify camera coverage requirements.

2.1. Identify and analyse source references that may enhance camera coverage decisions.

2.2. Identify basic structural camera shots for realisation of scenes and investigate their potential for achieving narrative outcomes.

2.3. Ensure camera coverage is appropriate to contextual and stylistic requirements.

2.4. Evaluate and verify ideas in collaboration with relevant production personnel to determine the viability of proposed concepts.

2.5. Prepare effective documentation for use by relevant production personnel for analysis and interpretation.

3. Develop camera coverage plans.

3.1. Develop camera coverage that addresses all visual and narrative aspects of production requirements.

3.2. Ensure camera coverage enables narrative to be controlled and carried forward throughout the production.

3.3. Organise or undertake testing and experimentation with draft camera plan to verify photographic qualities.

3.4. Produce work within the agreed timeframes together with accurate documentation.

4. Finalise camera coverage plans.

4.1. Present draft camera plan and specifications to relevant production personnel in an appropriate format.

4.2. Negotiate and agree to acceptable modifications to creative and technical criteria and amend camera plan as necessary.

4.3. Agree to final plans and produce accurate and comprehensive documentation to support implementation.

4.4. Present final plans and specifications to relevant production personnel and confirm that all production requirements have been met.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

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

Required skills 

• well-developed communication and teamwork skills in the context of:

• liaising with a wide range of production staff
• communicating effectively as a team member, including demonstrating leadership qualities
• seeking and responding to creative ideas and suggestions from others
• negotiating solutions to problems and conflicts that arise during the process of devising camera coverage

• high level of initiative, enterprise and creativity in the context of:

• demonstrating original and innovative approaches to using and organising cinematographic elements
• interpreting creative objectives of a range of screen productions
• demonstrating originality and innovative approaches to creative processes
• being open to a wide range of ideas and approaches to devising camera coverage
• balancing creative and technical requirements
• experimenting with accepted narrative conventions and elements
• determining how the story can be carried forward from one scene to the next and throughout the entire production

• planning, organising and literacy skills in the context of:

• analysing complex outlines and scripts to inform decision making and planning
• undertaking background research to enhance understanding and appreciation of production contexts
• documenting camera plans and other work requirements

• self-management and learning skills sufficient to:

• locate and use resources to broaden own creative experience
• work under pressure to tight deadlines
• evaluate own contribution to creative solutions

• technical skills sufficient to use standard word processing and spreadsheet applications in preparing documentation in relation to devising camera coverage
• numeracy skills sufficient to make decisions that take account of budgetary constraints and production timings.

Required knowledge 

• typical ways of documenting camera plans
• OHS standards as they apply to directing screen productions
• sound understanding of key elements relevant in devising camera coverage, including:

• features of a range of cameras and accessories
• lighting techniques and lighting equipment
• cinematic and editing conventions, including framing techniques and shot composition
• cinematography
• set design

• industry knowledge, including:

• roles and responsibilities of personnel in the screen and media production industry
• impact of technology on production and post-production operations
• issues and challenges that arise in devising camera coverage
• conventions and practices of directing for the screen
• broad historical and cultural context for types of productions relevant to area of work
• techniques used to realise visual narrative from written narrative
• visual story-telling techniques.

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:

• preparation of camera plans that demonstrate a knowledge of:

• techniques used to realise visual narratives from written narratives
• camera properties and functions
• lighting techniques

• collaborative approach to work
• effective communication techniques in the context of involving creative and production personnel in the development of camera plans.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Assessment must ensure:

• practical demonstration of skills through the preparation of at least two camera plans for different types of screen productions
• access to production documentation from which to develop camera plans and coverage
• access to appropriate learning and assessment support when required
• the use of culturally appropriate processes, and techniques appropriate to the oracy, language and literacy capacity of the assessee and the work being performed.

Method of assessment 

The following assessment method is appropriate for this unit:

• direct questioning combined with review of portfolios of evidence and third-party workplace reports of on-the-job performance
• evaluation of a selection of camera plans and coverage prepared to determine candidate's understanding of the process used to devise camera coverage
• written or oral 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:

• CUFDRT601A Establish the creative vision for screen productions
• CUFDRT603A Direct screen production crews
• CUFDRT605A Collaborate with editors during post-production.

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.

Documentation  may include:

• computer-assisted design (CAD) programs
• design plans, including sets and costumes
• desktop video
• photoboards
• production management software
• production plans, including lighting and sound
• scripts
• shot plans
• storyboard and animation software
• video.

Creative and technical criteria  may include:

• artistic
• camera angles
• climate
• compositional elements
• depth of frame
• dialogue staging
• information management systems
• interior or exterior
• line of action
• live or prerecorded
• location
• period
• seasons
• size of shots, including various framing heights
• staging action sequences
• style
• time of day.

Productions  may include:

• advertisements/commercials
• animations
• documentaries
• feature films
• interactive multimedia
• promotional presentations
• short films
• television series and serials
• training videos.

Production personnel  may include:

• assistant directors
• cinematographers
• designers, including:

• lighting
• sound
• sets
• costume

• directors
• directors of photography
• editors
• floor managers
• performers
• producers
• production managers
• script writers
• other technical/specialist staff.

Production requirements  may include:

• budget
• codes of practice
• confidentiality
• content
• contractual
• copyright
• deadlines
• duration
• genre of production
• intellectual property
• location
• purpose
• schedule
• style, including:

• method
• approach
• fashion
• mode
• way of presenting things
• a manner of exhibiting characteristics

Factors  may include:

• availability of personnel
• availability of resources
• available budget
• delivery platform
• genre
• intellectual property
• production schedule
• production values
• target audience
• timelines
• type of production.

Camera plan  may include:

• action descriptions
• blocking
• camera angle
• camera movement
• camera position
• choice of lens
• costume and props detail
• dialogue and notes
• lighting details
• location detail
• mise en scene
• size of shot
• sketches
• staging of shot
• sub-text.

Source references  may include:

• adapted or original scripts
• collages
• digital images
• film and video
• internet
• models
• musical scores
• paintings and illustrations
• photographs
• reference books, journals and texts
• sketches
• technical production drawings
• writings of the period.

Camera shots  may include:

• camera movement - tilting, panning, dollying, zooming in and out, and tracking in and out
• close-up, extreme close-up
• crab
• crane rigs
• cutaway shot
• establishing or master shot
• eye level shot
• high angle
• low angle
• mid shot, long shot
• overhead shot
• physical relocations and movement
• point of view shot
• wide shot.

Photographic qualities  of the mise en scene may include:

• action
• actors
• costumes
• dialogue
• lighting
• location
• narrative function of shot
• props
• set
• time of day.

Unit sector 

Media and entertainment production - directing

Competency field 

Co-requisite units