Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to provide a range of current and period hair styles for productions in the film, television and live entertainment industries.

The unit is broadly based on but not equivalent to WRH12A Dress (style) hair from the Hairdressing Training Package and reflects a level of skills appropriate to entertainment and media contexts.

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

Application of the unit 

Hair stylists and/or make-up artists apply the skills and knowledge described in this unit. They use a range of cutting, temporary colouring, setting and dressing methods to produce current and period hairstyles for performers.

Good communication skills are essential, since hair stylists need to create a work environment where performers feel at ease.

Depending on the nature of the job, a hair stylist can work alone, as an assistant to a more senior colleague or as part of a make-up/hair design team. Employment is usually on a contract basis and make-up skills are often required.

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 

Clarify hairdressing requirements

1. In consultation with relevant personnel  identify factors  that have an impact on how hair will be styled to meet production  requirements

2. Use appropriate research techniques  to identify and source reference materials  to clarify aspects of specific hairdressing assignments

3. Generate a range of ideas for hair designs that take account of all factors and background research

4. Organise  and maintain currency of reference materials, documentation and findings, for use by relevant personnel

5. Prepare hair designs in an appropriate format  and discuss with relevant personnel

6. Refine designs to incorporate feedback as required

Prepare for hairdressing assignments

7. Ensure styling aids  and hairdressing tools are available according to production schedules

8. Determine variables of working environment  and adjust planned procedures as required

9. Establish specific requirements of performers by physical and visual examination

10. Explain hairdressing procedures to performers and respond appropriately to their questions

Create hair designs

11. Select styling aids and tools and techniques  appropriate to required hairstyles

12. Test performers' skin for potential adverse reactions and take immediate and appropriate action if required

13. Ensure performers' comfort and safety during process

14. Produce hair designs according to production requirements, including accurate creation of period hairstyles and application of design elements 

15. Confirm with relevant personnel that hair designs meet production requirements and adjust styles as required

16. Make required adjustments  to performers' hair quickly and accurately at appropriate times during productions

17. Re-create the same designs for performers on consecutive occasions as required

18. Document hair designs for future performances and continuity purposes

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

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

Required skills 

• communication and literacy skills sufficient to:

• work effectively as a team member advising on hair designs
• negotiate with others to resolve hair styling issues
• consult with performers and analyse performers' characteristics/needs and pre-plan hair designs
• relate to people from diverse backgrounds
• document hair design details for performers
• complete workplace documentation, e.g. continuity diary

• initiative and flexibility in the context of:

• contributing creative ideas to hair designs
• making adjustments to hairstyles quickly and accurately during productions

• self-management skills sufficient to:

• work under pressure and to deadlines
• seek expert advice as required

• problem solving skills sufficient to plan and apply hair designs to compensate for particular face shapes or characteristics
• analytical and planning skills sufficient to analyse production documentation to plan hairdressing activities
• numeracy skills sufficient to calculate time to complete hair designs to meet production schedules
• technical skills sufficient to use a range of tools and styling aids to create current and period hair designs

Required knowledge 

• industry knowledge, including:

• roles and responsibilities of personnel in productions in the relevant industry sector
• codes of practice relating to the provision of hairdressing services
• issues and challenges that arise in the context of providing hairdressing services

• the provisions of health and hygiene regulations/requirements
• the provisions of OHS regulations with regard to the provision of hairdressing services
• theatre salon policies and procedures in regard to the production of a range of current and period hairstyles and finishes for a performance
• hairstyles, shape and design from current era to historical periods
• elements and principles of hair design
• knowledge of face and body shapes and their relationship to the elements and principles of hair design
• effects of humidity on set hair
• balancing hair length and volume
• basic knowledge of hair colour, in particular with regard to the appearance of hair colour under lights and its relation to skin tone
• advantages and disadvantages of different hairstyling products
• awareness of characters in productions and how to interpret hair needs to enhance characterisation

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:

• creation of current and period hair designs that demonstrate an ability to:

• meet production requirements
• take into account characteristics of performers' hair that may affect the desired style of productions
• select appropriate products and application techniques
• perform services within defined timelines
• re-create the same designs for a performer on consecutive occasions

• consistent application of local health and hygiene requirements/regulations in relation to hairstyling services
• consistent application of OHS practices in regard to the provision of hair services
• collaborative approach to work
• attention to detail
• ability to communicate effectively with performers while providing hair services.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Assessment must ensure:

• practical demonstration of skills through a range of hair design and styling tasks for at least two productions
• access to a range of hair products, styling aids and tools as listed in the range statement
• access to productions requiring a range of current and period styles and finishes
• 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
• evaluation of hair designs prepared by the candidate to determine whether production requirements have been met, correct procedures followed and appropriate hair products used
• observation of the candidate styling hair in a production context
• 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:

• CUFMUP402A Maintain make-up and hair continuity
• CUFMUP404A Style wigs and hairpiecesfor performances or productions.

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 personnel  may include:

• continuity personnel
• costume designers
• costume production staff
• director
• director of photography
• floor manager
• lighting and camera personnel
• performers
• production manager
• supervisor
• technical director
• wardrobe department personnel
• wardrobe supervisors/managers
• other technical/specialist staff.

Factors  may include:

• accessories
• action sequences or performers' movements during productions
• age and gender of performers
• availability of personnel
• availability of resources
• cultural
• cut/style required
• dressing techniques
• historical
• locations, e.g.:

• studio
• interior/exterior
• outside broadcast
• day/night
• weather
• soundstage

• period hairstyles
• physical characteristics of performers, e.g.:

• hair type
• skin type
• face and head shape
• hair length
• hair growth patterns

• production schedule
• production values/style/genre
• public profile of performers
• temporary colouring
• timelines
• trims.

Productions  may include:

• commercials
• documentaries
• feature films
• filmed events or performance or productions
• live events/entertainment/performance or production
• live or pre-recorded television productions
• music video
• short films
• stage performance or productions
• television productions, e.g. music, drama, comedy, variety, sport.

Research techniques  may include:

• contacting historical or other specialist associations
• reading newspapers, books and other references
• talking and listening to experts
• using the internet
• watching documentary films and videos.

Reference materials  may include:

• films
• history books
• journals
• paintings and illustrations of the period
• photographs
• production documentation, e.g.:

• scripts
• costume designs
• make-up designs
• hair designs

• specialist services available for make-up and hair
• texts
• the internet
• videos
• writings of the period.

Organisation  of reference materials may include the use of:

• computer database
• library
• manual files.

Format  may include:

• collage
• coloured design illustrations
• digital images
• models
• sketches.

Styling aids  could include:

• gels
• glazes
• long and short hairstyles
• mousses
• ornaments and hairpieces
• setting lotions
• waxes and sprays.

Variables of working environment  may include:

• characteristics of specific performers, e.g.:

• social
• cultural
• religious
• ethnic
• physical and mental abilities

• performers with different hair types
• salon/theatre policies and procedures in regard to the production of a range of hairstyles and finishes for performances
• salons, theatres or site locations
• styles and effects of different historical times and cultures.

Tools and techniques  may include:

• blow drying
• blow waving
• brushes
• combs
• moulding
• pin-curling
• roller placements
• use of hair dryers
• use of heat diffusers
• water waving
• other techniques that achieve desired looks.

Design elements  may include:

• colour
• direction
• line
• movement
• shape
• size
• texture.

Adjustments  may be required due to:

• adverse skin and scalp reactions
• different shooting conditions.

Unit sector 

Competency field 

Visual communication - make-up

Co-requisite units