Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to inspect, clean and edit motion picture film materials in preparation for printing, telecine transfer or digitisation.

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

Application of the unit 

Editors, assistant editors and archival media technicians apply the skills and knowledge outlined in this unit.

Generally work is carried out under supervision and entails preparing motion picture film for printing to film, or transfer to video and digital formats. This work may be undertaken in the production of rushes, digital intermediate material, feature productions or archival printing.

Key functions include cutting and splicing simple sequences from film according to instructions, as well as analysing the quality of film materials and undertaking basic repairs to damaged film.

Attention to detail and accuracy is critical to the editing and preparation processes, as well as effective, safe and ethical work practices.

More complex skills associated with major restoration of old or badly damaged film are covered in:

• CUFPOS405A Restore moving images.

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 

Prepare film for printing or digitisation

1. Liaise with relevant production personnel  to identify and interpret production requirements  for the treatment of motion picture film

2. Assess quality and completeness of motion picture film and sound  to identify useable components and complete appropriate documentation  according to enterprise procedures

3. Identify faults  and repair or replace where applicable in collaboration with relevant production personnel

4. Establish required frame sequences  for motion picture film and sound ensuring available equipment  is aligned correctly

5. Record identification numbers for sequences and cut and match accurately according to provided documentation and instructions

6. Use safe and appropriate handling procedures to avoid damage to motion picture film and sound during production process

Repair and assemble film

7. Check motion picture film and sound for faults prior to cutting and assembling

8. Ensure motion picture film and sound meets required production or preservation standards  and, where applicable, undertake remedial action

9. Carry out repairs  to motion picture film and sound within individual level of responsibility and experience

10. Assemble selected takes ready for printing or transfer  according to production requirements

Clean film

11. Clean compiled film and sound media using appropriate cleaning equipment and check that it is free of dust and damage

12. Ensure operation of cleaning equipment is conducted safely and within manufacturer guidelines

13. Handle cleaning processes  according to prescribed OHS regulations and enterprise procedures

Complete process

14. Assemble unused sequences, record and store safely

15. Produce required documentation to report on quality of film and sound

16. Log completed film and sound compiles and dispatch to the required destination according to enterprise procedures

17. Apply OHS procedures at all times, including safe handling of hazardous materials

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

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

Required skills 

• communication skills sufficient to:

• interpret and clarify written or verbal instructions
• ask basic questions clearly and confidently of production personnel

• ability to work as a member of a production team, both independently and under direction
• technical skills sufficient to:

• make simple adjustments to, and operate basic film and sound editing equipment
• apply the principles and techniques of negative cutting and assembly
• undertake repairs to damaged footage
• ensure the safe handling of film

• literacy skills sufficient to interpret written background information and to complete workplace documentation
• self-management skills sufficient to:

• work under pressure and meet deadlines
• seek expert assistance when problems arise

• problem solving skills sufficient to anticipate and deal with minor equipment set-up problems

Required knowledge 

• industry knowledge, including:

• roles and responsibilities of project team members, e.g. laboratory technicians, media archivists, telecine and video operators
• motion picture film industry and history
• features of a range of delivery platforms, including film-to-video transfers
• film stocks and their characteristics

• OHS requirements as they relate to working for periods of time on close-up work, manual handling and chemicals

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 motion picture film for printing or transfer that demonstrates:

• an ability to handle negatives and hazardous materials safely
• correct interpretation of job instructions
• attention to detail

• collaborative approach to work.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Assessment must ensure:

• access to a range of film and sound footage
• access to a range of equipment and materials listed in the range statement
• 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 a range of film material prepared by the candidate in response to instructions received from a supervisor
• observation of the candidate preparing film for printing to determine whether correct procedures have been followed
• 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:

• CUFPOS302A Process motion picture film
• CUFPOS303A Print motion picture film.

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 personnel  may include:

• archives staff
• assistant editor
• director
• director of photography
• editors
• laboratory personnel
• producer
• production management personnel
• telecine operators
• video operators.

Production requirements  may include:

• client instructions
• copying
• cutting and matching instructions
• deadlines
• digital intermediate workflow
• re-edits or repurposing
• restoration requirements
• transfer formats.

Film and sound  may include:

• A and B rolls
• audiotape, e.g. open reel analogue; cassette, digital
• black and white material
• colour material
• film of any gauge, e.g. 35 mm, 16 mm, 8 mm
• intermediate film negatives and positives
• kine footage
• original camera negatives
• sound negatives
• subtitles
• work prints.

Documentation  may include:

• can labels, e.g.:

• roll number
• magazine number
• stock type
• date

• client details
• computer generated
• EDLs (edit decision lists)
• job code, title
• manually written
• reports, e.g. fault reports.

Faults  may include:

• abrasions
• base scratches
• broken splices
• broken sprockets
• cinch marks
• decomposition
• digs
• dye fade
• emulsion scratches
• faulty processing
• machine malfunction
• noise
• poor exposures
• vinegar syndrome.

Sequences  may include:

• completed programs
• single scene edits
• titles and subtitles.

Equipment  may include:

• computers
• editing bins.
• flat-bed film viewers, e.g. Steenbeck
• gloves
• pic sync
• rewinders
• splicers, e.g. tape, cement, ultrasonic
• synchronisers
• video recorders/replay
• other viewers, e.g. Moviola.

Production and preservation standards  may include:

• adjusted exposures/contrast
• colour balance
• emulsion/base issues
• restoration
• shrinkage issues
• splicing
• storage environment, e.g. temperature, relative humidity, pollutants
• storage orientation
• winding tension.

Repairs  may include:

• emulsion
• rips
• sound distortions
• sound noise
• splices
• sprockets
• tears.

Printing or transfer  may include:

• film:

• negatives
• duplicate negatives
• positive
• reversals
• work print
• answer print
• release prints

• film to digital:

• video
• data

• sound:

• negatives
• magnetic
• positive optical film
• data.

Cleaning processes  may include:

• hand cleaning, e.g.:

• cleaning cloths
• solvents
• PTRs (particle transfer rollers)

• machine cleaning, e.g.:

• rotating hair brushes
• rotating velvet brushes
• rotating chamois or cloth buffs
• ultrasonic film cleaning.

Unit sector 

Competency field 

Media and entertainment production - post-production

Co-requisite units