Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to colour grade moving images.

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

Application of the unit 

Post-production technicians involved in digital intermediate workflow, colour graders, colourists, telecine operators and archival media technicians apply the skills and knowledge outlined in this unit.

Colour grading is the process of altering and enhancing the colour of motion picture or television images, either electronically, photochemically or digitally. The process is completed by transferring the output from grading to the required medium, e.g. DVD, film, video.

Colourists need strong visual, creative and technical skills. Also critical to the grading process is attention to detail and accuracy, as well as effective safe working practices.

In most circumstances, limited supervision is required of people working at this level of expertise.

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 work requirements

1. In consultation with relevant personnel , identify deadlines for colour grading and ensure work is planned to meet production requirements 

2. Assess condition of source materials  for faults , determine whether remedial action is required to meet production requirements and follow-through accordingly

3. Ensure source materials are loaded and recorded according to enterprise procedures

4. Identify data files on digital storage network where applicable

Prepare equipment for grading process

5. Ensure equipment  is fully operational and work area is organised appropriately

6. Calibrate grading system for correct colour space using appropriate calibration standards 

7. Complete tests prior to commencing grading process as required

8. Ensure frame count is set correctly at start of reel and record other initialisation settings as appropriate

Grade images for colour

9. Apply basic (primary) colour corrections for each scene  to ensure overall balance

10. Balance colour and density for each shot according to normal appearance

11. Make suitable adjustments to each scene to suit client's production requirements

12. Apply appropriate system tools  to enhance specific colour detail within each shot or image

13. Apply additional (secondary) corrections and shapes to meet specified production requirements

14. Record colour correction data established by grader for each shot according to equipment operating specifications

15. Where required, ensure additional digital effects comply with predetermined production requirements

16. Record out, or render, correctly graded material

17. Deal promptly and efficiently with problems that arise during the colour grading process to ensure that production deadlines are met

18. If appropriate, output colour correction data for printing

Finalise colour grading

19. View results on relevant format  and make further corrections as required in consultation with production personnel 

20. Check that grade and print requirements are met according to production requirements

21. Complete further job instructions 

22. Produce required documentation  to report on quality of graded output according to specified format

23. Log completed graded job and dispatch to required destination according to enterprise procedures

24. Review colour grading process and note areas for future improvement

Required knowledge 

• industry knowledge, e.g.:

• roles and responsibilities of project team members, e.g. post-production personnel, laboratory technicians, archivists, and telecine and video operators
• issues and challenges that arise in the context of colour grading moving images
• film language and terminology
• phases in the production and post-production process

• film handling techniques
• principles and techniques of colour negative grading
• relationship of primary and secondary colours and colours of special relevance to colour grading negative
• limitations of colour reproduction in various film and digital display systems
• application of colours in terms of contributing to the mood of moving images
• purpose of calibration standards in the colour grading process
• OHS requirements as they relate to working for periods of time on close-up work and manual handling of film negative

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:

• colour grading of moving images that demonstrates an ability to:

• use colour grading equipment appropriately
• correctly interpret job instructions
• meet production requirements
• handle negative and print stock in a safe manner
• work to deadlines

• a collaborative approach to work
• effective communication skills
• attention to detail.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Assessment must ensure:

• access to industry-standard colour grading equipment and software
• access to a range of moving images that require colour grading
• 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 a review of portfolios of evidence and third-party workplace reports of on-the-job performance
• direct observation of performance during a series of practical demonstrations using colour grading equipment
• 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:

• CUFBRD403A Transfer film to digital formats
• CUFPOS401A Edit screen content for fast turnaround
• CUFPOS404A Cut and match film negative
• CUFPOS405A Restore moving images.

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:

• assistant editor
• client
• colour grader/colourist
• director
• director of photography
• editor
• producer
• supervisor.

Production requirements  may include:

• colour density
• colour printing
• deadlines
• digital visual effects
• dry printing
• film genre
• format output, e.g. DVD, film
• frame count cue (FCC)
• mood
• optical printing
• production style
• wet printing.

Source materials  may include:

• colour negative
• computer generated images
• digital files
• duplicate negative
• film
• negative produced from exposed camera film footage
• optical effects negative
• original negative
• single or A and B rolls
• special effects - digital
• video.

Faults  may include:

• broken splices
• data errors
• dust
• emulsion distortion
• machine malfunction
• scratches
• solvent stains.

Equipment  may include:

• colour correctors, e.g. DaVinci, Lustre
• colour video analyser
• computer grading software
• computers
• film analyser
• film rewind benches
• paper tape
• paper tape punch
• synchroniser
• telecine (e.g. Spirit)
• viewing screen and computer.

Calibration standards  may include:

• chinagirl
• colour charts
• greyscales
• LAD (laboratory aim density)
• LUTs (look-up tables)
• monitor calibration
• trims.

Scenes  may include:

• mixes
• sequences
• shots
• single frames
• special effects
• titles.

System tools  may include:

• digital effects
• dynamic grading
• feature tracking
• histograms
• rotoscoping
• shapes, e.g. Power Windows.

Format  may include:

• DI (digital intermediate)
• DVD
• film, e.g.:

• contact work print
• positive image work print
• first answer print
• subsequent answer prints
• release print
• digital intermediate negative

• video
• website.

Production personnel  may include:

• artists
• author
• designers
• media asset creators
• producer
• programmer
• project manager
• supervisor
• other specialist creative and administrative staff.

Job instructions  may include:

• deadline details
• desired density of colour
• job card/job sheet
• job number
• mood requirements
• print lighting instructions
• print type
• production schedule
• stock type.

Documentation  may include:

• can labels, roll numbers
• colour grading data
• computer generated
• manually written
• job code, title and client details
• stock type.

Unit sector 

Competency field 

Media and entertainment production - post-production

Co-requisite units