CUFDRT602A Audition and select performers

Revision Number: 1

CUFDRT602A Audition and select performers

Modification History

Not applicable.

Unit Descriptor

Unit descriptor	This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to audition and select suitable performers for productions in film, television and interactive media. Selecting the right performers for roles is a critical task in the pre-production phase. It involves detailed analysis of scripts as the basis for developing character profiles that will lead to the most appropriate performers being auditioned and selected. Creative and effective interaction between performers is an important factor for directors to take into account when deciding on the final mix of actors for productions, as is the ability of performers to relate to the camera and their overall appeal on screen. No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the

Application of the Unit

Application of the unit	Directors of relatively large-scale screen productions that require a full cast of performers apply the skills and knowledge contained in this unit. Even though directors act with a high degree of autonomy and are responsible for realising the production's creative vision, the final selection of performers is usually a collaborative effort between directors and other personnel, such as producers and assistant directors.

Licensing/Regulatory Information

Not applicable.

Pre-Requisites

Prerequisite units

Employability Skills Information

Employability skills	This unit contains employability skills.

Elements and Performance Criteria Pre-Content

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.

Elements and Performance Criteria

ELEMENT	PERFORMANCE CRITERIA
1. Prepare for auditions.	1.1. Clarify production requirements in consultation with relevant production personnel. 1.2. Develop comprehensive character profiles from script materials to facilitate selection of appropriate performers. 1.3. Obtain and assess resume's of potential performers that may match character profiles. 1.4. Schedule and advertise auditions at varying times where possible to maximise availability of potential performers. 1.5. Ensure auditioning applicants are supplied with relevant audition information prior to or at auditions. 1.6. Arrange for relevant facilities to be available for conducting auditions and recording performers.
2. Audition performers.	2.1. Conduct audition process in a manner that facilitates comparative assessments of performers according to specific performance elements. 2.2. Establish an environment conducive to achieving optimum performance from those auditioning. 2.3. Brief performers on required characterisation and scene context to assist them in their performance. 2.4. Require performers to provide relevant slate details for audition tape, including nominating part for which they are auditioning. 2.5. Allow performers sufficient time and repeats to develop character and subsequently their performance.
3. Select performers.	3.1. Review screen tests and notes to determine most suitable performers for the production. 3.2. Consider relevant previous body of work that may influence selections. 3.3. Organise additional auditions or call backs where necessary, including assessing ability of performers to interact with others. 3.4. Select performers most suited to required roles and ensure all performers are notified of audition outcomes. 3.5. Organise to contract selected performers in collaboration with relevant production personnel.

Required Skills and Knowledge

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE
This section describes the skills and knowledge required for this unit.
Required skills
initiative, enterprise and creativity in the context of being open to a wide range of ideas and approaches to interpreting characters technical skills sufficient to use standard word processing and spreadsheet applications when preparing documentation in relation to the directing process communication skills sufficient to: convey concepts and characterisation requirements to performers in an audition environment provide constructive feedback to performers during and after auditions work closely with others involved in the selection process, including reaching consensus on the most appropriate performers for specific roles planning, organising and literacy skills in the context of: analysing scripts to develop character profiles scheduling auditions self-management skills sufficient to: show strong leadership qualities work under pressure to tight deadlines
Required knowledge
well-developed understanding of character development and the craft of screen acting knowledge of communication techniques, including effective listening, questioning and non-verbal cues industry knowledge, including: roles and responsibilities of personnel in the screen and media production industry issues and challenges that arise in selecting performers for screen productions conventions and practices of directing for the screen broad historical and cultural context for types of productions relevant to area of work visual story-telling techniques standard processes for organising screen tests OHS standards as they apply to directing performers in screen productions.

Evidence Guide

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: selection of performers for screen productions that demonstrates: understanding of the conventions and practices of casting performers for screen productions ability to select performers that fit character profiles effective communication techniques in conveying character requirements to performers.
Context of and specific resources for assessment	Assessment must ensure: access to a range of equipment and audition environments typically used in screen and media industries access to screen productions for which auditions are required availability of script materials 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 character profiles prepared by the candidate to determine candidate's ability to identify the type of performers required observation of the candidate auditioning performers for a screen production to assess candidate's ability to convey concepts and requirements to performers 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: CUFDRT501A Direct rehearsals of performers CUFDRT502A Direct performers.

Range Statement

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 requirements may include:	budget codes of practice confidentiality content contracts contractual copyright deadlines duration genre of production intellectual property location purpose schedule.
Production personnel may include:	broadcaster casting director director director of photography performer producer script writer other technical/specialist staff.
Character profiles may include:	age attitude ethnicity gender period physical features rhythm sensibilities temperament.
Performers may include:	actors animals and handlers animations audience extras musicians narrators presenters puppets stunt performers.
Resume's may include:	agent contact details performance fees personal details photographs references screen performances show reel theatre performances.
Audition information may include:	audition requirements, e.g. cold read and monologues character profiles dates, times and location of audition photographs production commitments rehearsal commitments release forms resume' scenes for audition screen performances script and script extracts show reel sign-in sheets theatrical performances.
Facilities may include:	costumes digital camera lighting microphones props sets venue video and recording facilities.
Audition process may include:	call backs creativity improvisations: character situational performing monologues reading scenes rehearsal exercises.
Performance elements may include:	ability to improvise ability to make bold choices ability to perform or learn tasks required of the character ability to take direction authentic and appropriate behaviours character arc clarity of objectives courage honesty originality script comprehension selflessness uniqueness.
Slate details may include:	auditioning role contact details name verbal resume'.
Productions may include:	advertisements/commercials animations documentaries features interactive media promotional presentations shorts television series and serials training videos.

Unit Sector(s)

Unit sector	Media and entertainment production - directing

Competency field

Competency field

Co-requisite units

Co-requisite units