Senior or experienced set builders apply the skills and knowledge outlined in this unit. In this role they are responsible for liaising with workshop managers and designers and could be supervising others.

This unit also has linkages to other set construction units and combined assessment and/or training in conjunction with those units may be appropriate.

It is strongly recommended that this unit be assessed with or after the following unit:

CUESET302A

Make sets

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Interpret the set design from a construction perspective

1.1. Read and interpret the set design and other production documentation to determine the scope and nature of set elements and devices that need to be constructed

1.2. Contemplate and consider set construction methods and techniques which will lead to the best visual realisation of the design concept while meeting production budgets

1.3. Identify potential practical construction problems and limitations with proposed designs and communicate these to relevant personnel

1.4. Assess potential solutions and develop creative approaches to minimise problems and limitations

1.5. Liaise with design and other relevant personnel to discuss and confirm construction requirements

2. Develop set construction plans and drawings

2.1. Translate the set design into a practical plan for set construction in accordance with production requirements and relevant codes and regulations

2.2. Ensure that set construction meets aesthetic requirements and provides the correct visual interpretation of the production requirements

2.3. Identify and consider any specific production or performance issues that will impact on the nature of set construction

2.4. Identify and consider any safety issues that will need to be integrated into the construction process

2.5. Complete accurate specifications and drawings to a level of detail sufficient to guide the construction process

2.6. Correctly identify the materials, tools and equipment required for set construction, including budgetary estimates to meet production requirements

2.7. Communicate practical details for set construction to appropriate personnel at the appropriate time to ensure deadlines can be met and workflow efficiency is maximised

Required skills

analytical skills for the evaluation of information that impacts on set construction planning

communication and negotiation skills in relation to working with creative personnel to realise design concepts

Required knowledge

techniques for creating technical plans from designs or other sources, e.g. painting, photograph, drawing, description

construction methods used to achieve a range of commonly required set effects

features, formats and contents of construction specifications and how to develop these

costs of materials typically used in set construction

typical stage dimensions, constructions and their impact on set construction planning

organisational and legislative occupational health and safety procedures in relation to planning and completion of set construction work

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

The following evidence is critical to the judgement of competence in this unit:

effective communication skills to liaise with designers/directors

ability to translate design concepts into creative and workable set construction plans

ability to develop accurate construction specifications and drawings on which construction tasks can be based.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

The assessment context must provide for:

practical demonstration of skills through the creation of construction plans for more than one production

involvement of and interaction with a team to reflect the collaborative nature of the set construction process.

Method of assessment

Assessment may incorporate a range of methods to assess performance and the application of essential underpinning knowledge, and might include:

evaluation of sets for which the candidate has made the construction plans

case studies to assess ability to develop construction plans for a range of different designs/production needs

discussion with those involved in the set construction process regarding the quality and accuracy of specifications, drawings and plans

evaluation of specifications and drawings produced by the candidate

oral and written questioning to assess knowledge of set construction techniques and safety issues

portfolios of evidence and third party workplace reports of on-the-job performance by the candidate.

Assessment methods should closely reflect workplace demands and the needs of particular groups (e.g. people with disabilities, and people who may have literacy or numeracy difficulties such as speakers of languages other than English, remote communities and those with interrupted schooling).

Guidance information for assessment

Assessment of this unit requires access to:

set designs from which the candidate can develop construction plans.

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 documentation may include:

costume plots

drawings

lighting design

paintings

photographs

scripts

set design

sound design

venue specifications

Set elements and devices may be required for interior or exterior conditions and may include:

backdrops

borders

cycloramas

drops large props, eg furniture

flats

flooring and floor cladding, eg tarkett

flown pieces

lifts

pulleys

rakes

revolves

rostra

scaffolding

set building accessories, eg castors

slides

soft drapes, eg legs

stairs

tracks

traps

treads

trucks

wires

Appropriate techniques may include:

fastening

gluing

joining

metalworking, eg welding cutting

timber construction techniques, e.g. cutting

Practical construction problems and limitations may relate to:

building regulations

construction risks

durability

safety considerations technical and performance personnel

size of performance space

timelines

Relevant personnel may include:

carpenters

designers

external suppliers

other technical specialists

production manager

stage manager

Occupational and public health and safety legislative requirements may include:

Commonwealth, State and Territory occupational health and safety regulations

fire proofing of all set and scenic elements

relevant local government legislation and regulation.

relevant national and international standards, guidelines and codes of practice, e.g. the Building Code of Australia

Set materials may include:

adhesives

canvas and other fabrics

craftwood

fabric

fasteners

fibreglass

Masonite

metal products, e.g. bars, tubes, sheets, moulded or cast metal

paper

particle board

plastics, e.g. moulded

sheet

timber

timber products, e.g. plywood

Unit sector

Visual communication - sets

This unit contains employability skills.