Titles designers or graphic artists working in the screen and media industries apply the skills and knowledge described in this unit. They are responsible for designing the opening titles and captions that appear in film and television productions and in digital media products, such as games and e-learning resources.

They work closely with directors and post-production personnel to ensure that screen titles reflect the theme and mood of the overall production or product. A collaborative approach to work is therefore essential, as is an ability to meet deadlines.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Clarify work requirements

1. With reference to production documentation, clarify requirements for screen titles

2. In consultation with relevant personnel, clarify work flow sequences to ensure that production schedule deadlines are met

3. Identify the available budget for the production of titles as required

Identify items to be included in titles

4. Produce and maintain a schedule of items to be included in titles

5. Determine if graphic items need to be imported from other sources and source these items as required

6. Obtain copyright clearances to use imported items as required

7. Select appropriate fonts and/or create fonts as required

Generate and assess ideas

8. Generate a range of ideas for the design of screen titles that respond sympathetically to briefs and provide creative solutions to all design issues

9. Discuss ideas and collaborate, as required, with relevant personnel to ensure contribution of ideas to initial concepts

10. Continuously reflect on and appraise ideas for implications on cost, technical feasibility and suitability to meet specifications

Create titles

11. Incorporate and manipulate moving or static graphic items to be included in titles

12. Modify titles and source items to ensure that the required visual effect is achieved

13. Trial various techniques and styles and produce initial compilation of titles ensuring that style, content and creative intentions are met

14. Decide upon the appropriate parameters of display to meet with creative requirements and technical specifications

15. Review initial titles to ensure that they meet technical and creative requirements

16. Ensure that the movement of titles and other graphic items maximises the visual impact required for productions

17. Ensure that titles incorporate captions with required images and sound, and are correctly synchronised with sound

18. Ensure that titles are legible and appropriately spaced

19. Record and store titles and other graphic images according to enterprise procedures

Finalise titles

20. Present initial title compilations to relevant personnel for feedback

21. Participate in initial and ongoing evaluation of titles

22. Confirm accuracy of text, spelling, punctuation and content

23. Negotiate and agree to additional requirements and modify titles as required

24. Ensure that agreement is reached with, and approval granted by, relevant personnel before proceeding with the final production of titles

25. Review process of creating titles and note areas for future improvement

Required skills

communication, teamwork and literacy skills sufficient to:

interpret and clarify written or verbal instructions

collect and interpret creative information, scripts and images

use correct grammar and spelling in screen titles

work collaboratively in a team environment, both independently and under direction

respond constructively to feedback received from other team members

complete workplace documentation

technical skills sufficient to:

use common features of industry-current visual effects software to create screen titles

produce screen titles for a range of output formats

manage files and directories using standard naming conventions and version control protocols

initiative and creativity in the context of:

visualising and interpreting creative concepts

maintaining design integrity

creatively integrating media assets to achieve the required digital visual effects

troubleshooting and solving problems as they arise during the process of creating titles for screen productions

self-management, learning and planning skills sufficient to:

prioritise work tasks

continuously improve skills and knowledge by keeping up to date with industry developments and new software features

meet deadlines

seek expert assistance as required

Required knowledge

industry knowledge, including:

roles and responsibilities of project team members in the relevant industry sector

sound understanding of the technical and creative elements of productions in which screen titles are used

issues and challenges that arise in the context of creating titles for screen productions

principles of typographic design

the effects of caption movement in one plane

the effects of caption movement in multiple planes and axes

copyright requirements with regard to importing items into screen titles

OHS standards as they relate to working for periods of time on computers

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 a range of screen titles that:

meet the requirements of a brief

demonstrate attention to detail and an ability to achieve the required creative effect

collaborative approach to work

ability to meet deadlines.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure:

access to industry-current software used to create screen titles

access to simulated or real production situations that require the creation of screen titles

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 digital screen titles created by the candidate to determine ability to create different types of titles

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:

BSBCRT402A Collaborate in a creative process

CUFANM402A Create digital visual effects

CUFDIG304A Create visual design components.

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:

animatics

brief

script

shot list

storyboard

technical specifications.

Titles may be:

animated

crawling

dissolved

effect

faded

layered

reveal

rolling

static

zip.

Relevant personnel may include:

designers

director

director of photography

editor

head of department

post-production manager

producer

SFX (sound effects) supervisor

sound personnel

storyboard artist

supervisor

technical director

other technical/specialist personnel.

Items to be included in the titles may include:

background

captured frames

fonts

images, e.g.:

static

moving

graphic

photographic

cinematographic

logos

objects

text.

Parameters of display may include:

colour

duration

punctuation

shading

spacing

spelling

style

thickness

typeface.

Technical and creative requirements include:

choreography of movement

colour frequency

focus

signal requirements

speed

type.

Movement of titles and other graphic images may include:

bounce

compression

expansion

rotation.

Productions may include:

animated productions

commercials

documentaries

feature films

filmed events or performances

interactive digital media products, e.g.:

e-learning resources

games

promotional/informational products

music videos

short films

television productions

training or promotional videos/DVDs.

Unit sector

Visual communication - animation and digital effects

This unit contains employability skills.