Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
22/07/2026 4:10 AM AWST

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Coordinate location sound recording

Coordinate location sound recording

Unit of competency
National Code
CUSSOU407A
State Code
D2969
TGA Status
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Current Release Number
2.00
Current Release Date
02/11/2011
View on TGA
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
16/05/2014
Field of Education
100701 - Audio Visual Studies
Original Release Date
16/05/2014
Nominal Hours
35
Description
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to coordinate location sound-recording operations for screen productions. Well-developed understanding of how sound is used in screen productions is essential, along with the ability to work cooperatively and sensitively with performers and other production crew members.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Clarify recording requirements
  • 1.1 Participate in pre-production meetings with relevant personnel to determine scope of recording required
  • 1.2 Plan recording with reference to scripts and other production documentation
  • 1.3 Organise script extracts for sound recordists as required
  • 1.4 Visit all locations to identify issues or problems that might arise in the context of recording sound and plan accordingly
  • 1.5 Prepare a team work plan as required and brief personnel accordingly
  • 1.6 Ensure the selection of sound equipment and accessories meets production requirements
2. Prepare for location recording
  • 2.1 Ensure recording devices have sufficient capacity for expected duration of recordings
  • 2.2 Ensure adequate supply of consumables is available for duration of sound recordings
  • 2.3 Check that sound equipment and accessories are in working order prior to shoots
  • 2.4 Negotiate with relevant personnel prior to shoots to ensure that recorded sound will meet post-production requirements
  • 2.5 Ensure that sound equipment and accessories are rigged according to safety, and technical and production requirements
3. Monitor location sound recording
  • 3.1 Participate in technical run-throughs or rehearsals to determine optimum positioning of boom and other microphones for recording dialogue and sound effects
  • 3.2 Monitor the quality of sound being recorded and request additional takes as required
  • 3.3 Provide advice to and supervise sound recordists as required
4. Finalise sound-recording operations
  • 4.1 Ensure that recordings are saved in the appropriate format and logged/filed in line with organisational procedures
  • 4.2 Ensure that safety copies or backups are made in line with organisational procedures
  • 4.3 Ensure that sound equipment and accessories are de-rigged, checked and cleaned appropriately
  • 4.4 Ensure that locations are clean and restored to their pre-recording condition
  • 4.5 Provide feedback to team members as required
  • 4.6 Evaluate own performance against technical and creative criteria and note areas for improvement
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:
director
producer
director of photography
production manager
first assistant director (1st AD)
sound supervisor
sound designer
sound recordist
boom operator
sound engineer
performer
actor
camera operator
lighting crew
art department
wardrobe department
make-up artist.
Documentation may include:
production schedules
budgets
scripts
storyboards
shot lists.
Equipment and accessories may include:
hard disk recorders
headphones
batteries
microphones, including:
dynamic
condenser
radio
omnidirectional
cardioid
hyper-cardioid
figure of eight
shotgun
microphone accessories, including:
tripod
windscreens
boom pole, including:
aluminium
carbon fibre
fisher
hand-held
perambulator
remote panner
cables, including:
balanced
unbalanced
cable extensions
clips
connectors, including:
female
male
XLR
housing
pop filters
shock mounts
stands, including:
desk
floor
gooseneck
amplifiers
mixers
speakers.
Productions may include:
feature films
documentaries
short films and videos
animation
corporate videos
training films and videos
drama programs
variety and lifestyle programs
news and current affairs
music videos
recordings of live productions
commercials
print advertisements.
Consumables may include:
CDs
DVDs
memory cards
batteries
masking tape, marker pens and labels
cue sheets.
Post-production requirements may include:
sync FX
location sound (atmos)
additional dialogue
file management systems.
Positioning may involve:
ensuring that boom and microphone are out of the frame of the camera
placing boom and microphone overhead
miking from below
mounting boom and microphone on a dolly
determining movement of boom and microphone during recording of shots
ensuring that position of the microphone, mounts, their shadows and reflections are as unobtrusive as possible
ensuring that extraneous and unwanted noises are not captured
ensuring that boom and microphone are not safety hazards
placing multiple microphones in different positions to capture sound perspective of effects being recorded.
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 ability to:
plan sound-recording operations for screen productions
monitor the quality of sound recording on location in line with production requirements
work cooperatively in a team environment
meet deadlines
observe safety guidelines on set.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure:
access to screen projects where dialogue and sound are being recorded
access to industry-current sound equipment and accessories
use of culturally appropriate processes, and techniques appropriate to the language and literacy capacity of learners and the work being performed.
Method of assessment
The following assessment methods are appropriate for this unit:
case studies to assess candidate's ability to deal with challenges that typically arise in the context of coordinating location sound recording
evaluation of dialogue and sound recorded by and/or under the supervision of the candidate
evaluation of work plans prepared by the candidate
observation of candidate monitoring sound-recording operations on location
written or oral questioning to test knowledge as listed in the required 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:
CUSSOU401A Record sound
CUSSOU406A Record sound on location.
Replaced By
State Code National Code Title Type
AWG69 CUASOU411 Coordinate sound recording operations on location Unit of competency