Elements and Performance Criteria

Types of production may include:

features

documentaries

shorts

animation

television series and serials

advertisements/commercials

training videos

interactive multimedia

promotional presentations

Relevant resources may include:

research of settings

research of characters

inspiration

imagination

life experience

actual events

existing dramatic material

newspapers

objectives

historical events

photographs

paintings

sketches

existing films

own notes/observations

discussions with relevant personnel

Production requirements may include:

production design

art direction

sound design

duration

genre of production (ie type, sort, kind, variety)

style (ie method, approach, fashion, mode, way of presenting things, a manner of exhibiting characteristics, in the style of)

content

budget

deadlines

location

purpose

contractual

confidentiality

intellectual property

copyright

schedule

codes of practice

A scenic unit may be defined as:

acts

dramatic sequences

scenes

Dramatic elements may include:

first impressions

plots

story

content

themes

purpose

genre of production (ie type, sort, kind, variety)

style (ie method, approach, fashion, mode, way of presenting things, a manner of exhibiting characteristics, in the style of)

location

structure

three act structures or other structures

character:
goals
transformation
sub-text
objectives
actions
history
turning points
arcs

beats or action change

environments within the story

scenes

story turning point

action points

conflict

set up

climax

resolution

interview questions

narration

time

place

events

Relevant technical components may include:

location

time of day

interior or exterior

seasons

climate

Appropriate personnel may include:

producers

directors

script writers

director of photography

performers

heads of department

other technical staff

other specialist staff

Underpinning skills and knowledge

Assessment must include evidence of essential knowledge of, and skills in, the following areas:

ability to locate and use resources to broaden creative experience
ability to demonstrate originality and innovative approaches to the creative directing process
ability to experiment with narrative conventions and elements to develop own voice and extend directing practice
ability to extend creative boundaries for self
ability to demonstrate original and innovative approaches in the use and organisation of visual narrative elements
ability to originate and develop an idea
knowledge and understanding of the conventions and practices of directing for the screen
knowledge of the range of narrative conventions used throughout the history of film making
knowledge of techniques used to realise a visual narrative from a written narrative
ability to determine how the story can be carried forward from one scene to the next and throughout the entire production
knowledge of various techniques of visual storytelling
knowledge of film and literary conventions
understanding of the craft of the screen writer
understanding of the craft of screen acting
understanding of the craft of cinematography
understanding of the craft of editing
understanding of the craft of sound design
understanding of the craft of production design
reading and interpreting documentation and other narrative forms
ability to research and document relevant information
knowledge of relevant organisational and/or legislative occupational health and safety requirements
knowledge of effective communication techniques including effective listening, questioning and non-verbal communication

Linkages to other units
This unit has linkages to the range of directing units found within this training package and combined training delivery and/or assessment may be appropriate.

Critical aspects of evidence
This unit of competence applies to a range of industry sectors. The focus of assessment will depend on the industry sector. Assessment must be customised to meet the needs of the particular sector in which performance is being assessed. Assessment should only address those variable circumstances, listed in the range of variables statements, which apply to the chosen context.

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

the development of the ability to originate and develop an idea from concept to production
knowledge and understanding of the conventions and practices of screen directing and their role in carrying the story forward in a whole production

Method and context of assessment
Assessment may take place on the job, off the job or a mix of both of these. Off the job assessment must be undertaken in a closely simulated workplace environment.

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

practical demonstration (direct observation may need to occur on more than one occasion to establish consistency of performance)
role play
case studies
work samples or simulated workplace activities
oral questioning/interview aimed at evaluating the processes used in developing and realising the creative concept
projects/reports/logbooks
third party reports and authenticated prior achievements
portfolios of evidence which demonstrate the processes used in developing and realising the creative concept

Resource requirements
Assessment requires access to a range of scripts.

Communicating ideas and information
(3)

Collecting analysing and organising information
(3)

Planning and organising activities
(2)

Working with others and in teams
(3)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
(1)

Solving problems
(3)

Using technology
(1)