Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
21/07/2026 11:21 PM AWST
21/07/2026 11:21 PM AWST
Whilst all efforts are made to provide accurate and timely information from the relevant source/documentation, please be aware that the information supplied may not be the most current version. The accuracy of the detail has not been confirmed by the Department and therefore should not be relied upon without first confirming the contents.
Create special effects items
Create special effects items
Unit of competency
National Code
CUFSFX401A
CUFSFX401A
State Code
D1190
D1190
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
16/05/2014
Field of Education
100103 - Drama And Theatre Studies
Original Release Date
16/05/2014
Nominal Hours
50
Description
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to construct physical special effects items for productions in the screen, media and entertainment industries.No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
Prepare to create special effects
- 1. Confirm special effects requirements in consultation with relevant personnel and with reference to production documentation
- 2. Based on analysis of special effects requirements, suggest changes to specifications if appropriate and confirm final requirements with relevant personnel
- 3. Discuss with relevant personnel a range of construction methods and techniques that could be used to meet design and production requirements
- 4. Agree on methods and techniques that will provide the best visual interpretation of script requirements, taking into account budget and other constraints
- 5. Select required equipment and materials according to design and production requirements
Create special effects
- 6. Participate in ongoing discussions with relevant personnel throughout the construction process to ensure special effects design requirements are met
- 7. Create special effects items using selected materials and production techniques
- 8. Observe relevant OHS and public safety legislative requirements throughout the construction phase
- 9. Participate in ongoing production technique trials to establish the best results and solve any problems that arise during the creation of special effects items
- 10. Label and store partially completed special effects items to enable easy retrieval and to avoid loss or damage during the production phase
Finalise special effects
- 11. In consultation with relevant personnel, evaluate and check special effects items for accuracy and compliance with design and production specifications
- 12. Adjust special effects items as required
- 13. Label and store finished special effects in readiness for productions
- 14. Evaluate own performance in the process of creating special effects items and note areas for improvement
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.
Special effects items may include:
animatronics and creatures
automated and animatronic devices and controls
cables
computer controlled devices
electrical and mechanical winches
electro mechanical devices
electronic devices
electronic flashing and timing devices
floor effects, including:
weather effects
fire and smoke
collapsing and destruction
water
crashes
motion control systems
models and miniatures:
demonstration type
real type
figures
landscapes
buildings
motion control electronics and systems
pneumatics
power packs
road cases, boxes and crates for storage and transportation
sculpture - human, animal and inanimate.
Relevant personnel may include:
designer
director
director of photography
fire and safety officer
floor manager
head of department
medics
performer
personnel with specialist expertise in special effects productions and execution
producer
production designer
production manager
special effects department personnel
special effects production personnel
special effects supervisor and manager
specialist equipment designer
specialist manufacturer
supervisor
technical director
other technical/specialist staff.
Documentation may include:
budgets
call and running sheets
colour charts
computer generated
confirmation of receipt and dispatch notes
descriptive special effects checklists
fault reports
hire agreements
manually written
manufacture schedules
manufacturer specifications and instructions
measurement charts
memos of instruction
operational and project plans
paint colour formulas
production schedules
scripts
sketches
special effects breakdown lists
special effects construction schedules and plans
special effects design
stock orders
stock reports
technical drawings.
Techniques used may include:
fabrication
gluing and cementing
metalwork, including:
cutting
welding
brazing
moulding materials
painting and finishing
sculpting and other shaping methods
timber construction
woodworking.
Productions may include:
animated productions
commercials
documentaries
feature films
filmed events or performances
live events and entertainment
live or pre-recorded television productions of any type
music videos
short films
theatre productions.
Constraints may include:
availability of:
personnel
facilities
resources
locations:
studio
interior and exterior
outside broadcast
day and night
timelines.
Materials may include:
adhesives
canvas
clay
fabrics
fasteners
fibreglass
foam
latex
leather
masonite
metal products, e.g. bars, tubes and sheets
mouldable materials
moulded or cast metal
paper products
plaster
plastics, e.g. moulded sheet
polystyrene
resins
thermoplastic
timber
timber products, e.g. plywood, particle board and craft wood.
OHS and public safety legislative requirements may include:
commonwealth, state and territory OHS regulations
local government construction rules and regulations
national and international standards, guidelines and codes of practice, e.g. the Building Code of Australia.
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.
Special effects items may include:
animatronics and creatures
automated and animatronic devices and controls
cables
computer controlled devices
electrical and mechanical winches
electro mechanical devices
electronic devices
electronic flashing and timing devices
floor effects, including:
weather effects
fire and smoke
collapsing and destruction
water
crashes
motion control systems
models and miniatures:
demonstration type
real type
figures
landscapes
buildings
motion control electronics and systems
pneumatics
power packs
road cases, boxes and crates for storage and transportation
sculpture - human, animal and inanimate.
Relevant personnel may include:
designer
director
director of photography
fire and safety officer
floor manager
head of department
medics
performer
personnel with specialist expertise in special effects productions and execution
producer
production designer
production manager
special effects department personnel
special effects production personnel
special effects supervisor and manager
specialist equipment designer
specialist manufacturer
supervisor
technical director
other technical/specialist staff.
Documentation may include:
budgets
call and running sheets
colour charts
computer generated
confirmation of receipt and dispatch notes
descriptive special effects checklists
fault reports
hire agreements
manually written
manufacture schedules
manufacturer specifications and instructions
measurement charts
memos of instruction
operational and project plans
paint colour formulas
production schedules
scripts
sketches
special effects breakdown lists
special effects construction schedules and plans
special effects design
stock orders
stock reports
technical drawings.
Techniques used may include:
fabrication
gluing and cementing
metalwork, including:
cutting
welding
brazing
moulding materials
painting and finishing
sculpting and other shaping methods
timber construction
woodworking.
Productions may include:
animated productions
commercials
documentaries
feature films
filmed events or performances
live events and entertainment
live or pre-recorded television productions of any type
music videos
short films
theatre productions.
Constraints may include:
availability of:
personnel
facilities
resources
locations:
studio
interior and exterior
outside broadcast
day and night
timelines.
Materials may include:
adhesives
canvas
clay
fabrics
fasteners
fibreglass
foam
latex
leather
masonite
metal products, e.g. bars, tubes and sheets
mouldable materials
moulded or cast metal
paper products
plaster
plastics, e.g. moulded sheet
polystyrene
resins
thermoplastic
timber
timber products, e.g. plywood, particle board and craft wood.
OHS and public safety legislative requirements may include:
commonwealth, state and territory OHS regulations
local government construction rules and regulations
national and international standards, guidelines and codes of practice, e.g. the Building Code of Australia.
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:
creation of special effects items that meet production requirements and demonstrate:
correct interpretation of creative special effects designs
safe handling of hazardous materials
ability to meet deadlines
collaborative approach to work
attention to detail.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure:
practical demonstration ofskills through the making of special effects items for at least two productions
access to productions that require the creation of special effects items
access to materials required to make required special effects items
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 special effects items made by the candidate to determine whether production requirements have been met and correct procedures followed
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:
CUFSFX301A Maintain and repair special effects items
CUFSFX402A Coordinate the logistics of special effects operations
CUVCRS06B Make scale models.
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 special effects items that meet production requirements and demonstrate:
correct interpretation of creative special effects designs
safe handling of hazardous materials
ability to meet deadlines
collaborative approach to work
attention to detail.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure:
practical demonstration ofskills through the making of special effects items for at least two productions
access to productions that require the creation of special effects items
access to materials required to make required special effects items
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 special effects items made by the candidate to determine whether production requirements have been met and correct procedures followed
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:
CUFSFX301A Maintain and repair special effects items
CUFSFX402A Coordinate the logistics of special effects operations
CUVCRS06B Make scale models.
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| AWG86 | CUASFX401 | Create special effects items | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| J700 | CUA40413 | Certificate IV in Live Production and Technical Services | Qualification |
| D200 | CUF40607 | Certificate IV in Scenery and Set Construction | Qualification |
| D206 | CUF50607 | Diploma of Scenery and Set Construction | Qualification |