Elements and Performance Criteria

Scenic elements may include:
roster
flats
treads
stairs
flooring and floor cladding, eg tarkett
rakes
scaffolding
flown pieces
soft drapes, eg legs border, cycloramas, back drops, drops
large props, eg furniture
canvas
gauze
nessle
wool
silk
velour
synthetic fabrics, eg plastics

Techniques and methods used may include:
preparation
priming
scaling up drawings
perspective
pouncing
ageing
stencilling, eg rollers and stamps
marbling
woodgraining
glazing

Painting styles may include:
figurative
non-figurative
architectural

Materials used may include:
water-based paints
dyes
solvent-based paints
texture mediums
stains
adhesives
fire retardant

Methods used may include:
transparent painting for silk and nessle cloths
velour and velvet painting techniques
traditional scene painting techniques for canvas
anti-clogging techniques for scenic gauzes

Research may involve:
seeking out information in books, journals, newspapers
visiting exhibitions, museums
conducting material and technical experiments and tests
approaching individuals with relevant expertise
reviewing work for other productions
reviewing approaches of other practitioners

Intellectual property, moral rights and copyright requirements may relate to:
protocols for the adaptation of work by others
extent to which the work may be used
procedures for seeking permission to use the work of others, including systems for the administration of copyright

Safety and legal requirements may include fire-proofing:

Underpinning skills and knowledge

Assessment must include evidence of the following knowledge and skills:

the expressive qualities of scenic art as it relates to the nature of the work, the style of the production and the qualities of the performance
innovative and experimental scenic art production techniques in 2-dimensional (2D) and 3-dimensional (3D)
ways in which highly effective interaction between the effects produced by scenic art and performance action can be achieved
the behaviour of various materials, finishes, painting techniques and colours under lighting
ways of adapting scenic art skills across styles, genres and art forms, including film, television, radio and live performance in dance, music, drama
colour theory, line, dimension, chiaroscuro, depth and their application on the stage
painting techniques, including water colour technique and opaque technique
the use and properties of a range of paints and media
testing finished and unfinished materials, such as fabric, leather, vinyl, plastic, foam, latex, found objects, straw, paper, and cardboard
the properties and characteristics of a variety of materials before and after art finishing
research skills and sources of information to inform research and experimentation on scenic art
costs and costing processes for scenic art elements
organisational and legislative occupational health and safety requirements particularly in relation to scenic art
copyright, moral rights and intellectual property issues and legislation as they apply to scenic art
environmental issues associated with tools and materials used in scenic art and potential issues associated with new approaches
literacy skills sufficient to undertake research and interpret information and material from a broad range of sources
numeracy skills sufficient to evaluate resource costs

Linkages to other units
This unit has linkages to other scenic art units and units within the Visual Arts, Craft and Design Training Package. Combined assessment and or training with some of those units may be appropriate.
It is strongly recommended that this unit be assessed with or after other scenic art units which focus on the development of techniques.

Critical aspects of evidence

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

in depth knowledge of a wide range of techniques and media that may be used and adapted for scenic art
ability to create innovative scenic art effects through appropriate research and experimentation

Method and context of assessment

The assessment context must provide for:

creative collaboration with others in a process to experiment with new techniques to achieve effects for a particular production requirement

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

evaluation of effects developed by the candidate to meet a particular brief
evaluation of ideas and methods developed by the candidate to create a range of different effects and production contexts
oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of materials and techniques
review of 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 (eg 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).

Resource requirements

Assessment of this unit requires access to:

scenic elements, equipment and materials as identified in the Range Statement

Communicating ideas and information
Researching options for new construction methods or media (2)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Presenting ideas to other production personnel (2)

Planning and organising activities
Organising a testing session for new media and techniques (2)

Working with others and in teams
Brainstorming ideas with colleagues (2)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Evaluating cost options (2)

Solving problems
Undertaking specific testing to address a problem (2)

Using technology
Adapting materials or equipment (2)