Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 1:57 PM AWST
22/07/2026 1:57 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.
Install and operate follow spots
Install and operate follow spots
Unit of competency
National Code
CUFLGT303A
CUFLGT303A
State Code
D1144
D1144
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
16/05/2014
Field of Education
031301 - Electrical Engineering
Original Release Date
16/05/2014
Nominal Hours
20
Description
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to install and operate follow spots 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
Install follow spots
- 1. Position follow spots and accessories according to relevant documentation and ensure safety for the operator and audience
- 2. Set up stands securely and adjust for height as required
- 3. Check and adjust balance, focus and sights of follow spots
- 4. Install follow spot dimmers as required
- 5. Secure follow spot cabling safely
- 6. Install manual colour changer correctly and colour according to lighting plans
- 7. Test follow spots to ensure they are operational and that accessories are in working order
- 8. Focus follow spots and check multiple spots for consistency of focus and colour temperature
Participate in technical or creative run-throughs
- 9. Participate in technical or creative run-throughs as required, noting required equipment deficiencies or technical adjustments
- 10. Rehearse technical aspects of production and communicate to performers and relevant personnel as required
- 11. Set back-up options in the event of an equipment malfunction and test to ensure that they are in working order
- 12. Plot and run through cues on direction from relevant personnel and according to equipment, sequencing, timing and speed requirements
- 13. Make necessary changes to cues and modify cue sheets as required
- 14. Execute necessary changes to equipment according to modifications required
Prepare for follow spot operations
- 15. Power up follow spots and check height, balance, sights, focus, operation of iris, operation of additional follow spot accessories and dimmer
- 16. Check colours and operation of colour changer
- 17. Check that final requirements for equipment operation have been identified, implemented and documented
- 18. Check communication equipment to ensure that it is in working order
- 19. Correctly identify and rectify faults or problems and inform relevant personnel of ongoing problems
Operate follow spots
- 20. Operate follow spots on cue or direction from relevant personnel or running sheet
- 21. Operate spots so that beam diameter, shape, edge, colour and intensity level meet performance requirements
- 22. Synchronise follow spot operation with other lighting and staging effects
- 23. Modify follow spot cues and operation as required to cater for unexpected contingencies and creative requirements
- 24. Operate spots in a manner that does not distract the audience and maintains reasonable comfort for the operator
- 25. Identify and rectify problems safely, using logical problem solving techniques and according to venue procedures, and inform relevant personnel as required
- 26. Correctly identify the need for the use of back-up systems and implement as required
- 27. Recalibrate follow spots correctly after changing lamps as required
Shut down and disassemble equipment
- 28. Turn off power to follow spots according to cool-down procedures and dismantle, store or cover equipment according to enterprise procedures and performance requirements
- 29. Note changes to cue sheets and update and file documentation as required according to enterprise procedures
- 30. Participate in reviews of overall performance to maximise creative outcomes in future productions
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.
Follow spots may include:
discharge units
DMX controlled
incandescent
xenon arc.
Accessories may include:
% power selection switches
ballasts
colour magazines
gobos
irises
mechanical blackouts
mechanical dimmers
shutters
stands.
Documentation may include:
colour lists
cue sheets
emergency and safety procedures
equipment lists
focus notes
lighting plan
manuals
patch sheets
running sheets
scripts.
Relevant personnel may include:
director
lighting designer
other spot operators
producer
specialist staff
stage manager
supervisor
technical director.
Faults or problems may include:
blown globe
defective colour
defective iris/sights/dimmer
differences in colour temperature between different units
faulty balance
incorrect height adjustment
misaligned sights
problems with manual colour changer
unexpected changes by performers, e.g. moving out of range, behind scenery.
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.
Follow spots may include:
discharge units
DMX controlled
incandescent
xenon arc.
Accessories may include:
% power selection switches
ballasts
colour magazines
gobos
irises
mechanical blackouts
mechanical dimmers
shutters
stands.
Documentation may include:
colour lists
cue sheets
emergency and safety procedures
equipment lists
focus notes
lighting plan
manuals
patch sheets
running sheets
scripts.
Relevant personnel may include:
director
lighting designer
other spot operators
producer
specialist staff
stage manager
supervisor
technical director.
Faults or problems may include:
blown globe
defective colour
defective iris/sights/dimmer
differences in colour temperature between different units
faulty balance
incorrect height adjustment
misaligned sights
problems with manual colour changer
unexpected changes by performers, e.g. moving out of range, behind scenery.
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:
application of excellent hand/eye coordination skills to follow spot operation for productions with extensive movement on stage
knowledge of different techniques for effective follow spot operation
collaborative approach to work.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure:
practical demonstration of skills through the operation of a follow spot for an actual production on more than one occasion and for more than one production
involvement of, and interaction with, a production team to reflect the collaborative nature of the process
access to follow spots and accessories as identified in the range statement
access to a production and production venue
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
observation of the candidate operating follow spots during productions
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:
CUFLGT301A Prepare, install and test lighting equipment
CUFLGT302A Record and operate standard lighting cues.
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:
application of excellent hand/eye coordination skills to follow spot operation for productions with extensive movement on stage
knowledge of different techniques for effective follow spot operation
collaborative approach to work.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure:
practical demonstration of skills through the operation of a follow spot for an actual production on more than one occasion and for more than one production
involvement of, and interaction with, a production team to reflect the collaborative nature of the process
access to follow spots and accessories as identified in the range statement
access to a production and production venue
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
observation of the candidate operating follow spots during productions
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:
CUFLGT301A Prepare, install and test lighting equipment
CUFLGT302A Record and operate standard lighting cues.
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| AWI59 | CUALGT304 | Install and operate follow spots | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| J696 | CUA30413 | Certificate III in Live Production and Services | Qualification |
| C683 | CUE50303 | Diploma of Live Production, Theatre and Events (Technical Production) | Qualification |
| D192 | CUF30107 | Certificate III in Media | Qualification |
| D195 | CUF40107 | Certificate IV in Screen and Media | Qualification |
| D355 | CUS30209 | Certificate III in Technical Production | Qualification |