Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
22/07/2026 3:34 AM AWST

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Edit dialogue

Edit dialogue

Unit of competency
National Code
CUSSOU404A
State Code
D2966
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
28/06/2010
Field of Education
100101 - Music
Original Release Date
28/06/2010
Nominal Hours
40
Description
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to edit dialogue for a screen production. As with all post-production work, a high level of attention to detail is required to ensure that the final edit is free of uneven sound.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Clarify project requirements
  • 1.1 Assess the quality of the original recorded dialogue and sound against creative and technical production requirements
  • 1.2 Identify which sound and dialogue are acceptable, borderline and/or not acceptable through discussion with relevant personnel
  • 1.3 Determine creative and technical adjustments to dialogue and sound that are needed to meet the requirements of the brief
  • 1.4 Establish a timeline for completing the dialogue and sound-editing process to ensure production requirements are met
  • 1.5 Anticipate problems that may arise in the process of completing work and plan accordingly
2. Prepare to edit dialogue
  • 2.1 Check dialogue and sound equipment to ensure it is operational and appropriate for the task
  • 2.2 Resolve technical faults and problems in line with workplace procedures
  • 2.3 Ensure that file systems are set up in a logical way and that relevant personnel have access to them
  • 2.4 Prepare work copies in quantity to meet ongoing production requirements
  • 2.5 Undertake all activities according to OHS procedures
  • 2.6 Check and complete documentation in line with enterprise procedures
3. Clean up dialogue
  • 3.1 Provide advice to relevant personnel on requirements for automated dialogue replacement (ADR)
  • 3.2 Ensure that sync FX are stripped from the dialogue as required
  • 3.3 Clean up the sync sounds to ensure all dialogue and sound edits fit together smoothly
  • 3.4 Find alternative takes as required and determine which takes need to be re-recorded to ensure that the quality of final sound mix meets production requirements
  • 3.5 Oversee the recording of post-sync dialogue and sound as required, ensuring relevant personnel have copies of the appropriate documentation
  • 3.6 Make regular backups of files to ensure that work in progress can be retrieved if computer equipment malfunctions
  • 3.7 Recognise potential problems with the creative and technical quality of edited material and adjust as required in consultation with relevant personnel
  • 3.8 Present final edit to relevant personnel for evaluation against creative, technical and production criteria
4. Complete work operations
  • 4.1 Ensure track layout is legible, consistent and clearly indicates the range of different dialogue and sound
  • 4.2 Ensure the edit master copy is delivered in the correct format
  • 4.3 Organise duplication of the master copy, as required
  • 4.4 Store relevant versions of edited material according to enterprise procedures
  • 4.5 Ensure that the work environment is clean and ready for use by the next user
5. Evaluate work
  • 5.1 In consultation with relevant personnel identify aspects of the process of editing dialogue that worked well and those that could be improved
  • 5.2 Review creative content and technical quality of edited material to ensure that required standards were met
  • 5.3 Evaluate own role in operations and note areas for improvement
  • 5.4 Provide feedback to team members on their performance as required
  • 5.5 Document evaluation of operations in line with enterprise procedures and use results of evaluation to improve own work practices
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.
Dialogue and sound may include:
original dialogue and sound
replacement of original dialogue and sound
fill track
wild track
library atmosphere/sound
sync FX
post-sync dialogue
additional dialogue:
re-recorded
narration
additional sounds:
voice-over
walla
loop group
crowds
music.
Production requirements may include:
creative
technical
artistic
attributions
audience
budget
confidentiality
content
contractual arrangements
copyright
deadlines
direct quotes
duration
intellectual property
interviews
location
purpose
schedule
style.
Relevant personnel may include:
performer
sound supervisor
supervising sound editor
effects editor
effects mixer
sound mixer
recordist
re-recording mixer
audio assistant
audio and sound engineer
director
producer
post-production picture editor
program manager
sound designer.
Technical adjustments may include:
cleaning up:
removing bumps and clunks
extending background noises
filling holes
finding alternative takes
fixing sync
laying additional background atmospheres
post-syncing dialogue.
Productions may include:
feature films
documentaries
games
animated productions
short films
commercials
filmed events or performances
music videos
television productions of any type.
Equipment may include:
digital audio workstation (DAW) with software, such as:
Pro Tools
Nuendo
Pyramix
Fairlight
EDL software
mixing consoles
outboard gear, such as:
re-verb unit
sub-base harmoniser
de-esser
compressor.
File systems may be established for:
dialogue
sound effects
music
sections of the production
final master.
Work copies may include:
post-production masters
digital replications.
OHS procedures may include:
ergonomic factors:
physical manoeuvres
safe handling techniques
lighting conditions
emergency procedures
safe working conditions.
Documentation may be:
computer-generated
manually written
timecode log sheets for location sound recordings
wild line and sound effects log sheets
scripts
ADR or post-sync sheets
sound reports
shot lists
sound library lists
edit decision lists (EDLs)
editing schedules
continuity scripts
manufacturer schedules
manufacturer specifications and instructions
contracts
memos of instruction
budgets
fault reports
marked-up scripts
marked-up transcripts.
Sync FX may include:
doors opening and closing
footsteps
clothing rustling
cars
baby cries
domestic sounds
other natural sounds
walla.
Format may include:
AIF (AIFF)
WAV
broadcast WAV format (BWF)
WMA
MIDI
OGG
advanced audio coding (AAC)
Apple Lossless
Real Audio
QuickTime
MP3.
Work environment may include:
mixing theatre
dubbing theatre
on location, including interior and exterior
ADR recording studio
edit room
production office.
Technical quality may include:
sound clarity
audio level
audio balance
smoothness of sound
equalisation
gating/noise reduction
drop-outs in tracks
overlap of sounds
pitch
flaming
phasing.
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:
split and edit dialogue and sound for a film or television production
review the technical quality of edited material so that it conforms to industry standards
use a range of industry-current sound-editing equipment and accessories
work cooperatively in a team environment
meet deadlines.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure:
access to current industry-standard equipment as listed in the range statement
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:
observation of candidate undertaking dialogue and sound-editing work
direct questioning combined with review of portfolios of evidence and third-party workplace reports of on-the-job performance by candidate
authenticated recordings of dialogue and sound edited by the candidate
case studies and scenarios as a basis for discussing issues related to editing dialogue and sound.
Guidance information for assessment
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:
CUSSOU403A Perform advanced sound editing.
Replaced By
State Code National Code Title Type
AWG71 CUASOU408 Edit dialogue Unit of competency