Elements and Performance Criteria

Props may include:
hand props, eg food and beverage, blood, gore
furniture
vehicles
equipment
costume props, eg armour, weapons, jewellery
pre-production prototypes
mechanised props
cable controlled props
electrically controlled
pneumatically controlled props
special effects props

Relevant colleagues may include:
other props personnel
other workshop personnel, eg set builder, scenic artist
technical colleagues, eg costume, lighting
designers
directors
performers

Selection of options for casting/moulding may be dependent upon:
number of times prop is to be used
level of detail required
proximity of audience/potential use of filming
availability of materials
time and budgetary factors

Materials for moulding/casting may include:
plaster
latex
elastomer
silicone
fibre glass
clay

Underpinning skills and knowledge

Assessment must include evidence of the following knowledge and skills:

properties and applications of materials commonly used for casting/moulding, including plaster, latex, silicone, elastomer, dental alginate, fibre glass
reasons for the use of particular materials and techniques for different production requirements
the different types of moulds and the reasons for their use
safety and environmental issues associated with materials and equipment used in casting/moulding
literacy skills sufficient to interpret props documentation and read product labels
numeracy skills sufficient to calculate quantities of materials and take basic measurements

Linkages to other units

This unit has linkages with other props construction and general technical units and combined assessment and/or training with those units may be appropriate, eg:

CUECOS02B Apply art finishing

Critical aspects of evidence

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

safe and correct use of casting/moulding techniques which result in a prop which meets production requirements
knowledge of the properties of materials used in casting/moulding and the associated safety issues

Method and context of assessment

The assessment context must provide for:

practical demonstration of skills through the production of multiple props using casting and moulding techniques
production of the item within a commercially-realistic timeframe

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

direct observation of the candidate using particular techniques
evaluation of props produced by the candidate
oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of safety issues, different techniques and options
case studies to assess ability to select different techniques to meet varying production requirements
review of portfolios of evidence and third party workplace reports of on-the-job performance by the candidate

Resource requirements

This unit requires access to:

casting and moulding materials, tools and equipment used for props construction
a workspace in which props can be constructed safely

Communicating ideas and information
Reading props documentation to determine the need for the use of casts/moulds (1)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Advising other production personnel about different options for casts/moulds (2)

Planning and organising activities
Organising materials for a particular job (1)

Working with others and in teams
Discussing the options for different techniques with colleagues (2)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Calculating measurements (1)

Solving problems
Making adjustments to material quantities to address construction problems (1)

Using technology
Using equipment to create moulds (1)