SAQA All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Operate lights for film and television productions 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
255756  Operate lights for film and television productions 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Audio-visual Media Production 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 04 - Communication Studies and Language Communication Studies 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 4  NQF Level 04  7 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2026-06-30   2029-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This unit standard replaces: 
US ID Unit Standard Title Pre-2009 NQF Level NQF Level Credits Replacement Status
117532  Operate lights for film and video production  Level 4  NQF Level 04  7   

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
The purpose of the unit standard is to enable learners to specialise in lighting by ensuring that learners are able to set up and operate lights for film and television productions, in both inside and outside environments. This unit standard requires learners to identify the requirements for lighting contained in lighting designs, set up lights, accessories and associated equipment, determine whether lighting equipment is functioning properly, and safely operate lighting equipment to meet specified requirements for film and television productions.

Improved lighting equipment operations improves safety during film and television production, as well as the quality of film and television productions by achieving the lighting requirements of shots. By attaining the required competencies, learner employability is improved by ensuring that they are able to contribute to film and television productions by means of assisting competently with the lighting equipment used in film and television production.

Credited learners are capable of:
  • Identifying lighting design requirements for lighting equipment.
  • Setting up lights, accessories and associated equipment to specification.
  • Assessing whether lighting equipment is functional.
  • Operating lights for film and television productions. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    The credits and level assigned to this unit standard is based on the assumption that learners have already attained the following competencies:
  • Communicating (reading, writing, speaking and presenting) at NQF Level 3.
  • Working in a team.
  • Electrical operations. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    Learners are required to attain the specific outcomes in both inside or outside environments. 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Identify lighting design requirements for lighting equipment. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Agreement is reached with relevant persons regarding equipment, effects and associated equipment. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Communication regarding lighting equipment requirements is aimed at relevant persons for specific contexts (those that need to know). 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Lighting requirements identified are appropriate for given targets. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Instructions or lighting equipment requirements are clarified if appropriate. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Rig lights, accessories, and associated equipment. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Accessories and associated equipment include filters, and scrims (white, blackout, doors and frames). 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Given lighting design requirements and instructions are adhered to. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Instructions or equipment required are clarified with relevant decision-makers. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Lighting equipment is positioned for specified desired effects. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Structural support is adequate and balanced. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Health, safety and environment requirements are adhered to. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Balance/centre of gravity is sufficient to prevent accidents. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    Deadlines and agreed industry standards are confirmed and adhered to. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 8 
    Changes in schedules are confirmed, reviewed and clarified if appropriate for specific contexts. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 9 
    Reporting to relevant persons is done in the agreed upon the format. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Assess functionality of lighting equipment. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Assessment is against required functioning specifications and instructions. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Instructions can include manufacturing or person instructions.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Reporting procedures are adhered to. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Functionality reporting is to relevant persons. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Solutions to functionality problems are feasible for specific contexts. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Solutions meet specified requirements for promptness, speed and efficiency. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Assessment of functionality ensures minimum disruption to productions. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    Health, safety and environment requirements are adhered to. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Operate lights for film and television productions. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Lights include fill lights, back lights, dressing lights, etc. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Operating lights is in accordance with manufacturers` instructions. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Operating lights meets requirements of instructions and cues. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Requirements include contrast ratios, intensity of lights, key light levels, balance (e.g. fill lights), depth of field, lighting cues, etc.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Health, safety and environment requirements are adhered to. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Lights are properly fixed and secured. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Balance is attained taking into account centre of gravity. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Remedial action is taken to fix flares, hot spots, and dark spots when needed. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Assessment of learner achievements takes place at providers accredited by a relevant ETQA (RSA, 1998b) for the provision of programs that result in the outcomes specified for this unit standard.
  • Anyone assessing a learner against this unit standard must be registered as an assessor with a relevant ETQA.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this unit standard must be accredited as a provider with a relevant ETQA.
  • The relevant ETQA according to the moderation guidelines and the agreed ETQA procedures will oversee moderation of assessment and is responsible for moderation of learner achievements of learners who meet the requirements of this unit standard. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    Credited learners understand and can explain:
  • Principles of electricity and power supply.
  • Types of lighting effects, equipment, accessories and associated equipment.
  • Use of filters, and scrims (white, blackout, doors and frames).
  • Lighting equipment positioning for specified desired effects.
  • Structural support adequacy and balance/centre of gravity.
  • Health, safety and environment requirements.
  • Agreed industry standards.
  • Manufacturer instructions.
  • Reporting procedures as specified for specific contexts.
  • Solutions to functionality problems. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identify and solve problems where responses to problems show that such critical and creative thinking has been used to make responsible decisions regarding the functionality of lighting equipment. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organisation or community to share information with the right people and in collaboration with other team members to reach agreement regarding equipment, effects and associated equipment. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage oneself and one`s activities responsibly and effectively to clarify instructions or lighting equipment requirements if appropriate, to adhere to given lighting design requirements and instructions, and to meet specified requirements for promptness, speed and efficiency. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information regarding functioning of lighting equipment, and selecting solutions to functionality problems that are feasible for specific contexts. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively using visual, mathematic and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written presentation when instructions or equipment required are clarified with relevant decision-makers, deadlines and agreed industry standards are confirmed, and changes in schedules are confirmed, reviewed and clarified if appropriate for specific contexts. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others to position lighting equipment for specified desired effects, ensuring that structural support is adequate and balanced, and adhering to health, safety and environment requirements. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation, by ensuring minimum disruption as a result of assessment of functionality. 

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    This unit standard replaces unit standard 117532, "Operate lights for film and video production", Level 4, 7 credits.

    Notes to Assessors:

    Assessors should keep the following principles in mind when designing and conducting assessments against this unit standard:
  • Focus the assessment activities on gathering evidence in terms of the main outcome expressed in the title to ensure assessment is integrated rather than fragmented. Remember we want to declare the person competent in terms of the title. Where assessment at title level is unmanageable, then focus assessment around each specific outcome, or groups of specific outcomes.
  • Make sure evidence is gathered across the entire range, wherever it applies. Assessment activities should be as close to the real performance as possible, and where simulations or role-plays are used, there should be supporting evidence to show the learner is able to perform in the real situation.
  • Do not focus the assessment activities on each assessment criterion. Rather make sure the assessment activities focus on outcomes and are sufficient to enable evidence to be gathered around all the assessment criteria.
  • The assessment criteria provide the specifications against which assessment judgements should be made. In most cases, knowledge can be inferred from the quality of the performances, but in other cases, knowledge and understanding will have to be tested through questioning techniques. Where this is required, there will be assessment criteria to specify the standard required.
  • The task of the assessor is to gather sufficient evidence, of the prescribed type and quality, as specified in this unit standard, that the learner can achieve the outcomes again and again and again. This means assessors will have to judge how many repeat performances are required before they believe the performance is reproducible.
  • All assessments should be conducted in line with the following well documented principles of assessment: appropriateness, fairness, manageability, integration into work or learning, validity, direct, authentic, sufficient, systematic, open and consistent. 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Elective  61450   Further Education and Training Certificate: Film and Television Production Operations  Level 4  NQF Level 04  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  MICTS 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    1. BLC Entertainment 
    2. Epitome Villa (Pty)Ltd 
    3. EYETHU NATIONAL COMPUTER COLLEGE PTY LTD 
    4. FILM Mentorship & Training SA 
    5. Greater Tzaneen Community Foundation 
    6. HILLCROSS BUSINESS SCHOOL (PTY 
    7. Information Technology Resource Centre 
    8. K Boneng Consulting Services P 
    9. OL Afrika Media 
    10. Peo Entle HIV Wellness Management and Youth Skills Development NPO 
    11. Posh Multimedia 
    12. Varsity Institute of Science & Technology (Pty)Ltd 
    13. VUTHLARI MARKETING CONSULTING 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.