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: 

Film multiple actions and characters 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
243966  Film multiple actions and characters 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Audio-visual Media Production 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 04 - Communication Studies and Language Media Studies 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  8 
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 does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
This unit standard requires learners to be able to film multiple actions and characters with a camera as part of single or multi-camera shoots. Credited learners can produce visual images for films and television under direction. They are able to set up, position and operate camera equipment either in studios or on location to shoot scenes as required.

Competent camera operators are either employed by production companies, or work as freelancers. Achieving this unit standard enables the learner to apply for employment as a camera operator and improves their self-employment opportunities. Quality camera work that produces the required visual images is essential to the audio-visual industry and improved competence can significantly improve the quality of films and television programmes.

Credited learners are capable of:
  • Composing shots for filming.
  • Selecting camera components for shots.
  • Operating camera equipment on location or in studio.
  • Communicating regarding camera operations on location or in studio. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    It is assumed that learners are competent in:
  • Rig and de-rig cameras for a video production, NQF Level 5.
  • Communication and language, NQF Level 4. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    Filming competence is required either in studios or on location, but not for live broadcasts. Learners must be competent at operating a camera for a single camera or multi-camera shoots of up to three cameras.

    Other range statements are provided with the specific outcomes and assessment criteria where applicable. 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Compose shots for filming. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Shooting positions are selected to meet practical, aesthetic, artistic and performance requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Shooting positions are agreed with all relevant persons. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Camera positions are achieved within required time limits. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Movements are composed with due regard for safety and the environment. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Safety of people and equipment are included.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Select camera components for shots. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Components include lenses and filters. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Components are selected to suit the stability of the camera and mounting, and intended pace of specific shots. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Components are selected to give the desired image size when viewed from specific camera positions. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Focal lengths are selected to offer the required frame and perspective when viewed from specific camera positions. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The relationship between exposure and depth of field is considered when selecting focal length. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The required depth of field is considered when selecting lenses. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    The perspective that each lens will create is considered when making a selection. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Operate camera equipment on location or in studio. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Effects are maintained throughout shot duration. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Effects include movement, timing, zooming, style and composition.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Effects meet the needs of intended shot sequences. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Camera is kept steady for the duration of shots. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The camera is moved to the correct position safely, quietly and without disturbing others. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Safe and independent judgments are made concerning variations in camera positions to compensate for changes in performer positions and other variables. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Shots during shoots closely re-create shots during rehearsal where relevant. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    Shots in sequence match image size, composition, style and timing of cutting points. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 8 
    The zoom, focus and/or exposures are changed to meet production and style requirements. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Communicate regarding camera operations on location or in studio. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Relationships with crew and production teams are maintained to achieve production requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Performers are advised regarding variations in position or movement to achieve the desired effect. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Problems with shots are brought to the attention of all relevant persons. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Difficulties that arise out of the selection of components are recognised promptly and solutions are discussed with relevant persons. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Camera routes and timing of camera movements are discussed with all relevant persons. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Responsibilities are identified and communicated clearly to ensure coordination. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    Problems and modified positions are discussed with all relevant persons. 


    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:
  • Camera components, operation, movement, positioning and mounting.
  • Use of cameras, dollies, cranes and ancillary equipment.
  • Focal lengths, perspective and depth of field, zoom, and focus.
  • Lighting, exposure and filter factors and requirements.
  • Types, application, features, purpose and maintenance of filters and lenses.
  • Continuity principles.
  • Effects and composition of shots, shot sequence, shooting positions, shot pace, image size, style and timing.
  • Production processes.
  • Relevant health, safety and environment legislation. 
    		•

    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 when the zoom, focus and/or exposures are changed to meet production and style requirements, and difficulties that arise out of the selection of components are recognised promptly and solutions are discussed with relevant persons. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organisation or community when shooting positions are agreed with all relevant persons. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively when camera positions are achieved within required time limits. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information when safe and independent judgments are made concerning variations in camera positions to compensate for changes in performer positions and other variables. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively using visual, mathematic and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written presentation when focal lengths and lenses are selected to offer the required frame and perspective when viewed from specific camera positions and to communicate regarding camera operations on location or in studio. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others when camera movements are composed with due regard for safety and the environment. 

    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 when camera components are selected to suit the stability of the camera and mounting, and intended pace of specific shots. 

    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 
    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, 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  58394   National Certificate: Film and Television Production  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  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. Frayintermedia Cc 
    6. MBOWA COLLEGE PTY LTD 
    7. Media Village Training 
    8. OL Afrika Media 
    9. OPELONG BUSINESS INSTITUTE (PT 
    10. Peo Entle HIV Wellness Management and Youth Skills Development NPO 
    11. PRX SCHOOL TEST 
    12. Richfield Graduate Institute of Technology Pty Ltd 
    13. SOUTH AFRICAN CORPORATE TRAINING ASSOCIATION (PTY) LTD 
    14. VUTHLARI MARKETING CONSULTING 
    15. ZA WIT (PTY) LTD 


    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.