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: 

Focus pull for a film shoot 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
243975  Focus pull for a film shoot 
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  15 
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 will be useful to people who wish to pull focus on a film shoot.

People credited with this unit standard are able to set up equipment; calculate focus points; pull focus during a take; and complete work operations. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
The credit value is based on the assumption that people starting to learn towards this unit standard are already competent in:
  • Load and unload film camera magazines.
  • Obtain, check and maintain film equipment for a film shoot.
  • Set-up and operate a video assist for a film camera.
  • Operate a clapper board for a film shoot. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    Specific range statements are provided in the body of the unit standard where they apply to particular specific outcomes or assessment criteria.

    The following scope and context applies to the whole unit standard:
  • Equipment: Industry standard 35mm and 16mm camera equipment, lenses, and camera accessories.
  • Environment: Studio and Interior and exterior locations. 
    		•

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Set up equipment. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Equipment ordered is available and compatible. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Equipment available is accurately identified in terms of its capabilities, limitations, and requirements for use. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Equipment is correctly assembled according to production standards. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Camera, magazines, lenses, matte box and filters.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Equipment is tested and necessary repairs or replacements made before shooting commences. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Follow focus unit is calibrated and mounted to specifications. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Equipment is positioned so it does not interfere with performance of the operator. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    Equipment set up and operation is to the requirements of the Director of Photography. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Calculate focus points. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Focus points are measured and marked on follow focus scale. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Points are accurately measured. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Split focus covers the depth of field in terms of shoot requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Circle of confusion, format, lens focal length, aperture and focus point.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Units are set to shoot requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Varied speed units and speed aperture unit.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Pull focus during a take. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Unit is turned to the predetermined points on time or on given call. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Focus is maintained throughout rehearsal and take. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Adjustments for variants from the rehearsal are estimated and executed. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Camera is turned on and off to shoot requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Turnover, cut and tail slate.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Monitored image remains in focus. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Information is relayed to continuity in accordance with production practices. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Lens size, marks, stop and footage.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    Report any suspicion of soft focus is reported to the appropriate person. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Complete work operations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Operations are completed without damage to project, equipment, and materials. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Activities comply with the requirements of site safety plan. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Equipment is used, maintained, repaired, cleaned, and stored according to specifications. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Manufacturer`s and production practices.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Documentation is completed according to production practices. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
    Accreditation Options:
  • Providers of learning towards this unit standard will need to meet the accreditation requirements of the MAPPP-SETA`s ETQA.

    Moderation Option:
  • The moderation requirements of MAPPP-SETA`s ETQA must be met in order to award credit to learners for this unit standard. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    Essential embedded knowledge will be assessed through assessment of the specific outcomes in terms of the stipulated assessment criteria. Candidates are unlikely to achieve all the specific outcomes, to the standards described in the assessment criteria, without knowledge of the listed embedded knowledge. This means that for the most part, the possession or lack of the knowledge can be directly inferred from the quality of the candidate`s performance. Where direct assessment of knowledge is required, assessment criteria have been included in the body of the unit standard. 

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identify and solve problems and make decisions using critical and creative thinking by identifying faults and taking remedial action. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others (clients and colleagues) as a member of a team, group, organisation to achieve the production requirements. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage themselves (on the production) and their activities responsibly and effectively to complete work operations within deadlines. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate production information. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively (with clients and colleagues), using visual and/or language skills. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology (film equipment) effectively and critically showing responsibility towards the environment (venue) and health of others (crew and performers). 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Demonstrate an understanding that the production world is a set of related systems and that problem solving do not exist in isolation. 

    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 12496, "Focus pull for a film shoot", Level 5, 8 credits.

    Terms have been clarified as far as possible through the use of range statements. Further clarification of terms is provided as follows:
  • `Specifications` refers to documented specifications and may include any or all of the following: manufacturer`s specifications and/or recommendations; material specifications; job specifications, and specialist specifications, e.g. designer, director, client, or instructions from a supervisor.
  • `Site safety plan` refers to the documented safety plan for the site which is required by law to ensure compliance with the requirements of the Occupational Health and Safety Act and its subsequent amendments.
  • `Production practices` refers to the documented procedures which set out the standard practice and activities of that production.

    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 candidate 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 candidate 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.

    The following particular issues should be taken into consideration when assessing against this unit standard:
  • Handling procedures are executed according to accepted industry equipment handling practice.
  • What equipment and consumables are required.
  • The limitations of the equipment.
  • Maintaining and operating equipment within manufacturer`s specifications.
  • Shoot requirements.
  • Handling equipment safely.
  • Health and safety procedures and regulations as they apply to the use of the equipment and consumables.
  • Accurate focus pulling techniques.
  • Documentation requirements.
  • Types of lenses in common use, their varying purposes and suitabilities.
  • Lens cleaning procedures and materials.
  • Checking procedures of lenses and accessories.
  • Correct reporting procedures if lens and camera operations do not meet the requirements of the shoot and shot.
  • How to thread film in different cameras.
  • How shutter angles, camera speeds, filters and micro lenses affect the stop.
  • Lens types and their characteristics.
  • Use of tables and calculators to determine depth of field and focus splits. 
    		•

    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.