Unit Credit Value: 8 Unit Level: Three Unit Guided Learning Hours: 50 Ofqual Unit Reference Number: D/600/8457 Unit Review Date: 31/12/2016 Unit Sector: 9.3 Media and Communications Unit Summary In this unit learners will capture pictures, graphics and sound from various formats, in preparation for non-linear editing. It involves finding out what source materials to use and what has to be captured, obtaining the materials needed and assessing their technical quality. They will be able to check that the system and equipment are ready for the work, and to line up picture and sound. It also involves identifying and storing captures materials, monitoring technical quality and dealing with any problems that may arise. This is a technical editing unit. Unit Information It is expected that before the unit is delivered, the tutor will have read the Qualification Specification to ensure all conditions regarding Rules of Combination, delivery, assessment and internal quality assurance are fulfilled. Additional guidance is available below as Assessment Guidance for Learning Outcomes and Assessment Criteria in bold. This unit has 5 learning outcomes LEARNING OUTCOMES The learner will: 1. Understand key issues relating to capturing pictures and sound ASSESSMENT CRITERIA The learner can: 1.1. Identify the function of capturing equipment 1.2. Explain the reasons why materials are captured 1.3. Describe different formats of logs, explaining how they are used 1.4. Explain how to deal with copyright protected materials 1.5. Explain how considerations of picture and sound levels, format, aspect ratio and compression differ when material is for on-line or off-line use 1.6. Identify problems involved in working with high definition materials 1.7. Explain how to capture standard definition materials onto high definition projects 1 of 8
LEARNING OUTCOMES The learner will: 2. Be able to prepare the source materials required 3. Be able to operate the system and equipment competently ASSESSMENT CRITERIA The learner can: 2.1. Obtain relevant information on source materials and outcomes required 2.2. Identify and locate specified materials from written and verbal communications 2.3. Log format changes required 2.4. Use aspect ratio or other format/standard conversion to rectify any problems 2.5. Provide sufficient supplies of working materials which are ready for use 2.6. Implement arrangements for source materials in unsuitable formats to be transferred to the correct format 2.7. Assess accurately the technical quality of source materials, taking any required remedial action 3.1. Select an appropriate resolution and storage location, ensuring there is sufficient available at the required resolution 3.2. Ensure the line-up is correct and to the required technical standards 3.3. Take remedial action if equipment problems occur 3.4. Check and line up correctly picture and sound levels and audio format as required 4. Be able to capture material 4.1. Input accurate information about source materials during capture 4.2. Select correct time code source during capture 4.3. Select specified tracks accurately for capturing from source materials 4.4. Monitor the technical quality to identify any problems during the capturing process 4.5. Store captured materials as required, ensuring that they are labelled accurately and unambiguously 4.6. Maintain accurate records in the required format 2 of 8
LEARNING OUTCOMES The learner will: 5. Be able to liaise with relevant parties ASSESSMENT CRITERIA The learner can: 5.1. Check unclear or ambiguous requirements promptly with the relevant parties 5.2. Report technical quality problems to the relevant parties 5.3. Report equipments problems to the relevant parties Assessment Guidance Learning Outcome 1 1.1 Function: Video recording capture: To transfer combined video and audio to computer system for editing and post production Component parts of video camera e.g. playback mode, display monitor, menu settings, tape/storage media (loading and unloading) Connections between camera and computer system e.g. firewire, USB Audio recording capture: To transfer recordings of voice, event and background sounds Component parts of audio recorder e.g. playback controls, output level, settings, tape/storage media Connections between audio recorder and computer systems e.g. USB, mono/stereo audio channels 1.2 Reasons: to include for example For use in NLE (non linear editing) applications to create final work Reproduction and conversion into other formats for use in multimedia Archiving audio and video material for evidence purposes 1.3 Different formats: for example: Video log sheet to document description of video clips recorded, tape number, timecode and duration Audio log sheet to document content of audio recordings, duration, format and where stored Production log sheet to document the steps and stages of a media project e.g. planning, recording and editing of audio-visual material Edit log to document the post production tools, techniques and processes used when creating work 3 of 8
1.4 Deal: to include for example: establish restrictions on use and whether covered by fair dealing identifying copyright owner contacting copyright owner obtaining permissions to use protected materials discarding the use of copyrighted materials for which permission to reproduce cannot be obtained 1.5 Considerations: to include for example: picture quality, pixel dimensions, resolution, display size, frame rate video codecs supported sound quality, volume, pitch, tone, bit rate, bit depth audio codecs supported file formats supported for on-line and off-line use file sizes and practical limitations for on-line use streaming considerations for on-line use 1.6 Problems: to include for example: file sizes software application support for editing and post production playback medium and platform cropping of picture when displayed on standard resolution display e.g. 4:3 compression used by video recording devise and impact on editing/post production 1.7 Capture: creating a high definition project in the video editing application using appropriate settings and standards e.g. HD 720/1080 capture of standard definition material from camera into high definition video project re-purposing of materials re-sampling and re-mastering of standard definition materials technical and visual limitations and constraints Learning Outcome 2 2.1 Relevant information: produce and/or obtain a project specification identify source materials to be used e.g. live recording, archive material, timescales and schedules identify format, duration and content of required outcomes 4 of 8
2.2 Specified materials: obtain written and verbal specifications as required from relevant parties maintain records of verbal instructions and specifications identify sources for material requirements, and whether to be recorded or sourced 2.3 Log: identify project outcomes e.g. PAL/HD format, aspect ratio 4:3/16:9 identify source material properties e.g. PAL/HD format, aspect ratio 4:3/16:9 identify changes required to match source materials with required outcomes 2.4 Use: identify capabilities of video edit system and software application convert source materials identifying limitation and constraints e.g. cropping, stretching of material 2.5 Working materials: source/record video material as needed source/record audio material as needed save and store in suitable formats 2.6 Implement arrangements: identify and log format source materials identify and log format of correct format required identify tools and techniques to be used to convert the source materials 2.7 Technical quality: identify original recording standard and whether different to source material provided (to identify highest technical quality of material) limitations of upscaling low resolution material Review video material, in terms of, for example: sharpness colour lighting audio Review audio material, in terms of, for example: clarity tone pitch volume investigate options for obtaining original higher quality material 5 of 8
investigate possibilities for post processing of material to improve quality e.g. colour, brightness/contrast, audio levels, noise reduction Learning Outcome 3 3.1 Resolution and storage location: For video capture: select suitable video project settings for required format and standard e.g. PAL, NTSC, HD use of project settings and features e.g. video aspect ratio, audio bit depth check storage capacity and remaining duration for captured materials For audio recording: select suitable audio project settings e.g. mono, stereo, dolby 5.1 use of project settings and features for audio e.g. bit rate, file format, quality settings, surround sound check storage capacity and remaining duration for audio projects 3.2 Standards: check settings for: video recording equipment audio recording equipment 3.3 Remedial action: perform checks and tests on equipment identify faults and incorrect settings configure, replace, repair or reset equipment and/or operational mode 3.4 Check and line up: identify video tracks used in the project identify audio tracks used in the project check synchronisation (alignment) of audio with video for additional audio tracks, align with video as required on the timeline e.g. voiceover, narration, background music set audio gain and whether mono or stereo sound check sound quality and clarity in addition to volume levels e.g. using headphones Learning Outcome 4 4.1 Information: use and maintain a video/audio log sheet for all recorded material, to include for example: date tape number timecode in/out points 6 of 8
description of recorded footage clips shot type e.g. long, wide, medium, close up names of people e.g. interview for audio recordings 4.2 Time code source: to include for example: in-vision LTC (Linear Time Code) VITC (Verticial Interval Time Code) BITC (Burnt-In Time Code) 4.3 Tracks: to include selection of: multiple video tracks e.g. source footage, still images, green screen effects multiple audio tracks e.g. source audio, background music, voiceovers, narration and foley effects 4.4 Monitor: observation during the capture process stop and restart capture as required 4.5 Store: Save/store captured video and audio clips identify storage locations to enable access by others use naming conventions in line with organisation procedures and policies 4.6 Records: to include for example: sources and materials used tools, techniques, equipment and processes used Indexing of captured material, identifying capture date source filename of saved material location of saved material Learning Outcome 5 5.1 Unclear or ambiguous requirements: review specifications and requirements for capturing materials. To include for example: captured file format resolution aspect ratio bit rate sample rate compression 7 of 8
duration identify relevant parties to report ambiguities 5.2 Technical quality problems: identify relevant parties to report technical problems. Confirm nature of technical video quality problem, for example: sharpness colour lighting audio Confirm nature of technical audio quality problem, for example: clarity tone pitch volume 5.3 Report: monitor function and performance of equipment in use identify who should be informed of equipment problems Delivery Requirements Appropriate physical resources will be required in order to deliver and assess this unit. Evidence Requirements Evidence of practical ability must be demonstrated. 8 of 8