Overview 

This standard is about sourcing lighting, visuals or special effects equipment and consumables. You will need to agree what lighting, visuals and effects are needed. You will also have to confirm the creative requirements and practical constraints that they must meet with appropriate members of the creative and technical teams. It involves planning how the necessary items will be acquired and negotiating within budget. You must keep accurate records of all hires, purchases and borrowed items.

This standard is for anyone involved with sourcing lighting or special effects equipment and consumables.


Performance Criteria

You must be able to:

  1. draw up specifications and criteria for equipment and consumables according to the requirements of plans for lighting and effects
  2. obtain information on industry developments relating to equipment and its capabilities
  3. identify the quantity and types of items required, taking into account the design and production schedules and deadlines
  4. identify sources of equipment and consumables according to specifications, schedule and budget
  5. present and agree alternatives to decision makers, when preferred options exceed allowable costs
  6. provide suppliers with complete specifications for items to be supplied, including any special requirements
  7. agree terms and conditions for supplying equipment and items with suppliers that are in line with production and budget requirements
  8. ensure that relevant licences, permissions and facilities for purchasing, transporting, storing and using any hazardous materials are in place
  9. keep records of orders and supplies in line with organisational procedures
  10. monitor the quality of suppliers' work checking that the equipment and consumables meet agreed specifications.
  11. comply with organisational procedures for sourcing, receiving and storing equipment and consumables
  12. monitor expenditure and budget use in line with organisational procedures, providing information to appropriate people when required
  13. work within budget constraints to anticipate, recognise and deal with budget overspend
  14. take action to deal with any problems with supply or equipment in line with production processes

 

Knowledge and Understanding

You must know and understand:

  1. the importance of having an up-to-date copy of the lighting, visuals or  effects plan and how to interpret this
  2. the properties and characteristics of the range of equipment and consumables that could be used to deliver required lighting designs
  3. the benefits and limitations of common uses and combinations of equipment and consumables
  4. sources of information on newly available equipment
  5. the equipment and consumables that are required
  6. where to obtain information about sources of supply, including hire companies
  7. where to obtain information about hirers’ policies on spares
  8. the importance of agreeing clear specifications for equipment and consumables, and how to do so
  9. the documentation is required for the supply of equipment and consumables
  10. the regulations and requirements relevant to your area of work including sustainability
  11. the records to keep and who needs the information
  12. organisational procedures for sourcing, receiving and storing equipment and consumables.
  13. the importance of checking deliveries against what has been ordered and checking equipment is working when it is received
  14. the problems that could happen with sourcing equipment and how to deal with these