Ok so that was interesting. More clarification. There are individual written tests (multiple choice) and
practical test modules for each specialty. I proctored and evaluated the
practical test for the scenery module. The students had to draw and
build a 2'x4' soft covered theater
flat. The teachers were provided a list before
hand of materials and tools to provide, so its not a real secret as to what you're building when the list says: 1x3,
luan,
muslin, chop saw, scale rule, t50 stapler,
etc...
They needed an industry person because of the evaluation portion of it. Once they were done I had to inspect the work and grade it based on 18 different points. Like, is the drawing to scale, is the cut list accurate, is the
flat square, is the
muslin properly tensioned, are the corner blocks offset correctly
etc. I was told passing this test can get them college credit because this is a dual enrollment class. I'm not in education so I don't really know about all that.
I do have questions for whatever committee wrote the test. The grading criteria I had to follow was kind of wacky. For example, I had 3 options for the
corner block placement scoring; A was 'corner blocks are offset 3/4" from the edges of the framing". B was 'Corner blocks are flush with the
edge of the framing' and C was 'corner blocks are placed erratically'. So I tried to score on that but there's no mention of grain direction or what to do when the blocks were all very consistently offset 1/4" from the
edge...
another example, square was scored as well. Only two scoring options given to me, pass or fail. Square or not square. Made sense to whoever wrote the test but they didn't give me any tolerances. I gave everyone a pass if it was within a 1/4" on the diagonals.
I wish there was an overall 'feeling' score I could have given. Like, one
flat had a lot of technical issues but the
muslin had no wrinkles and it was square, for me that's a pass. Or one kid's drawing didn't follow any drafting standards but all the info was there and
I could
build it without having to ask the girl who drew it any questions or making any assumptions, for me that's a pass.
Side note, would anyone consider mus covered flats standard anymore? I know its a strong tradition in theater history but I'm seeing them less and less. I've built maybe 1 set in the last 5 years that required soft covered flats. Seems like building a hollywood hard faced
flat would be a much better test of competence these days.