(SCTP) Diploma in Digital Media Production (Classroom and Synchronous E-Learning) (Full-Time) (TA-eligible)

Career Prospects

Digital Media Producer, Production Assistant, Line Producer, Digital Content Creator

Course Modules

1. Narrative Design (Classroom and Synchronous E-Learning)

This module focuses on writing a narrative script for film and television drama. Participants will learn to develop a story idea and write a script that has commercial and/or artistic potential by identifying the theme of the story, developing creative plots and compelling characters. This module will also have an emphasis on learning how to write evocative action and descriptors, create effective and appropriate dialogue, and a suitable pace for the story.

Learning Outcomes:

• Interpret creative briefs to understand creative styles to be adopted for narrative design
• Incorporate specific storytelling traditions to generate story ideas and create narrative structure
• Create narratives that are engaging for the intended audience and appropriate for the content and target platforms
• Describe events and dialogue in response to dynamic changes of the characters, assets, or environments
• Align narratives to be consistent and congruent with the story world and the characters
• Refine narratives and dialogues as per feedback provided

2. Creative Storytelling (Scriptwriter) (Classroom and Synchronous E-Learning)

This module focuses on the elements of storytelling and character psychology and cross-media and non-linear storytelling principles. Participants will also learn about the mechanisms and devices to convey time, events or emotions, audience engagement techniques, principles, and design of emotional maps of plots.

Learning Outcomes:

• Develop exciting themes with unique plots to engage the audience
• Enhance characters and plots to improve audience appeal
• Determine loose ends in the plots to make the storylines more robust
• Adapt narratives to meet different designs, technical and production requirements
• Experiment with different styles and techniques for audience excitement
• Leverage on techniques to create content that generates new experiences for audiences
• Liaise with the creative teams to facilitate the creative process and delivery of required outcomes for the audience

3. Production Planning and Scheduling (Assistant Director) (Classroom and Synchronous E-Learning)

This module provides the participants with an understanding of the concept of production planning and scheduling, the vision and motivations of the creative team, role and contribution of key departments during filming and the interdependencies and reporting structures. Participants will also learn about the overall production processes, types of production and genre, technical aspects of productions as well as the types of shoot.

At the end of the module, participants will be able to use relevant scheduling tools and software and work around production limitations including details of shooting locations and any key constraints on budget, resources and time availability.

Learning Outcomes:

• Review the shooting script to develop a detailed understanding of the script
• Determine the associated production activities required for each scene, by each cast, crew and the type of equipment and other related resources
• Identify the type of production style, technologies and methods and their corresponding implications on budget, time schedule, cast and crew requirements
• Line the script by pulling out elements that affect the budget and schedule
• Review the breakdown sheets and production board or strip board to ensure requirements are fulfilled
• Develop the entire production or shooting schedule and make changes to ensure that the entire production is aligned with the budgets and timelines

4. Camera Operations (Classroom)

This module explains the concepts of visual storytelling, techniques to capture complex shots, principles of cinematography and other factors that impacts overall visuals and principles of composition and continuity. Participants will learn about focus requirements and camera positions for various types of cameras, types of specialty camera equipment and accessories, budgetary guidelines of the production and production safety guidelines and protocols.

Learning Outcomes:

• Assess requirements in visual briefs to determine camera equipment and accessories needed for production
• Facilitate collaboration with production teams to capture shots required for each scene
• Develop detailed shot plans to outline required camera angles, movements and parameters needed for each scene
• Oversee the set-up and preparation process to ensure alignment to production and technical plans
• Review footage to ensure that shots are framed in a manner that achieves continuity and seamless transition between shots
• Develop alternative plans and solutions to resolve anticipated technical issues that may occur during production
• Adapt parameters, camera techniques and movements to enhance overall visual effects and outputs
• Provide technical guidance to production teams to capture complex shots that require the use of mounting equipment

5. Sound Mixing (Classroom)

This module guides the participants through the technical specifications for commonly used audio mix formats, principles of sound, types of sound qualities, and techniques to achieve various dynamic ranges and intelligibility in sound mixes. Participants will also learn about the operating characteristics of commonly used mixing and auxiliary equipment and types of sound processing techniques.

Learning Outcomes:

• Check sources to ensure that audio files are in the required technical formats
• Mix elements from various sound sources to achieve a required sound balance
• Apply sonic processes to improve the quality of sound mixes
• Adjust sound levels to ensure a smooth transition of sound elements between scenes

6. Sound Recording Operations (Classroom)

This module teaches the skills required when recording location sound. This includes determining the needed audio equipment based on the location and type of recording; testing and troubleshooting audio equipment; placing and setting up audio equipment in preparation for a recording session; monitoring the audio output during recording and maintaining documentation of the recordings made.

Learning Outcomes:

• Determine the audio equipment needed based on the requirements of the shoot
• Test and troubleshoot all audio equipment and cables to maintain functionality
• Position microphones to enable the best possible audio recording
• Set up audio equipment for a shoot to facilitate recording
• Monitor the audio levels during the shoot to maintain the appropriate recording levels
• Maintain a sound log of the shoot to provide documentation of all sound recordings

7. Video Editing (Level 3) (Classroom)

This module covers the principles of video theory, pacing, and rhythm that are appropriate for various themes. Participants will learn about video enhancement software, the features, functions, and limitations in video editing software and equipment. They will also learn the techniques to execute technical edits and relevant editing standards and guidelines. At the end of the module, participants will be able to execute video edits to organise video footage in a sequence that matches the narratives in the script.

Learning Outcomes:

• Analyse requirements in each scene to identify types of edits and effects needed
• Import footage from multiple source files and arrange them in a logical sequence for editing
• Create editing logs to outline details of edits required for selected footage
• Make editing decisions to determine the appropriate shots, pacing and the transitions needed to convey the story
• and emotions in each scene
• Collaborate with production teams to resolve problems encountered in the editing process
• Inspect edited video footages to ensure alignment to technical requirements of production
• Clean up noise and imperfections in edited video footages to optimise the video quality

8. Making Online Content (Classroom and Synchronous E-Learning)

This module covers the basics in story structure, what makes a compelling story, and how it can and has been applied to different mediums like film, television, stage plays, and online social media platforms. Following this will be the A-to-Z of making good and compelling content and/or short videos from concept, pre-production, and production to post-production using entry level equipment and software like mobile phones and complimentary editing software.

Learning Outcomes:

• Understand story structure, plot design and variants of the three-act structure
• Develop storylines and plot structure for online content
• Write basic narrative scripts for online content
• Learn pre-production process for making online content
• Make content for online purposes
• Edit and finish online content

Mode of Training

In-person and/or Online

Assessment

• All modules will conclude with a compulsory assessment component.
• Assessments may include role plays, quizzes, assignments, projects, and written examinations.
• Participants need to achieve at least 75% attendance for each module before they are allowed to sit for the assessment.

Certification

Completion of all the required modules will qualify candidates for the Diploma in Digital Media Production under the SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) Skills Framework for Media.

Participants will also receive a Statement of Attainment issued by SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG), or a Certificate of Completion issued by Singapore Media Academy for each module completed.

Trainers

Boo Puay Sun (Boris)
Boris is a distinguished screenwriter and director based in Singapore, renowned for his exceptional talent and over two decades of industry experience. His prolific career includes writing and producing an extensive portfolio of scripts—spanning TV series, sitcoms, feature films, and short films. Boris is also one of Singapore’s most productive film directors, with an impressive record of eight feature films under his belt.

Beyond his creative accomplishments, Boris is dedicated to advancing the craft of filmmaking. As an Associate Lecturer at Ngee Ann Polytechnic, he imparts his extensive knowledge and expertise in filmmaking and screenwriting, shaping and inspiring the next generation of cinematic talent in Singapore. His dual role as a film-maker and educator underscores his commitment to excellence and his profound impact on the film industry.

Foo Piao Xu (Fu Biaoxu)
Piao Xu has more than 18 years of experience in television and film after graduating from the National University of Singapore. She has enjoyed considerable success working across the whole spectrum of television production, from conceptualising new ideas to content creation and distribution. She has worked with numerous directors, writers, producers, above-the-line and below-the-line production resource staff, and clients in the media industry.

She is the Executive Producer (in charge of production) of 'Fighting Spiders'. This English drama series won the Special Award for Best Mini-Series at the Seoul Drama International Drama Awards 2009. She is also the Producer of 80s Rewind, the situational comedy that won the Silver World Medal (situational comedy) in the New York Festivals International TV Programming and Promotion Awards 2009.

Apart from live-action productions, Piao Xu has worked on International Co-productions for animation shows. She also served as Post-producer on reality shows like The Apartment. She helmed the role of Producer Director at Mankind Creative Pte Ltd, which specialised in corporate and industry videos.

David Suen (Sng Choon Hui)
David Suen is a working director in the local media scene for over 20 years. Being a freelancer, he has garnered extensive experience in many broadcast genres, helping numerous production houses direct their TV programmes both locally and internationally. With over 50 dramas and documentaries, 15 commercials, 66 corporate & event videos and counting.

Aw Yong Liang (Ric)
Ric Aw has directed 11 short films and Standing in Still Water (2015, 90 min) is his first feature film that explores the interwoven lives of four damaged individuals, whose collision takes place at a reservoir. He directed That Afternoon We Went to See the Pandas (2014, 20 min) that is an adaptation of Liang Wern Fok’s short story and we enter the world of a China immigrant couple who is finding a home in Singapore. The short film was screened at Clermont-Ferrand International Film Festival. He has won Best Short Film Award for Buy Me Love (2005, 15min), Best Script Award for Villain (2013, 20 min) and Best Performance for Silent Girls (2008, 15 min) at different Film Festivals.

Ric has been conducting digital filmmaking workshops and scriptwriting workshops every quarterly at Objectifs: Center of Filmmaking and Photography since 2005. He has served as a guest lecturer at Ngee Ann Polytechnic and Puttnam – School of Film and Animation at Lasalle. As an associate lecturer, he conducts visual storytelling and scriptwriting related modules at Republic Polytechnic and Singapore Media Academy since 2020.

Loh Lek San, Justin
Justin Loh joined Interfilm Production as an audio engineer in 1996 following his graduation from SAE (School of Audio Engineer) in the same year. Due to his outstanding performance, he was given the opportunity to be trained as a studio cameraman.

In 1998, he started his first drama under the guidance of a Hong Kong Director & has worked on numerous drama serials with Mediacorp since then. Being an official cameraman for EMI & Starhub has created opportunities for him to meet many people who recognize his strength. Justin has worked with Broadcasters like AXN, Discovery, Companies like Cisco System, DHL, EMI, Starhub, Singapore Polytechnic & many more.

Being a certified ACTA trainer, he accepted the offer of a course & Part Time Lecturer in Lasalle school of the arts, Puttnam School of Film so as to impart his knowledge & skills to the younger generation.

He also owns a state-of-the-art new audio recording eng mixer ‘ Zaxcom nomad 12’. It’s a 12 audio tracks recorder with time code generator and the revolutionary zaxnet interface. It’s a new cutting edge technology that even Hollywood finest recordist are slowly making the transition to this system. Together with wireless receiver amp n shark fins, on the ever popular lectrosonics sra wireless smqv sets, Justin is fully equipped for a full feature film shoot around the region.

Lim Fang Cheng Fritz
Fritz Lim is a freelance lecturer and trainer at Nanyang Polytechnic, Tertiary Courses Singapore, Tinker Tanker, and Singapore Media Academy. Being both right- and left- brained, he teaches sound design and mixing, as well as Python and C# programming, mobile app development, and web development to kids, teens, and adults.

His journey in education began in 2005 when he was employed as a full-time lecturer at Nanyang Polytechnic. He developed and taught the sound design and mixing module, as well as the computer-based music production and film music appreciation modules.

He has had a passion for music and sound since childhood when he taught himself to play the piano and guitar with the help of books. In his teens, he spent many days on MIDI and computer-based music production using the Cakewalk music production software when it was still being released on a 3.5-inch floppy disk.

During his National Service stint, he discovered the exciting world of music mixing and “mixing in the box”, where after recording there's still so much that can be done to the sound. And in university, he dabbled in song production with a singer-songwriter friend, was the sound engineer for various productions, sang in his hostel’s choir, and played the keyboard in the hostel jam band.

Noraswan Mohamed
Noraswan Mohamed has more than 15 years of experience in the creative and media industry. He is highly proficient in current motion graphic design skills and practices, and has an excellent portfolio of up-to-date commercial design work.

He was the Co-Founder/Managing Director of Muse Pte Ltd, which offers across-the-board services to major and leading players in the creative industry, which include TV stations, advertising agencies and government agencies. One of Muse’s latest major projects is a partnership with Media Development Authority (MDA) to produce a 2D animation series, “Geng Anam”, broadcasted on Mediacorp’s Suria Channel, educating children and youth on the history of Singapore.

Having worked as the Operation & Production Manager/Head of Motion Graphic at Muse Pte Ltd for 13 years, Noraswan Mohamed was responsible for managing an operation team of 7, comprising graphic designers, editors, producers and sound engineers (who are a mixed group of highly skilled professionals and fresh graduates). He was also instrumental in managing the needs of the clients which include managing technical and creative resources as well as delivering complete corporate-quality post/productions.

Pang Yoong Hui (Ray)
Ray Pang is an award-winning filmmaker, both locally and internationally.

He represented Singapore in the 1st World Event Young Artists (WEYA), organised alongside the London 2012 Olympics, a global art and culture event held in Nottingham, United Kingdom. He was also the recipient of the 'Ten Outstanding Young Persons of the World' in 2012 Singapore Merit Awardee by JCI TOYP. In 2012, Ray was nominated as the finalist for Yahoo Singapore 9 and runner up for Entertainment Category. During the same year, his short film "Closer To Me" has been shortlisted for the prestigious Louis Vuitton’s second edition Journey Awards, making him the only Singaporean nominated for the Jury's awards People's Choice Award of the contest. The film later gets to participate at the 66th Festival de Cannes's Short Film Corner.

Ray was also invited to screen some of his films at the 8th Sapporo Short Fest 2013 under a special programme 'Asian Typhoon'. His short film 'The Grandfather' was the winner of 180 Short Film Competition 2013, under the Professional Category organised by Singapore Media Academy and supported by the Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA), now known as SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG).

List of Trainers

Course Duration and Schedule

Full-Time Programme (3 months)

• Next Intake: 2 Jan 2026 (Calendar)
• Registration Closing Date: 12 Dec 2025

Time

Daily lessons on weekdays. Up to 6 hours per day.

Venue

• In-Person Classes: 1 Stars Avenue, Mediacorp Campus, Singapore 138507
• Online Classes: Participants will be provided with the login links

Fees

Course fee to be paid by instalments. Details will be provided in the Student Contract.

Full Course Fee, including 9% GST: S$$27,386.25

Course Fee with SkillsFuture Funding:

SkillsFuture Funding (Baseline)¹ for Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents

SkillsFuture Mid-Career Enhanced Subsidy¹ for Singapore Citizens aged 40 years old and Above

SkillsFuture Additional Course Fee Funding Support¹ for Singapore Citizens who meet one of following eligibility criteria:
- Long-term unemployed individuals (unemployed for six months or more); or
- Individuals in need of financial assistance – ComCare, Short-to-Medium Term Assistance (SMTA) recipients or Workfare Income Supplement (WIS) recipients; or
- Persons with Disabilities

¹SkillsFuture Career Transition Programme (SCTP): Terms and Conditions

²As per SSG Policy, GST payable is calculated based on prevailing GST rate after the baseline funding subsidy of 70%.

³Administrative Fees include Annual Medical Insurance Premium, Annual NLB Membership Fee, ICA Student Pass Application Fee and Lab Fee.

Modes of Payment

1. All application payments, course fees, and miscellaneous fees should be made only to Singapore Media Academy Private Limited.
2. A payment receipt can be provided to prospective students on request. Please allow 3 (three) working days after we have verified your payment. Please note that the late payment penalty of S$54.50 will be imposed for payment received after the stipulated due date as stated in the Student Contract.
3. We accept the following methods of payment. Click here for the details: https://diploma.mediaacademy.sg/faq

• Internet Banking / Telegraphic Transfer
• PayNow (UEN)
• Credit Card Payment
• SkillsFuture Credit
• Post-Secondary Education Account (PSEA)

Minimum Entry Requirements

• Minimum Age: 21
• Academic Requirement: Obtain Pass Grade in GCE O-Level subjects including at least B4 for English (or IELTS overall band score 6.5 and above or equivalent) and 2 other subjects or equivalent
• For applicants who do not meet the minimum requirements may still apply and will be considered based on:
  • Mature candidates (≥30 years old with 8 years work experience); and/or
  • Oral interview or evaluation test by Singapore Media Academy to determine suitability for the course
• Applicants may be called for interview at the discretion of Singapore Media Academy.