WSQ Specialist Diploma in Media (Content Production and Management) - Director (Classroom and Synchronous E-Learning)

Career Prospects

Director, Content Creator

Course Modules

1. Creative Storytelling (Director) (Classroom and Synchronous E-Learning)

This module provides an overview of directing the creative storytelling process to create compelling audience experiences. Participants will explore techniques for engaging audiences, including experiential storytelling and the use of visual and aural media to advance narratives. Emphasis is placed on understanding trends, themes, and audience insights across various platforms. Technologies enabling cross-media and nonlinear storytelling will also be covered.

Participants will learn to define overarching visions guiding storyline development, refine characters to enhance audience appeal, and adapt narratives to address creative and technical challenges. The module fosters collaboration with creative teams to ensure the delivery of impactful outcomes tailored to audience preferences. Additionally, participants will evaluate proposed story changes to optimiseaudience engagement through suitable mediums.

Learning Outcomes:

• Define the overarching vision for storyline development
• Develop compelling stories that suit audience tastes and convey complex themes using new techniques and technologies
• Refine characters to enhance audience appeal
• Modify storylines to resolve creative and technical issues during production
• Evaluate the impact of story changes on the intended audience for greater appeal
• Collaborate with creative teams to facilitate processes and deliver desired outcomes
• Recommend suitable mediums to increase audience engagement

2. Visual Style Development (Classroom and Synchronous E-Learning)

This module focuses on the conceptualization and development of unique visual identities for content creation, emphasising the portrayal of desired moods and environments. Participants will explore the principles of visual storytelling and cinematography, learning how elements such as lighting, camera movements, framing, and landscapes impact the overall visuals. The curriculum includes innovative visual styles, technologies to enhance visual effects quality, and advanced shooting formats and methods.

Participants will conceptualise visual identities to achieve the creative vision of a production and lead production teams in brainstorming sessions to generate complementary visual ideas. They will develop detailed creative briefs outlining design requirements, formulate action plans to resolve production challenges, and guide production teams in utilising emerging technologies for creating engaging special effects. This module prepares paticipants to lead the visual aspect of productions effectively, ensuring that the final product meets the intended creative vision.

Learning Outcomes:

• Conceptualise visual identities to achieve the creative vision of production
• Lead production teams in brainstorming visual ideas that * complement the creative vision
• Develop detailed creative briefs outlining design requirements for production teams
• Formulate action plans to resolve production challenges related to visual styles
• Guide production teams in using emerging technologies to create innovative and engaging special effects.

3. Direction (Director) (Classroom and Synchronous E-Learning)

This module provides an in-depth exploration of the processes involved in guiding creative leads and cast throughout the production journey to achieve the overall creative vision. It covers essential aspects of creative storytelling, including both linear and nonlinear narratives, and emphasises the importance of understanding target audiences. Participants will learn about the principles of content development, cinematography, and the aesthetics of framing and camera movement. The curriculum also addresses practical considerations such as production budgets, timelines, workflows, and the roles and responsibilities within production teams.

Key topics include interpreting scripts, conceptualising visual representation through lighting, sound, special effects, style, and set design. The module will delve into directing rehearsals, providing feedback, guiding camera and lighting operations, and overseeing post-production processes such as video and sound editing. Participants will gain insights into copyright norms, intellectual property rights, and the importance of aligning all creative aspects with the overall vision. Through practical exercises, participants will develop the skills to foresee and resolve creative issues, ensuring the final production meets both creative and technical standards.

Learning Outcomes:

• Interpret scripts to creatively conceptualisevisuals, lighting, sound, and special effects
• Direct rehearsals to evaluate and improve production performance
• Guide cast with feedback and cues to align with the artistic vision
• Manage camera and lighting operations using shot plans
• Oversee post-production, supporting video and sound editing
• Envision and guide the overall creative aspects of the production
• Finalise visual details like camera angles, lighting, and actor positioning
• Collaborate with creative leads on plan implementation
• Approve all creative elements, including camera, sound, lighting, and set design
• Ensure actual takes meet creative and technical standards
• Anticipate and resolve creative issues, updating plans as needed

4. Talent Casting (Classroom and Synchronous E-Learning)

This module focuses on the process of conducting auditions to select talent for various production needs, emphasisingcreative considerations and talent requirements. Participants will learn to identify specific acting needs for main characters, narrators, voice-over artists, and supporting roles. The module covers various acting techniques, styles, and improvisation methods based on scripts. Participants will explore different audition and selection processes, understand commercial and aesthetic criteria for selecting talent, and methods for identifying emerging talents and marketability.

Through practical exercises, participants will review and implement appropriate audition processes, create and evaluate talent briefs, and conduct interviews and auditions. The module also emphasisesassessing the strengths and weaknesses of performers and their overall impact on production quality.

Learning Outcomes:

• Review and select appropriate audition or selection processes for the production
• Provide input on talent briefs and suggest alternatives
• Conduct interviews and auditions with talent, narrators, and voice-over artists
• Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of talent
• Assess the performer's impact on the production

5. Crew Selection (Director) (Classroom and Synchronous E-Learning)

This module provides a comprehensive overview of key aspects in film and production management. Participants will learn to strategically select production crew and department heads based on specific production requirements. Emphasising different stages of production, the course covers budget management techniques tailored for crew management, and addresses both creative and technical project needs. It also delves into guidelines for fair employment practices, industry hiring policies, and innovative methods for identifying qualified candidates.

At the end of the module, participants will gain practical skills in leading interview processes, negotiating contracts, and ensuring compliance with legal and industry standards for key department heads.

Learning Outcomes:

• Identify innovative methods and platforms for sourcing department heads.
• Lead the interview and selection process for key positions.
• Negotiate terms and contracts with department heads.
• Review administrative documents and contracts for compliance.
• Ensure robust outcomes by reviewing the selection and interview processes

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 WSQ Specialist Diploma in Media (Content Production and Management) under the SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) Skills Framework for Media.

Participants will also receive a Statement of Attainment issued by SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) for each module completed.

Trainers

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.

Zulanan Ahmad
Zulanan Ahmad is the Executive Creative Director of DV Studio Pte Ltd, a production house that specialises in drama production for Mediacorp Suria channel.

Zulanan started his career in Broadcasting when he joined the Television Corporation of Singapore (TCS) as a Floor Manager. After pursuing his Bachelor of Communications in U.S.A, he returned to be a Producer for TCS. He later left the station to be a lecturer at the Film Sound and Video Department in Ngee Ann Polytechnic where he taught for 5 years.

Subjects taught included Multi-camera Studio TV Production; Outdoor Broadcasting and Single Camera Field Production.

In 2009, he set up DV Studio Pte Ltd and has conceptualised and produced more than 25 television projects for Mediacorp Suria channel ranging from half-hour comedy series format; short film series; one-hour drama format; telemovies and documentaries.

Janet Liau Su Shyan @ Aishya Liau
Janet started life in broadcast as a researcher writer for variety and info-ed programmes. She then went to work in trade development, business consulting, advertising, and media sales before returning to broadcast in 2009. Her varied work experience helped her to become a better storyteller.

With DV Studio, she has helped to conceptualise and produce more than 20 television projects for the Mediacorp Suria channel. The last episode of 'Menantu International' (a drama series about transnational marriage in 2016) was the highest-rated episode on Suria in 12 years.

She was the concept creator and storyteller for the documentary 'Terbit', which had won the Best Factual programme at the Pesta Perdana Awards.

She has conceptualised and written for corporations and government institutions’ videos ranging from sitcom-style for training videos; to anniversary videos and videos that tug the heartstrings. In March 2015, DV Studio was privileged to produce PA’s Tribute To LKY. Janet is also an Adjunct Lecturer at NUS Business School.

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.

List of Trainers

Course Duration and Schedule

There are 2 intakes per year: April and October

Part-Time Programme (9 months)

• Next Intake: October 2025

Time

• Weekdays: Twice a week from 7.00pm to 10.00pm
• Saturdays: Occasionally from 10.00am to 5.00pm

Venue

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

Fees for WSQ Specialist Diploma in Media (Content Production and Management) - Director (Classroom and Synchronous E-Learning)

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

Full Course Fee, including 9% GST: S$16,159.25

Course Fee with SkillsFuture Funding:

SkillsFuture Funding (Baseline)¹ for Singapore Citizens, Permanent Residents and Long-Term Visit Pass Plus (LTVP+) Holders

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

SkillsFuture Enhanced Training Support for SMEs¹ for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs)

¹SkillsFuture Funding: 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, Lab Fee and SMA Student Access Card.

Fees for (SCTP) WSQ Specialist Diploma in Media (Content Production and Management) - Director (Classroom and Synchronous E-Learning)

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

Full Course Fee, including 9% GST: S$16,159.25

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, Lab Fee and SMA Student Access Card.

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: 18
• 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
  • At least 1 year working experience in any industry; 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.