WSQ Diploma in Media
(Content Production and Management) - Scriptwriter (Synchronous E-Learning)

Career Prospects

Scriptwriter, Copywriter

Course Modules

1. Narrative Design

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 with commercial and/or artistic potential by identifying the theme of the story, developing creative plots and compelling characters. This module will also emphasise 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 a 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. Scriptwriting

This module gives participants a clear understanding of the various documentary modes and formats, how to conceptualise a compelling documentary, conduct research, devise a plot structure for the script, and write the documentary script.

Learning Outcomes:

• Develop the subject and/or focus of the documentary to provide a perspective which is of interest to the audience
• Conduct research for a selected subject and focus on facilitating the writing of the script
• Determine the format and style appropriate for the documentary to meet the expectations of the producer, distributor, and audience
• Write the documentary script to meet the format and style defined for the documentary

3. Direction (Scriptwriter)

Designed with scriptwriters in mind, this module in Direction provides an overview of the production activities that assist the Director to realise her/his vision of the script. The main focus of this module is on the production of narrative scripts in television drama series and telemovies. Similar fundamentals apply to the production of movies. The module also touches on the documentary-making process for those who are interested in factual storytelling and visually led script writing.

Scriptwriters will learn to appreciate the production process carried out by the various media professions and their respective departments to help the Director bring a script to life. It will show how a script impacts production and how production constraints can affect the script. With this knowledge, scriptwriters are better equipped to write scripts with a good understanding of production requirements without any compromise to the quality of the story itself.

Learning Outcomes:

• Break down the script to identify all production elements for each scene
• Document the day-wise shoot schedule, including the scenes and shots to be covered, type of shoot, and key characteristics for each shoot
• Facilitate the team to develop shoot sequences based on the breakdown of the script into a storyboard
• Direct secondary cast and extras on set to support the production
• Supervise the cast and crew on set to ensure that the production progresses according to the schedule and is aligned with the creative vision
• Explain the details of any shot such as camera angle, stance, motion in the scene, usage of props to the actors
• Foresee technical issues that may arise during production and post-production and recommend options to modify the script and resolve issues proactively
• Follow the plan closely to ensure continuity during production

4. Storyboarding

This module covers the drafting and drawing techniques, essential storyboarding elements including character movements, backgrounds, camera angles, shots, frame composition, perspective, lighting, sets, different formats for visual storytelling, and frame sequencing across genres and concept art. Participants will also learn illustrations for words, emotions, and actions, including human anatomy, emotions, actions, and expressions, as well as relevant storyboard, graphics, and editing software.

Learning Outcomes:

• Interpret scripts to understand the required mood and overall themes
• Analyse and break production ideas and scripts into frames
• Develop detailed storyboards depicting character expressions and background elements showing all required positions, angles, and views, with particular regard to technical continuity of the story from the concept to the screenplay and size relationship
• Use digital storyboarding tools to convert detailed sketches into storyboard panels
• Assist in refining storyboards as per requests from creative and production team

5. Concept Creation

This module covers the techniques for idea generation. Participants will also be guided on the format and structure relating to proposed media products and platforms. They will be trained on the best practices for creative processes and the concept of acceptable risks in creative process improvement.

Learning Outcomes:

• Review the process of concept generation to facilitate improvements
• Exploit new and emerging technologies to create new concepts
• Implement improvements to the creative process
• Inspect the creative process for barriers to creativity
• Develop practical ways to overcome identified barriers to creativity
• Develop the format and structure for new concepts
• Conduct an assessment of the likely audience appeal of new ideas and concepts

6. Creative Storytelling (Scriptwriter)

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

7. Production Planning and Scheduling (Scriptwriter)

Participants will learn the process of reading, analysing, articulating, and quantifying critical elements of a script for the objective of charting a strategic plan for production. At the end of the module, participants will read and analyse the story and script structure to identify the various production elements and organize the different production components into a working schedule within an overall budgetary framework.

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, 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 stripboard 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

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 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

Lee Chee Keng
Chee Keng is a director, writer, and producer whose works cross theatre, events, as well as TV and films. He is fluent in Chinese and English languages and has worked in China, Hong Kong, Japan, and Singapore. His international experience has put him in a good position to produce transnational collaborations in China.

Chee Keng graduated from the National University of Singapore with a first-class honours bachelor's degree and a Master's degree in Japanese Studies. He obtained his doctorate in Theatre Studies from the renowned Beijing Central Academy of Drama.

Chee Keng shares his experiences and observations through teaching. He has lectured at the National University of Singapore, Nanyang Technological University, Victoria College of the Arts (Melbourne), and Shanghai Theatre Academy.

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.

Ang Qing Sheng
Qing Sheng is currently an independent animation filmmaker in Singapore and teaches in the Animation programme at LASALLE College of the Arts. He holds a Masters of Arts in Arts Pedagogy and Practice from Goldsmith University (London).

He has received support from both LASALLE, National Arts Council (Singapore), and IMDA SFC to produce animated short films, one of which is “5 Shades of Solitude” for Utter 2015 as part of the Singapore Writer’s Festival.

The other is “Lak Boh Ki”, the world’s first Hainanese animated short film that premiered locally at the Singapore Chinese Film Festival and internationally at DOK Leipzig in 2016.

He is also a winner of the CDL E-Generation Challenge 2019 and wishes to use his skills for an honourable cause – promoting Eco-awareness and sustainability to fight climate change.

Julian Cheong Yat Looi
From a young age, Julian has been keenly interested in performing arts, media content creation, and aspects of communicative expression. Starting in secondary school, he dabbled in writing plays and participated in theatre productions as a playwright and actor until pre-university.

During his National Service days in the Singapore Armed Forces, he participated in the inaugural Fame Awards (1995) and made it to the quarter-finals in the acting category. He subsequently performed in various supporting roles on Television shows such as Triple 9, Growing Up, Police & Thief, Crime-watch, and Heartlanders.

In 2007, he also wrote scripts for several episodes of the locally produced television sitcom 'The Yang Sisters', which starred Zheng Peipei, Kym Ng, and Alaric Tay.

Alongside his participation in the Television industry, Julian is also an academic who has lectured and taught diverse subjects ranging from Television Production, Scriptwriting, Marketing, Communication, and Media Studies at various academic institutions in Singapore, such as James Cook University and Temasek Polytechnic.

A firm believer in lifelong learning, Julian has attained a Bachelor of Arts (Mass Communication) from the Curtin University of Technology, two Master’s Degrees in Arts (Communication and Media Management), and a Master of Business Administration from the Universities of South Australia and Southern Queensland, respectively.

In 2021, he attained the Advanced Certificate in Learning and Performance with the Institute of Adult Learning in Singapore to enhance his teaching and training delivery skills.

In his free time, Julian likes to swim, watch movies, and educate himself in astronomy.

List of Trainers

Course Duration and Schedule

There are 2 intakes per year: January and July

Part-Time Programme (10 months)

• Next Intake: 22 July 2024 (Calendar)
• Registration Closing Date: 1 July 2024

Time

• Weekdays: Twice a week from 7:00pm to 10:00pm
• Saturdays: Occasionally from 9:00am to 6:00pm

Venue

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

Fees for WSQ Diploma in Media (Content Production and Management) - Scriptwriter & WSQ Diploma in Media (Content Production and Management) - Scriptwriter (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$21,473.00

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 Diploma in Media (Content Production and Management) - Scriptwriter & (SCTP) WSQ Diploma in Media (Content Production and Management) - Scriptwriter (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$21,473.00

Course Fee with SkillsFuture Funding:

SkillsFuture Funding (Baseline)¹ for Singapore Citizens

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

SkillsFuture Additional 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$54.00 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:
   
   

Internet Banking / Telegraphic Transfer

Bank Name: DBS Bank Ltd
Account Name: SINGAPORE MEDIA ACADEMY PRIVATE LIMITED
Bank Address: 12 Marina Boulevard, Level 3 Marina Bay Financial Centre Tower 3, Singapore 018982
Bank Account (SGD): 003-927223-5
Bank Code: 7171
Bank Branch No.: 003
Swift Code: DBSSSGSGXXX

Please email students@mediaAcademy.sg to inform us of your transaction and to indicate:

• Enrollee's Full Name as per NRIC
• Course(s) Enrolled
• Amount Transferred
• Name of Your Bank
• Date of Transaction
  
  

PayNow (UEN)

Account Name: SINGAPORE MEDIA ACADEMY PRIVATE LIMITED
Bank Name: DBS Bank Ltd
Account Currency: SGD
UEN No: 200515963R

or scan the SMA PayNow UEN QR code below:

Please email students@mediaAcademy.sg to inform us of your transaction and to indicate:

• Enrollee's Full Name as per NRIC
• Course(s) Enrolled
• Amount Transferred
• Name of Your Bank
• Date of Transaction
  
  

Credit Card Payment

We accept credit card payment via the SMA portal, a secured payment gateway.

http://sma.aimsapp.com/studportal

You must have a valid SMA Student Portal account in order to pay with your credit card.

Please inform SMA recruitment staff if you wish to opt for credit card payment. You will receive an email from SMA notifying you that your e-Invoice is available for payment.

SkillsFuture Credit

SkillsFuture Credit can be used in addition to existing government course subsidies to pay for a wide range of approved skills-related courses. All eligible Singaporeans aged 25 and above will be able to access their SkillsFuture Credit account via: https://www.myskillsfuture.gov.sg/content/portal/en/index.html

Upon receipt of the SMA enrolment confirmation email, please note the following:

• If you wish to use your SkillsFuture Credit to offset the course fee*, please submit your claim via the SkillsFuture Credit portal https://www.myskillsfuture.gov.sg/content/portal/en/index.html). Upon your submission, SMA will then process the invoice for the remaining course fee payable, if any.
• Please note that the claim for SkillsFuture Credit should be submitted before course commencement, based on guidelines by SkillsFuture Singapore.

*SkillsFuture Credit is not to be used to offset the administrative fees (e.g., course deferment, re-assessment fee, make up lesson, etc.) and any other miscellaneous fees.

How to a claim: https://www.myskillsfuture.gov.sg/content/portal/en/index.html

Frequently Asked Questions: https://www.myskillsfuture.gov.sg/content/portal/en/header/faqs/skillsfuture-credit.html

For more information on SkillsFuture Credit, please click here.

2: https://www.skillsfuture.gov.sg/credit

Post-Secondary Education Account (PSEA)

The PSEA is administered by the Ministry of Education (MOE) and is open to all eligible Singapore Citizens. Students may use their or their siblings' PSEA funds to pay the course fees.

For payment of approved fees and charges, you can withdraw the PSEA funds by submitting withdrawal applications as and when withdrawals are to be made.

How to apply to use the funds

Account holders can apply to withdraw the PSEA funds for payment of approved fees and charges via MOE online form:

• https://go.gov.sg/psea-withdrawal-tp
• If you intend to also use sibling's PSEA, please go to: https://go.gov.sg/psea-withdrawal-tps

This online form is for Post-Secondary Education Account (PSEA) holder who wishes to use his/ her own PSEA for approved fees or charges incurred at an approved training provider.

The form is to be completed by:

• The account holder (the student), if he/she is 21 years old or above; or
• A parent if the account holder (the student) is below 21 years old.

Please consult SMA recruitment staff on which form to use. Please note that PSEA is not to be used to offset the administrative fees (e.g. course deferment, re-assessment fee, make up lesson etc.) and any other miscellaneous fees.

More information on PSEA: https://www.moe.gov.sg/financial-matters/psea

Minimum Entry Requirements

• Minimum Age: 21
• Male Singaporean applicants must have completed National Service.
• 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
• Applicants are required to submit a written personal statement as part of the course application.
• Applicants who do not meet the minimum requirements may still apply and will be considered based on:
  • At least 1 year working experience in any industry; and/or
  • English language proficiency assessment (written and/or oral) by Singapore Media Academy to determine suitability for the course
• Applicants may be called for interview at the discretion of Singapore Media Academy.