School of Communication and Languages/

Department of Mass Communication

Course Outline

Course Information

Course Code: MMP3234 / MMP3234N

Course Name: Screenplay and Scriptwriting
Lecturer(s): Maizul Affendy bin Baharudin (maizul@kdupg.edu)

Credit Value: 4

Pre-requisite: None

Duration: 10 weeks
Lecture hours/ week – 2
Tutorial hours/ week – 2

Synopsis: This course covers various types of media content, including film-making. With
the knowledge gained, this unit will further expose to different screenplay and
scriptwriting techniques and skills that required in the media industry. Through a
range of scriptwriting techniques and formats, this module will provide many
opportunities to conceptualize an idea to an outline/draft till the final script and
able to pitch an idea to a full-length script.

This module aims to develop students critical thinking in conceptualize their ideas
by understanding the correct writing techniques and formats which is believed to
contribute a lot to the current trends of media industry. With the knowledge gained
from this module, it will enhance the students’ creativity too.
Learning At the end of the course, the students will be able to:
Outcomes: 1. Identify the fundamental structure and format of screenplay and scriptwriting.
(C1, PLO1)
2. Recognise the cinematic language in screenplay and scriptwriting in content
creation. (C1, PLO7)
3. Produce a screenplay and scriptwriting using correct formats and
appropriate structure for short film. (C5, PLO2)
4. Pitch an idea to a full-length script. (C3, PLO7)

MMP3234 Screenplay & Scriptwriting May 2022 semester

Topics Covered by Weeks

Wk/No Topic Class CLO Mapping Planned Remarks

(per syllabus in MQA Schedule Activities
document) (date and
time)
1 Introduction to the Module Wed Lecture Intro & Discuss:
and Assignments. (25/5/2022) CLO1 Tutorial Assignment Brief
• General introduction to the Physical/ Assignment 1 (40%)
9am-1pm
work of scriptwriting for Final Project (60%)
(303A) Synchronous
Film/TV/Radio
Previous sample
assignments & Final
The concept of screenplay Projects
and scriptwriting
• The concept of Idea & Discussion in
scriptwriting, screenplay, and class
the ‘3 Act Structure’
Stage Production / Tv
Modern Approaches to the station production
Screenplay & Scriptwriting (Roles and
responsibility)
concept
• Concept development and Homework:
adaptation from the texts 3 Ideas for
Assignment 1
(present next week in
class)

2 Narrative, show treatment, Wed Lecture Class activity:

and plotting (1/6/2022) CLO1 Tutorial Theatre games (1)
• Dramatic personae 9am-1pm CLO2 Physical/
• Scene description (303A) Short presentation:
Synchronous 3 ideas Assignment 1
• Stage directions
Formatting for
scriptwriting/playwright
Writing the scene: Building Wed Lecture Class activity:
the Screenplay (8/6/2022) CLO2 Tutorial Theatre games (2)
• Screenplay and 9am-1pm CLO3 Physical/
3 Scriptwriting: Form and (303A) CLO4 Synchronous Student’s
Structure Progression:
• Script formats for film Share & Discussion
genre, documentary, TV on Assignment 1
production, and Radio
production

Genres
Writing for Film Wed Lecture Class activity:
• Case study and discussion (15/6/2022) Tutorial -Theatre games (3)
4 9am-1pm CLO3 Physical/ -Technical introduction
Writing for Documentary (303A) CLO4 -Cue Sheet
Synchronous
• Case study and discussion Student’s
Progression:
Writing the TV Drama Final Treatment.
Series
• Case study and discussion

Wed Lecture Class activity:

5 Pitch the Idea: Screenplay (22/6/2022) CLO3 Tutorial -Theatre games (4)
• Discussion 1 9am-1pm CLO4 Physical/ -Rehearsal &
(303A) Technical run thru
Synchronous
MMP3234 Screenplay & Scriptwriting May 2022 semester
 -Cue Sheet

Troubleshooting for Wed Lecture Submission:

6 Writers (29/7/2022) CLO3 Tutorial Copy of Assignment 1
• Discussion 2 9am-1pm CLO4 Physical/ -The stage for
(303A) Synchronous Assignment 1
(Monologue)

Wed Final Script:

Presentation: (6/7/2022) Lecture Idea
7/8/9/10 Pitching the idea for the (13/7/2022) CLO3 Tutorial Discussion
Screenplay (20/7/2022) CLO4 Physical/ Formatting
(27/7/2022) Synchronous Draft
Review
9am-1pm
(303A) Individual Pitching
Final Project (Final
Script & PowerPoint
slides)

References

Main references:
1.Brunette, P. (2014).Screen/Play: Derrida and Film Theory. UK: Princeton University Press.
2.Dancyger, K & Rush, J. (2014). Alternative scriptwriting: Successfully Breaking the Rules. (4th ed.).
New York: CRC Press. Tarsus Exhibitions and Publishing Ltd.
3. Hilliard, R. (2014). Writing for Television, Radio and New Media. New York: Cengage Learning
Publication.
4. Creating Character Arcs Workbook: The Writer's Reference to Exceptional Character Development
and Creative Writing (Helping Writers Become Authors) (Volume 8) / K.M Weiland, 2017.
Additional references:
1. Kooperman, P. (2011). Screenwriting: Script to Screen. Elsternwick. Victoria: Insight Publications.
2.Trottier, David (2014) The Screenwriter's Bible: A Complete Guide to Writing, Formatting, and Selling
Your Script. Los Angeles: Silman-James Press.
3. Field, S. (2006). The Screenwriter’s Workbook. New York: Dell Trade.

Assessment

Method Weightage Submission/Test Date Mapping to CLO

Assignment 1 40% Week 1 & Week 5 CLO1 & CLO2
Final Project 60% Week 6 & Week 10 CLO3 & CLO4
Total 100%

The final marks will be the weighted average of the scores for the above components.

Grading System – Please refer to the Student Handbook.

Mapping of Learning Outcomes

(not applicable to common courses)

Programme Learning Outcomes (PLO)

PLO1 Possess knowledge of media production and its philosophy and methodology to fulfill and
meet the challenges of the industry.
PLO2 Competent in practical skills of media production and the utilization of the knowledge of
the profession and adhering to the protocols of quality practices in the industry

MMP3234 Screenplay & Scriptwriting May 2022 semester

 PLO3 Display social skills and responsibilities to address mindfully the multicultural contexts of
stakeholder’s diversities in the process of media production
PLO4 Display ethics, professionalism, and humane aspects in the practice of media production.
PLO5 Demonstrate characteristics of professional media production skills and leadership cum
team skills to work collaboratively and independently in the industry.
PLO6 Exhibit ICT skills, critical thinking as well as problem-solving skills to be responsive to the
changing nature of media production as an academic and professional discipline;
PLO7 Reflect upon and learn from their own experiences in order to advance and take their own
learning forward in lifelong learning and information management
PLO8 Demonstrate entrepreneurship and managerial skills in professional advertising
environments towards meeting the challenges of the profession.

Course Programme Learning Outcomes (PLO)

Learning
Outcomes PLO1 PLO2 PLO3 PLO4 PLO5 PLO6 PLO7 PLO8 PLO9 PLO10 PLO11
(CLO)
CLO1 √
CLO2 √
CLO3 √
CLO4 √

Attendance
Students must meet the 80% attendance requirement. Students will be barred from the final
examination if attendance is less than 80%.
Important Notes

• There will be no replacement for Progress Test, Assignment and Final Examination should
students absent themselves for these assessments. The only two exceptions are if you had
medical restraints or a death in the family, in which case please INFORM the course lecturer
BEFORE the test/examination. Please submit the supporting documents within TWO DAYS of
the assessment date.
• Students are expected to be in independent learning mode and to do the tutorials and exercises
as recommended by the course lecturer.

MMP3234 Screenplay & Scriptwriting May 2022 semester