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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Write scripts for an audio and/or visual medium 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
243971  Write scripts for an audio and/or visual medium 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Audio-visual Media Production 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 04 - Communication Studies and Language Media Studies 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  15 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2026-06-30   2029-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This unit standard replaces: 
US ID Unit Standard Title Pre-2009 NQF Level NQF Level Credits Replacement Status
117558  Write scripts for an audio visual medium  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  10   

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
The purpose of the learning is to equip learners with the competencies to write scripts for delivery via a specific audio- and/or visual medium (excluding drama scripts). The unit standard provides learners with access to the radio, film, television and video scriptwriting industry in response to a large demand for scriptwriting competence. Qualified learners are able to increase their earning capacity, thereby contributing towards the upliftment of their organisations or communities.

Credited learners are capable of:
  • Selecting specific script genres.
  • Assessing audience requirements for specific scripts.
  • Shaping scripts to achieve first drafts.
  • Finalise scripts for an audio and/or visual medium.
  • Pitching scripts to relevant role players.
  • Operating as an entry level scriptwriter in the audio- and/or visual media industry. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    The credits and level assigned to this unit standard are based on the assumption that learners have already attained language and communication competence at NQF Level 4. 

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    The audio- and/or visual medium selected can include television, radio, film or video. Drama scripts are excluded. 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Select specific script genres. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Stories that the writer wants to tell are identified in terms of genres. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The structure of stories is planned and is accordance with the classic shape. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The roles of characters are clearly defined in terms of central character/s, protagonist/s and antagonist/s. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Assess audience requirements for scripts. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Description of audience psychographics meets specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Description of audience demographics meets specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The viability of scripts in terms of audience and funder appeal is accurately assessed according specified criteria. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Shape scripts to achieve first drafts. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The writing style is appropriate to the genre of specific scripts. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Scenes are accurately identified from treatments. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Scenes are grouped in a manner appropriate to specific genres. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Step outlines are accurately compiled. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Script lay out is compiled and is appropriate for production and for dialogue. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Finalise scripts for an audio- and/or visual medium. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Drafts are developed into final scripts in a way that optimises final production. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Strengths and weakness of written scripts are accounted for and justified in terms of optimising final production efficiency. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Own strengths and weaknesses as a scriptwriter are identified and steps taken to utilise strengths and address weaknesses are explained in terms of scriptwriting improvements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Reflection regarding final scripts is justified in terms of given script quality criteria and requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Post-production and learning points are recorded in specified formats and are accessible for future use. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
    Pitch stories to relevant role players. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Role players of various production contexts identified are relevant for specific contexts. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Pitches prepared for role players is suitable in terms of content and format. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Pitch delivery is suitable for particular role player requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Pitches prepared and delivered contain content appropriate for specific pitching contexts and meet specified context requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Pitches can include synopses and one-line pitches; specified requirements include deadlines and time constraints.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 6 
    Operate as a scriptwriter in the audio- and/or visual media industry. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Prevailing conditions are accurately identified. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Prevailing conditions can include job opportunities.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Legal constraints imposed on the industry are adhered to. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Networks are formed with relevant stakeholder in the industry. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Support from co-writers is given and received to an extent and in a format appropriate for specified requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Support format can include writers` circles.
     


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Assessment of learner achievements takes place at providers accredited by a relevant ETQA (RSA, 1998b) for the provision of programs that result in the outcomes specified for this unit standard.
  • Anyone assessing a learner against this unit standard must be registered as an assessor with a relevant ETQA.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this unit standard must be accredited as a provider with a relevant ETQA.
  • The relevant ETQA according to the moderation guidelines and the agreed ETQA procedures will oversee moderation of assessment and is responsible for moderation of learner achievements of learners who meet the requirements of this unit standard. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    Credited learners understand and can explain:
  • Genres.
  • Structure of stories.
  • Characters and their roles.
  • Characteristics of visual media.
  • Function of dialogue.
  • Audience assessment.
  • Audio and/or visual media characteristics.
  • Industry characteristics, trends and developments. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identify and solve problems where responses to problems show that such critical and creative thinking has been used to make responsible decisions when writing a script for audio- and/or visual medium. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organisation or community when pitching a short story to a producer. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage oneself and one`s activities responsibly and effectively when selecting a short story genre and assess audience. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information when shaping the short story to achieve a first draft. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively using visual, mathematic and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written presentation when pitching a short story to a producer. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation when operating as a scriptwriter in the industry. 

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    This unit standard replaces unit standard 117558, "Write scripts for an audio visual medium", Level 5, 10 credits.

    Notes to Assessors:

    Assessors should keep the following principles in mind when designing and conducting assessments against this unit standard:
  • Focus the assessment activities on gathering evidence in terms of the main outcome expressed in the title to ensure assessment is integrated rather than fragmented. Remember we want to declare the person competent in terms of the title. Where assessment at title level is unmanageable, then focus assessment around each specific outcome, or groups of specific outcomes.
  • Make sure evidence is gathered across the entire range, wherever it applies. Assessment activities should be as close to the real performance as possible, and where simulations or role-plays are used, there should be supporting evidence to show the learner is able to perform in the real situation.
  • Do not focus the assessment activities on each assessment criterion. Rather make sure the assessment activities focus on outcomes and are sufficient to enable evidence to be gathered around all the assessment criteria.
  • The assessment criteria provide the specifications against which assessment judgements should be made. In most cases, knowledge can be inferred from the quality of the performances, but in other cases, knowledge and understanding will have to be tested through questioning techniques. Where this is required, there will be assessment criteria to specify the standard required.
  • The task of the assessor is to gather sufficient evidence, of the prescribed type and quality, as specified in this unit standard, that the learner can achieve the outcomes again and again and again. This means assessors will have to judge how many repeat performances are required before they believe the performance is reproducible.
  • All assessments should be conducted in line with the following well documented principles of assessment: appropriateness, fairness, manageability, integration into work or learning, validity, direct, authentic, sufficient, systematic, open and consistent. 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Elective  58394   National Certificate: Film and Television Production  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  MICTS 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    1. BLC Entertainment 
    2. Epitome Villa (Pty)Ltd 
    3. EYETHU NATIONAL COMPUTER COLLEGE PTY LTD 
    4. FILM Mentorship & Training SA 
    5. Frayintermedia Cc 
    6. MBOWA COLLEGE PTY LTD 
    7. Media Village Training 
    8. OL Afrika Media 
    9. OPELONG BUSINESS INSTITUTE (PT 
    10. Peo Entle HIV Wellness Management and Youth Skills Development NPO 
    11. PRX SCHOOL TEST 
    12. Richfield Graduate Institute of Technology Pty Ltd 
    13. SOUTH AFRICAN CORPORATE TRAINING ASSOCIATION (PTY) LTD 
    14. VUTHLARI MARKETING CONSULTING 
    15. ZA WIT (PTY) LTD 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.