Postgraduate

Storytelling - Audiovisual and Multimedia Scriptwriting

Department of Communication Sciences and Information Technologies

Course Details
Study Plan

Introduction

Course Coordination

João Jorge Oliveira Rodrigues

coord.ip.cont@ipmaia.pt

Description

In general terms, this postgraduate course aims to equip professionals with skills in all areas of contemporary audiovisual writing – Cinema, Video, Cable TV and OTT, web series, and multimedia platforms – in the domains of fiction, documentary, animation, narrative journalism, and hybrid models (docudrama, mockumentary, true crime, etc.).

Specific objectives of the postgraduate course include:

Developing skills in classical and multimedia storytelling for fiction, digital creative writing, and journalistic and fictional techniques applied to documentary and docudrama scripting
Teaching the use of narrative techniques of exposition, development, and resolution through foundational and contemporary dramaturgy
Enabling screenwriting work in all phases of audiovisual creation (scriptwriting and project development, pre-production, on-set supervision, directing, editing, and promotion) and across all storytelling formats (cinema, video art, series, miniseries and TV movies, web series, music videos, fiction and documentary podcasts, long-form journalism online)
Training screenwriters prepared to meet the needs of both national and international markets, with the ability to develop project bibles for producers and public/private scriptwriting and production funding competitions, including proficiency with AI tool

Who is this course for

Professionals in film, audiovisual media, writing, production and direction of multimedia content, digital journalism, marketing, advertising and design, visual arts creation, and literature
Entrepreneurs, economists, and business managers seeking to acquire skills in storytelling
Professionals and creators from other fields who wish to transition into audiovisual and multimedia content writing

Pedagogical Objectives

Provide dynamic and adaptable training, balancing autonomy (online) with hands-on experience (in-person)
Develop technical and creative skills using practical and successful examples praised by audiences and critics as a learning foundation
Prepare students for the market by developing communication and networking tools and delivering a public presentation of the final project

Pedagogical Model

Format: Hybrid (in-person/online), depending on the students’ availability and convenience:

Online and recorded classes, allowing flexible study schedules
In-person workshops for practical activities such as audiovisual recordings and networking events
Flexibility focused on personalized learning, respecting different paces of progress
Adaptation to students’ availability, combining flexibility and hands-on interaction. In-person classes will allow long distance participation via videoconference for students in remote locations

Structure

Combination of multiple teaching methodologies

Online and Recorded Classes

Flexible scheduling for independent study
Access to content at any time, promoting personalized time management for learning

In-person Workshops

Practical activities, such as audiovisual recordings and networking events
Focus on developing applied skills and building professional relationships

Practical Examples

This model prepares professionals to act strategically in the creation and management of digital content, aligning innovation with market applicability.

Timetable / Credit Units

Duration: 20 weeks, including class sessions, assessments and final project presentation

Total workload: 500 hours

Total contact hours: 160 contact hours (in-person and/or online), distributed across 2 weekly sessions of 4 hours each (in-person and/or online)

Schedule: Evening classes, to ensure compatibility with professional commitments and promote a balance between training and daily routine.

Credit Units

ECTS: 20 ECTS.

Period	ECTS
23029 - Dramaturgical Principles and Pitch Dossiers	Period	Semester	ECTS	7
23030 - Audiovisual and Multimedia Scriptwriting Techniques	Period	Semester	ECTS	4
23031 - New Perspectives and Alternative Storytelling Forms	Period	Semester	ECTS	4,5
23032 - Project Development	Period	Semester	ECTS	4
23033 - Pitching Session	Period	Semester	ECTS	0,5