For anyone who has envisioned their characters and narratives lighting up screens—from TV dramas to web videos—this guide will take you through the journey of scriptwriting.
The scriptwriting field in Sarawak is still developing, but opportunities are gradually opening up.
Step 1: Develop Your Concept
Every screenplay begins with an idea, whether it comes from a fleeting moment, a personal memory, or an observed situation.
At the Skrip Tak Laku, Siapa Salah forum, Erma Fatima emphasised that originality and sincerity define good writing.
At theSkrip Tak Laku, Siapa Salah forum, the actress, scriptwriter, and producer, Erma Fatima, highlighted that originality and truth are key to strong scripts, cautioning against imitating foreign formats or relying solely on novel adaptations.
She pointed out that while outside influences exist, a script still needs its own identity
Sarawak’s cultural complexity, with more than 40 ethnic groups, each with its own customs and oral traditions, offers deep, untapped storytelling potential.
From folklore to modern city life, local stories can carry more weight than formulaic copies of overseas trends.
Step 2: Turn Your Concept into a Script
After identifying your core story, the next stage is development:
1. Logline: A single sentence that sums up your story’s core idea.
2. Treatment: A concise narrative document (1–2 pages) describing your main characters, story flow, and mood.
3. Scene outline: Map out your story act by act and scene by scene before you start writing.
Although scriptwriting is formally taught in programmes such as UiTM’s BRO454: Script Writing for Broadcast Media, you can also learn proper formatting using free online templates.
These typically include standard elements such as scene headings, action descriptions, and dialogue blocks in Courier font, suitable for both English and Bahasa Malaysia scripts.
A first draft is rarely final.
Editing is where you figure out what works.
Seek critique from peers, mentors, or writing circles.
Read your scenes aloud to check if the dialogue flows naturally and whether the pacing holds.
At the forum, Dato’ Hans Isaac advised beginners to begin with small projects, such as 3-minute sketches for TikTok or Instagram.
It’s a practical way to test pacing, experiment with tone, and get used to seeing how your writing lands with an audience—just like industry writers do in early workshops.
Step 4: Pitch Your Script
Once your work is finalised, compile the documents you’ll need to pitch:
One-page synopsis
Character descriptions
Visual Tone Guide
Treatment and sample scenes
While events like UNIMAS’s Mini Film Festival provide a path for short films, other avenues exist for TV dramas and broadcast content:
TVS – Pitch-It (Sarawak Media Group)
Through its Pitch-It programme, TVS (TV Sarawak)—a free-to-air channel under Sarawak Media Group—invites content proposals from Malaysians aged 18 and above who have a company registration.
Pitch-It accepts proposals for drama series, telemovies, documentaries, sitcoms, reality shows, and short films.
TVS often prioritises stories that reflect Sarawak’s culture and daily life, with previous campaigns showing how hyperlocal storytelling resonates both locally and nationwide.
In addition, Pitch-It offers in-person briefing sessions at venues like the TEGAS Digital Innovation Hub in Kuching, Sibu, and Miri, guiding submission procedures and opportunities to engage with industry mentors.
RTM – Drama and Documentary Units
Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) operates a Content and Creative Unit that holds regular pitching sessions for serial dramas, telemovies, documentaries, and youth-focused programmes.
Local producers and scriptwriters are invited to submit ideas built around current national themes like education, the digital economy, or unity.
In 2024, the annual briefing in Kuala Lumpur saw 584 production companies attend.
RTM is keen on Sarawak-themed scripts through its Drama and Documentary units, especially for TV Okey, which serves East Malaysian audiences in languages like Iban, English, Bajau, and Dusun.
TV Okey – East Malaysia’s RTM Channel
TV Okey caters to East Malaysian audiences, offering drama, documentary, youth, and culturally themed content.
Its use of Sarawak regional languages and involvement in regional collaborations make it an ideal platform for locally rooted pitches.
Independent Producers and Creative Collectives
Independent production houses and creative networks within Sarawak, sometimes discussed on online forums, regularly collaborate with TVS on locally produced dramas and documentaries.
Connecting with these groups can open doors to co-production opportunities and provide insights into pitching for broadcast funding or airtime.
Strong engagement on these platforms often acts as a proof of concept and can fast-track attention from networks searching for fresh talent.
Step 5: Be Clear on Your Script Ownership and Rights
Before entering into any agreement, it’s important to understand your copyright.
In Malaysia, the Copyright Act 1987 states that authors automatically own the copyright to their work upon creation.
This ownership grants you control over how it is used and the right to license it.
Important points:
Specify if you are assigning complete ownership or offering only a restricted licence.
Maintaining control over your characters and setting ensures you receive ongoing royalties for sequels or derivative projects.
Review the contract carefully for any royalty clauses, particularly those tied to multi-season series or merchandising rights.
New writers often sign over all rights for a single payment without realising the long-term impact, forfeiting future royalties.
To avoid this, scrutinise contractual terms, seek clarification, and consult MyIPO or legal counsel specialising in IP and media rights.
Step 6: Turning Your Script into Film
‘- Storyboarding visuals
‘- Casting actors
‘- Filming and editing
Youth-led films in Sarawak frequently depend on ingenuity over high funding, particularly at events like UNIMAS’s festival where full financing may be limited.
In mainstream media, one-hour TV scripts are usually commissioned between RM1,800–RM2,000, occasionally RM2,500 for seasoned writers, while average scriptwriter salaries hover around MYR 2,500–2,700.
However, selling a script does not guarantee immediate production—veteran Malaysian screenwriter Teng Ky‑Gan has faced similar delays even with Hollywood sales.
Perseverance remains key.
Step 7: Build Your Portfolio and Network
Don’t stop writing simply because your first script isn’t produced.
Submit to platforms like short film festivals, youth writing contests, or digital sketches for social media, all of which contribute to a credible portfolio.
Events like the Mini Film Festival have become key spaces for emerging filmmakers, where university students screen their work, attend Q&A sessions, and build connections.
The festival actively fosters collaboration and visibility for new talent.
Why Youth Scriptwriting Matters in Sarawak
Sarawak’s cultural diversity is often underrepresented in national media.
Today, local festivals and TV channels are increasingly seeking narratives grounded in local identity.
With more backing for creative industries, young writers have a real shot at shaping how Sarawak is represented in the next wave of screen content.
Final Thoughts
Scriptwriting blends creativity and technique: developing ideas, creating characters, organising scenes, refining through feedback, and safeguarding your work.
Erma Fatima emphasises originality; Dato Hans Isaac advises starting small.
Whether through short-form digital content or competition entries, each step builds toward a completed screenplay.
Reference:
- Skrip Tak Laku, Siapa Salah? (2025) Industry forum, 7 July. Paraphrased insights from Erma Fatima and Dato’ Hans Isaac
- Crazy Rich Asians Offered Writer RM460K. How Much Do Malaysian Scripts Usually Cost?
- Film Festivals Elevate Sarawak’s Film Industry
- Najib: New TV Channel to Deliver Effective News, Develop Creative Industry in East Malaysia
- How Much Does a Scriptwriter Make in Malaysia?
- Copyright Act 1987 (As at 30 June 2022)
- TVS Pitch-It Submission
- FINAS and TVS Collaborate to Transform Creative Idea Pitching in the Film Industry
- TVS Carves Niche in the Broadcasting Landscape