How long should a film treatment be?
Film treatment length. When figuring out how to write a film treatment, you're probably wondering how long it should be. Treatments have no set page length, but you do want to keep them pithy. If you’re writing without anyone specific in mind, try to keep a series or film treatment under ten pages, single spaced.
How long does it take to make a documentary?
Most docs take anywhere from two to five years to complete; you have to be very gritty even to see a doc film through. Also, do not expect to get rich off of doc filmmaking either.
How long should a treatment be?
Treatments have no set page length, but you do want to keep them pithy. If you’re writing without anyone specific in mind, try to keep a series or film treatment under ten pages, single spaced. If you’re writing for someone more official, like a reader at a production company or studio, then make sure to ask what they’re looking for.
How long should a short story treatment be?
They are usually 1-2 pages and contain only the essential information about your project. (Sometimes a treatment can go up to 4 pages, and then would include a longer narrative story summary, and more character information). The writing should be well-organized, grammatically correct and exciting and tantalizing to read.
How long should a treatment be for a TV show?
But generally, rule of thumb, a treatment is no less than 4 pages and now more than 10. The key here is to get all the information down, as interestingly as possible, as economically as possible, with as much clarity as possible and not to over write.
How long should documentary scripts be?
As the name implies, documentary scripts are generally long-form. They contain anything from roughly 300 words (2 minutes when read at a normal pace) to 7500 words (50 minutes when read at a normal pace for a TV documentary). Documentary voice over scripts are mostly written with video in mind.
How do you format a documentary treatment?
DOCUMENTARY TREATMENT: Write in the active voice using present tense. Tell the reader what they will see and hear on the screen as it unfolds dramatically, from beginning to end. Describe the overall story and introduce any relevant characters.
How long is a typical movie treatment?
How Long Should a Treatment Be? The length of a treatment depends on the writer—some screenplay treatments can be as short as one page while other treatments can be upwards of forty of fifty pages.
How long is a documentary short?
40 minutesAccording to the Academy Awards' strict definition, the distinction between a feature-length documentary and a 'documentary short subject' is drawn at 40 minutes.
How long is a mini documentary?
An introduction to mini documentaries Mini documentaries are essentially short documentaries. Whereas a feature-length documentary can run as long as a full-length motion picture, mini documentaries can be as short as a few minutes long, though they typically run between 10 - 30 minutes in length.
What does a documentary treatment look like?
Documentary Treatment – The treatment is almost like a script, detailing exact scenes, characters and story structure. This is a constantly developing and organic document, adjusting as the story unfolds. This document is sometimes requested by large funding agencies.
What should be included in a documentary?
Making Documentaries Step-By-Step: How To Make a DocumentaryTell a story you care about. Start with a subject that excites you. ... Research. Learn everything you can about your documentary subject. ... Make a Plan. Create an outline. ... Create a Shot List. ... Start Shooting. ... Write a Script. ... Begin Editing. ... Check Legal and Copyright Issues.More items...
What is a creative treatment in documentary?
A DOCUMENTARY MUST INCLUDE. NARRATIVE TENSION. ENGAGING CHARACTERS. SOMETHING TO SAY ABOUT THE HUMAN CONDITION.
How long are story treatments?
Some say up to 60 pages, but the point of the treatment is to communicate your story as quickly as possible, so brevity without sacrificing juice is the key here.
How much do film treatments sell for?
Writers Guild of America When you sell a treatment or idea, you can make between $20,960 and $47,940. When you complete a treatment, script and final draft, you can pull in a minimum payday between $34,936 for a nonoriginal screenplay and $119,954 on the high end for an original screenplay with treatment.
How much should I charge for writing a treatment?
The low-end fee is about $50 per minute, so a 10-minute training video could bring you $500 for the project. The average pay, however, is closer to $250 a minute, so as experience increases, the same can be said for your rates. Educational scripts can pay almost twice this rate, with the low-end fee at $100 per minute.
What does treatment give a writer?
A treatment gives them some bit of hope, a scrap of paper to put into their file, something tangible to hold onto. And I suppose treatments do offer some small insurance, to all involved -- if the writer is way, way off, it's probably better to know that sooner than later.
What is script treatment?
Wrapping up script treatments. A treatment is a great way to organize your thoughts about a project. While they may not be the most commercially viable things, they’re great ways to get on a development executive’s good sides and to see if your idea is worthwhile in the marketplace.
What is a synopsis in a screenplay?
It is a synopsis, with action, sparse dialogue, and works as a roadmap for the reader, producer, and writer. This is your story, broken down into an easy-to-follow document, that anyone who picks it up can grasp immediately.
How many pages are in a film treatment?
Some simpler film treatments are just a page long. Others are more complex and span dozens of pages. For a typical movie, film treatments are about five to 10 pages. That’s long enough to convey the right information without overwhelming the reader.
Why do we need to write a treatment for a movie?
Working out a complex idea: Writing a film treatment allows you to structure the story and find issues with the plot. It can also help with world-building and developing compelling characters. Marketing a screenplay: Before deciding to produce or invest in a movie, studio executives often read film treatments.
What is the difference between a spec script and a film treatment?
A film treatment summarizes the concept and the main elements of the screenplay. A spec script tends to be much longer and more detailed than a film treatment . A spec script is generally in screenplay format rather ...
What is a film treatment?
Film Treatment: Everything You Need To Know. A film treatment is a written document that describes the story that your screenplay will tell. Most film treatments follow a narrative format and include key information about the characters and the plot while guiding the reader through the story arc and the acts of the film.
How to make a movie a movie?
1. Decide on a Title. Begin your film treatment by stating the title of the screenplay. Your title can refer to the setting or the characters or it can be more abstract. Either way, make sure your screenplay has an original title that doesn’t copy the name of an existing movie. 2.
What are the elements of a film treatment?
Be sure to include these parts in your treatment: Title: The confirmed or working title. Format and Genre: The film type and category. Logline: A one- or two-sentence summary. Plot Summary: A rundown of your story.
How to avoid making mistakes in film treatment?
Avoid committing to specifics, such as stating the names of the actors you want to play the characters.
What can I do with my narrative style?
What you can do with your narrative style and elements greatly depends on your budget and what production resources are available to you. If you are a micro-budget filmmaker or a first-timer, maybe consider making your documentary with the bare essentials, such as a camera and some sound equipment.
Do you have to go back after a documentary?
After primary production is wrapped, you may have to go back for reshoots, but don’t worry; this is all a part of the documentary filmmaking process.
How to write a treatment for a movie?
A script treatment comes earlier in the writing process, before any actual scriptwriting, which allows you to sort out the necessary story elements you need. The point of writing a film treatment is to: 1 Set up the world you want the reader to envision. 2 Lay out the structure o
What is a treatment in a story?
Treatments contain detailed descriptions of the setting, theme, character roles, and plot in order to show how the story will play out for the audience. There are four main things a treatment should contain:
How can treatment help you find your film?
Treatments can help you find your film’s story, while simultaneously helping to raise money. The research for both treatment and film involves gathering the same facts, talking to the same individuals, and shaping the same story. By figuring out how to communicate your passion, knowledge, and vision on the page, ...
What is treatment in filmmaking?
A treatment is a narrative screenwriting tool that helps you explore ideas, flesh out various story possibilities, and develop your characters. Jodie Foster Teaches Filmmaking. Jodie Foster Teaches Filmmaking. In her first-ever online class, Jodie Foster teaches you how to bring stories from page to screen with emotion and confidence.
What is a script treatment?
A script treatment comes earlier in the writing process, before any actual scriptwriting, which allows you to sort out the necessary story elements you need. The point of writing a film treatment is to: Set up the world you want the reader to envision. Lay out the structure of your whole story. Help you identify plot holes, or parts ...
Why are treatment scripts and spec scripts confused?
A treatment and a spec script are sometimes confused because both serve to help writers hash out screenplay ideas and potentially sell a film or TV show. A treatment comes earlier on in the development process and provides a detailed summarization of the characters and events that will unfold throughout the film.
What is a film treatment?
A film treatment (or story treatment) is a detailed summary of your film, TV show, or project. The screenplay treatment communicates all important scenes, sequences, and story points in a prose style that evokes the tone of your movie.
Why are film treatments important?
This is why film treatments are so useful: they boil your idea down to your characters and the story events that drive them to change. So let’s examine how to write a treatment that both snags your readers and organizes your vision.
How to write a movie script?
Generally you want to keep your film treatment economic and reader-friendly. Don’t go into too much exposition on anything — be it characters, locations, or actions. Avoid also: 1 Any dialogue (save it for the script) 2 Images, clip art (and anything else that’s not text) 3 Paragraphs that are too long 4 Distracting fonts
Who wrote the treatment for Mask of Zorro?
On their site Wordplayer, working screenwriters Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio posted a few of their own film treatment examples. Their 1994 treatment of Mask of Zorro is a glimpse into an effective script treatment.
What is a screenwriter's summary?
A behind-the-scenes reference for the screenwriter (or screenwriters) to guide and give a framework to the full script being written. A detailed summary designed to share the screenwriter's (or screenwriters') plan for the script with others before an actual script is written. An in-depth, deconstructed summary of an already-written script ...
How to engage in documentary filmmaking?
To engage in documentary filmmaking you must brave the unknown, and capture a story that unfolds in its own unpredictable way. Although, if you are a filmmaker, then you know controlling chaos is your job. All you need is an idea that you believe in. Along with a solid grasp of the filmmaking process, your path will soon emerge.
Why is it important to have a unified vision in documentary filmmaking?
Having a unified vision will allow you to adapt your filmmaking approach to the truth that you discover as you go. Keep that initial creative spark close as you tackle the documentary filmmaking process.
Why is context important in documentary filmmaking?
Context is key in documentary filmmaking. In addition to finding an engrossing subject, you need a bigger theme to relate it to. In Abacus, its small story speaks volumes to why the financial collapse happened in the first place.
What to do after finding all the data to support your thesis?
After you find all the data to support (and refute) your thesis, capture it all in a treatment document. This should summarize your story and its controlling idea, and also outline the progression of events you wish to capture. Of course, everyday reality will change the intentions that you set for your story.
Michael Moore's 13 Rules for Making Documentary Films
With Moore’s permission, below you can find his keynote in its entirety:
3. The modern documentary sadly has morphed into what looks like a college lecture, the college lecture mode of telling a story
That has to stop. We have to invent a different way, a different kind of model. I don’t know how to say this, because like I said, I only went three semesters to college. And one thing I’m grateful for from that is that I never learned how to write a college essay. I hated school, I always hated school.
5. The Left is boring
And it’s why we’ve had a hard time convincing people to maybe think about some of the things we’re concerned about. Like I said earlier, we’ve lost our sense of humor and we need to be less boring. We used to be funny. The Left was funny in the 60s, and then we got really too damn serious. I don’t think it did us any good.
8. Point your cameras at the cameras
Show the people why the mainstream media isn’t telling them what is going on. You’ve seen this in my films, where I stop filming whatever it is that’s going on, and I just turn my camera on the press pool.
9. Books and TV have nonfiction figured out
They know the American public loves nonfiction storytelling. But you’d never know that by looking at the list of movies playing down at the multiplex tonight. But open up the book review section of the New York Times this Sunday. There will be three times as many nonfiction books reviewed as fiction books, three times as many.
10. As much as possible, try to film only the people who disagree with you
That is what is really interesting. We learn so much more by you training your camera on the guy from Exxon or General Motors and getting him to just blab on. Talk to that person who disagrees with you. I have always found it much more interesting to try to talk to those in charge.
11. While you are filming a scene for your documentary, are you getting mad at what you are seeing?
Are you crying? Are you cracking up so much that you are afraid that the microphone is going to pick it up? If that is happening while you are filming it, then there is a very good chance that’s how the audience is going to respond, too. Trust that. You are the audience, too.
Outlines
Since outlines are often written solely by the screenwriter during their own development and writing process, they vary in size, shape, and form — depending upon the writer, as well as the needs of the possible producers, directors, and managers that they may be working with during the developmental phase leading up to the actual writing of the script..
Treatments
Treatments vary in length and cover the more specifics of the story, utilizing prose in the form of descriptive paragraphs that tell the story from beginning to end with all of the plot points, twists, turns, revelations, and character descriptions, but void of much dialogue.
21 Outlines, Treatments, and Scriptments That Screenwriters Can Study
Since outlines, treatments, and scriptments represent the pre-writing stage of the screenwriting process, you don't often find many online examples.
1. Avatar (Scriptment)
Written by James Cameron (The Terminator, Aliens, True Lies, The Titanic, Avatar)
2. Batman: Year One (Treatment)
Written by Larry & Andy Wachowski (now known as Lana and Lilly Wachowski). They are best known as the auteur sibling writing and directing duo behind Bound and the Matrix Trilogy.
4. Big Fish (Sequence Outline)
Written by John August (Go, Big Fish, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Aladdin)
5. Big Fish (Post-First Draft Outline)
Written by John August (Go, Big Fish, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Aladdin)
Understand The Script Film Treatment
The 6 Elements of A Film Treatment
- The most effective film treatments include six essential components. Be sure to include these parts in your treatment: 1. Title:The confirmed or working title 2. Format and Genre:The film type and category 3. Logline:A one- or two-sentence summary 4. Plot Summary:A rundown of your story 5. Main Characters:An introduction to the protagonists and the...
How to Write A Film Treatment
- From deciding on a title to tying the narrative together, follow the steps below to produce an effective treatment.
Film Treatment Examples
- Reviewing treatments, scriptments, and outlines for successful movies can help you understand how to make yours as effective as possible. Get inspiration from these well-known film treatment examples. “Avatar” Scriptment Scene from “Avatar“ “Battle for the Planet of the Apes” Outline Scene from “Battle for the Planet of the Apes“ “Big Fish” Outline Scene from “Big Fish“ “Godzilla” …
Finding The Story
Point of View
- Documentary film can be told from many different points of view, and there is also a formal name for the different points of view a doc film can take on called the “Six Modes of Production.” Scottish documentary pioneer John Grierson first coined the term documentary in 1926; he describes documentary as a “creative treatment of actuality.” Before you set off on your docume…
Narrative Style and Elements
- Now that we have a better understanding of some core documentary elements, such as story and modes of production, we can start the preproduction process. We want to consider your narrative style and the important aesthetic elements that will make your documentary film stand out. What you can do with your narrative style and elements greatly depends on your budget and what pro…
The Process and Collecting Assets
- Each filmmaker has their process and way of doing things, but if I were to give you a quick breakdown of my documentary filmmaking process, it would look something like this. First, I would come up with an idea of a story I would like to share. It could be about a character I find interesting or a timely story that I have unique access to. Next, I would find someone to back th…
Editing
- The edit is truly where the picture will come together. The way I like to organize the edit is first to back up all of the media collected on an external hard drive and put it some place safe. Please do not skip this step. Next, import all of the media collected during production into the digital editor. I use Final Pro and skim through the footage to get a feel for what’s available and what might nee…
Distribution
- Once your documentary film is completed and ready to be distributed, it’s time to consider a distribution path. For some, this might mean entering a film festival and premiering your doc for your friends and family. For others, it might mean uploading it to YouTube and sharing it on their Facebook page. For some it means handing your film over to an aggregator who makes licensin…
The Bottom Line
- The bottom line is this; making a documentary film is not for the faint of heart. I will leave you with a quote by the legendary doc filmmaking icon Werner Herzog: “Get used to the bear behind you!” If you can be comfortable with being uncomfortable, then maybe you to can get your documentary film made!