how to put together a film treatment

1. Decide on a Title. Begin your film treatment by stating the title of the screenplay. ...
2. Write a Logline. Next comes the logline, which is just one or two sentences long but has the power to make a big impact.
3. Summarize the Plot. After you’ve condensed the concept into the logline, you can unpack it in a longer plot summary. ...
4. Describe the Characters. Next, introduce the reader to your main characters. Rather than focusing on actions, highlight character motivations, and explain why they do what they do.
5. Use the Three-Act Structure. Outline the plot using a standard three-act structure. Divide the story into the setup, the confrontation, and the resolution.
6. Wrap Up the Story. Finally, conclude the story and provide a resolution. Mention what the characters learn and how they’ve developed throughout the screenplay.

Full Answer

What are the parts of a film treatment?

In this format, they divided up their treatment into sections including Concept, Theme, Characters, and Synopsis. This lets the reader pick and choose what they want to read, while giving a very direct feel for their vision. You can dig up many more film treatment examples (in PDF and HTML) to reference more examples that might help you.

How do you write a film treatment?

This treatment starts with breakdowns of the main characters before jumping into a scene-by-scene summary of the story, including key sequences and set pieces. It's written in a conversational prose-screenplay hybrid style, with semi-scene headers for new locations.

What makes a good film treatment?

A thorough story and structure roadmap that previews for others any major revisions that a screenwriter (or screenwriters) will make before starting on a rewrite. Think of a film treatment as an engaging document that sets up your movie. They capture the big moments and tone, but very rarely ​contain any of your clever dialogue.

What are some good examples of film script treatments?

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.

How do you write a one page film treatment?

Write a short paragraph, under 100 words, for each section of the story. (The paragraphs don't have to all be the same length -- that's just a ballpark.) Try to not get distracted by subplots and minor characters. Stick to what the main character is doing.

How do you write a Theatre treatment?

Treatments should read like a short story and be written in the third person, present tense. It should present the entire story including the ending. Do not write in screenplay form unless necessary to present key scenes and dialogue from the screenplay it is based on.

How many pages should a film treatment be?

between five and ten pagesA film treatment should be fall between five and ten pages, twenty max. There are extreme examples where people argue they can be 60 to 70 pages (James Cameron is notorious for long-winded treatments), but as a rule of thumb, less is more. In fact, some executives and producers ask for a one-pager.

How do you write a documentary treatment example?

How to Write a Documentary TreatmentLog Line. A log line is a two- to three-sentence summary of the film. ... Narrative Synopsis. Your narrative synopsis starts to break down the themes and story arcs of your film — in depth. ... Key Characters. ... Director's Statement. ... Status of the Film.

How are characters introduced in a film treatment?

Often, screenwriters will begin with the character description before the formal introduction, and this can be done either with dialogue from a previous scene, or through action in the lines running up to the intro. An urbane man in his late 30's enters the room.

How much do film treatments sell for?

If you sell an idea or a storyline, you can expect to get $5,000 on the front-end and about $20,000 on the back-end if the movie gets produced. If you sell a treatment, you should expect around $15,000 on the front end and $30,000 on the back-end.

What does a film treatment consist of?

A film treatment (or film script treatment) is a multi-page, detailed synopsis of your film or visual project. It contains all the key elements of your film, like important scenes, main characters, and crucial plot points. And it's written in prose, not as a script.

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.

Can you sell a movie treatment?

Can You Sell a Screenplay Idea? No, generally producers don't listen and buy movie ideas because of legal reasons and you cannot copywrite an idea. But if your idea has some type of influence such as a famous actor, producer or intellectual property attached with a film treatment then yes.

How do you make a video treatment?

1:214:38How To Write Music Video Treatments! - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd video treatment you want them to stand out and immediately. Let the artist or the person knowMoreAnd video treatment you want them to stand out and immediately. Let the artist or the person know what the video is going to look like if.

How do you write a director's treatment?

A director's treatment consists of the vision for the story, visual style, soundtrack, and characters, while communicating important scenes, story plots, and sequences to evoke a specific tone.

How do you write a documentary treatment and a documentary proposal?

4 Tips for Writing a Documentary ProposalBe as thorough as possible. This isn't a time to be general. ... Be realistic with your film budget. Along with a documentary treatment, you also need to develop a realistic budget for your film. ... Determine your fundraising strategy. ... Stay confident in your project.

What is a film treatment?

A film treatment (or film script treatment) is a multi-page, detailed synopsis of your film or visual project. It contains all the key elements of your film, like important scenes, main characters, and crucial plot points. And it’s written in prose, not as a script.

Why is script treatment important?

They’re a vital part of the development process, helping you to stress-test your story idea before writing a draft screenplay. Another benefit of writing a script treatment is that it helps you to pin down the tone of your movie or TV show.

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 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.

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, ...

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 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:

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 ...

Who is the best actress to have a masterclass on filmmaking?

No one knows this better than Jodie Foster . In Jodie Foster ’s MasterClass on filmmaking, the two-time Oscar-winner talks about her experience on both sides of the camera and reveals insights into every step of the filmmaking process, from storyboarding to casting and camera coverage.

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 is a scriptment in a movie?

A scriptment is a combination of a film treatment and a screenplay. It uses the main elements of a film treatment to tell the story, and it also includes select screenplay components like scene headings and dialog. Although a scriptment has more detail than a film treatment, it’s much shorter than a screenplay.

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 ...

How to convey emotion in a movie?

Convey emotion: Include major moments of fear, surprise, happiness, and other emotions and convey the emotional arc of the story. Start with the first and end with the last: All scenes from your screenplay won’t make it into the film treatment, but it should include the first and last scenes.

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 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.

What does treatment mean in a movie?

A treatment gives you a glimpse of what your film could look like as a whole. It means producers and directors can get to grips a lot faster with your film than having to read a 90-120 page script.

How many pages are in a treatment?

Importantly, it’s written in present tense and describes events as they happen. A treatment has no set length but on average a detailed one is around 20 pages .

Why do we need a treatment?

Why do you need a Treatment? As a writer it’s a good idea to give your ideas a dry run. A treatment provides the opportunity to do this. A lot of film treatments might not get seen by anyone other than the writer, but they’re a good way to actually look at your story on paper before you cement it into a screenplay.

Is a treatment a literary document?

So many writers see a treatment as just a document but it is a literary document. It should be enjoyable to read and you should be able to see the movie play out as it will do on the screen. If you can make someone enjoy reading a treatment, it will make them want to read more. 3.

Can a screenplay be written like a TV show?

Not all screenplays are written like this. If you’re writing a TV show, particularly if it includes an outline of a series, a treatment will not look like this. However, a lot of the structural ideas you can adapt to fit the needs of your screenplay.

Who wrote the Terminator?

The Terminator by James Cameron (this one is famously very long). Star Wars, or as it was known in the development process The Star Wars by George Lucas (this treatment is surprisingly different from the final product). The Mask of Zorro by Ted Elliot and Terry Russo (Pirates of the Carribean).

Is there a way to go about writing treatments?

There isn’t one surefire way to go about writing treatments that is recognised as standard. This allows the writer to be creative in how they approach their film treatment. Whatever your outlook, the best treatments tend to have a strong structure.

Film Treatment Vs Spec Script

A film treatment and spec script often make confusion for writers as they both serve the same purpose of getting a clear view of the screenplay. A treatment is written before you start writing your screenplay and it is a detailed summary of the characters and the events in your film.

How Long Should a Treatment Be?

The length of the treatment depends on you as the writer. Because there are no set rules for the length of a film treatment. You can choose to write a film treatment as short as one page and as long as 20 pages or even more.

Elements of a Treatment

Well, there are no set rules for what you should or you should not include in a film treatment. So, it is totally up to the writer that what they consider as important to include in their film treatment. Generally, a film treatment has:

Finally, Write a Treatment

Now that you know what is a film treatment, why you need a film treatment, its length, and what you should include inside a film treatment, you are ready to start writing your film treatment. So, follow the easy steps below and let us know in the comments if you have any doubts.

Step 1: Start with Your Title

The first thing you need to do is to give your film treatment a title. The title should be something that summarizes the story within a few words. It can be associated with the name of the main character “The Man in the Hospital” or the setting “The Maze by the Sea”. The title can also be metaphoric. For instance, Voes of the hunted city.

Step 2: Make Your Logline

A logline of treatment is a single sentence or sometimes two that is able to capture the essence of the movie. For instance, in your logline, you can say who the protagonist is and how they are against the world in your movie. It should be powerful enough to capture the attention of the reader and make them read your whole film treatment.

Step 3: Summarize the Story Idea

After composing your logline, you can summarize the concept of your film. In this section, you have a chance to expand your logline and give a brief overview of your story and its background. However, you should not tell the entire story yet. So, just keep it brief and minimal.

What is a treatment in writing?

What Is a Treatment? Before we get to how to write a treatment, it’s crucial to understand what it is 1. In fact, a treatment has a lot in common with a script. For one, the goal with each is to tell a story. Two, like a screenplay, a treatment is written in present tense.

Why should writers know how to write a treatment?

Another reason Writers should know how to write a treatment is so they’re ready to submit it for contests and fellowships. Especially over the last several years, competitions of all kinds have become a popular way for Screenwriters to get their work noticed. For some, all that’s required is the script itself.

Why is it important to write a treatment?

In treatment form, it’s easier to see how the whole story comes together, solve potential story problems, and get a feel for the emotional arc of the story.

Can you start a screenplay with notes?

Just like any other type of writing, it’s entirely possible that someone may simply want to take a seat at their computer and begin. But as with a screenplay, a little preparation never hurts. That’s why some Writers may decide to start with note cards, beat sheets or even an outline before writing their treatment.

Can you change the treatment of a script?

The treatment can and will change once you start writing the script. You must be open to change during the writing process, as you’ll discover new things you like, and some things you planned won’t work out.”. When it comes to treatments, “always be prepared” is a handy motto to keep in mind.

Can a writer put pen to paper?

If a Writer can’t put pen to paper—or fingers to keyboard—and describe the script’s characters and explain its story trajectory in prose form, odds are they won’t do much better in screenplay format. So in many regards, a treatment can be used as a training ground for making sure the story is structurally sound.

Is there a way to polish a treatment?

There’s no one way to polish a treatment outside of recognizing that a first draft should never be the draft sent out for submission. Screenwriter Steven Vivell emphasizes the importance of working and reworking a treatment, “You want the story you love the most. . ..

Why is film treatment important?

One of the main functions of a film treatment for a writer is to help identify major problems in their story. Because a movie treatment should be concise yet cover the entirety of a story , it is great at revealing major flaws in a narrative.

What are the elements of a treatment?

What are the key elements of a treatment? 1 Title 2 Name and contact information 3 Logline 4 Key characters 5 Summary of the story 6 Conveys themes and tone

What is the prewriting phase of a screenplay?

The pre-writing phase of a screenplay is essential to many writers and a fundamental device used is the film treatment. A treatment is utilized for various reasons and can be a key component to developing the seeds of an idea.

Why is it important to get a producer to read a script?

For this reason, they’re also great at providing shorter reads to gain and gauge interest in a story.

Why do we write treatment?

Reasons to write a film treatment. As a writer, there are various reasons why you might want to write a film treatment. The first reason would be to create a detailed summary of a film or television show that serves as a shareable plan for the screenwriter’s unwritten screenplay. This is great to gauge the interest in an idea before dedicating time ...

Why is it important to write a treatment?

Writing a treatment is a great way to get your ideas and story down on paper and have something physical to present. It is also effective at gauging your interest in the story and whether or not it has the potential to become a full screenplay.

Can you skip a movie treatment?

If you do fall under the category of writers who choose to skip writing a film treatment, be open to the idea of writing one if you hit any roadblocks when writing your full script. Like Dr. Ken Atchity says, movie treatments can be more than just a marketing and pitching device. They can also serve as a diagnostic tool for your story.

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...

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How to Write A Film Treatment

Film Treatment Examples