When formatting your documentary treatment, you should write it in the same way that you would write a present-tense short story. It needs to include the key plot points and give a flavour of the tone you’re shooting for, but it shouldn’t be overly stylised—like a novel, for example.
- Use the active voice and present tense. Tell the reader what they'll see and hear on the screen as the documentary unfolds, from beginning to end. ...
- Be specific. ...
- Use nontechnical language. ...
- Get your formatting right. ...
- Only describe what's seen and heard on camera.
How do you write a good pitch for a documentary?
Conclude your pitch by writing a paragraph about the conclusions that could be drawn from your documentary, and the reasons it could be very popular and well received. For example, audiences may flock to theaters to watch lovable sea otter pups at play, and could appreciate the often-treacherous lives they lead.
Do you need a pitch deck for a documentary?
It doesn’t matter whether you’re in the early stages of developing your documentary or you’re ready to start filming—you always need funding. (Even if you’ve met your mark, a little more never hurts.) And your pitch deck is one of the most important ways to secure it.
What should I avoid when pitching a documentary?
Don’t pitch your documentary without confirming access to the key people, places or events that will appear in your film. Without this access confirmed, or at least in negotiation, it's difficult for anyone to support the project financially, as there is a risk it may never be secured.
How do I pitch my film?
You're pitching to someone you want to invest or pay attention to your film, you need to be sure to pitch your entire story. Again, keep it short and sweet. Your aim is to intrigue your readers, not bore them to death.
How to format a documentary?
What are some similar terms to documentary treatments?
What is a documentary proposal?
Why is the writing process for documentary filmmaking different from a regular film or TV show?
How many pages should a documentary be?
Why do you need a documentary treatment?
How long is a synopsis?
See more
How do you write a documentary pitch?
How to Write a Documentary PitchSimplify your pitch. ... Choose a documentary subject, or if you've already researched one fully, start with a brief description, no more than a few sentences. ... Explain why you're qualified to write about your idea in the next paragraph. ... Explain the emotional elements of the project.More items...
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.
How do you write a treatment plan for a documentary?
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 do you pitch a documentary proposal?
Include details such as:Your target genre. Use this section to appeal to investors who have an interest in your documentary topic. ... Your documentary log line. This is the documentary's hook described in one sentence.Your budget needs. ... Your style inspiration. ... Your target audience. ... Time and resources needed.
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 is a film treatment or pitch?
A film treatment (also known as a story treatment) is a prose-based prewriting and marketing document that reads like a short story. It is generally used to pitch a film, television series, or adaptation.
How do you write a treatment for a video?
1:164:38How To Write Music Video Treatments! - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou want the artist in the the person that you're pitching to to get a visual. Idea of the idea youMoreYou want the artist in the the person that you're pitching to to get a visual. Idea of the idea you have for their video. So you want it to be very picture and visual heavy to get your ideas across.
How do you write a one page treatment?
Write a few notes to yourself about what your story is about. Go ahead and get philosophical. "It's about lies." "It's about how love can cure you." Your message can be cynical or positive, but be aware of what it is. You're going to have to cut out all kinds of important information to fit it into such a small pitch.
How do you write a short synopsis for a documentary?
How to format your synopsisWrite a header. At the top of the synopsis, write your script's title and state that it's a synopsis. ... Include your contact details. ... Write the logline. ... Introduce the main characters and setting. ... Summarize Act 1: The Setup. ... Summarize Act 2: The Conflict. ... Summarize Act 3: The Climax. ... Keep it brief.More items...•
Where can I pitch my documentary idea?
Cable television networks like the History Channel and National Geographic are always looking for new content, features, and series. If you can find a connection (it's not impossible, they're always looking for new pitches), these networks are great places to pitch documentary concepts and ideas.
How do you pitch a documentary to Netflix?
If you have an idea, game, script, screenplay, or production already in development that you'd like to pitch to Netflix, you must work through a licensed agent, producer, attorney, manager, or industry executive, as appropriate, who already has a relationship with Netflix.
How do you pitch a documentary to a network?
There are several ways to do this. You can attend film festivals and other filmmaking events where filmmakers can pitch their ideas to TV executives. Examples include the IFP market in New York, Hot Docs in Toronto, Westdoc in Los Angeles or IDFA in Amsterdam.
How do you write a documentary?
Here are 7 steps on how to write a documentary script:Finding the Story You're Meant to Tell. Why documentary? ... Research, Research, Research. ... Blueprint Your Documentary. ... Writing the Script. ... Compel Your Viewer. ... Declare Your Point Of View. ... Finesse Your Project.
What is the purpose of writing proposal for a documentary film?
A documentary proposal that works well has a very personal, unique vision of what you want the film to accomplish. The proposal shows how you plan to achieve that vision. It gives the commissioning editor an overview of what the film will entail.
What is a treatment for a movie?
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.
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...
How to Write a Film Treatment (Template and PDF downloads ...
In this article, we explore a simple and structured approach to write and complete a screenplay in less than 42 days (6 weeks). With key examples along the way, this article includes conceptualization, theme, character, plot, combining them all into an easy-to-follow outline, and lastly, actually finishing the screenplay.
21 Movie Treatments and Outlines That Every Screenwriter Should Read
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.
What to include in a pitch deck for a documentary?
Depending on the stage of development and production your documentary is in, your pitch deck may require even more information. If you’re in the early stages of development, include sales projections. If you’re in the late stages of production, include your marketing budget and a distribution plan that includes video on demand, filmfestivals, or streaming services.
How to talk about a documentary?
Talk about the overall vision for the documentary, why you think the film needs to be made, and how you hope audiences will respond. Include the director’s headshot and a list of their past credits.
How long does it take to follow up on a pitch?
Follow up within a week of sending your first email. This gets your pitch back to the top of the inbox and shows investors how serious you are; you’re not just pitching random investors and hoping something sticks. Adjust your email and pitch deck until you find a formula that works for you.
Why do you need a pitch deck?
The purpose of your pitch deck is to communicate the vision of your documentary—the ideas you’ll share in it and why they are important to your viewers. It helps investors understand the story you’re trying to tell. When done right, your pitch deck has the power to convince investors that your project is worth funding.
How to write a creative subject line?
Write a creative subject line. Describe what’s in the email, using only a few words. For example, “This Will Be the Best Million You’ve Spent” works better than “A New Pitch Deck to Consider.” Don’t mislead readers by promising something you don’t deliver in the email or pitch deck.
What do you need to put on a documentary cover?
The cover needs to tell the story in one captivating image. The right image will create the type of emotional response you want to conjure in your audience. For example, if your documentary is about worldwide droughts and food shortages, use images of barren, dry, cracked soil or a lone plant growing out of the ground. Striking images like these paint a clear picture for investors of what to expect in the documentary.
What should be included in a headshot for a book?
A headshot of your writer and their past experience, nominations, and awards should also be incorporated.
How to conclude a documentary pitch?
Conclude your pitch by writing a paragraph about the conclusions that could be drawn from your documentary, and the reasons it could be very popular and well received. For example, audiences may flock to theaters to watch lovable sea otter pups at play, and could appreciate the often-treacherous lives they lead.
How to write a documentary about a family?
Choose a documentary subject, or if you've already researched one fully, start with a brief description, no more than a few sentences. For example, you may know or have heard about a family who raises sea otters and then releases them into the ocean. Assuming you want to tackle this project, write about the family, what they do, where they are and the animals under their care.
How to pitch a documentary?
You have to capture the interest of people who don't have a lot of time on their hands and probably read pages like this every day. They want to see something short and to the point. Begin with your idea, and use paragraphs for each specific area for such things as location, talent, interest and experience.
What is documentary film?
The documentary film is a movie that documents some form of reality in order to tell a true story, whether it's to convey a message or to inform the viewer of a current event. Depending on the content, the documentary film can anger, shock or delight the audience.
Who is Paula Bogas?
Paula Bogas co-owns a research, writing and editing company. She has written countless grants, business plans, books, reports, ebooks and other documents. Bogas has coauthored five books and published a novel. She has been a writer for more than 25 years and holds a Master of Library Information Sciences.
When writing a documentary film treatment, do you use active voice?
Always use active voice when writing a documentary film treatment. You should also be in the present tense.
What is documentary treatment?
The documentary film treatment is essentially an outline of your script. It’s a non-technical breakdown of what the reader will see and hear as the story unfolds.
What should the summary wrap up explain?
The summary wrap up. This should explain what happens to the characters in the end, what happens with the story, and whether there is an epilogue.
What is a documentary about?
A documentary is all about sharing a story that unearths the truth about a particular situation, scenario, or idea.
Do you need to discuss elements of a documentary?
Don’t discuss elements that are not required. Your documentary treatment should only focus on what the audience will see on camera. Do not include a shooting script, camera directions, or details for a Director.
Why do documentary filmmakers pitch their work?
As a documentary filmmaker, at some point, you will find yourself pitching your work in order to get it funded, produced, finished or in front of an audience. Here are some key considerations when pitching.
Can you pitch a documentary without confirming?
Don’t pitch your documentary without confirming access to the key people, places or events that will appear in your film. Without this access confirmed, or at least in negotiation, it's difficult for anyone to support the project financially, as there is a risk it may never be secured.
Is it reductive to distill a story into a single sentence?
It can seem reductive to distill your story to a single sentence, but it is a useful asset to have for pitching in any environment. In person, regardless of whether you regurgitate the line, the process of having to condense your story will help you to communicate it succinctly.
The Difference Between a Documentary Film Proposal That Fails and One That Succeeds
To write a documentary proposal, you need to know your intended audience, the story structure of your film, and your financial requirements.
The the Most Important Factor in a Documentary Film Proposal
The difference between a successful and an unsuccessful documentary proposal lies in the controlling idea.
Be Brave With Controlling Ideas
Making a controlling idea really clear in your film proposal takes some work. And courage. After all, the most interesting controlling ideas are the ones that are the most controversial or the most difficult to prove.
The Connection Between an Outstanding Documentary Film and Its Proposal
An outstanding documentary is amazing because it shows you a world you thought you knew and shows you that you really didn’t know anything at all.
Getting the Emotional Connection in Your Documentary Proposal
It’s that emotional connection that makes the documentary special. You must be passionate, motivated, and feel that the documentary project will represent the truth.
This Story MUST Be Told – and Needs to Be Told NOW
In any documentary proposal, it’s important that you clearly state why your film needs to be made in the first few pages of your document and made NOW!
Build Tension and Conflict Into Your Film and Its Proposal
One of the most important points in a good documentary proposal that’s often forgotten is the role of tension and conflict in your story. Every film needs these ingredients to be successful.
What is the purpose of a tagline in a movie?
Think of a tagline. This should be a sentence (one line) that describes your film. It's purpose is to grab your reader's attention. Once you've thought of one, it'll be easier to expand on your story without writing too much. Your tagline may determine whether or not your reader will read on.
How to pitch a movie idea?
Pitch the idea to friends and family who don't know your plot and see if they understand your film. Also welcome their criticisms. Would they watch the film? Did you grab their attention? Then, ask them to replay or summarize your film back to you in their own words.
How to pitch a movie with a surprise ending?
If you have a surprise ending, include it. You're pitching to someone you want to invest or pay attention to your film, you need to be sure to pitch your entire story. Again, keep it short and sweet. Your aim is to intrigue your readers, not bore them to death.
What to do if your film isn't what the reader is looking for?
If your film isn't what the reader is looking for, you may not get the answer you expect. Prepare for negative feedback or no feedback. Although, this doesn't mean that another reader will feel the same way. Perseverance is important.
What do you include in a pitch?
Include your contact details if your pitch is voluntary. This includes your name, email address, and phone number. If it is appropriate, you can include an address or P.O. box to which that they can mail letters.
How to write a good pitch?
Avoid making your pitch too long. The general rule for writing and delivering a pitch is, "the shorter, the better." This also depends on who will be receiving the pitch. In some situations, a time/word/page limit is given. (If so, be sure not to exceed it!) Try to keep it down to a few sentences if possible. If you don't need to elaborate, don't.
What is the point of a pitch?
Writing a pitch is not as complicated as it seems. The whole point of a pitch is to 'sell' your idea. In this case, to sell your film. It's likely that the people you'll be pitching your idea to have other things to do, so you need to tell them why your film is worth their time and/or investment.
Start with a concept
There is no magic behind creating a concept for a story. For me, ideas pop in my head randomly when I am driving to the grocery store, while others have their ideas right before they fall asleep.
Characters and themes
Once you have a concept, the next step is to think of who this is happening to and why. Knowing who the central character of your concept is and dialing down on what events need to take place in the story, the inevitable ending will start to take shape.
Start drafting the structure of the story
After the who, what, and why—character, concept, and theme—of the story is nailed down, then it is time to start planning the beginning, middle, and end. These sections don’t have to go into too much detail.
Writing the treatment
When all the important points are built out with their whys and hows, then you can start writing your treatment. Treatments are typically a 12- to 18-page document with all of the important details written out.
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:
Why Do You Need a Film Treatment?
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, you reach a deeper understanding of how your story needs to be told on the screen.
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 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 ...
What is treatment in screenwriting?
A treatment is a narrative screenwriting tool that helps you explore ideas, flesh out various story possibilities, and develop your characters. 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 treatment and how do you write one?
A treatment is a multiple page document written in prose - much like a short story or a novel manuscript. Its purpose is to literally get everyone “on the same page” with your story, characters, and tone of what you aim to achieve with the full script (eventually).
SHOULD YOU WRITE A TREATMENT FOR FREE?
Check the practices in your country or the WGA. Most should compensate you for the work. Free work is never a good idea, but it may be necessary at times to develop that relationship with a producer or executive. Use treatments as an opportunity to work out your story, fix any problems, before sending it out.
DO YOU HAVE TREATMENT SAMPLES OR TEMPLATE?
You’ve come to the right place! Below is a word doc template as a starting point, along with other treatments from other known writers. Good luck!!!
What is script treatment?
A script treatment is a great tool for pitching - whether to use it as a skeleton for a presentation or to send after a pitch.
What is a prose form?
Prose form: Your story is written in prose form, similar to a novel or short story but with a script-like flourish. Don’t mistake it for a script. It’s a leaner, more direct animal. Script stylings but not too much: Treatments can include dialogue, shots, music, set-pieces, whatever you need. Just don’t go too extreme.
Why are treatment documents important?
Treatments are an effective way to streamline your writing process, organise your ideas from the get-go, and even seal business deals without a script. Yes, I said that last part correctly! A treatment document is sometimes deemed as more valuable than a full-fledged script — as many networks and producers see more value in developing ...
How many techniques are there in writing a horror script?
Here’s the ultimate guide to writing a horror script with 12 terrifying techniques! Includes detailed walkthroughs, script pdf downloads, and a FREE horror checklist with 8 more tips!
How to format a documentary?
When formatting your documentary treatment, you should write it in the same way that you would write a present-tense short story. It needs to include the key plot points and give a flavour of the tone you’re shooting for, but it shouldn’t be overly stylised—like a novel, for example.
What are some similar terms to documentary treatments?
When you start reading about documentary treatments, you’ll see a lot of similar terms. Namely: documentary proposal, documentary synopsis and documentary logline. While there’s a lot of overlap between these terms, it’s good to know the differences.
What is a documentary proposal?
A group of documents that detail your documentary project, including story synopsis, logline, documentary treatment, production team bios, budget and distribution plan. Potential funders might ask for your documentary proposal—it’s a bit like seeing a business plan.
Why is the writing process for documentary filmmaking different from a regular film or TV show?
Naturally, the writing process for documentary filmmaking is different to a regular film or TV show because there are a huge amount of unknowns. But if you follow this structure as closely as you can, you’ll be golden.
How many pages should a documentary be?
If you’re writing without a specific audience in mind, then a ten-page document is a good length for a documentary treatment. If you’re writing your treatment for someone specific—like a reader at a production company—then screenwriter John August suggests asking them what they’re looking for. Sometimes readers have a certain page count in mind.
Why do you need a documentary treatment?
You’ll need it to get potential investors, participants or supporters involved in your film. It explains your vision in word form, helping others to understand what you’re trying to create.
How long is a synopsis?
A synopsis varies in length from a couple of paragraphs to a few pages.
Step 1
- Simplify your pitch. A documentary film obviously covers a lot of information, and it might be hard to fit everything in one page. You have to capture the interest of people who don't have a lot of time on their hands and probably read pages like this every day. They want to see something short and to the point. Begin with your idea, and use paragr...
Step 2
- Choose a documentary subject, or if you've already researched one fully, start with a brief description, no more than a few sentences. For example, you may know or have heard about a family who raises sea otters and then releases them into the ocean. Assuming you want to tackle this project, write about the family, what they do, where they are and the animals under their care.
Step 3
- Explain why you're qualified to write about your idea in the next paragraph. In the case of the family caring for sea otters, you might want to talk about your experience working with these animals, or education you may have had in marine biology or veterinary science. Your qualifications are very important to the people reading your pitch. They want to know the projec…
Step 4
- Explain the emotional elements of the project. Using the sea otter scenario, you should decide if this film will be a heart-tugging drama about the plight of sea otters today, or a light-hearted, cuddly look at sea otters being playful as they're home-grown.
Step 5
- Decide if you want to use a narrator, and the celebrity voice you can arrange. If you have a pleasant enough voice, you could offer to call the action yourself. If you have some actors in mind that would like to appear in the film, you can list those as well.
Step 6
- Write a list of the technical equipment and other considerations that would be needed to film. Sea otters spend a great deal of time in water, so you might need extensive underwater camera equipment, for example.
Step 7
- Conclude your pitch by writing a paragraph about the conclusions that could be drawn from your documentary, and the reasons it could be very popular and well received. For example, audiences may flock to theaters to watch lovable sea otter pups at play, and could appreciate the often-treacherous lives they lead. This appreciation could then lead to global concern and outreach to …
Step 8
- Revise and edit your pitch once you have everything written down. No decent film professional will look twice at a documentary pitch filled with typographical errors or bad grammar.