- The title of your movie / show. This one’s pretty important.
- Your name and contact details. So if someone does want to make you a superstar, they know where to find you.
- Logline. Explain what your story’s about in a couple of lines.
- Explanation of act one. Where are we? What’s this movie about? Who are the main characters? What do they want? What’s the tone? What’s the setup?
- Explanation of act two. What pushes these characters to change? What’s the conflict? Where’s the story going?
- Explanation of act three. How does the story reach a resolution? What’s the climax?
- Final wrap-up. Where do we leave the characters? What happens at the very end? Is there an epilogue? Could there be a sequel?
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.
What should be included in a film treatment?
It should communicate all of the essential scenes, themes, and tone of the project to entice or pitch to buyers and producers into reading, developing, or even purchasing your idea. Film treatments are also referred to as story treatments, script treatments, and movie treatments.
How do you write a treatment for a screenplay?
Treatments are often written in present tense, in a narrative-like prose, and highlight the most important information about your film, including title, logline, story summary, and character descriptions. Treatments are a way for a writer to test out an idea before investing their creative energy fully into a new screenplay.
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.
What is an example of a treatment?
Treatment is the manner in which something or a disease is cared for or dealt with. An example of treatment is when someone is cared for very well. An example of treatment is when you are given antibiotics for your illness. The act, manner, or method of handling or dealing with someone or something.
What should you include in your script?
When script writing, your script, also known as a screenplay, should detail character dialogue, scene settings, and actions that take place throughout a film, TV show, or another visual story.
How do you write a proper 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 do you write dialogue in a film treatment?
The Seven Steps to Effective Treatment WritingWrite in the present tense. Like regulation screenplays, treatments are told in the present tense. ... Use traditional scene slugs. ... Tell the story, don't explain it. ... Be really detailed. ... Include the emotions. ... Describe the dialogue exchanged. ... Yes, even include some dialogue.
What are the four elements of a script?
The basic spine of any successful screenplay comes down to four key story elements: character, objective, obstacles, and theme.
How do you structure a script?
The classic structure is to divide a screenplay into three acts: the set-up, conflict, and resolution. Countless stories adhere to this format, and there's a reason why it has been the go-to structure for films pretty much since cinematography began.
How long is a script treatment?
three to thirty pagesThere's no “correct” length a script treatment/synopsis/outline should be either. It can be anywhere from three to thirty pages in length (or more), but most industry people suggest keeping them short and sweet.
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 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.
What does a script treatment look like?
A treatment is a document that presents the story idea of your film before writing the entire script. Treatments are often written in present tense, in a narrative-like prose, and highlight the most important information about your film, including title, logline, story summary, and character descriptions.
Does a film treatment have dialogue?
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. The intended audience for your treatment can include producers, executives, directors, and actors you want to attract to your film.
How long should a short film treatment be?
In essence, your treatment needs to be short enough to be snappy and engaging, but long enough to cover all the plot points and sell the story. If you're writing without a specific audience in mind, then a ten-page document is a sensible length for a film or series treatment.