Full Answer
What is a film treatment?
Let's learn how to write a treatment! What is a film treatment, and how do you write one? It's a multi-page document written in prose, that tells the story that happens in your screenplay. It is a synopsis, with action, sparse dialogue, and works as a roadmap for the reader, producer, and writer.
What are your favourite film treatment examples?
Our favourite film treatment examples 1 The Circle, TV show, by John August 2 Spider-Man, film (not made), by James Cameron 3 Terminator, film, by James Cameron More ...
How do you write a film treatment template?
Well, Elliott and Rossio include more film treatment examples to show different formats they use. Again, there’s no set way to do it, so format your film treatment template to the demands of your story. For example, their film treatment for Godzilla (1998) includes headings for locations and big events.
What not to include in a film treatment?
What not to include in a film treatment? 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:
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 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 documentary treatment example?
Tips for writing a documentary treatmentUse 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 character description for film treatment?
How to write great character descriptionsStart with the basics: Name and age formatting. Always format a CHARACTER'S NAME IN ALL CAPS. ... Choose physical descriptions that foreshadow their character type. ... Use a single sentence that defines character traits.
What is film treatment?
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.
What is video treatment?
What's a Video Treatment? A video treatment is your best effort in defining your project, presenting a clear synopsis of your story, developing your production and organizing its purpose. It is often the first and only chance you have in presenting a commercial project – making a pitch.
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 included in a treatment for a documentary?
Documentary treatments are between two and ten pages and help you summarize the essentials of your project: the budget, the topic, who's involved, where filming takes place, and more. It's meant to give investors, collaborators, and others a window into your perspective.
What is a creative treatment in documentary?
A DOCUMENTARY MUST INCLUDE. NARRATIVE TENSION. ENGAGING CHARACTERS. SOMETHING TO SAY ABOUT THE HUMAN CONDITION.
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.
What is the difference between a synopsis and a treatment?
Treatments Are Longer Than Synopses Remember, a synopsis is a short but succinct description of your plot, main characters, and fictional world. It tells the whole story from beginning to end but in a breezy, brief, easy-to-read sort of way. Treatments give you more room to write, so they're naturally longer.
How can a film treatment help with the script writing process?
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.
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.
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 ...
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.
Why do screenwriters develop film treatments?
Screenwriters generally develop film treatments before writing the screenplay. That’s because film treatments are ideal for working out ideas and narratives before investing time and energy in the screenplay.
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.
What to say in a screenplay conclusion?
Finally, conclude the story and provide a resolution. Mention what the characters learn and how they’ve developed throughout the screenplay. You can also hint at what the future holds for this fictional world.
What is treatment in acting?
Treatments are where I explore ideas in greater depth. It’s where I feel free to make mistakes, to find out what happens in Act II, and to nail my opening and closing scenes.
Why do you need a script treatment for your film?
Screenwriters find treatments are beneficial when it comes to shopping the work around town.
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.
Why do you write a script after treatment?
As you know, the best reason to write a script after the treatment process is that someone is paying you to do it!
What is treatment in a project?
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.
How many pages are in a treatment script?
While a script can be 80-120 pages, your treatment’s length will vary.
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.
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.
Why do writers need to have a strong treatment?
This is because they should reflect the strong structure of the screenplay, showing you’ve thought out how your idea will translate into script and screen form.
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 .
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 interprets a screenplay?
Like with the screenplay itself, you’re writing all of this to be interpreted by directors, producers and actors.
Do writers write for actors?
There’s a tendency for writers to write parts for specific actors. Unless you have that actor actually on-board for the project, do not do this.
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.
What is a behind the scenes reference?
A behind-the-scenes reference for the screenwriter (or screenwriters) to guide and give a framework to the full script being written.
How many pages should a movie treatment be?
If you’re writing without anyone specific in mind, try to keep a series or film treatment under ten pages, single spaced.
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
Where to craft treatment?
So keep the driving story and the arcs of the main characters front and center. A good place to craft your treatment is within screenwriting software. Why? You'll want to eventually convert your story into a professional script format and syncs with production software.
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 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 do screenwriters use treatments?
In filmmaking, lots of screenwriters find treatments to be a useful marketing tool when they’re trying to sell their work to Hollywood bigwigs. They’re a vital part of the development process, helping you to stress-test your story idea before writing a draft screenplay.
How long should a treatment be?
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. If you’re writing your treatment for someone specific – like a reader at a production company – then screenwriter John August suggests asking them exactly what they’re looking for. Sometimes readers have a certain page count (i.e. level of detail) in mind.
Is there a way to write a treatment?
As Terry Rossio says, “There is no way to write an effective treatment… yet there are effective techniques that should be used to write them.” Once you’ve cracked the art of writing treatments, you’ll have something you can use in a bunch of different scenarios.
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)
What can you do with a treatment form?
By mastering the treatment form, you can also get hired, sell your idea quickly, and showcase the most important asset of all: your talent.
What are the components of treatment?
Components: Treatments usually start with a logline, a list of the main characters, before a scene-by-scene summary or Act sequence breakdown. Again, do whatever to tell your story so your reader doesn’t have to leap over hurdles to understand you. Clarity is key.
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).
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.
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!
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 their character development 6. …
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...
What Are Film Treatments?
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. You can see the shape and structure of the story and whether tonally all the beats fit together. A treatment gives …
Read Some Film Treatments!
- They say if you’re going to copy, copy from the best. Now, obviously, do not go about pinching people’s ideas, but there’s no harm in reading some famous film treatments. By doing this you’ll see how professionals write and structure their work. The more you read, the more patterns you’ll start to pick up, developing your understanding of how treatments are written. Think of your favo…
Structuring Film 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. This is because they should reflect the strong structure of the screenplay, showing you’ve thought out how your idea will translate into script a…
How to Make Your Film Treatments Engaging
- So you’re finally here. You think you understand how a film treatment should look. Below are some ideas on how to make your treatment an engaging read for producers, directors or anyone in the development process. If you can make your treatment engaging, you can potentially sell someone on your story. So what are some Do’s and Don’ts of writing film treatments?
Film Treatment Dos
- 1. Keep it simple
A script is always better if everyone involved in making it can understand it. You will be writing this to (hopefully) be shown to various important key creatives, and they need to get it. 1. What makes sense in your head doesn’t necessarily make sense when written out, especially if you go about … - 2. Hit the big emotions
In line with keeping your writing simple, make sure you are exploring the maximum emotional range of your story. In the treatment, make the highs incredibly high and the lows crushingly devastating. It’s so much easier to tone something back than to add more emotion into somethi…
Film Treatment Don’ts
- 1. Cast and don’t get too specific
There’s a tendency for writers to write parts for specific actors. Unless you have that actor actually on-board for the project, do not do this. You don’t know if you can get Leonardo DiCaprio, he’s a busy man. If your whole character relies on Leo’s abilities (or someone like him) and they … - 2. Ruin a twist
You want the reader to experience the movie on the page. Therefore, if your movie has a twist in it, your reader should discover it at the point in the movie where the audience would. If the reader experiences the release of information the same way an audience would, hopefully it will make t…
in Conclusion…
- This may all seem laborious, but if the idea is good it can survive all the different forms it has to take to eventually make it on to screen. Much of climbing up in the industry is about selling, and the film treatment provides a dynamic and engaging way to sell your idea. 1. What did you think of this article? Share It, Like It, give it a rating, and let us know your thoughts in the comments box f…