Treatment FAQ

what is treatment documentary

by Marco Becker Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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The documentary treatment The documentary treatment, like the drama treatment, tells the story of the film as you plan to have the audience experience it, either stating or implying the style in which it will be treated/told.

Full Answer

What is a film treatment for a documentary?

Your film treatment is a narrative summary of your documentary films story and characters. It is written in a similar way to a script and has a high level of detail, description and strong visual and emotive energy. The purpose of your film treatment is for the reader to be intrigued, interested and excited about your film.

What is a well-written documentary treatment?

Well-written documentary treatments give these people a reason to get involved. You can add more sections based on who you plan to share the treatment with. For example, include a distribution plan if you’re presenting to investors. Use your documentary treatment as a tool to help manage the production process as the story evolves.

What is a treatment?

Often, a treatment is a living document that you alter as necessary — for example, different grant programs or funding outlets require different information. The following are the key components of an effective treatment.

Can transcription help you manage your documentary treatment?

The good news is transcription can help you manage writing your documentary treatment. What is a documentary treatment? 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.

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What is a treatment in documentary?

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.

How do you write a documentary treatment?

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.

What is a treatment in screenwriting?

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 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 long is a treatment for a documentary?

between two and ten pagesDocumentary 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.

What is a treatment proposal?

Treatment Proposal means the written document submitted by Provider that includes: treatment options with benefits and implications, an outline of the procedures to be used and a description of the condition they are intended to correct, an estimate of the time that will be required to complete the treatment, and a ...

What is the difference between a screenplay and a treatment?

Typically a treatment is a much longer and more detailed description of the screenplay than a synopsis. Treatments are often written before the script is written as a guide for the screenwriter and producer so that the screenwriter doesn't waste time writing a draft that the producer isn't going to like.

What is a 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 is a treatment in television?

A treatment consists of a written condensation of a proposed film or TV dramatic production. It covers the basic ideas and issues of the production as well as the main characters, locations, and story angles. In part, its purpose is to sell the proposal to financial backers and major stars.

Is a treatment the same as an outline?

As you can see, outlines are all about organizing the core of each and every scene and moment within a screenplay — whereas treatments add additional layers using prose and longer paragraphs as you "tell" the whole, complete story to someone else.

What is a synopsis example?

Example of a Synopsis. Here's an example of a short synopsis of the story of Jack and Jill: Jack and Jill is the story of a boy and a girl who went up a hill together. They went to fetch a pail of water, but unfortunately, their plan is disrupted when Jack falls and hits his head, and rolls back down the hill.

What is difference between synopsis and logline?

The point of a synopsis is that the reader can visualize the story. Your logline is your elevator pitch, short and sweet – sparking interest. A synopsis is the next step, building anticipation. There are two different lengths of synopses.

Why is writing treatment important in filmmaking?

As such, a quality treatment improves your fundraising efforts and streamlines the filmmaking process.

What is treatment report?

In the simplest terms, a treatment is a detailed report that can inform potential investors or contributors about a project , including its budget, production timeline, and other processes. Often, a treatment is a living document that you alter as necessary — for example, different grant programs or funding outlets require different information.

What is a summary in a film grant?

These summaries are simple, one-paragraph breakdowns of the key characters and how they contribute to the story. You should highlight the details of each character and why you’re including them in the film.

What is a narrative synopsis?

Narrative Synopsis. Your narrative synopsis starts to break down the themes and story arcs of your film — in depth. It demonstrates the framework of your film, and this is where you’ll detail the progression of your story and characters. This is also where the reader can see your directorial vision.

What is a director's statement?

Some grant programs or other investors require a director’s statement detailing your passion for the project and why you want to share the story with the world. This is your opportunity to showcase why you’re the right person to make this film.

What is a documentary treatment?

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. External stakeholders will be more willing to invest or support your project in whatever way you need.

What are the stages of documentary production?

Documentary production can be broken into three main parts: early, mid, and end stages. Transcription plays a unique role during each stage of production.

What does a transcription do in a documentary?

Since filming has wrapped, transcription allows you to incorporate new information into your documentary and add updates to your treatment.

What is a logline in a documentary?

What’s in a documentary treatment: There are four main parts every treatment must include: The logline is two to three sentences that introduce the documentary. It needs to grab the reader’s attention, like an advertising tag line does. The logline can play up a mystery, be controversial, or share factual information.

How much does it cost to transcribe a documentary?

Transcription relieves the pressure of having to update your treatment. Simply record conversations and transcribe them for as little as $1.25 per minute to receive quality transcriptions. As your documentary evolves, you’re able to manage the process more efficiently. Transcription services work with you and are flexible enough to cater to your changing needs.

How long is the synopsis of Free Solo?

The synopsis for the documentary Free Solo is only five sentences long but it effectively explains who the filmmaker and photographer are. It also explains what the documentary is about, who the main subject is, and why their story is so unique.

What is treatment body?

The treatment body is generally a list of participants and details their journey, struggles, what makes these important. The body also outlines where interviews take place. For example, if your documentary is about the rise and fall of a public figure, the body explains which of the subject’s acquaintances will be interviewed.

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 is a documentary about?

A documentary is all about sharing a story that unearths the truth about a particular situation, scenario, or idea.

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.

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.

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.

What is a treatment in a film?

Writing a treatment can also really help you sharpen your own ideas and concept of your film. Your treatment should contain the following elements: - Synopsis – a short (1 paragraph) description of the broad themes of your project, and its place and time, as well as a short description of what happens in the film.

How many pages are treatment pages?

They are a succinct and descriptive way to get across the elements of your film to others. They are usually 1-2 pages and contain only the essential information about your project.

Writing a Documentary Treatment

1. Documentary & Non-Fiction Writing Dr. Evan Kropp University of Georgia TELE 3110 – Fall 2014 Note: The primary textbook for this course is Writing for Visual Media by Anthony Friedmann

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What is a treatment in film?

Treatments are extremely effective at saving time for both you as the writer and those reading the treatment. Learning how to write a film treatment is an essential skill for any writer looking to break through in the industry. Not every writer has time to write a full-fledged screenplay or pilot. 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.

What is the purpose of a movie treatment?

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.

Why are treatments important?

This is helpful to have when undertaking rewrites of a script or having other writers hop on board a project. For the writer, treatments also serve as a diagnostic tool that can help you identify problems in your story and work on them.

How effective is a treatment?

Not every writer has time to write a full-fledged screenplay or pilot. 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.

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.

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 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.

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!

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.

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What Is A Film Treatment?

  • Your film treatment is a narrative summary of your documentary films story and characters. It is written in a similar way to a script and has a high level of detail, description and strong visual and emotive energy. The purpose of your film treatment is for the reader to be intrigued, interested and excited about your film. To feel that this is a f...
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What Is Included in The Treatment?

  • To write your film treatment you will need to visually create, consider and arrange your films potential main scenes, characters, story structure, themes and other key aspects. Remember, you are sharing and describing the story of your film and the integral elements that will be within it. You will want to depict specific scenes and play them out in detail (including all sensory aspect…
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When to Write It?

  • Writing a strong treatment for your film project is an important step in the initial phase of making it. Once you’ve had your idea and done your research, writing a treatment is the next step to complete. Writing a treatment can be hard at first, but once you start to let the story and your imagination develop and awaken, you will have clairty and conviction in your project like never b…
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What Else Should I Know?

  • In terms of length, your film treatment can be anywhere from 4 to 10 pages. In terms of content, ensure that what you are presenting is realistic and factual. You want to create and describe an enticing story, but you must also remember that it is your intention to actually make it in real-life! Ensure you write your film treatment with conviction and assertive language. This is not the plac…
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