TREATMENT WRITING EMS3O w/ Mr. Richards

What is a treatment?

Treatments are used in the film industry as a sales tool

Directors don’t have time to read full scripts, so the treatment must capture their attention

Therefore, your treatment is a flashy summary of your entire script

You want to attract the reader to the story while focusing on the highlights

It will also be used as a road map for your script, and will guide you along the development of your film

How to write a treatment?

Use the PRESENT tense!

2 pages (typed) maximum (12 point font)

Be descriptive! That means use adjectives. If your protagonist is a 16-year-old girl. Tell me that she’s an over-achieving, stressed-out, 16 year-old girl with trust issues. Isn’t that more interesting?

Follow the Three Act Structure – see next slide

The Three Act Structure

Act 1 – The situation, the conflict and the characters are introduced. In a documentary, you want to provide background information here on the topic.

Act 2 – The conflict is developed further and the plot approaches the climax. In a documentary, this is where the audience is faced with the severity of the issue.

Act 3 – The conflict reaches the climax and is then resolved. In a documentary, this will likely be your call to action; this is where you provide the answer or potential solution to the conflict.

Please also include:A time outline estimating minutes spent on each section (keep in mind depending on number of group members this could vary the length significantly, so you should prioritize)

A list of who will be filmed/interviewed (documentary) or list of characters (short film)

A list of events or situations that will be filmed (documentary) or filming locations (short film)

A list of potential open-ended questions for interviewees and the expected answers (documentary)

The resulting film should be assumed to be at least three to four minutes in length per group member, as each group member will be responsible for the scripting and editing of at least that much screen time.

Good Luck!

Don’t waste any time. After you’ve received a proposal “thumbs up” from me, get started right away on your treatment.

Things are going to start to move quickly, so don’t fall behind!

Pay attention to your due dates and submit your work on time.

The treatment is the next step in bringing your creativity to life – have fun with it, challenge yourself and start something you’ll be proud of!