How To Write A Screenplay Treatment

Generally speaking, a film's treatment is similar to that of an overview or synopsis of the film idea. It usually ranges from 8 to 15 pages and includes all the important conceptual elements, structured in 3-5 acts, each with a beginning, middle and end. When you submit your script, your treatment will often be the first document to be glanced over. If the main concept is enjoyable and your treatment is well written maybe, just maybe, your script will make it into the hands of the "professional script reader". This is an important element of screenwriting which you should know about. When you submit your script to producers, you will not be submitting your scripts to the major decision makers first. Your script will first have to pass through a filter that these large production companies have put in place. 

A film treatment states how the audience will experience the film. It's important to write treatments in an active voice and avoid the use of hyperbole (such as "this unique film will explore" etc). When writing treatments you want your audience to be able to visualize your film. You will want to write in present tense and provide an overview of the characters, locations and details of the film. You can write your treatment creatively. The purpose of a treatment is to allow your audience to smell, taste and experience your environment. Reading a treatment (second only to reading a full script) is the closest written equivalent to the look of your film.

That being said, it's important to leave out technical information. In a script you may include camera information if necessary (movement etc), but in a treatment you'll want to keep it limited to non-technical information.

Similarly, you won't want your treatment to have an editorial tone. Again, it's important to stress that you need to avoid editorial writing when writing treatments and instead speak in an active and present voice. Similarly, you should avoid using words and phrases like

"Next we see" - Don't start sentences with "we see". Tell the audience what they see without introducing your sentence with "we see".

Try to avoid passive words such as: Should, will, might and maybe.

Passive words evoke less emotion and take the audience out of the story. Feel free to use dialogue snippets, descriptions of the environment and characters. Essentially use any non-technical element that helps you paint as colourful of a picture as possible.

A treatment helps investors visualize your idea in a personal manner. Treatments don't have a "business feel" to them. They sound dramatic, personal and honest.

Good luck!

Up at 4 - Cock-a-doddle-do!

I am not overly fond of keeping rooster's hours, but this phenomenon continues to happen on a regular basis, and why I find the need to sit up, grab my laptop and come online is also a mystery. Nothing like further stimulating my brain!

Anyway, this is a new blog.  I already have four others that I can't begin to keep  up with, so what the heck am I doing with another one?  I have no clue.  At any rate, here I sit in the dark, all alone on my bed typing away! 

I am a professional writer, and while screenwriting is definitely my passion, it is not the only kind of writing I do.  Truthfully, I feel a bit like Virginia Woolf.  She was labeled a bit of a writing whore, because of the various genres that she wrote in, and that would definitely be me! 
 
Perhaps I should use this quiet moment to work on one of my screenplays, or perhaps I should attempt to go back to sleep...  I could sit here and wait for inspiration...

However...

I'm not feeling it... Jack London says, "You can't wait for inspiration, you have to go after it with a club."  I definitely don't have the energy for that, soooooo...



I am going to go back to sleep!


...to be continued...