In the previous series, we explored how to write a successful Series Bible. But what if you don’t need that much detail to pitch your script or screenplay? What do you do then?
Enter the treatment.
What Is a Treatment
A treatment is a summary of your script or screenplay idea. They are used for a variety of purposes, but mostly to pitch an idea and approach for a film or video. Writers typically use treatments for corporate work, influencer scripts, YouTubers, documentary films, short runs, and other quick pitches. They are the fastest way to convey your idea for visual or audio formats.
Treatments are sometimes used in place of a Series Pitch Bible, but not usually for longer formats, such as feature films or television series. Though bibles are often mistakenly called treatments, they are a different beast.
Treatments are more like a detailed outline of what will be included in the script and how it will be filmed. It combines story with production details and is created by both the writer and producer, in most cases. Sometimes the director or director of photography (DP) will take part, depending on the project and level of production required.
Treatments precede scripts and are intended to be used in two ways:
First: To test the approach in both story and production plan. This gives the client a chance to review what you are proposing and make adjustments before crews are hired and scripts are written. Treatments are used to clarify the details and save time and money.
Second: To serve as both an outline and structure for the upcoming script. They act as a preliminary shooting outline so the production team can start planning, hiring crews, obtaining permits, arrange travel, etc. It allows the project to begin before there’s a finalized script in place.
What Do Treatments Include
Treatments typically run one to five pages at most. They don’t try to do it all, but they do include the following:
- The Need: When you are writing a treatment to get work, it helps to include what is being asked for, in other words, restate the statement of work. You want to make sure the client knows you understand the parameters of the project and ensure those parameters have not changed since the RFP was released.
- The Audience: The first thing you need to know to write anything is who the piece is for? Who’s the intended audience? Start by identifying this group. Knowing the audience will orient the reader and inform the approach to follow.
- The Estimated Length or Format: State how long the finished project will be. Are you writing a script for a 10-minute YouTube video or a two-hour documentary film? Will it be presented as a single entity or be broken into parts?
- The Primary Objective: What is the point of the script? What are you trying to convey? Why is this script needed? What will it accomplish? Knowing the motivation for the script helps direct everything from camera angles to tone to length.
- Key Components: What will the final project include? Do you plan to highlight certain points? Include those here. Are you going to show something in particular? Add it. This is the place to include all those key things that will be part of the final script. Think of it as a broad outline in bullet points that will guide your script structure and define key points for the production team to begin work.
- Story Length: This is an optional category. I include it when I think the story exceeds the estimated time frame I’ve been given by the client. It is a way to alert them to how much they are trying to include in a short time frame. For example, if a client wants to include 10 interviews in a 3 minute video that is a problem. I break down how long each person would get in that scenario after a brief introduction and conclusion. It’s not enough time for anyone to make an impact.
- Film or Video Theme: This is another optional category that is helpful if the script will be built around a specific theme that will inform everything that is included. If something does not support the theme, it should be cut, especially in shorter run times.
- The Production Process: Use this section to describe how the production process will proceed. This is helpful for longer shoots and more complicated productions involving multiple locations and setups. If you are planning a single setup in a single location, this section is likely not needed.
- Film or Video Treatment: This serves as the heart of the treatment. It is where you provide a summary of what you plan to both write and show (unless you are doing an audio script where you would swap visuals with sound design elements). Depending on the length of the script, you might want to start the treatment section with an overview of the project and then break down each section. If the timing is tight, provide a time estimate for each section. This helps clients visualize how much information is being provided in a set time frame.
- The Breakdown: If you are writing a script that is segmented, you may want to break down each segment individually with more details to clearly show your approach. This is another optional addition depending on the complexity of your script and project.
- The Conclusion: Include a wrap up at the end and you are finished.
Important Details to Keep in Mind
Write to the buyers. At their level. If they are not familiar with the film industry, spell things out. Avoid jargon. Use their language when possible.
Treatments are not contracts. They often follow contracts in client work. The client hires you to write the script (and produce it if you also do that), then you write the treatment to refine the ideas included in your proposal. If your pitch is speculative, then the treatment may come before the contract. In that case, be sure to complete a legal agreement to protect your time, effort, and rights before work begins.