Making A Movie
August 6, 2010
Writing A Script Treatment
Writing a movie script treatment is a very necessary step. If your main movie script is already finished, you should write a short excerpt from your work. Most movie producers and movie studios write the script treatment first before getting their hands on the script itself. And maybe they're right to do so given that they work with tons of info and they just can't read all 90-300 pages of each and every submitted script.
Your script treatment will be a short outline of your story, but don't confuse the outline with storytelling. You shouldn't mention every dialog and event - just the main line.
Paranoia? Or Reality?
Before you publish your script treatment, register it at the Copyright Office, especially if you feel that your script is original. Plot theft is not a common occurrence, nevertheless, it happens. And it happened to me, so you better protect all your plots, especially if the script is not yet ready. Many writers prepare the plot, firstly, and then write the script itself. Protect your work beforehand. And this is aint paranoia, it's reality!
Regarding the treatment requirements, there are no formal forms and limits, but I think it's better to stick with 4-5 pages maximum. If it amounts to 20-25 pages, it's good too, but as I said before, not everyone will read the whole story.
I use the following four steps to create my treatments:
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Intro
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Hook(s)
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Main events
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The upshot (ending)
Of course, it depends on your script structure. You can use your own style; be original.
In your treatment, you should zip all your main moments and try to show the development of the plot. Try to gradually reveal your characters and their nature. Mention all hooks and maybe new methods of storytelling and realization. If you're going to direct your movie as well, mention your vision of a technique you'll use in your movie. Will it be an Art Noir or Goth style, or something new?
It's not important to include dialogs and scene numbers, just make your treatment a laconic description.