Order the training programs reviewed in this video! Media Mentoring Program by Christina Nicholson: Information pdsp.us/mediamentoringprogram Order the Training: ruclips.net/video/qJTGE04XIn0/видео.html This a training course I'm affiliated with known as the Media Mentoring Program created by Christina Nicholson. She helps entrepreneurs reach tons of their ideal customers or clients through the power of media without spending big bucks on advertising. Some of the topics covered include building your personal brand by positioning you as an expert in your field, how to pitch the media, how to look and sound your best when your featured, how to create a one sheet, how to land paid speaking gigs, how to use social media to convert prospects, influencer marketing and more; Everything you need to get media exposure in the first two weeks. VIPs get even more personalized, one-on-one access with Christina and her team to accelerate your success. If you know how to take advantage of mainstream media, you can stand out from the competition because it’s not something everyone has access to. Best of all, unlike paid ads and sponsorships, you can gain lots of exposure and credibility to become the go to brand everyone talks about and wants to do business with without spending a fortune of advertising. Christina likes to say you can become your own media powerhouse. All you need to know is what to do and what not to do & before you know it, You’ll be getting more publicity than you can handle. By getting the Media Mentoring Program, you’ll learn exactly what to do so you will learn publicity and become an authority in your industry that will land you more traffic and visibility. ___________________________________________________ Love Editing? Want to get started using Adobe Premiere Pro CC but not certain how? I'm here to help. I've been a professional video producer and editor for over 3 decades & I've created a F-R-E-E shortcut guide for Premiere Pro listing hundreds of Keyboard, Panel & Application shortcuts. Click below to get your free copy! pdsp.us/adobepremiereprokeybo... If you're ready to start editing in Adobe Premiere Pro CC, I have a quick start training course to get you up and running in a couple of hours. Get your video editing training course here: pdsp.us/adobepremiereprotrain... Get your F-R-E-E DSLR & Mirrorless Camera Video Cheat Sheet here: pdsp.us/dslrvideocheatsheet ________________________________________________________ For more information on my video services, check out my website: jamesvcosta.com. Follow, Like, Subscribe & Connect for more video content, tips and tricks for using technology and the information you need to take your photos and videos and your business to the next level. Disclaimer: Some of the links above may be affiliate links from which I earn a small commission when you purchase from them. #techsavvysenior #jimcostafilms #jimcosta jim costa jim costa films #christinanicholson #mediamaven #mediamentoringprogram
That's very nice of you to say. I am a filmmaker and video producer so my videos need to be held to a higher standard than the average blogger. + I actually like to edit and tell a story through editing so I try my best.
Thank you a lot, I had a hard time understanding what exactly my teacher wanted from me when she assigned me to write a treatment for my short film, this was very helpful :D
I'm happy to answer your questions as they come up. You might also joining my private FB groups for those in the photography, video production and filmmaking industries. There are several screenwriters in the group that I know of. Asking questions there might help you as well. Video Producers and content Creators on FB. Request to join the group. I'll approve the application and then you can post questions on the wall when something comes up.
Film treatments lay the foundation for a story, movie or short film. I'm not interested in writing the full script for my first movie. I'm interested in directing the movies in which I create the treatment for. I have a creative vision for them.
No, include the following: The 4 Elements of a Film Treatment Treatments contain detailed descriptions of the setting, theme, character roles, and plot in order to show how the story will play out for the audience. There are four main things a treatment should contain: 1. Title. Give your treatment a title, even if it’s just a working title. 2. Logline. This is a short sentence summarizing the premise. Learn how to write a logline here. 3. Plot summary. How long you want your story summary to be depends on you as a writer-some writers give short one-page summaries, while others use 70 pages to tell their film’s story. 4. Key characters. Provide a breakdown of key characters, including their arch or how their character develops in the story. How to Write a Treatment in 6 Steps While there are different ways to style your treatment, there are a few general steps most writers take. 1. Start with your title. A title should be something that encapsulates the essence of your story. Some titles use the characters (“The 40 Year Old Virgin”), the setting, (“Manchester by the Sea”), or the premise, (“Get Out”). Titles can also be metaphorical, (“Silence of the Lambs”). Titles should be as original as possible, and not sound like or be too close to an existing film title. 2. Compose your logline. A logline is just a brief sentence (or two) that captures the general premise of your movie. In your log line, include who the protagonist is and what they’re up against in their world. This condensed summarization of the overall concept of your film should make the reader want to see the rest. 3. Summarize the concept. Here is your chance to expand on the shorter log line, and provide the next step in understanding how the film will play out. This is also where you can establish theme, tone, and cite any relevant background related to the conception of your story. 4. Set up the main characters. Who is going to be in this story? What do these characters want? How will they develop? Give a brief version of their possible arcs. You want to emotionally invest the reader by giving them a sense of who these characters are and what will become of them. 5. Explore the acts. Once you’ve set up the world and its inhabitants, it’s time to delve into the story itself. Write out how the story begins: What do we open on? Who do we see? Tell the tale of your film as if it were a short-story, and include the juicy moments to keep the reader engaged in the world you’ve created. 6. Epilogue. The final paragraph of your treatment wraps up the narrative. State what the ending is, how the premise concludes, what happens to all the characters, and what they learn (if anything). Here is where you tie up any loose ends, and give the reader a sense of what will now happen to this world.
Do you have any suggestions for writing a brief treatment for copyrighting purposes for a tv series where each episode will have information about a different planet? I know which planet I'm going to start but I have not written a script yet.
I want to be certain I’m understanding your questions. Are you asking me if your treatment will act as copyright protection for the scripts you plan to write or is it something else?
Very informative! You mentioned that a film treatment should NOT have any "distracting images," but I've seen samples done with IMAGES (pics) in the character bios. What's your take on that? Thanks!
Distracting images aren't the same as no images at all. You generally want to avoid them as much as possible, but do include them if it's necessary to understand the character. For example, James Cameron used images to help people visualize what the liquid metal terminator looked like in T2.
@@emile4449 Well, technically, yes, but I wouldn't do that. If you want to use an actor's image (say, you have one in mind for a specific role), you would be best off to pay for the image from a royalty free site such as Shutterstock, Getty Images, etc. There's plenty of them out there. Just Google stock image sites. You will have to pay for the images, but it's not too much and outweighs the negatives. For one thing, you avoid copyright issues by using the images because part of the cost is a license to use it. Also, if you want your treatment to be taken seriously, you need to act serious. As such, stealing an image from some web site isn't going to cut it. I belong to numerous stock footage/image sites as I use a ton of them in my tutorials for these reasons and others.
So for someone like me who is a beginner and student with many story ideas, where and how should I start to bring it alive, is treatment the first step? im understanding that that is the case but not quite too sure?
Writing a screenplay is an extremely rewarding process, but it’s not an easy task. It takes a serious amount of time and dedication to develop a good screenplay, and if your goal is to sell it, completing a first draft is only the beginning. You’ll have to refine the story, often with several more drafts, get an agent, submit your script to studios and producers, and have someone like it enough to risk a substantial amount of money to buy it. Unless, of course, you’re planning to finance and produce it yourself. Step 1: Craft a Logline A logline is a brief summary of your story, usually no more than a single sentence, that describes the protagonists and their goal, as well as the antagonists and their conflict. The protagonist is the hero/main character of the story, while the antagonist is the villain/bad guy/opposing force. The goal of a logline is to convey both the premise of your story and its emotional undertones. What is the story about? What is the style? How does it feel? In the old days, the logline was printed on the spine of the screenplay. This allowed producers to get a quick feel for the story, so they could decide whether to invest the time into reading it or not. Today, the logline serves the same purpose, although it’s usually communicated verbally, or included with a treatment. Step 2: Write a Treatment A treatment is a longer 2-5 page summary that includes the title of your screenplay, the logline, a list of main characters, and a short synopsis. Like loglines, treatments are mostly used for marketing purposes. A producer may read a treatment first before deciding if the script is worth their time. The synopsis should highlight the main beats and turning points of your story. Anyone who reads it should get a very good idea of the story, the characters, and the style. They should learn enough to feel empathy for the characters and want to follow them on their journey to see how it plays out. Writing a treatment also gives you the opportunity to view your story as a whole and see how it reads on the page, and it can help you understand what’s working versus what needs work before you dive into the details of writing each scene. Since your treatment will be used to market your screenplay, be sure to include your name and contact info, too. Step 3: Develop Your Characters Think about the story you want to tell. What’s it about? Do you know the theme yet? Create characters who will contrast the central question, and who will have to undergo a major transformation to answer it. There are plenty of character profile worksheets online that can be helpful in bringing your characters personalities to life The most important thing when developing your characters is that you make them empathetic and interesting. Even the bad guy should have a reason he’s bad, although it may be unjustified. Step 4: Plot and Outline Break your story down into its narrative-arc components and map out every scene beat by beat. I know a number of writers who use flash cards or notebooks for this. Try to create a board for each script, then I make a list for each of the narrative-arc components, with a card for each scene. On each card, make a checklist of the story beats and write notes about the characters or plot. Do whatever works for you. The goal is to plot out your story. The more detailed you make your outline, the less time you’ll waste down the road. As you plot, keep in mind that tension drives a story. Building and releasing tension is key to keeping the audience engaged and driving the story forward. When hope is faced with fear, tension is created. This is what forces the hero to change.
Step 5: Write a First Draft Using your outline as a map, write your script scene by scene, including the dialogue and descriptive action. The first ten pages of a screenplay are the most critical. A reader or producer usually has a ton of scripts flying across their desk and they don’t have time to read them all. They’ll give a screenplay ten pages to pull them in. If the script has interesting characters and the proper structure elements, they’ll likely continue reading. If not, it’s going in the trash. The screenplay is a unique format of writing. While it’s true that there are a number of elements common to any story regardless of medium, screenwriting is different in that every word of descriptive action must be written in present tense and describe something the audience can see or hear. Although typewriters and word processors work just fine, I suggest investing in software that will do the formatting for you. Hollywood follows a fairly strict format when it comes to screenplays. While this can cause quite a bit of confusion, it was more of a problem in the past. Modern screenwriting software makes it a very easy process. Don’t stop and go back to fix dialogue or update action description until you’ve written the screenplay all the way through. Then you can go back through it, tear it apart, and rebuild it. Don’t be too self-critical during the first draft. Just write. Step 6: Step Back and Take a Break Once you finish a first draft, it’s a great idea to relax a bit and take your mind off of it. That way when you finally do come back to it, you can read it with a fresh set of eyes. Step 7: Rewrite Now that you have a completed draft, you have a much better picture of your story as a whole. Go back and refine the action, tighten the dialogue, and edit the script. Chances are you will have to do this more than once. When creating a final version, using more white space on your pages is better. It’s easier to read and seems quicker to get through. When a producer has to read multiple scripts a day, it’s discouraging to see a script filled with pages of dense action description and long monologues. Overall, writing a screenplay is a difficult task; one that takes sacrifice and a dedication to the craft. In the end, it’s a rewarding process, in which you get to create characters and watch them come to life as they make choices to navigate the obstacle course you’ve placed before them. Take some time to study the craft, and your script will be done in no time.
The film and television industry doesn't have a standard definition of what "treatment" means. For example, if someone asks you for treatment, they could mean a two-page overview concept or a thirty-page document, basically the script without the dialogue or any detailed logline. However, film project treatments are generally defined as a summary of a TV show or film. A treatment should contain all the essential elements of the story, including scenes, themes, and the project's tone. Film treatments can also be referred to as story treatments. As you approach writing a treatment, for any reason, here are a few tips that will help in creating your slides. You should approach writing a treatment as if it were a film pitch deck. You're trying to win over executives, producers or agents as if they were investors and your film is an invesement, which it ultimately is. Six critical elements of a film treatment While each treatment may differ a bit, generally, your treatment should contain: • Title of story • Name and contact information of the writer • Logline • Key characters • Summary of the story • Additional information about the themes and tone of the projects Now that you know the generalities let's dive into the details. Why are film treatment pitch decks necessary? Learning how to write a film treatment is essential for the emerging screenwriter. Often, producers and executives want to check out your story before signing a contract with you. That is understandable since a lot of money is at stake. It's much more money than is at stake than, for example, in a book deal or a commission for a newspaper or magazine. Film treatments are an excellent way for you and producers and anyone in the creative time to save time and energy on projects. Thus, being able to write an excellent film treatment that executives can understand from a visual perspective could be what stands between securing you a job, without having to commit to writing the screenplay. Having said that if this is your first screenplay you are advised to polish and write your script first as executives are likely to expect this so they can get a sense of your writing on top of a pitch. So, how do you write a film treatment? How can you make sure a film treatment pitch deck is engaging? There are some key steps you can take to make sure your film treatment pitch deck is engaging. Decide on the type of treatment or pitch deck you're creating Make sure that you understand your goal in creating the treatment. For example, is it to serve as a pitch document for others? Or is it so you can explore the story you're prepping to write out as a script? Having a solid sense of the target will help you decide what the treatment will look like. For example, a treatment for others may need to spell out a bit of the feeling or mood that you would otherwise keep in your head. However, a treatment for yourself may not have to be as precise, so long as you understand what you meant when you refer back to it. How long should a film treatment pitch deck be? Largely determined by the decision mentioned above, knowing the length will help dictate how you write. A one or two-page document can be great for producers and execs to get a sense of the project, but it means you'll have to paint pretty broad strokes. A longer document can get into the details, but of course, it will take longer for others to read. And sometimes those details themselves can get in the way of the purpose of the treatment, where all you'll see is trees but no forest. Deciding on the length ahead of time can give you a target to aim for. You may be a little off in the end, but that's okay. How much should you include? There's a reason that the treatment isn't the script. It can't include everything, and it isn't very smart to try. Sometimes this means little bits that will show up in the margins of the scenes getting cut from the treatment, but other times it will mean whole subplots. When deciding on what to include and what not to include, ask yourself if evaluating is essential to understanding the protagonist's journey. If it's not, it may be best to leave it out of the treatment. That being said, as you're first drafting your treatment (and yes, I said draft, because just like a script, you will revise this!) when in doubt, include it. So it's easier to trim something out if it's there from the start. Should you write in proper prose? This may seem like an obvious point but your pitch should be complete sentences unlike screenwriting format which is not proper prose. While this is helpful for what we do in scripts, it can sometimes feel a bit like the scraps of a language that isn't fully codified. By sticking with correct grammar and syntax and the like with your treatment, your technical writing will have a stable base and allow you to focus on what's crucial in the treatment: the story. Screenwriting isn't just telling what happens but also how we see (and hear) what happens. A treatment isn't supposed to worry about the latter, which is why writing it in proper prose is a good idea. Additionally, it's easier on readers. Should you just tell the story? Writing a treatment, regardless of the reason (for you, for others, for fun), can bring up as many problems as writing a script. So, for example, if you think about the treatment as simply telling the story to friends around a campfire, it can help get you out of your head. The best thing you can do while writing your treatment is to write without the delete key. It is always easier to edit a written document than a blank page. BONUS TIP: don't include dialogue If you include lines of dialogue, even a few, it can start to blur the line between treatment and script. It's best avoided. Save that masterful dialogue for the script itself.
My film treatment story Idea Is about a Greek/Sicilian Immigrant a 17 years old kid who went through extremely bad hardships and suffering In poverty overseas In his little village while he was trying to help support his mother and his little brothers and sisters In the end he could not help them so he decided to leave his village he got on an old ship steamer sailing for USA to the Brooklyn docks he jump of the ship and got a job In the shipyards as a "Stevedore" he got connected to some very powerful people and he worked his way up to become the most powerful and terrifying Greek/Sicilian Mechanic.If you have any comments or Ideas please let me know. Thanks Jim.
I appreciate you tuning in. To answer your question: A beat sheet is the precursor to a screenplay outline: it identifies the important moments in an episode or feature film, and lays out what needs to happen in each act of the story. The beat sheet identifies the key emotional moments in a story, while the outline expands on those moments with specific scenes, settings, and details. There are a variety of methods you can use to create a beat sheet: 1. Divide a sheet of paper into three sections (representing the three acts of a feature screenplay) or five sections (representing the five acts of a television script). 2. Use a whiteboard to diagram your story beats. 3. Write each beat on an index card, then pin them to a cork board or arrange them on a table. 4. Use outlining tools on a computer program like Final Draft to create and arrange your beats. In general, feature-length screenplays have roughly 15 major story beats. Typically, comedies are frequently around 90 pages while dramas tend to be around 120 pages. Divide the number of beats by the number of pages, and you’ll have a good sense of your story’s pacing.
@@deebrent3029 I have not made a tutorial on it, but your question has prompted me to add it to my list of topics so I'll put one together at some point.
Writing a treatment that deconstructs and distills your screenplay into a more digestible summary will help you get others to read it. Beyond the benefit of the reader, treatments are also worth writing for the sake of the writer. Treatments often serve as general blueprints of a story's plot, structure, and framework.
@@jamesray519 If a screenplay focuses the story for a film, the treatment does the same thing for a screenplay. A treatment could be considered a written pitch; something that catches the buyers attention and makes then want to see more so, "yes."
i am trying to create the a theme likened to that of grizzly Adams. but its called the man with the basket of seed.. any find david sasina on youtube. "the wisdom of david" or the man with a basket of seed..
I think, "The Wisdom of David" is an interesting concept and catches ones attention because it sounds familiar, like something from the Bible, but can go many ways.
I am writing the final resolution to my screenplay. I had to write it, to know what would happen. I started out thinking the movie would end in a drug deal shootout. It ended with the good guys taking down a child sex-slave organization. Now, I can write the treatment.
Order the training programs reviewed in this video!
Media Mentoring Program by Christina Nicholson: Information
pdsp.us/mediamentoringprogram
Order the Training:
ruclips.net/video/qJTGE04XIn0/видео.html
This a training course I'm affiliated with known as the Media Mentoring Program created by Christina Nicholson. She helps entrepreneurs reach tons of their ideal customers or clients through the power of media without spending big bucks on advertising.
Some of the topics covered include building your personal brand by positioning you as an expert in your field, how to pitch the media, how to look and sound your best when your featured, how to create a one sheet, how to land paid speaking gigs, how to use social media to convert prospects, influencer marketing and more; Everything you need to get media exposure in the first two weeks.
VIPs get even more personalized, one-on-one access with Christina and her team to accelerate your success.
If you know how to take advantage of mainstream media, you can stand out from the competition because it’s not something everyone has access to. Best of all, unlike paid ads and sponsorships, you can gain lots of exposure and credibility to become the go to brand everyone talks about and wants to do business with without spending a fortune of advertising. Christina likes to say you can become your own media powerhouse. All you need to know is what to do and what not to do & before you know it, You’ll be getting more publicity than you can handle.
By getting the Media Mentoring Program, you’ll learn exactly what to do so you will learn publicity and become an authority in your industry that will land you more traffic and visibility.
___________________________________________________
Love Editing? Want to get started using Adobe Premiere Pro CC but not certain how? I'm here to help. I've been a professional video producer and editor for over 3 decades & I've created a F-R-E-E shortcut guide for Premiere Pro listing hundreds of Keyboard, Panel & Application shortcuts. Click below to get your free copy!
pdsp.us/adobepremiereprokeybo...
If you're ready to start editing in Adobe Premiere Pro CC, I have a quick start training course to get you up and running in a couple of hours. Get your video editing training course here:
pdsp.us/adobepremiereprotrain...
Get your F-R-E-E DSLR & Mirrorless Camera Video Cheat Sheet here:
pdsp.us/dslrvideocheatsheet
________________________________________________________
For more information on my video services, check out my website: jamesvcosta.com. Follow, Like, Subscribe & Connect for more video content, tips and tricks for using technology and the information you need to take your photos and videos and your business to the next level.
Disclaimer: Some of the links above may be affiliate links from which I earn a small commission when you purchase from them.
#techsavvysenior #jimcostafilms #jimcosta jim costa jim costa films #christinanicholson #mediamaven #mediamentoringprogram
Thank you for this information. Needed this.
Feel free to ask any questions you have. I'm happy to answer them.
Thank you for sharing. The information is very helpful.
It's good to know that you found the info useful. Thanks for tuning in.
I subscribed. Keep them coming. Good stuff!
yes i want to see and hear more about this. i will use some of this information's when i go move further on my ideas.
Glad to hear it.
hey jim i am glad you made this video.. i need this information.. thank you.
I have several screenwriting tips videos coming out in the next few weeks.
that was amazingly detailed. thank you!
Very kind of you to say. I appreciate you tuning in!
Wonderful tutorial. Thank you for always teaching us MORE!
I appreciate you tuning in! New videos to improve your video production, filmmaking & photography every Wednesday.
This video was super helpful!!
I happy to read that. Feel free to ask any questions. I'm happy to answer them for you.
I've always wondered about this! I always learn something new from your videos! You always choose the best topics! :)
Topic research. What I actually need to 3 more of me so I can do even more.
i love the effort you put into your content! amazing job on this one. i didn't know anything about film treatment until now!
That's very nice of you to say. I am a filmmaker and video producer so my videos need to be held to a higher standard than the average blogger. + I actually like to edit and tell a story through editing so I try my best.
This is the first time of heard of this...reminds me about scripting my videos to make a story though much simpler
You're correct. It is simpler because treatments are script summaries.
Loving you more Jim hopefully I will master this craft because of you only you
Very kind of you to say. This comment made my day. It makes all the hard work to put these tutorials together worth it.
Thank you a lot, I had a hard time understanding what exactly my teacher wanted from me when she assigned me to write a treatment for my short film, this was very helpful :D
I'm happy to hear that you found the info useful. Thanks for tuning in.
Thank you for sharing your wisdom & experience in film! You have great tone and pacing - New sub here
I appreciate you tuning in. New videos every Wednesday on improving your filmmaking, video production and photography.
Your video quality is amazing! Enjoyed the learning!
I appreciate you tuning in. New videos every Wednesday.
Thank you for sharing your wisdom & experience in film!
I appreciate you tuning in.
It was very well explained! Thanks for sharing this!
I appreciate you tuning in. Thank you.
thanks Jim.. more knowledge
I appreciate you tuning in!
I used to work for the head of the literary department at William Morris and then for a film producer, so I'm very familiar. Great job explaining it.
That's very interesting. Thanks for tuning in.
Such a high quality video!
Thanks for watching.
Such great wisdom you've shared about film treatment!
I appreciate you tuning in!
I've always wondered about this! I always learn something new great content - new sub here :D
I appreciate you tuning in. New content released every Wednesday.
Very informative!
I appreciate you tuning in!
Thank you for the feedback, I will follow the process, and check the videos further, ill update my progress and struggles that I may encounter here
I'm happy to answer your questions as they come up. You might also joining my private FB groups for those in the photography, video production and filmmaking industries. There are several screenwriters in the group that I know of. Asking questions there might help you as well. Video Producers and content Creators on FB. Request to join the group. I'll approve the application and then you can post questions on the wall when something comes up.
Film treatments lay the foundation for a story, movie or short film. I'm not interested in writing the full script for my first movie. I'm interested in directing the movies in which I create the treatment for. I have a creative vision for them.
true.
Should I write about the opening scene of the film first, and then begin to write about the acts, or should I get straight into the first act?
No, include the following:
The 4 Elements of a Film Treatment
Treatments contain detailed descriptions of the setting, theme, character roles, and plot in order to show how the story will play out for the audience. There are four main things a treatment should contain:
1. Title. Give your treatment a title, even if it’s just a working title.
2. Logline. This is a short sentence summarizing the premise. Learn how to write a logline here.
3. Plot summary. How long you want your story summary to be depends on you as a writer-some writers give short one-page summaries, while others use 70 pages to tell their film’s story.
4. Key characters. Provide a breakdown of key characters, including their arch or how their character develops in the story.
How to Write a Treatment in 6 Steps
While there are different ways to style your treatment, there are a few general steps most writers take.
1. Start with your title. A title should be something that encapsulates the essence of your story. Some titles use the characters (“The 40 Year Old Virgin”), the setting, (“Manchester by the Sea”), or the premise, (“Get Out”). Titles can also be metaphorical, (“Silence of the Lambs”). Titles should be as original as possible, and not sound like or be too close to an existing film title.
2. Compose your logline. A logline is just a brief sentence (or two) that captures the general premise of your movie. In your log line, include who the protagonist is and what they’re up against in their world. This condensed summarization of the overall concept of your film should make the reader want to see the rest.
3. Summarize the concept. Here is your chance to expand on the shorter log line, and provide the next step in understanding how the film will play out. This is also where you can establish theme, tone, and cite any relevant background related to the conception of your story.
4. Set up the main characters. Who is going to be in this story? What do these characters want? How will they develop? Give a brief version of their possible arcs. You want to emotionally invest the reader by giving them a sense of who these characters are and what will become of them.
5. Explore the acts. Once you’ve set up the world and its inhabitants, it’s time to delve into the story itself. Write out how the story begins: What do we open on? Who do we see? Tell the tale of your film as if it were a short-story, and include the juicy moments to keep the reader engaged in the world you’ve created.
6. Epilogue. The final paragraph of your treatment wraps up the narrative. State what the ending is, how the premise concludes, what happens to all the characters, and what they learn (if anything). Here is where you tie up any loose ends, and give the reader a sense of what will now happen to this world.
Do you have any suggestions for writing a brief treatment for copyrighting purposes for a tv series where each episode will have information about a different planet? I know which planet I'm going to start but I have not written a script yet.
I want to be certain I’m understanding your questions. Are you asking me if your treatment will act as copyright protection for the scripts you plan to write or is it something else?
Very informative! You mentioned that a film treatment should NOT have any "distracting images," but I've seen samples done with IMAGES (pics) in the character bios. What's your take on that? Thanks!
Distracting images aren't the same as no images at all. You generally want to avoid them as much as possible, but do include them if it's necessary to understand the character. For example, James Cameron used images to help people visualize what the liquid metal terminator looked like in T2.
@@jimcostafilms Got it! Thank you!
@@emile4449 Thanks for tuning in!
@@jimcostafilms Do you know if we're allowed to use celeb pics from Pinterest for an electronic film treatment?
@@emile4449 Well, technically, yes, but I wouldn't do that. If you want to use an actor's image (say, you have one in mind for a specific role), you would be best off to pay for the image from a royalty free site such as Shutterstock, Getty Images, etc. There's plenty of them out there. Just Google stock image sites. You will have to pay for the images, but it's not too much and outweighs the negatives. For one thing, you avoid copyright issues by using the images because part of the cost is a license to use it. Also, if you want your treatment to be taken seriously, you need to act serious. As such, stealing an image from some web site isn't going to cut it. I belong to numerous stock footage/image sites as I use a ton of them in my tutorials for these reasons and others.
Hi there again. Would you happen to know what program is best for an electronic film treatment (to include pics)?
www.thebalancecareers.com/best-screenwriting-software-4869848
nice work, I have a project that they asked me to pitch for but I have never done any pitch before. can you help me please
Try these tips. Good luck: www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-pitch-a-television-show#quiz-0
So for someone like me who is a beginner and student with many story ideas, where and how should I start to bring it alive, is treatment the first step? im understanding that that is the case but not quite too sure?
Writing a screenplay is an extremely rewarding process, but it’s not an easy task. It takes a serious amount of time and dedication to develop a good screenplay, and if your goal is to sell it, completing a first draft is only the beginning. You’ll have to refine the story, often with several more drafts, get an agent, submit your script to studios and producers, and have someone like it enough to risk a substantial amount of money to buy it. Unless, of course, you’re planning to finance and produce it yourself.
Step 1: Craft a Logline
A logline is a brief summary of your story, usually no more than a single sentence, that describes the protagonists and their goal, as well as the antagonists and their conflict. The protagonist is the hero/main character of the story, while the antagonist is the villain/bad guy/opposing force. The goal of a logline is to convey both the premise of your story and its emotional undertones. What is the story about? What is the style? How does it feel?
In the old days, the logline was printed on the spine of the screenplay. This allowed producers to get a quick feel for the story, so they could decide whether to invest the time into reading it or not. Today, the logline serves the same purpose, although it’s usually communicated verbally, or included with a treatment.
Step 2: Write a Treatment
A treatment is a longer 2-5 page summary that includes the title of your screenplay, the logline, a list of main characters, and a short synopsis. Like loglines, treatments are mostly used for marketing purposes. A producer may read a treatment first before deciding if the script is worth their time.
The synopsis should highlight the main beats and turning points of your story. Anyone who reads it should get a very good idea of the story, the characters, and the style. They should learn enough to feel empathy for the characters and want to follow them on their journey to see how it plays out. Writing a treatment also gives you the opportunity to view your story as a whole and see how it reads on the page, and it can help you understand what’s working versus what needs work before you dive into the details of writing each scene. Since your treatment will be used to market your screenplay, be sure to include your name and contact info, too.
Step 3: Develop Your Characters
Think about the story you want to tell. What’s it about? Do you know the theme yet? Create characters who will contrast the central question, and who will have to undergo a major transformation to answer it. There are plenty of character profile worksheets online that can be helpful in bringing your characters personalities to life
The most important thing when developing your characters is that you make them empathetic and interesting. Even the bad guy should have a reason he’s bad, although it may be unjustified.
Step 4: Plot and Outline
Break your story down into its narrative-arc components and map out every scene beat by beat. I know a number of writers who use flash cards or notebooks for this. Try to create a board for each script, then I make a list for each of the narrative-arc components, with a card for each scene. On each card, make a checklist of the story beats and write notes about the characters or plot.
Do whatever works for you. The goal is to plot out your story. The more detailed you make your outline, the less time you’ll waste down the road. As you plot, keep in mind that tension drives a story. Building and releasing tension is key to keeping the audience engaged and driving the story forward. When hope is faced with fear, tension is created. This is what forces the hero to change.
Step 5: Write a First Draft
Using your outline as a map, write your script scene by scene, including the dialogue and descriptive action. The first ten pages of a screenplay are the most critical. A reader or producer usually has a ton of scripts flying across their desk and they don’t have time to read them all. They’ll give a screenplay ten pages to pull them in. If the script has interesting characters and the proper structure elements, they’ll likely continue reading. If not, it’s going in the trash.
The screenplay is a unique format of writing. While it’s true that there are a number of elements common to any story regardless of medium, screenwriting is different in that every word of descriptive action must be written in present tense and describe something the audience can see or hear.
Although typewriters and word processors work just fine, I suggest investing in software that will do the formatting for you. Hollywood follows a fairly strict format when it comes to screenplays. While this can cause quite a bit of confusion, it was more of a problem in the past. Modern screenwriting software makes it a very easy process.
Don’t stop and go back to fix dialogue or update action description until you’ve written the screenplay all the way through. Then you can go back through it, tear it apart, and rebuild it. Don’t be too self-critical during the first draft. Just write.
Step 6: Step Back and Take a Break
Once you finish a first draft, it’s a great idea to relax a bit and take your mind off of it. That way when you finally do come back to it, you can read it with a fresh set of eyes.
Step 7: Rewrite
Now that you have a completed draft, you have a much better picture of your story as a whole. Go back and refine the action, tighten the dialogue, and edit the script. Chances are you will have to do this more than once. When creating a final version, using more white space on your pages is better. It’s easier to read and seems quicker to get through. When a producer has to read multiple scripts a day, it’s discouraging to see a script filled with pages of dense action description and long monologues.
Overall, writing a screenplay is a difficult task; one that takes sacrifice and a dedication to the craft. In the end, it’s a rewarding process, in which you get to create characters and watch them come to life as they make choices to navigate the obstacle course you’ve placed before them. Take some time to study the craft, and your script will be done in no time.
I am an actor, model , and writing s feature film script. I am definitely going to subscribe and follow you on twitter, IG, and youtube👍
Much appreciated. What's your script about?
Is it necessary to write summarise all your scenes when writing a treatment?
The film and television industry doesn't have a standard definition of what "treatment" means. For example, if someone asks you for treatment, they could mean a two-page overview concept or a thirty-page document, basically the script without the dialogue or any detailed logline.
However, film project treatments are generally defined as a summary of a TV show or film. A treatment should contain all the essential elements of the story, including scenes, themes, and the project's tone. Film treatments can also be referred to as story treatments.
As you approach writing a treatment, for any reason, here are a few tips that will help in creating your slides.
You should approach writing a treatment as if it were a film pitch deck. You're trying to win over executives, producers or agents as if they were investors and your film is an invesement, which it ultimately is.
Six critical elements of a film treatment
While each treatment may differ a bit, generally, your treatment should contain:
• Title of story
• Name and contact information of the writer
• Logline
• Key characters
• Summary of the story
• Additional information about the themes and tone of the projects
Now that you know the generalities let's dive into the details.
Why are film treatment pitch decks necessary?
Learning how to write a film treatment is essential for the emerging screenwriter. Often, producers and executives want to check out your story before signing a contract with you.
That is understandable since a lot of money is at stake. It's much more money than is at stake than, for example, in a book deal or a commission for a newspaper or magazine.
Film treatments are an excellent way for you and producers and anyone in the creative time to save time and energy on projects. Thus, being able to write an excellent film treatment that executives can understand from a visual perspective could be what stands between securing you a job, without having to commit to writing the screenplay.
Having said that if this is your first screenplay you are advised to polish and write your script first as executives are likely to expect this so they can get a sense of your writing on top of a pitch.
So, how do you write a film treatment?
How can you make sure a film treatment pitch deck is engaging?
There are some key steps you can take to make sure your film treatment pitch deck is engaging.
Decide on the type of treatment or pitch deck you're creating
Make sure that you understand your goal in creating the treatment. For example, is it to serve as a pitch document for others? Or is it so you can explore the story you're prepping to write out as a script?
Having a solid sense of the target will help you decide what the treatment will look like. For example, a treatment for others may need to spell out a bit of the feeling or mood that you would otherwise keep in your head. However, a treatment for yourself may not have to be as precise, so long as you understand what you meant when you refer back to it.
How long should a film treatment pitch deck be?
Largely determined by the decision mentioned above, knowing the length will help dictate how you write.
A one or two-page document can be great for producers and execs to get a sense of the project, but it means you'll have to paint pretty broad strokes.
A longer document can get into the details, but of course, it will take longer for others to read. And sometimes those details themselves can get in the way of the purpose of the treatment, where all you'll see is trees but no forest.
Deciding on the length ahead of time can give you a target to aim for. You may be a little off in the end, but that's okay.
How much should you include?
There's a reason that the treatment isn't the script. It can't include everything, and it isn't very smart to try. Sometimes this means little bits that will show up in the margins of the scenes getting cut from the treatment, but other times it will mean whole subplots.
When deciding on what to include and what not to include, ask yourself if evaluating is essential to understanding the protagonist's journey. If it's not, it may be best to leave it out of the treatment.
That being said, as you're first drafting your treatment (and yes, I said draft, because just like a script, you will revise this!) when in doubt, include it. So it's easier to trim something out if it's there from the start.
Should you write in proper prose?
This may seem like an obvious point but your pitch should be complete sentences unlike screenwriting format which is not proper prose. While this is helpful for what we do in scripts, it can sometimes feel a bit like the scraps of a language that isn't fully codified. By sticking with correct grammar and syntax and the like with your treatment, your technical writing will have a stable base and allow you to focus on what's crucial in the treatment: the story.
Screenwriting isn't just telling what happens but also how we see (and hear) what happens. A treatment isn't supposed to worry about the latter, which is why writing it in proper prose is a good idea. Additionally, it's easier on readers.
Should you just tell the story?
Writing a treatment, regardless of the reason (for you, for others, for fun), can bring up as many problems as writing a script. So, for example, if you think about the treatment as simply telling the story to friends around a campfire, it can help get you out of your head.
The best thing you can do while writing your treatment is to write without the delete key. It is always easier to edit a written document than a blank page.
BONUS TIP: don't include dialogue
If you include lines of dialogue, even a few, it can start to blur the line between treatment and script. It's best avoided.
Save that masterful dialogue for the script itself.
Did you read from Studio Binder or Studio Binder took from you?
Check description.
My film treatment story Idea Is about a Greek/Sicilian Immigrant a 17 years old kid who went through extremely bad hardships and suffering In poverty overseas In his little village while he was trying to help support his mother and his little brothers and sisters In the end he could not help them so he decided to leave his village he got on an old ship steamer sailing for USA to the Brooklyn docks he jump of the ship and got a job In the shipyards as a "Stevedore" he got connected to some very powerful people and he worked his way up to become the most powerful and terrifying Greek/Sicilian Mechanic.If you have any comments or Ideas please let me know. Thanks Jim.
So, how does this differ from, "The Godfather?"
Excellent! Super informative! now i need to understand beat sheet! :( Help!
I appreciate you tuning in.
To answer your question: A beat sheet is the precursor to a screenplay outline: it identifies the important moments in an episode or feature film, and lays out what needs to happen in each act of the story. The beat sheet identifies the key emotional moments in a story, while the outline expands on those moments with specific scenes, settings, and details.
There are a variety of methods you can use to create a beat sheet:
1. Divide a sheet of paper into three sections (representing the three acts of a feature screenplay) or five sections (representing the five acts of a television script).
2. Use a whiteboard to diagram your story beats.
3. Write each beat on an index card, then pin them to a cork board or arrange them on a table.
4. Use outlining tools on a computer program like Final Draft to create and arrange your beats.
In general, feature-length screenplays have roughly 15 major story beats. Typically, comedies are frequently around 90 pages while dramas tend to be around 120 pages. Divide the number of beats by the number of pages, and you’ll have a good sense of your story’s pacing.
@@jimcostafilms Do you have a RUclips link for How to use sheets? Or anything about beatsheets?
@@deebrent3029 I have not made a tutorial on it, but your question has prompted me to add it to my list of topics so I'll put one together at some point.
im wondering is a treatment important if you already have a screen play
Writing a treatment that deconstructs and distills your screenplay into a more digestible summary will help you get others to read it. Beyond the benefit of the reader, treatments are also worth writing for the sake of the writer. Treatments often serve as general blueprints of a story's plot, structure, and framework.
@@jimcostafilms but is it necessary to sell the screenplay
@@jamesray519 If a screenplay focuses the story for a film, the treatment does the same thing for a screenplay. A treatment could be considered a written pitch; something that catches the buyers attention and makes then want to see more so, "yes."
I tried the camera lens link and it didn't work, would really like to get that
I'll have my IT peeps fix it. Thanks for letting me kn ow. In the interim, Dm me a good email address and I'll send the info out that way.
@@jimcostafilms how do I DM you?
@@coleride www.wikihow.com/Message-Someone-on-RUclips#:~:text=It's%20the%20speech%20bubble%2Dshaped,restricted%20content%20on%20their%20channel.
i am trying to create the a theme likened to that of grizzly Adams. but its called the man with the basket of seed.. any find david sasina on youtube. "the wisdom of david" or the man with a basket of seed..
I think, "The Wisdom of David" is an interesting concept and catches ones attention because it sounds familiar, like something from the Bible, but can go many ways.
I am writing the final resolution to my screenplay. I had to write it, to know what would happen. I started out thinking the movie would end in a drug deal shootout. It ended with the good guys taking down a child sex-slave organization. Now, I can write the treatment.
That sounds like an interesting project. Thanks for tuning in!
Germany??
Thanks for checking out my feed.