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Writing the Brief TREATMENT

Writing the Brief TREATMENT. From: Writing Treatments that Sell , by Atchity and Wong (1997). Houston Wood WRI 3320 Hawai ‘i Pacific University. Purposes of Treatments. To think out Script Structure Usually in 3 distinct Acts For us, use one paragraph per Act To offer for Sale

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Writing the Brief TREATMENT

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  1. Writing the Brief TREATMENT From: Writing Treatments that Sell, by Atchity and Wong (1997) Houston Wood WRI 3320 Hawai‘i Pacific University

  2. Purposes of Treatments • To think out Script Structure • Usually in 3 distinct Acts • For us, use one paragraph per Act • To offer for Sale • First the pitch, • Then the treatment, • Then the negotiation and revision, • Then the sale, • Then, maybe, the screenplay itself

  3. Treatment- Defined A brief narrative of a story intended for visual production. Written in user-friendly, dramatic, straightforward and highly visual prose In present tense, including hook, primary characters, acts/events, setting, point of view With most of the main scenes, complications, and turning points

  4. “Brief” = usually from 1 to 20 pages “narrative” = a story relating amazing, interrelated events “visual production” = visual, not internal; in the world, not in the head “user-friendly” = wide margins, perfectly punctuated, paragraphed, with quotation marks, etc “dramatic” = focused, concrete, mostly action, [NO “the story starts with, or “we see,” or the “opening event is” ] Definition Elements (1)

  5. “straightforward” = simple, unpretentious, unpoetic, pushing action forward “highly visual” = show pictures, show scenes, show people actions, “doings” not “feelings” “present tense” = “Jim jumps, Jan drives . .” “hook” = the difference, the angle, that makes this new, arresting, producible “primary characters” = who inhabits this film? Definition Elements (2)

  6. “acts/events” = general shape of what viewers will SEE “setting” = where (why here?) “point of view” = engaged? ironic? comedic? parodic? horrified? “scenes” and “turning points” = the sequence of main events, the 3-act structure Definition Elements (3)

  7. 3 Kinds of Treatments • Original dramatic treatments • Stories invented by the writer • Treatments “based on a true story” • Biographies, newspaper stories, family tales, etc. • Adaptation treatments • The most common form • Most recommended for new screenwriters

  8. Treatment vrs. Synopsis • Sometimes used interchangeably • Synopsis—generally shorter • Synopsis—”a condensed version of the plot” • Synopsis—used to describe • Treatment—used to sell • Treatment—dramatic, intense, urgent

  9. Treatment vrs. Outline • Outline = “reblocking” • A list of scenes, in sequence • “a skeletal treatment” • Reveals flow of separate scenes without elaboration • Purpose is “strictly diagnostic” to chart story and make corrections before writing treatment and/or screenplay

  10. Treatment Assignment • 400 to 600 words • With MDQ • Characters • in conflict • Act 1 • Act 2 • Obstacles, complications • Act 3 • Professional presentation

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