Script Treatment

What is a 'Script Treatment'?

1. 10 - 15 sentences

2. can be point form

3. 1 line for each major plot point - be specific

4. no dialogue although the purpose of the dialogue must be there if it is key to the story (i.e. Dave tells Mary that he loves her)

5. must have emotion if it's key to the story (i.e. John yells at Dave)

6. always written in present tense

Demo Script Treatment 1: "The Project"

1. person is relaxing (shots of texting/TV/xbox/etc.)

2. text or phone call asking if he/she did the project

3. panic as project is begun (audience needs more info about the project - is it a group project? when is it due? how many marks? need to establish to increase pressure)

4. friend asks how he/she writes so creatively

5. answers that they have a guaranteed system - pulls out a paper with "guaranteed creative writing steps"

6. sequence of shots working through list: brew coffee, brainstorm - mind map (crumples papers), wear costumes and walk around (ideas get more crazy), randomly type on keyboard with feet

7. sit still in a dark room

8. Mom comes into room (dark) and turns light on. and, startled, asks if he/she is ok

9. lightbulb come on and furious typing begins - title "when the lights came on"

10. keyboarding shots continue - typing at breakneck pace - signs of sweat on brow

11. text comes through - how's the story? "Great - nearly done!". "don't forget to save". Boom - lights go out.

12. resolution? ( birds tweating - sun coming up - smashed computer on curb with garbage can)

13. credits start to roll. camera still looking at broken computer on the curb. Person walks up and drops the guaranteed writing system into frame

Demo Script Treatment 2: "Spring Break"

1. Driving home - screeches out of parking lot with school in background

2. radio says that spring break has started for students and teachers - puts sunglasses on

3. Pulls into garage; walks into house with kayak, bicycle, backpack, and skateboard - sun setting in background

4. Next morning looks outside - starts to rain - goes into garage and looks longingly at equipment

5. Goes inside and falls asleep on the couch

6. Wakes up early the next morning sees the sun - loads his bicycle on his car

7. Pulls out of garage and it’s starts to rain - goes back inside and falls asleep on couch

8. Next day gets up early and runs outside - sees sun!

9. Loads backpack and puts backpack in car - wife reminds him of his chore list and that he promised to work today

10. Gets to work while weather is great

11. Next day goes outside - sun shining! comes in and looks at equipment

12. Runs back outside to see if it’s raining yet. Starts loading kayak - runs outside again to check. Drives away - sun still shining

13. Gets to beach - unloads heavy kayak and carries kayak to beach. Sets kayak down - tests water - too cold so pulls out towel

14. Falls asleep.

15. Starts to rain.