How to Treatment

Storytelling, Screenwriting

Jul 2, 2024 

Syd Field guidance on writing a screenplay treatment, focusing on the importance of understanding and articulating the story’s core elements. Need for clarity and conciseness in the treatment, which should outline the plot in a structured manner, breaking it down into key components. Knowing your story inside and out, being able to summarize it succinctly, and creating a clear roadmap for the narrative.

Key points include:

  1. Knowing Your Story:
    • Understanding the essence of the story, including its main theme, characters, and conflict.
    • Being able to describe the story in a few sentences.
  2. Three-Act Structure:
    • Act I (Set-Up): Introduction to characters and setting, leading to the inciting incident.
    • Act II (Confrontation): The protagonist faces obstacles, leading to a major turning point at the midpoint and a significant event at Plot Point II.
    • Act III (Resolution): Climax and resolution, where the story reaches its conclusion.
  3. Creating a Four-Page Treatment:
    • Writing a brief, structured outline of the story.
    • Focusing on the major plot points and character arcs.
  4. Drafting and Revising:
    • The importance of rewriting and refining the treatment to ensure clarity and coherence.

Checklist for Writing a Good Treatment

  1. Understand Your Story:
    • Can you describe your story in a single sentence?
    • Do you know your main theme, characters, and conflict?
  2. Structure the Story:
    • Act I (Set-Up):
      • Introduce the main characters and setting.
      • Establish the protagonist’s goal and motivation.
      • Include the inciting incident that disrupts the protagonist’s status quo.
      • End Act I with Plot Point I, propelling the protagonist into the main conflict.
    • Act II (Confrontation):
      • Present a series of obstacles and challenges for the protagonist.
      • Include the midpoint, a major turning point that raises the stakes.
      • End Act II with Plot Point II, leading to the climax.
    • Act III (Resolution):
      • Describe the climax, the most intense and decisive moment.
      • Include the falling action, resolving loose ends.
      • End with the resolution, where the story concludes and characters find a new normal.
  3. Write the Treatment:
    • Outline the story in a structured, concise manner.
    • Focus on key plot points and character development.
    • Keep the treatment to around four pages, highlighting the main events and turning points.
  4. Revise and Refine:
    • Re-read the treatment for clarity and coherence.
    • Ensure all major plot points and character arcs are well-defined.
    • Make necessary revisions to improve the flow and structure.
  5. Seek Feedback:
    • Share the treatment with trusted readers for feedback.
    • Be open to constructive criticism and make improvements based on feedback.

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