How to Write a Treatment

What is a treatment?  What are three key points of advice this article gives on how to create an effective one?

    A treatment is similar to a synopsis and an outline, however it is a multi-page document that is written in a story-structure. It's essentially a more detailed version of the outline and it works as a roadmap for the people working on the project. They can be great for experimenting with the ideas and tone of your film, allowing you to explore them without as much risk as doing so with the draft would have. It can also help you create a pitch as you have a better idea of the story after making a treatment.

    Three key points of advice that the article gives on how to create an effective treatment are to not go overboard with dialogue, create an experience similar to watching the movie, and to use the treatment to experiment. Many writers often forgo using dialogue all together, but the author of the article suggests using a few lines for emotion or humor. Dialogue should be kept to a minimum as it is likely to change and you don't want to get rid of an idea because of the dialogue. You should create experience similar to watching the movie by including the major points and the emotion of the project. The author includes a template with prompts that help create this experience and doing this will help increase engagement and desire for the project. Using the treatment to experiment is great as you can feel out different ideas, emotion, and concepts without as much repercussions as experimenting with the first draft. This can help solidify your vision and find ways to make the story better that you may not have tried otherwise.