What on earth is a Treatment?

Long before any filming is planned and at the pitching stage its crucial to write a good treatment for your idea This is what will sell your film - don’t underestimate its importance It really acts as a focusing tool for your idea so that you, and anyone reading it are in no doubt of what its about.

This is a document that outlines what the story/idea is your filming and is often the story that is pitched to the commissioner The standard basic treatment shouldn't be long (not more than a couple of paragraphs or one A4 side), it should clearly show what the hook is for the audience, what the start/middle/end of the story is, if there is a big question being asked and what the reveal is (if there is one).  It’s the document that is going to sell your film and needs to be punchy and clear of its content.

More in depth treatments with talent choices, breakdowns of suggested episodes and content can be drafted if the commissioner requests more information or its a particularly complex production.

Download a Treatment Template (PDF 100KB)