ROP TV-ISP
Treatment
100 Points
Objective: To write an original treatment for a
five-minute short film.
Definition: A treatment
consists of a written condensation of a proposed film or TV dramatic
production. It covers the basic ideas and issues of the production as well as
the main characters, locations, and story angles. Treatments cover the full
story sequence. They typically contain some key scenes (script dialogue that
is, or will be, in the script). The
purpose of a treatment, in part, is to sell the proposal to financial backers
and major stars. Treatments should be attention-getting and interesting to
read. They are written in the present tense, and often read like a short story.
Instructions: In this assignment you are to take the
feedback you received on your concept and further develop your story. Remember that this story should be something
that you could shoot with the resources you have available. For example, consider locations you could
shoot at. Also consider the actors you
might use and write for their personality.
Do not have the actors play out of their range. For example, do not create a character of a
40 year old mafia henchman if you are planning on asking a 16 year old to play
the part.
There is typically
one treatment page for every two script pages. Using this rule a treatment for
a feature-length (120 page) dramatic production would
run about 60 pages. Even so, many treatments are much shorter than this. The length of your film should be five
minutes of less, so you treatment should be about 2 ½ pages double spaced.
The assignment is due during the last week of the term. Turn it in as a word processing document on SchoolLoop. You should also store a copy in your Digital Locker on SchoolLoop so that you can access it next term.
Grading Criteria