How to write a script treatment that gets more script requests.
In this article, we’re going to clear up not only some of the confusion surrounding screenplay processing, but also how to write a script that’s sure to impress an executive, manager, or producer.
We’ll also look at how to write a screenplay treatment for your own personal benefit beat the story In the early stages of writing.
Finally, we’ll also list seven key mistakes we see aspiring screenwriters make when writing screenplays, why you should avoid them and what you should do instead. So let’s continue.
What exactly is script processing?
Script processing is just your storyline written in prose form.
However, in Hollywood, one person’s script treatment is another person’s “outline”, another person’s “outline.”
In general, these terms are interchangeable. Generally speaking, though, synopses tend to focus on brief, bullet-point scenes, while script treatments or synopses tend to focus more on prose.
Why write a script?
Screenwriters usually two reasons:
• They want to write the story in prose before writing the script to make sure it’s effective
• A production company asked them to send in script treatments for a script they might want to buy
If you fall into the first camp, writing your story before writing the script is a great way Resolve any plot and character issues. You can then show this short story to friends or family to get feedback without them having to read the entire 120-page script.
If you belong to the second camp, congratulations –people are interested in your work. The company will usually tell you how long the script treatment should be and any other formatting requirements they may have, but if they don’t, ask them.
What should script processing include?
Script processing typically includes the following:
• working title
• Author name and contact information
• a summary
• Introduction of key figures
• Story in prose form, including all three acts and major turning points
have There is no “right” length Script treatment/summary/outline should be one of them. It can be anywhere from three to thirty pages (or more) in length, but most industry insiders recommend keeping it short and sweet.
Examples of screenplay processing.
The best way to understand how script processing actually works and what it looks like is to look at some real-life examples.
Script processing can be difficult to master, but here are some things you can check out online:
• big fish Author: John August. Read the script synopsis here >>
• investigation Author: Paul Schrader. Read about this script processing here >>
• Mr and Mrs Smith Simon Kinberg. Read this script processing example here >>
• my own idaho Gus Van Sant. Read this script processing example here >>
• Terminator James Cameron. Read this script processing example here >>
The 7 most common mistakes we see in script processing.
Now that we’ve seen what screenplay processing actually looks like, when you’re about to write a screenplay, let’s look at how no Write an article.
1. Too much dialogue.
“Kourtney revealed she was pregnant. Brad asked her if she was sure and when she knew. She said she kept it a secret from him on purpose to see how committed he would be to their marriage. Brad then said…”
The problem with this style of writing is that it doesn’t show what we see and hear. This is “reported speech” when in reality your revelation should come through actions and what we see on screen, not just from dialogue.
A script filled with “she said” and “he retorted” has an uncanny knack for making even the most exciting scenes effective.
2. It’s all action, no character.
“Back at his apartment, Jack finds Sadie trying to steal diamonds from the safe. He stops her with a kung fu kick and knocks the knife out of her hand. He strangles her and dumps the body in a closet. Then A SWAT team burst through the door with machine guns…”
Action sequences can be great in a scripted treatment, but without insight it’s just plot and no character.
The high body count wouldn’t be as compelling if we knew nothing about the characters being killed. The detailed descriptions of the fights leave no room for creativity on the part of the director and actors, and are often unrealistic and uninteresting on the page.
3. Casting.
“A charming middle-aged man (Sam Rockwell, if we can find him) gets into an argument with an Asian girl (hopefully Lucy Liu). Then in walks a beautiful, Kirsten Dunst-esque blonde.
It’s not really recommended that you make a list of who you’d like to see in each role in your script treatment. Leave that to the casting director.
4. Being too specific.
“Nick was wearing an Emporio Armani bathrobe and dancing wildly around the room to James Brown’s song ‘The Boss.'”
Again, details like this can be left to the costume designer or composer. Always remember: if it’s not important to the story, it may be ignored.
5. Reveal the distortion.
“It turns out Caitlin has been an alien mimicking human behavior all along, and she pours herself a glass of wine.”
If we don’t find out Caitlin is an alien until the end of script processing, tell us at the end.
Major twists and reversals should be introduced in the script treatment as the characters and/or the audience encounter them in the film, not before.
6. Lazy characterization.
“Vincent, a bored Wall Street broker, meets Ruby, a typical waitress.”
Describing a character as “typical” or “boring” in a script treatment shows a reluctance to come up with interesting characters. Your job is to make sure that no character comes across as boring.
If they were that boring, would a manager, producer, or executive want to read them? Also, there really isn’t such a thing as a “typical waitress” or any job description, so try to describe the role as vividly as possible.
7. Deletion of name.
“It’s like a Woody Allen movie Crimes and MisdemeanorsMike fell into a crisis of conscience and was tortured by guilt. He went to his rabbi but could not admit his sin.
If you’re sending your script treatment to people in the industry, it’s not a good idea to list the names of your favorite writers or directors. People want to feel like the story is in one person’s hands original Talent, rather than relying on other filmmakers’ visions.
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Avoid these 7 key mistakes when writing your screenplay, and you’ll be well beyond the average aspiring screenwriter. Keep it simple. Keep the story focused. The most important thing is to keep it entertaining.
aimed at obtaining Keep the story as compact as possible Treat your script so that any manager, producer, or executive who reads it knows they’re dealing with a serious screenwriter.
If you’d like us to review your story before we start writing the script, check out our Synopsis/Treatment range.
Like this article? Read more about how to write a screenplay and crystallize your concept…
How to Write a Script Outline That Saves Months of Rewrites
How to use the script analysis worksheet to complete Bulletproof Act 1
How to write a unique script in 6 steps
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