Full treatment

Definition

A full treatment is a comprehensive narrative outline of a screenplay that details the story's plot, character arcs, themes, and major scenes in a format that resembles a short story. It provides a clear roadmap for the entire screenplay, allowing writers to flesh out their ideas and visualize how the script will unfold before they begin writing dialogue or shooting scenes.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. A full treatment typically ranges from 5 to 20 pages long, providing enough detail for a clear understanding of the story without getting bogged down in dialogue.
2. In addition to describing the plot, a full treatment often includes insights into character motivations and emotional arcs, helping writers maintain consistency throughout the screenplay.
3. Full treatments are useful for pitching projects to producers or studios, as they provide a comprehensive view of the story's potential without requiring a completed script.
4. Writers can use full treatments to identify potential pacing issues or narrative gaps before they start writing the actual screenplay, saving time in the long run.
5. Creating a full treatment encourages writers to think critically about their story structure, enabling them to refine their ideas and clarify their vision for the screenplay.

Review Questions

• How does creating a full treatment benefit a screenwriter during the writing process?
  • Creating a full treatment allows screenwriters to map out their story in detail before diving into dialogue and scene writing. This approach helps writers clarify their ideas and identify potential issues in pacing or structure early on. By providing a narrative outline that includes character arcs and themes, a full treatment serves as a valuable reference throughout the writing process, ensuring that the final script aligns with the original vision.
• What are some key differences between a full treatment and an outline or beat sheet in screenplay development?
  • While both full treatments and outlines serve as planning tools for screenwriters, they differ in depth and purpose. A full treatment offers a more detailed narrative description of the story, including character motivations and emotional arcs, while an outline tends to be more structural and focused on major plot points. A beat sheet breaks down specific moments in the story into concise segments. Each tool serves its purpose at different stages of development but works together to enhance overall storytelling.
• Evaluate how a full treatment can impact the likelihood of successfully pitching a screenplay to producers or studios.
  • A well-crafted full treatment can significantly increase the chances of successfully pitching a screenplay by providing producers with an engaging and thorough understanding of the story. By detailing the plot, character dynamics, and themes in an accessible format, a full treatment showcases not only the writer's vision but also their ability to construct compelling narratives. This clarity can make it easier for producers to see the project's potential for development and marketability, ultimately influencing their decision to invest in bringing the screenplay to life.

Related terms

Logline:

A brief summary of a screenplay that encapsulates the main idea, characters, and stakes, typically one or two sentences long.

Beat Sheet: A concise outline that breaks down the story into its individual beats or moments, focusing on key plot points and character actions.

Outline: A structured plan that organizes the major elements of a screenplay, often including scene descriptions, character motivations, and plot progression.