A script treatment is a concise and descriptive summary of a film’s story and is usually written prior to the actual script. The purpose of a script treatment is to give a clear and concise overview of the story, characters, and tone of the film. This can be useful for obtaining funding, pitching the story to producers, or communicating the vision of the film to a team of writers.
It is possible to write a script treatment without an actual script being completed. In fact, a script treatment is often the first step in the script development process and is used to outline the story and characters before the actual script is written. The script treatment should provide enough detail to give a clear understanding of the story, while still leaving room for the script to evolve during the writing process.
The script treatment should include a detailed description of the story, including the main characters and their arcs, key scenes, and the overall tone of the film. It should also provide a brief overview of the setting, background information about the characters, and any important themes or motifs.
The script treatment should be written in a clear and concise manner, using clear and specific language to describe the story and characters. It is important to avoid using complex language or overly flowery descriptions, as this can detract from the clarity of the treatment.
According to a source in the film industry, script treatments should be between 4 and 12 pages long. This length allows for a detailed overview of the story and characters, while still being concise and easy to read.
In conclusion, it is possible to write a script treatment without an actual script being completed. The script treatment is a valuable tool in the script development process and can be used to communicate the vision of the film to producers, writers, and other stakeholders. It should be written in a clear and concise manner, providing enough detail to give a clear understanding of the story, characters, and tone of the film.