Ten Tips for Writing an Effective TV or Film Treatment
Being a script consultancy with lots of experience in treatment development, I understand the pivotal role a well-drafted treatment plays in pitching your TV series or show. Here’s a tailored guide addressing common queries such as "how to write a treatment for a TV series" or "how to write a TV or film treatment". Use them to craft a a treatment that captures the essence of your story and hooks your audience from the get-go.
Ten Tips for Writing an Effective TV or Film Treatment (in brief)
Use Present Tense
Embrace Third-Person View
Incorporate Foreshadowing
Insert Essential Backstories
Exclude Opinions/Exposition
Prioritize Action Over Dialogue
Emphasize Visual Storytelling
Maintain Clear Objectives
Develop Distinct Characters
Ensure Story Progression
Ten Tips for Writing an Effective TV or Film Treatment (in full)
Let's explore why each of these tips is crucial and how they contribute to creating a compelling treatment for TV shows.
1. Use Present Tense
When writing a treatment for a TV show, using the present tense keeps your narrative immediate and gripping, allowing the reader to visualise the unfolding action vividly. So, jump in, fast, and don’t waffle!
2. Embrace Third-Person View
Opting for a third-person view in your TV show treatment offers a broad perspective that effectively introduces all characters and plot lines, ensuring clarity and engagement. Describe it like you’re watching it happen right now.
3. Incorporate Foreshadowing
Foreshadowing in a TV treatment builds intrigue and anticipation. It’s a strategic way to hint at future events or twists, keeping potential producers and viewers eager for more. Tease, play with us, get us excited.
4. Insert (only) Essential Backstories
Incorporating essential backstories enhances character development and provides depth. These backstories are pivotal in explaining character motivations in your TV series treatment. No one wants a bible of your characters awful life (yet). Save it.
5. Exclude Author Opinions and Exposition
A focused treatment for a TV series should avoid personal opinions and unnecessary exposition. Stick to pivotal plot points and character actions to maintain a sharp narrative. Just like writing a script, explain by showing not telling.
6. Prioritize Action Over Dialogue
For treatments, especially when explaining how to write a treatment for a TV show, action often speaks louder than words. Show what happens through dynamic scenes rather than extensive dialogue. This is not a script, repeat, tease us with wicked one liners, but nothing else.
7. Emphasize Visual Storytelling
TV is a visual medium, and emphasising visual storytelling in your treatment can make it more engaging. Describe key visuals that align with the narrative to enhance the reader's experience. You’re making a film not writing an essay, talk in pictures.
8. Maintain Clear Objectives
Every segment of your treatment should have a clear objective, contributing directly to the overall story arc. This clarity is essential when drafting a treatment for a TV series. See point ten, if you don’t know why it’s there, it probably shouldn’t be.
9. Develop Distinct Characters
Distinct, well-developed characters enrich your treatment, making it more appealing to networks. Character diversity also broadens audience appeal, an important aspect when pitching a TV show. Get great at summarising your characters in three words.
10. Ensure Story Progression
Your treatment should clearly outline the progression of the story, demonstrating how each scene moves the plot forward. Effective story progression is key to engaging potential producers and viewers alike. This is why we watch, why we care, do not forget.
In summary
Focusing on these tips and your treatment will outline the key elements of your TV series or show and demonstrate your storytelling prowess and vision… in action.
Finally, have fun. Make it more fun to read. Enjoy yourself.
