Bit confused about writing a film treatment

H

ht_ooms

New member
Some sources say a film treatment should be 10-15 pages other say up to 80. Terminator for example had a 44 page treatment and included dialogue and camera directions. one site says NEVER to use dialogue or camera direction. is there not one generally accepted format?
 
What it really boils down to is personal preference.

You can make it as long as you want, as detailed as you like--with or without dialogue.

I draft a treatment from my extended scene beat sheet, which consists of all my scenes (usually 40-60) written out in paragraphs, each 1-5 sentences in length. I also include any snappy lines of dialogue that I intend to use, or any other important ideas that I don't want to forget.

My treatments are never longer than 13 pages.

It's whatever works for you. Try it different ways and see which you like best. There is no wrong way.
 
I heard James Cameron is famous for his script-ments. He likes to make them very detailed so he can remember how he is going to shoot it. Usually only writer/directors put in camera movement.

When selling a treatment to a studio they don't like long treatments, it's like a detailed pitch. Here is a great "insider" info on Treatments from the writers of Pirates of the C. HERE
 
This site called Wordplayer has a bunch of columns on screenwriting. This one talks about treatments and has some examples available for download:
http://www.wordplayer.com/columns/wp37.Proper.Treatment.html

The site is written by the guys who did Pirates of the Caribbean, The Mask of Zorro, and Aladdin among others. It's got some good info and it's a pretty entertaining read besides.

Cheers
 
If you want to sell your script don't add any camera direction (or do so very rarely at like the climax or something). But if you're writting it for yourself then do whatever you like.
 
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