Overview
The speaker, an experienced commercial director, shares insights and practical advice on writing effective director’s treatments, emphasizing the importance of individuality, clarity, and continual practice.
What is a Director’s Treatment?
- A treatment is a crucial document in the pitching process, created after the initial agency or client briefing.
- It visually and narratively communicates how the proposed video will look and feel before production decisions are made.
- There is no standard structure—each treatment reflects the filmmaker’s style and adapts to the project and audience.
Starting the Treatment
- Beginning the writing process is often the hardest; focus on key sections such as approach, concept, visuals, and what makes you right for the job.
- Clearly articulate the concept, even if provided by the client, and express what you like or would improve.
- Tailor treatments to the specific audience, considering their personalities and needs.
Detailing Visuals and Style
- Specify details like shooting style, aspect ratio, lighting, time of day, and setting to help the agency and production team visualize the project.
- Discuss wardrobe and character details to add depth and appeal to the story.
- Use high-quality, mood-appropriate images to support your visual ideas; avoid low-quality or watermarked images.
Tools and Resources
- Software choice (Keynote, PowerPoint, Google Slides, Canva) is less important than clarity and comfort with the tool.
- Tools like Frame Set can aid in sourcing high-quality reference images efficiently.
- The speaker offers a comprehensive eBook, checklists, and templates for those seeking further guidance.
Structuring and Length
- There are no strict page requirements; treatments can range from 8 to over 50 pages, but 20–25 pages is often ideal for balance.
- Focus on conveying the idea clearly rather than meeting a preset length.
Additional Tips and Industry Practices
- Consider discussing post-production, color grading, CGI, and VFX as appropriate, based on the initial briefing’s energy and relevance.
- Professional services exist to help with visual research, design, and even writing—these can be costly but useful in time-sensitive situations.
- Regularly seek feedback, analyze other directors’ treatments where possible, and aim to practice extensively to develop your style.
Recommendations / Advice
- Practice regularly and solicit feedback to improve your treatments.
- Study other directors’ treatments for reference and inspiration.
- Focus on communication tailored to the specific project and decision-makers.