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FOUNDATION PRODUCTIONAIMS FOR TODAYS LESSON:

To understand the definition and

purpose of a film treatment.

 To identify the elements of an

effective treatment and how to

write one for your own thrillers.

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WHAT IS A TREATMENT? AS PART OF YOUR COURSEWORK YOU NEED TO SUBMIT A

DETAILED SYNOPSIS KNOWN IN THE INDUSTRY AS A

‘TREATMENT’.

A full account of a film’s narrative written in continuous prose, which also gives a strong sense of how the film might look. Treatments are often used to sell an idea to production executives so 

they need to convey vivid ideas on character,action and setting, generally using only small samples of dialogue to give a flavour of the tone of 

the projected screenplay. Treatments are sometimes commissioned from writers, but can 

also be written speculatively to interest a company in an idea.’ 

(Blandford, Grant & Hillier. 2001 

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WHY SHOULD I WRITE ONE?

• It can communicate the main ideas, events, andcharacters in the film to anyone who reads it (in your 

case, teachers and examiners)

• It will help the filmmaker foresee any problems insecuring locations, actors, equipment and crew.

• It will help in the organisation of the sequence of events in the film, so film is easier to film and edit.

 EACH GROUP SHOULD PRODUCE A

TREATMENT OF AROUND 750 WORDS

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WHAT SHOULD MY

TREATMENT INCLUDE?- Title with an explanation of connotations

- Identify T.A with appeal, with some primary research e.g.focus group.

- Technology – how will it be used and why that technology

is suitable.- Representation – characters, types.

- Narrative – Summary of opening sequence withconventions

- Conventions - how will they be observed/subverted – with

explanations- Style & Iconography effects of camerawork/editing, use

of costumes, props

- Institution – who would produce/distribute/exhibit thisfilm? Why?

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TITLE

• What does the title connote about the film’s

themes/content?

• Is the title conventional for the thriller 

genre?

• How will it appeal to your target audience?

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TARGET AUDIENCE

• Who is your target audience (age, gender,interests, other media consumption, class)

• Why will your film appeal to them (themes,representation, narrative, USP)

• You should also conduct some primary research(questionnaire/focus group to find out more aboutyour audience’s opinions on your film)

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TECHNOLOGY

• How will use technology to realise your 

 production – try to be innovative!

• Why will that technology be suitable?

• Are there any limitations?

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REPRESENTATIONS

• Who are the key characters in your thriller (protagonist/antagonist)

• Can you apply Propp’s character types tothe characters in your film?

• Will your film subvert or challenge typicalrepresentations of any groups in society?

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NARRATIVE

• Brief summary of what will happen in your film.

• A more detailed summary of what will happen inyour opening sequence.

• How will you use the conventions of an openingsequence, specifically those of the thriller genre?

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CONVENTIONS

• How will you use the conventions of the

thriller genre (conform/subvert)?

• Will your thriller fall into any sub-genres of 

the thriller genre?

• Will your thriller have any hybrid elements?

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STYLE AND ICONOGRAPHY

• How will you use camerawork to create an effect for theaudience?

• How will you use editing to create an effect for theaudience?

• How will you use costumes/props as visual signifiers for the audience?

• How will you use sound (music, effects) to create an effectfor the audience?

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INSTITUTION

• What type of company would produce your film(Hollywood/Subsiduary/Independent)? Give aspecific example explaining why.

• What type of company would distribute your film?Give a specific example explaining why.

• Where would your film be exhibited (Types of cinema/home release/NMT)? Offer specificexamples.

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POINTS TO REMEMBER WHEN WRITING

YOUR TREATMENT

GENRE- Think about the conventions of the genre, goodbackground research will help you with this.

The key elements of all thrillers are:SUSPENSE, TENSION and ANTICIPATION

 

As Hitchcock says-

“There is no terror in a bang, only in the anticipation of it"  

The conventions of an opening sequence-

How is the narrative set up?

How will you position the spectator,

How will you hook your audience?