The EssentialShowbiz Dictionary™

of Entertainment Industry Terms

Treatment

1 minute read | Last updated: 4 months ago

What does Treatment mean?

Treatment refers to a detailed summary of a film, TV show, or other media project, outlining the key story points, characters, and tone. A treatment is usually written before the script and is used to pitch the project to producers, studios, or investors. It often includes a breakdown of major scenes but doesn’t contain full dialogue or detailed scene descriptions like a screenplay. Related terms include Pitch, which is the verbal presentation of a project, and Outline, a more detailed plan of the script’s structure.

Example:The writer created a 10-page treatment to pitch the idea for a new sci-fi film to the studio, outlining the plot and key characters.
Example: Treatments are often used as the first step in securing funding or studio interest before moving on to writing the full script.

Did You Know?
Some treatments are as short as one page, while others can be 20 or more pages long, depending on the complexity of the project!

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