Royal Treatment:
Creating Movie Treatments that Sell
With screenwriter and producer Spyder Dobrofsky.
January 18, 2024
8 to 10 p.m. Eastern (5 to 7 p.m. Pacific)
A movie treatment is a detailed document that provides an overview of a film. It serves as a blueprint or roadmap for the movie, outlining the plot, characters, setting, and tone.
Ultimately, it’s the essential tool for pitching your movie to potential investors, producers, and collaborators. But how do you create a compelling treatment, and what elevates it from ordinary to a royal treatment?
In this one-evening class, you’ll learn a step-by-step process to make sure your movie treatment...
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conveys the essence of your story in a concise and compelling way.
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gives a sense of the narrative flow of the story from beginning to end.
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introduces the characters and dynamics of the relationships in the story.
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outlines the plot framework and pacing.
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describes the tone and visual style of the movie.
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allows filmmakers to quickly grasp the concept and potential of the film.
Your treatment may even be used as a guide during your film’s development process, since it presents a clear vision of the movie. That’s why it’s so important to give your story the royal treatment.
Here’s how the class will unfold.
Introduction to Movie Treatments:
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Definition and purpose of a movie treatment.
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Importance in the filmmaking process.
Structural Elements
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Overview of the typical structure: beginning, middle, and end.
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Importance of a compelling opening to grab attention.
Character Development
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Creating well-defined and relatable characters.
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Their motivations, conflicts, and arcs.
Plot Outline
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Crafting a concise yet engaging plot summary.
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Highlighting key events and turning points.
Setting and Atmosphere
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Describing the world of the movie.
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Setting the tone and atmosphere to enhance the story.
Themes and Message
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Identifying underlying themes and messages.
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Ensuring coherence with the overall narrative.
Visual Elements
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Incorporating visual elements that enhance storytelling.
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Discussing potential visual motifs or symbolism.
Target Audience
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Understanding the intended audience.
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Tailoring the treatment to resonate with specific demographics.
Dialogue and Voice
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Crafting authentic and impactful dialogue.
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Maintaining a consistent narrative voice.
Industry Considerations
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Addressing market trends and audience preferences.
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Preparing the treatment for pitching and industry standards.
Q&A
Faculty
Spyder Dobrofsky has written and executive produced several movies in the Christmas genre including The Housewives of the Northpole, an NBC Peacock's original movie, and One Christmas Wish. Spyder sold his first movie at age 23, making him one of the youngest writers to ever have a produced motion picture. He was a guest on Jay Leno's Tonight Show as a teenager alongside Jack Black for launching the worldwide website and phenomenon, Car-Parazzi. He has recently appeared on the Story Summit podcast, Living to Write.
$79 for two hours of instruction
EVENING CLASS
January 18, 2024.
8 to 10 PM Eastern (5 to 8 PM Pacific)
Please note: Our classes are designed specifically for live participation, so your attendance is important. If you need to miss a class for any reason, you’ll receive a passcode-protected link to watch the recordings after the course is over.
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