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Lecture 5:Lecture 5:Industry ToolsIndustry Tools

Professor Daniel Cutrara

Previous LessonPrevious Lesson

• Supporting Elements

• American Beauty

• Assignments

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This LessonThis Lesson

• The Treatment

• Coverage

• Character Breakdown

• Assignments

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The TreatmentThe Treatment

Lesson 5: Part I

Uses for the Treatment

• For the Story– Writer uses the treatment to develop the

story.

• Marketing– Writer, producer, etc. uses treatment to sell

the story.

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The Writer’s Treatment

• No set style. Elements vary. – Dialogue– Description– Length

Adaptation (2002)

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Marketing Treatments

• Selling the narrative

• Standard conventions

• Varying lengths – 1 or more pages– Five is a

comfortable read.

The Player (1992)

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The Elements of the Treatment

• An opening that hooks the audience• A final climax that satisfies their sense

of storytelling• a relatable protagonist• a central conflict around which all the

action revolves• a central emotional line

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The Elements of the Treatment (cont’d)

• all the necessary main and supporting characters

• the essential content of every scene from beginning to end.

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The StyleThe Style

• It’s a pitch• Dramatic,

straighforward, visual• Present tense, broad

strokes• The main storyline

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The Treatment Template

• The Template– Atchity & Wong p. 52

• Maximize key scenes, minimize the story that connects them.

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The Treatment Template (cont’d)

• Act 1– Introduction of Protagonist and Problem

• How protagonist takes on problem.

• Act 2– Protagonist encounters obstacles

• Reversals and build to the climax of Act 2

• Act 3– Protagonist achieves mission

• Crisis, climax, resolution12

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CoverageCoverage

Lesson 5: Part II

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The Top Sheet

• Pause the lecture and review the sample coverage from American Beauty.

• The Cover Page/Top Sheet– The Various Elements

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The Top Sheet (Cont’d)

• Top Sheet Sections– The Details – The Logline– The Evaluations

• Commercial• The Grid

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The Details

• Script Data– Writer, page length, genre, location

• Business Data– Agent, Executive, Analyst

• Elements/Attachments– If needed this info would already

accompany the spec script.

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The Logline

• The Story in a nutshell– Varies in length– 1 to 2 line teaser

setting up the Act Two tension.

– 3 to 4 lines encapsulating the whole story.

• Examples at IMDB.Com17

Evaluations

• The Grid– Concept, Character,

Plot/Structure, Dialogue

• Commercial– Marketability

Excellent

Good

Fair

Poor

Concept X

Character X X

Plot/Structure X

Dialogue X

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The Synopsis

• Pause the lecture and review the coverage synopsis of American Beauty.

• Note the length and the style.

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The Synopsis (cont’d)

• The Length– Variable depending on

the company and the material being covered.

• The Style– Capture the narrative– Present Tense– Format conventions

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The Approach

• Read the Script in one sitting• Just note the turning points

– Avoid taking detailed notes

• Write first draft from memory and the turning point notes

• Make sure to capture character arc, tone, and genre.

• It should be an engaging read.

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The Approach (Cont’d)

• Capitalize character names when first introduced.

• Don’t step outside the story. – For example- p. 156 Garfinkel

• “From the novel’s very first sentence”

– Even though some analysts and companies are fine with this unless it is advised don’t do it.

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Comments

• Pause the lecture and read over the comments section for the American Beauty coverage.

• Note the style, tone, and elements covered.

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The Four Types

• Standard Coverage• Constructive Coverage• Political Coverage• Sales Coverage

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Standard Coverage

• The Basic• Generally an in house document, for the

client’s eyes only.• You give a solid evaluation, no frills.• However, be tactful, you never know

who may read your coverage.

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Standard Variations

• Writing samples for a particular project in development.

• Directing samples.• Adaptations

Twelve Monkeys (1995) directed by Terry Gilliam

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Constructive Coverage

• Intended for producers, directors, and writers.

• You not only note what works and what doesn’t but offer constructive solutions to address major issues.

• Imagine yourself as a writing partner, be positive about the project.

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Political Coverage

• Welcome to the Spin Zone.• Discovering your comfort zone.• Writing as an advocate for the script.

– internal politics

• Accentuate the positive.• Minimize the negative

– don’t ignore, give yourself an out if the script tanks.

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Sales Coverage

• For potential investors, producers, directors, sales agents, actors.

• Punchy synopsis that hooks the reader.• If you do comments- they would most

likely focus on the commercial. – marketability– audience– casting potential– visual possibilities

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Style• Industry vs Academia

– don’t use words like diegesis, hegemony.

• Descriptive– use adjectives and

adverbs strategically

• A hint of informality– contractions are

appropriate

• Professional– avoid first person,

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Comments Template

• The Opening– begin with a thesis

paragraph that sums up your take on the script.

– Comparison to other films

– Feature, TV, Cable, straight to DVD?

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Template (2)

• The Body– Concept – Character and

dialogue– Plot and Structure– Pace– Visuals– Writing style

Shane Black-Action Screenwriter

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Template (3)

• Warning—– Refrain from harsh remarks.

• The Conclusion– A quick summary of your evaluation.

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The Recommendation

• Recommend– top 2-5 percent of scripts you will ever read– you must be convinced this will be both a

commercial and critical success.

• Consider– top 5-10 percent of scripts you will read– there is enough value for your client

• Pass– not enough here to warrant further time.

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The Character BreakdownThe Character Breakdown

Lesson 5: Part III

Entourage

The Breakdown

• Name– full name

• Age– the range an actor can play

• Race/Ethnicity– whatever is considered politically correct

• Type– lead, supporting character, etc.

• Description– the character in a nutshell

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The Wrap Up

• Selling the Story– The Treatment– The Coverage– The Breakdown

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AssignmentsAssignments

Lesson 5: Part IV

Network (1976)written by Paddy Chayefsky

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E-Board Post #1E-Board Post #1• Approximately 200 words. Pick a favorite

film and do a character breakdown for four of the main characters.

• Comment on two of your peers.

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End of Lecture 5End of Lecture 5

Next Lecture:

A Different Vision

Little Miss Sunshine (2006)written by Michael Arndt

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