How many pages should a movie treatment be?

Answer 1

The number of pages in a treatment depends on two variables:

• The depth and detail the writer wants to write
• The depth and detail the buyer wants to read

Since the goal of a treatment is to sell a script idea to someone willing to produce it, it's a good idea to understand the minimum number of pages it takes to tell your story in enough depth so that it stands out as unique and profitable.

Here's how you can start, and then make progress:

• Write it out. Tell everything. Empty your mind.
• Start the first re-write by identifying key --
  • characters
  • plot points
  • twists
  • highlights
• Complete the first re-write (re-write again until it's your best longer version)
• Sleep on it
• Condense the story again to its bare bones (re-write it until its your best shorter version)

In the end, you may have about four pages in the bare-bones version, and less than 20 pages in the first re-write.

For both versions, use Courier 10pt font with generous margins.

When you pitch your idea, you'll have the short version to use as a 'sales aid', and the longer version to pass along when a buyer wants more detail.