Writing the Killer Treatment: Selling Your Story Without a Script

by Michael Halperin and Michael Halperin

Book Overview

Writers have to understand and develop the elements that make a great script before writing the script itself. Halperin demonstrates how treatments can be effective, taking writers through the entire process in a variety of genres including originals, adaptations, movies-of-the-week, miniseries, sitcoms and soap operas.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 094118840X
• ISBN13: 9780941188401
• Release Date: February 2002
• Publisher: Michael Wiese Productions
• Length: 196 Pages
• Weight: 1.25 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 6.1" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Great for TV Series Mostly

I liked this book very much, but it's meant more for TV series and movies of the week. It does have great value in breaking down the classic 3-Acts, and provides excellent defining of beats that turn into an exciting treatment that he provides a sample of. It doesn't cover screenwriting for cinema as much.

Easy to read, great information, helped me get started

This book is full of very good information. It is easy to read and every chapter has exercsies to help you practice what the author suggests. I've written my first treatment and it is being reviewed by an agent. If you have an idea for a TV show or movie, this book is a great first start.

Mark F Armstrong, Filmmaker

A breezy, non-intimidating, but comprehensive read on creating literary sketches and blueprints for screenplays. Geared strictly toward big screen and small screen features, but adaptable to music videos if a little filmmaking common sense is applied. Highly recommended!

How to Sell Your Script -- Then Write It!

Writing a solid treatment is something rarely -- if ever -- taught in writing courses. This is a great disadvantage for screenwriters, because having the ability to write a compelling treatment could make the difference between getting your foot in the door -- or getting the door closed in your face. At the very least, mastering this writing form can help writers flesh out their material and pitch it to prospective buyers BEFORE they write the script, allowing them to get feedback and make changes to a 10-15 page document versus a 100-120 page one. There are few books on this very important topic, and Michael Halperin has written one that belongs in every writers library. If you don't understand what a treatment is for, how it is used, or how to create one, you will after reading this book. And if you plan on writing for TV, this book is a must. With it's many examples of how to write treatments for TV -- episodic and long-form, it will cut your learning curve in half!