A treatment is a documented framework that specifies all aspects of a film, music video, commercial, or production in detail. A film director is usually the one who drafts this document. It is a vital tool for video professionals to pitch ideas to producers, financiers and prospective talent. Much of these points are inspired by Diego Contreras.

Step 1: Sell the Vision

The best tip for enhancing your treatments is to start with a clear and well-defined vision for the project. Visualize your thoughts, then notate your ideas for the project. Incorporate all ideas that make it uniquely yours. Write down everything from lighting inspiration, summarized dialogue, key camera angles, dynamic movements and unknown/under-represented locations.

Step 2: Curate the Visual

This step is more fun. Avoid large collections of reference images for only filling blank space. A treatment that has a lot of gorgeous, evocative, and cinematic images but is ultimately unrelated may appear crowded. Curate your images to be highly specific and augment the aesthetic appeal of your written treatment notes. Colors matter. If possible try to keep the same color palette across all your images. If you're going to devote a whole page to mood references, make sure that the pictures are properly arranged to demonstrate your vision and convey the storyline. When reference images are absent create your own.

Step 3: Be concise and convey why YOU matter

A director's treatment is essentially a longer elevator pitch. Your reader has approximately 5-10 minutes to buy into your idea. If this is for a commercial that a company has developed a script for over months they are looking for you to present an original approach to their concept, not make a linear narrative. Understand that your treatment is subject to creative input or restriction from your prospective client. Be open and flexible. Enjoy the process.