How to write a
documentary treatment or proposal…..
http://www.ehow.com/how_7727891_write-documentary-proposal.html
http://www.ehow.com/how_7727891_write-documentary-proposal.html
Scripts are often not used in documentary films—because
you cannot predict what will
happen when the camera is rolling. In place of a script,
filmmakers use treatments,
proposals, or even outlines--to describe and help plan a
documentary project. There is a
lot of overlap between these concepts and different
filmmakers use them in similar and
often interchangeable ways.
A treatment is a
short story narrative written in simple, non-technical language (ie. no
camera angles, transitions, etc.).
A proposal, which
frequently includes a treatment, is a thorough description of all
aspects of a project. It is created in the pre-production
stage of a documentary project to
persuade funders, distributors and others to support the
project.
Proposals
What is your idea?
What is the feasibility of your project?
Proposal Packet may include:
Artist's statement
Bio
Resume
Budget
Images
Link to Vimeo site, Website or blog
Letter of Recommendation
An effective proposal will:
• Tell a good story
• Make human truths emerge through images—not just verbal
description.
• Present a personal, critical perspective on some aspect
of the human condition.
• Inform and emotionally move an audience
Usually a proposal will contain the following information:
• Length of work, format.
• Who is the intended audience?
• Goal or intended purpose(s) of the film
• Has any media work already been produced on this
subject? If so, what is new,
different, interesting, engaging about your approach?
• Style (Any key stylistic elements in writing, shooting,
audio, editing, etc.)
• What about the soundtrack? (Any music, narration,
etc.—If so, who? what?)
• Who is working on the project? And what similar projects
have they done in the past? (Credibility of production team)
• How will this work be distributed? (Which
markets,anydistributor on board already?)
• Project history or current status of project.
• Historical background or context of the story
• Who, what, where, when, how, why?
Depending on
the situation, you may choose to include the following: How will the
project be
funded? An outline production schedule.
A proposal
will usually be accompanied by a budget and a sample reel or work-inprogress
edit.
The goal of a
proposal is to communicate your idea to someone who may know nothing
about either
you, your previous work, or this project—don’t make assumptions. Usually
a proposal is
a key element in securing resources to produce a project--so the credibility
of the
production team, and such factors as ‘Why this film?’ ‘Why now?’ and
‘Why these
producers?’ are important.
Treatments
Whereas a
proposal presents its argument rationally via categorized information,
the treatment
evokes how an audience will experience the film on the screen.
Write in the
active-voice in present tense. Tell the reader what they will see and hear on
the screen.
Describe the
story and introduce any characters. Write colorfully, so the reader
visualizes
what’s in your mind’s eye—but avoid splashy adjectives and hyperbole
wherever
possible (ie: Do not write: “This spellbinding story will be magically brought to
life by the remarkable
camera work of Jane
Spriggs…” You have to show how the story
is spellbinding
and demonstrate that Ms.
Spriggs work is remarkable by
providing
supporting
information. A treatment is not necessarily brief! (usually 2-10 pages,
double-spaced)
Be specific—don’t use words like may, might, possibly—your film will do xyz. If
you don’t know
exactly which music you will use—make your best guess—you can
always change
your mind later. It is not always possible to answer all these questions, in
many cases you
will write what you expect to
occur.
Treatments and
proposals are used to:
1. Describe a
project so that people involved share an understanding of
interpretation
and approach.
2. Create a
paper document that can help secure funding, distribution, and other
resources.
3. Provide
guidance in the structuring and editing of a documentary project.
You should
only write a treatment or proposal after conducting the initial research
that will
answer as many of the questions listed above as possible. You might visit a
library, scan
a newspaper archive online, or contact institutions and individuals by phone
or email to
expand your knowledge of the subject at hand.
Be
professional—not personal. Never make up partners or awards etc. (For
example, Do
not write that, “Disney is on board…” if you do not have such an
agreement.
Often letters are attached to a proposal to certify such relationships.
Write and
re-write the proposal until it is fluid.
Some funders
and agents have their own format for proposals—they will not read
documents that
are not in the prescribed format. Check first.
GRANTS AND SCHOLARSHIPS LINKS:
Are you eligible? What grants and scholarships does Columbia make available to you?
Visit The Donors Forum:
http://www.donorsforum.org/s_donorsforum/index.asp
Studs Terkel Media Scholarship
Visit The Donors Forum:
http://www.donorsforum.org/s_donorsforum/index.asp
Studs Terkel Media Scholarship
http://communitymediaworkshop.org/terkel/
Great Resourse
CAAP Grant:
http://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/dca/provdrs/grants/svcs/caap_applicationsummary.html
Illinois Arts Council
http://www.arts.illinois.gov/Individual%20Artist%20Support%20Eligibility
Letters are crucial documents for job seekers. No resume should go out without an accompanying cover letter. And that letter is your first introduction to that employer. See more business proposal letter
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