i was completely unaware of what a director's treatment was until my director friend asked me to design one for their playstation pitch. making my first deck was filled with highs of collaboration and lows of self-doubt. we ended up winning the job (and a trip to the tundra of winter kansas). and just like that, i fell in love with the fast-paced, exciting treatment process. here are some things i wish i had known going into my first treatment, hopefully they help you.
so. in short, a treatment is a deck which is presented to stakeholders to get film, creative, and commercial projects produced. a good treatment bridges the ideas of directors, artists, and producers to map out what a project will look like. i know this sounds abstract, but let me give you an idea of the process that is behind a treatment.
here's the breakdown: a brand and their agency have an idea. → they write a brief. → brief goes out to production companies, who put 1 to 3 of their directors up for it. → each director writes what is usually referred to as "written" treatment. → treatment deck outlining everything from casting to location is developed around written. → pitches are made.
a treatment isn't a script, and it isn't just a mood board. it's the basis of discussion for why the film, commercial, or music video in your head is the right one. a good treatment should give strong framework for execution, while leaving space for inspired moments throughout the process, even on set.
what goes into a treatment?
each pitch will vary, but here are some common beats:
- an opening statement. your take first. what is this project about and why does it matter to you. this is your first chance to connect.
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visual approach. how it looks and feels - grade, texture, camera behavior, etc.
- casting. who are these people? not headshots, more the energy. a face you want, a vibe they possess, the way they carry themselves.
- locations. where it all lives. interiors. exteriors. real or built.
- cinematography + lighting. lenses, format, movement, how light behaves.
- production design, wardrobe, color. the world, assembled.
- sound design. music, if applicable. what does the world sound like?
- close. why you? short.
not every treatment needs all of it. some treatments need supplemental pages such as graphics. use your intuition when it comes to the depth of explanation and illustration in your treatments. you can be descriptive without being verbose.
three tips for winning treatments //
1. don't summarize the brief back to them. the agency and brand already know what they wrote. open with your point of view on how to approach this project. the idea is there. make it yours.
2. pull more than you need. when you feel visually-inspired, it's easier to get into a flow state while creating your deck. while doing visual research, you should be generous in your pulls so you have options that align with your vision which can change throughout the process.
3. get your written finished before you begin designing. i promise. this will act as a north star for your process. everything from design to structure can be drawn from your written. even if your ideas change, you want to begin with a clear direction.
one last thing. your treatment is your proof of concept and taste. treatments should always be designed from a place of intention. it should look like it came from someone who knows what they're doing, and it shouldn't cost you a night's sleep to build.
that's the reason pitch please exists. the design work is done. shop the link below if you want to save time and impress clients.
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