This document provides guidance on how to write an effective treatment for an opening sequence of a film. It explains that a treatment outlines the key visual and audio elements of the sequence to sell directors' ideas. An opening sequence treatment should take the reader through the story and introduce characters without revealing too much information. It should be 1-2 pages long and grip the reader from the start while moving the action forward. The document includes a treatment template that prompts writers to outline elements like the film title, genre, locations, visual style, and equipment needs. It stresses that treatments must be submitted individually by the deadline to begin filming.

1. HOW TO WRITE YOUR OPENING SEQUENCE
TREATMENT
A treatment is a guideline used in the industry for Directors to express their ideas in a
more detailed form than a pitch.
It is a process whereby every code or message can be broken down into visual and
audible segments and discussed in terms of reasons for using them.
YOUR TREATMENT MUST:
• Take the reader through the story of the opening sequence. It must
bring across the characters and events, as they will appear.
• It must not give more information than the audience of the opening
sequence will have.
• It should be about 1-2 pages.
• A treatment sells the video to both creative and financial minds,
therefore it must:
 Grip the reader from the first line of the first page.
 Make the reader want to keep reading until the end.
 Move the action forward and not linger on descriptions.
 Attached is your treatment template.
 Discuss all of these elements in your groups and make sure you all
have a copy.
 Write up your treatment in essay form.
PLEASE BE AWARE THAT:
 Your treatment must be written and submitted
individually.
Treatment
Deadline and Presentation
Thursday 3rd
November

2.  IF THESE ARE NOT SUBMITTED BY THE DEADLINE
YOU WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO BEGIN
PLANNING & FILMING.
TREATMENT TEMPLATE
Fill out a template treatment as a group before writing your treatment so that you
are all clear on your ideas:
TREATMENT OUTLINE
In this first section, outline the basic elements of your opening sequence (points below)
as well as any other information that you may feel is relevant.
 Film Title
 Genre
 Target audience
 Synopsis – Summarise the plot of the entire film.
 Narrative Style (Linear/Non-Linear)
 Themes / Binary Oppositions
 Music (Have you gained copyright approval to use the song? If not, how do
you plan on doing this?)
OVERVIEW/CONCEPT
This needs to be an in depth overview of everything that the audience will see and hear
in your opening sequence. It will be a step-by-step breakdown of each shot and scene.
- Talk about titles, camera angles, sound and editing techniques you will use.
- Will you incorporate the enigma code? How?
CHARACTERS
Briefly describe the main characters in the opening sequence and their character
profiles and purpose. Link this to Propp.
LOCATIONS
Outline every location you intend to use and detail how they will be effective in your
opening sequence:
- Why have you chosen them?
- Do they fit with the genre and how?
VISUAL ELEMENTS/MISE EN SCENE /STYLE CHOICES
Discuss your choices for colour, lighting, costume and props as well as the general style
of the opening sequence:
- Why have you chosen these?
- How will they link to the genre and appeal to your target audience?

3. EQUIPMENT AND RESOURCES YOU WILL NEED
Describe all equipment you will need to achieve your creative choices and how you will
access it.
Do you have any gaps in your skills that you need to address?
Editing/Shooting/Sound/After Effects.
Will you be using your own equipment? What camera will you be using?
POSSIBLE STRUGGLES AND HOW YOU’LL OVERCOME IT
Think ahead and discuss any difficulties that may occur during the making of your
opening sequence.
How will you as a group overcome these?
SUMMARY
Summarise your ideas and conclude.