How to Write a TV Show Treatment (with Examples) — TV Writing & Development: Ep1

Summary

This video script offers a guide to crafting a compelling TV pilot, emphasizing the importance of framing your story, establishing strong characters, and setting up the entire series from the start. Using examples like *Cheers*, *Justified*, and *Friday Night Lights*, it demonstrates how to begin with an ending that creates intrigue and sets up a larger narrative arc. The script explores how to develop a concept, build character drives, and use dramatic moments to tease the show’s future, ultimately showing how groundwork leads to a powerful pilot that can attract audiences and executives alike.

Takeaways

• 😀 A strong TV show pilot needs a clear emotional and exciting hook to grab the audience's attention.
• 😀 A compelling concept is crucial, but it's the execution of the plot that determines if a show will be successful beyond the pilot.
• 😀 The idea of 'legs' refers to the potential of a show to stay engaging and interesting long after the pilot episode.
• 😀 A good story doesn’t always equal a good plot; the difference between story and plot can be illustrated by the famous Ian Forster quote.
• 😀 Many successful pilots begin at the end of a character's current life, setting up a dramatic new beginning.
• 😀 Pilots should introduce a compelling question that will drive the series forward, like 'Will they or won’t they?' or 'Can they escape their past?'
• 😀 A well-executed pilot, like 'Cheers,' has tight storytelling where every event serves a purpose and establishes future arcs.
• 😀 Characters need a clear global drive to carry them throughout the series, and this should be clearly indicated in the pilot.
• 😀 The setup of a world and character motivations is crucial for laying the groundwork of the entire series in the pilot episode.
• 😀 The pilot episode must give viewers a sense of direction for the show, like in 'Justified,' where the character's internal conflict is established from the start.
• 😀 Strong pilots develop both characters and the world they inhabit, and the more groundwork laid in the pilot, the stronger the show will be.
• 😀 Great pilots know how to incorporate drama and conflict to establish long-term character growth and story arcs, such as in 'Friday Night Lights.'

Q & A

What is the central idea of the TV show concept discussed in the script?

The central idea of the TV show concept is summarized as 'Nothing.' The script introduces the process of transforming an initial concept into a compelling pilot episode, highlighting how a seemingly simple or vague idea can be developed into a story with substance.

What role does the 'treatment' play in the writing process of a pilot episode?

The treatment is a crucial part of the writing process, providing a detailed summary or blueprint of the show’s concept, characters, and structure. It’s often when writers get feedback and sometimes even 'free lunch,' helping them refine the idea before actual scriptwriting.

What does it mean when executives say a show doesn't have 'legs'?

When executives say a show doesn't have 'legs,' they mean that the idea lacks the potential to sustain interest or remain entertaining beyond the pilot episode. A show with 'legs' will have engaging plot points and characters that can evolve over time.

Why do great ideas sometimes fail to become successful shows?

Not every great idea translates into a successful show because it may lack a strong, engaging plot or active character development. A successful show needs compelling conflict, clear character motivations, and an overarching narrative that will keep viewers invested.

What does Ian Forster's quote 'The King died, and then the Queen died' suggest about the difference between story and plot?

Ian Forster's quote illustrates that while a story is a sequence of events (e.g., 'The King died, and then the Queen died'), a plot is deeper and more complex, involving emotional or thematic causes (e.g., 'The King died, and the Queen died of grief'). A plot gives meaning and depth to the events of a story.

Why do many pilots start at the end of the characters' journey?

Many pilots start at the end to establish a dramatic shift in the characters' lives. This ending serves as a new beginning for the story, setting up conflict and intrigue while teasing the larger narrative arc of the show.

How does the pilot of 'Cheers' exemplify the concept of ending and beginning?

The pilot of 'Cheers' exemplifies the concept of ending and beginning by introducing Diane, who ends her relationship with Sumner and begins a new chapter of her life as a waitress at Cheers. This shift sets the stage for her evolving relationship with Sam, which is central to the show’s premise.

What does Raylan Givens' journey in 'Justified' reveal about pilot structure?

Raylan Givens' journey in 'Justified' highlights the importance of a character experiencing an 'end' (leaving his sunny Miami life) and a 'beginning' (starting over in his hometown). The pilot ends with the compelling question of whether Raylan can ever escape his violent nature, setting up the series’ central conflict.

How does 'Friday Night Lights' introduce its characters and world in the pilot?

'Friday Night Lights' uses the first 10 minutes of the pilot to introduce its characters through media coverage and press inquiries, offering a rundown of the characters’ motivations. This is then followed by a dramatic moment—the fumble—marking the beginning of Jason Street’s journey, a key turning point in the show.

What advice does the script give about building strong characters for a TV pilot?

The script emphasizes the importance of laying strong groundwork for characters before writing the script. This includes developing their motivations, conflicts, and desires, which will propel the series forward. Characters should have a global drive that suggests where the show is headed, and their actions in the pilot should reflect this.