Scriptment form

I've never heard of it.

My understanding of a scriptment is that it's a super-expanded treatment with actual chunks of script and dialogue found here and there.

I also am of the understanding that it's highly discouraged among newbie scriptwriters because it's such an alarmingly free-form way of packaging a script --too loosey-goosey for Hollywood to put up with. So only big names who are already established can get away with it. Or (so I have heard) only small indie guys working almost 100% on their own can get away with it because those guys are essentially the writer/producer/directors (and often the cinematographers and editors) so they can write their script however they want.

The advantages of a scriptment are:

1) you can write it in a somewhat briefer format than a full formal script
2) you can write it in a far more expanded scope than a mere treatment
3) you can pick and choose which scenes you deem so crucial in your final imaginings of the story that you can write out those particular scenes in excruciating detail with your precise preferences for ttheir look and feel, while breezing past those scenes that you find merely cursory and self-explanatory
4) (the most important advantage) you can more accurately dictate your intended tone for the finished film via copious usage of prosaic/novel-like action paragraphs
5) (just one more plus) you can deliberately skew the execution of the scriptment to read more like a novel than a script, thus expanding the audience of potential readers outside of those Hollywood initiates who have already been trained in the art of how to read screenplays.

The longest it ever took me to write an actual script was six months. It was my first script and I actually knew nothing about the process. (The shortest was 21 days and I actually sold that one.) I would rather spend my time and effort on writing an actual script rather than spend my time trying to short cut the process.

Remember, however, the only real rule - "Writers write." Keep at it until your fingers bleed and then buy bandaids. I just think the best use of my time is to write scripts and have them available for producers and those who have the money to make movies.

James Cameron is famous for scriptments. But he's James Cameron. For a newbie, it's pretty much a no-no.

They're more often replacements for Treatments -- like if you are at the level where you can sell a Treatment -- than replacements for actual scripts.

I do scriptments - for personal use before writing a script, proper.

I see it as kind of a "story brain dump". At this point in my life, I don't have the luxury of always having writing time at the same time every day, so I dump as much as I can when I can.

I don't think I'd try to SELL a scriptment, though.

mommyjo2 said:

I do scriptments - for personal use before writing a script, proper.

I see it as kind of a "story brain dump". At this point in my life, I don't have the luxury of always having writing time at the same time every day, so I dump as much as I can when I can.

I don't think I'd try to SELL a scriptment, though.

Click to expand...

I agree.

Treatments, synopses, scriptments are best used as tools to help a writer perfect the story before dramatizing it in screenplay format. It is very rare that any sort of treatment sells. In this current marketplace, new writers must lead with a screenplay. It is unlikely that a treatment or pitch will sell from a new writer. And you'd be hard-pressed to find any sort of legitmate representation that would be remotely interested in looking at anything other than a screenplay.

In the climate of a shrinking Hollywood and reduced production, studios and producers want to spend little time and money in development. Most are looking for completed screenplays that are as close to production as possible. (Never an easy thing.)

As new writers, you want to be able to show off your craft as dramatists. A treatment doesn't accomplish that task.