The scenario:
You work mostly as a director of photography, but you've been itching to try your hand at directing. This week one of your previous clients put out an RFP for a new ad campaign. Now's your chance to show them you can do a lot more than just shoot. To win the job, you'll need to quickly create a Treatment you can present to their team by next week. They've asked for a short deck with exciting script ideas and visual references that fit their new campaign. If your Treatment stands out above the rest, you'll be given the opportunity to direct.
The solution:
Create a Treatment on Frame Set, utilizing a Template so the structure and design are already handled. Customize it by uploading your own Assets, Frames and Motions from Frame Set, copy, logos, and a personal thank you at the end.
Step 1: Do your research
Before you start building a Treatment, it helps to have already collected some references. These could be from your personal portfolio, or a Set you've already built or saved from other websites. Look for references that match the mood, style, and atmosphere you envision for your film. You'll use these references in step 4 to replace the placeholder images in a Template.
Step 2: Choose your Template
Go to the Treatments section of the Projects page.
Click + New.
Pick one of the pre-designed Templates from the Choose Template window.
Starting from a pre-designed Template gives your Treatment a professional structure, getting you to a polished result quickly. The colors, fonts, and layouts are already set, so you can spend more time on storytelling than slide design.
Pro tip: If you're already familiar with Treatment structure and design, you can select the Blank Template or Start from scratch.
Step 3: Pick your Slides
Every Template comes with a full outline: title, project intro, story, director's approach, production design, locations, casting, wardrobe, a thank you, and more. Click Add all Slides to bring in the full Template, or select just the Slides you need and then click Add Slides.
Step 4: Swap in your references
Now it's time to personalize this Treatment by replacing the placeholder Assets with your own references.
Click on your first slide to select the placeholder Asset.
Click the thumbnail that appears in the toolbar.
Find your replacement in the Asset Browser.
Click Replace Asset.
Take advantage of the Crop tool and Aspect Ratio tool to reframe your Assets to fit within the Template. Once you're finished replacing all the placeholder Assets, you may need to add a few more. Click + Add Asset in the top right, select the Assets you want to add, then click Add to Project. Limit yourself to one or two Motions per slide to keep it from getting too busy.
Pro tip: The Asset Browser tabs allow you to search Frame Set and your Projects. Use the Upload tab to add any other Assets, like the brand's logo.
Step 5: Organize
All of the Treatment Templates are structured to start with the story and approach, followed by production details, and ending with a thank you. This is a standard format, but since no project is exactly alike, you may need to rearrange the order or add new Slides. Here are some actions you may need to take:
Reorder Slides: Click and hold a Slide, then drag it up or down.
Add a Slide: Click + for a blank Slide, or New Slide to add a pre-designed Slide from your Template.
Delete a Slide: Hover over a Slide, click the × in the bottom right corner, then click Delete.
Duplicate a Slide: Hover over a Slide and click the duplicate icon in the top right corner. This is handy when you need three story Slides instead of one.
Step 6: Write and stylize
With all your Assets in place, it's time to add some written copy and polish the design.
Double-click any placeholder text and paste in your messaging. If a Frame covers your words, select the Frame and press the [ key to send it to the back. Alternatively, you can press the ] key after selecting text you want to bring to the front layer.
Once you've added written details to your Treatment, try reading them out loud. If it feels clunky to say, it can probably be simplified. Remember, you can speak to your Slides during a presentation, so bring notes, and don't put everything you want to say on each Slide.
Pro tip: Keep it to one idea per Slide. Simpler slides will keep your presentation moving much better than having elaborate Slides that each take 10 minutes.
Step 7: Share it with your team first
Treatments are built for collaboration, so bring in your producer or a friend with a passion for design to help you add the finishing touches. They won't even need to have a Frame Set Pro Membership to join.
Click the + in the white circle at the top right, next to your profile icon.
Enter an email address and choose Viewer or Editor.
Click Invite.
When an Editor is working with you, you'll see their profile icon on the Slide they're working on and their cursor moving. If you don't want the person you're sharing with to be able to make changes, set their permission level to Viewer. If you want to save this version of your Treatment, duplicate it by clicking the menu of the Treatment's card on the Projects page.
Pro tip: If you're working with a creative team, make sure to invite them as Editors. Encourage them to make changes and level up your Treatment.
Learn more about collaboration here: Working Together in Treatments
What's Next?
You did it. Your Treatment is done and ready to amaze the client. Click Present in the top right corner and choose how to the best option for you:
Option | Best for | Motions play? |
Present by public link | Presenting online | Yes |
Download as HTML | Presenting offline | Yes |
Download as PDF | Email or print | No |
If possible, ask for an opportunity to present your Treatment live. It doesn't have to be in-person; in fact, most pitches happen over a video call these days. Share your Treatment with the client a day before the pitch, or right afterward in a follow-up message.
Rejection is tough but a common result in this line of work, so don't be too dismayed if you don't land this directing job. With practice, building Treatments will become easier and your presentation ability will improve, increasing your chances of success each time.