Writing the Treatment and Opening Scene

When writing the Treatment and Opening, we took into account many things to help us write it and included many effective things. 

We used the Todorov Narrative Theory which suggested that there are 5 stages to a narrative:

1. Equilibrium – A happy start
2. A disruption of this equilibrium by an event – A problem occurs
3. A realisation that a disruption has happened
4. An attempt to repair the damage of the disruption – the problem is solved
5. A restoration of the equilibrium – A happy ending

We also used the Blake Snyder Beat sheet which gave a list of events/things that are found in a film.

1. Opening Image-mirror of final image, protagonist at the start, hint of upcoming events
2. Theme Stated-what is the theme of your piece
3. Set-Up-introduction of protagonist, build up of film, introduction of other characters
4. Catalyst-what will force protagonist into action
5. Debate-protagonist will doubt whether they should take action
6. Break into act two-your protagonist must walk willingly into act 2
7. B Story- often love story, new character emerges to help protagonist
8. Fun and Games-where the protagonist has fun on their journey
9. Midpoint-mid point of film, something significant happens 
10. Bad Guys Close In-these can be physical, like in a thriller or action movie or they can be metaphorical 
11. All Is Lost-your protagonist loses everything 
12. Dark Night of the Soul-your protagonist has a major moment of doubt but must emerge brighter and stronger 
13. Break into Three- problem to the protagonist's problem has been found. your protagonist is bigger and stronger and has won the fight against the bad guys.
14. Finale-your character defeats the bad guy
15. Final Image-opposite of opening image

Using both of these and help from different thrillers we have watched we wrote our treatment and opening sequence.