What do you call a script for a music video?
A treatment is a script written for a music video. It details what will happen in the video, including the story, actions, and looks. Treatments are a key part of making music videos.
Why a treatment is needed
To make a music video, you start with the treatment. The treatment is like a plan for the whole video. Many people work together to make a music video happen. The treatment tells them all what to do.
The treatment is the vision for the music video. It says what will be shown on the screen, what story will be told, and how the video will look and feel. The treatment guides the director, crew, and performers when they shoot the music video.
What is in a treatment
A treatment for a music video usually has some main parts:
- Song information tells the song’s name, the artist, and how long the song is. It might say what album the song is from and when it will come out.
- The concept—This is the big idea for the music video. What story does it tell? What is the theme? Is it a performance video that focuses on the artist singing? Or does it tell a story with actors? The concept sets the direction for the whole video.
- The synopsis summarizes the video’s events from beginning to end, addressing the main story points. If there are characters, it describes their actions in the video.
- Scene breakdown—This goes into more detail. It breaks the video into scenes. For each scene, it says what happens, who is in it, and what it looks like. It connects each scene to the lyrics of the song. The scene breakdown is a blueprint for the video.
- Locations—This describes where the video will be filmed. Will it be indoors or outdoors? In a studio or on location? It also explains what the locations look like and how they feel.
- Wardrobe and props—The treatment discusses wardrobe. What clothes will the artist and other people in the video wear? It also discusses props. What objects will be in the video? This all helps create the look of the video.
- Special equipment—The treatment might mention any special equipment needed. Will there be complex camera moves? Special lighting? Effects like smoke or confetti?
An example
Here is a made-up example of what part of a treatment might say:
“The video for ‘Dance All Night’ will show Tina and her friends getting ready for and going to a party. When we first see Tina, she texts her friends about the party that is happening tonight in her bedroom. She is wearing a colorful tank top and jeans. Her room is messy, with clothes and makeup scattered around.
We cut between Tina and her friends as they get ready. They are doing their hair and picking out outfits. They are texting each other and looking excited.
Then we see them arrive at the party. The party is at a house with colorful lights inside. A crowd of people is dancing as a DJ plays music. Tina and her friends hit the dance floor as the song kicks in. We see shots of them dancing joyfully mixed with shots of the artist singing the music on a stage at the party.
The video’s colors are bright and saturated. The camerawork is energetic, moving, and cutting to the song’s beat.
The treatment leads to the video.
The treatment captures the plan, so everyone working on the video knows what to do. The director uses it to set up shots. The performers use it to guide their actions. The crew uses it to design sets, pick locations, and plan for any special gear.
Treatments are usually a few pages long. The more detailed the treatment, the closer the final video is to the original vision. Music video treatments help turn the ideas of the artist and director into a real video.
Treatments and music videos go together.
Treatments have been a key part of the music video-making process since the early days of MTV. As music videos have evolved, so have treatments. In the 1980s, treatments were often just a page or two. The videos were usually simple performance clips or relied on abstract visuals.
Over time, music videos became more complex. Many had detailed stories and settings. The treatments grew longer and more detailed to capture these bigger visions. By the 2000s, treatments of five to ten pages were common. Digital technology made creating visuals showing how the video would look easier.
Today’s music video treatments often include photos and drawings to convey the video concept. Some even have custom graphics or short video clips. The treatment has to sell the vision to the artist and record label. Putting more work into the treatment increases the chances they will approve and fund the video.
Treatments lead to award-winning videos.
Many famous music videos started as treatments. The treatment for Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” video described the horror movie feel and storytelling that would make the video a classic. The director, John Landis, wrote a treatment that read like a short film script.
Treatments also guide the creation of visually stunning videos. The treatment for Kendrick Lamar’s “Humble” video described the powerful imagery and bold colors defining its look. Director Dave Meyers and cinematographer Scott Cunningham used the treatment to plan the inventive camera moves and lighting that made the video stand out.
Well-crafted treatments set the stage for music videos that get attention and awards. The famous Moonman trophies at the MTV Video Music Awards start with good treatments.
The treatment is just the beginning.
A treatment launches the music video-making process, but there are more steps. Based on the treatment, budgets need to be set. The director makes a shot list and a storyboard that adds more specifics. Crews are assembled, and locations are secured.
But it all traces back to the treatment. The treatment is the first time the vision is put into words. It is the foundation on which everything else will be built.
So, to answer the original question, the script for a music video is called a treatment. Without treatments, we wouldn’t have the amazing range of music videos we enjoy today. From simple performance clips to mini-movies, the treatment is where every great music video begins.
