Does anyone know where I can find the original Treatment written by Coen Bros for Fargo movie? And best websites for accessing Treatments written for hit films. Want ot brish up my Treatment writing skills, thanks.
Screenwriting : FARGO treatment by Kt Mcneish
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Kt, I haven't been able to find an actual, internal pitch or treatment document written by the Coen brothers—assuming those are private or confidential (if they exist?) and/or not made available as they often write and direct their own work—but the Coen brothers have done a lot of great interviews. A Google search brings up many options in which they often discuss their process and/or work. :) For written examples, I recommend screenwriter John August's website. He has made available many of his own documents located in his site's "library"—outlines, production drafts, pitches, treatments, casting sides, etc. https://johnaugust.com/library. Plus there's also a list of examples with links on SimplyScripts: http://www.simplyscripts.com/treatments.html. ;) I'm sure others may know where to find more options. Hope that helps!
Oh, there are many books about the Coen brothers as well, The Big Lebowski: The Making of A Coen Brothers Film. But... They really have their own way of working. Their process. They may not write treatments in a "conventional" manner. However, they storyboard like crazy! Lol! ;) Best to you!
Thanks for posting that link, Laura. Love it! ;)
Oh, I know. Thanks again for sharing it. ;) In my first comment above, I posted other sites that have links to examples of treatments, outlines, etc. —sharing a couple of resource options to Kt's other request for information. ;)
Thx for posting the Coen Screenplay link. If you want a TON of more screenplays here you go: https://indiefilmhustle.com/screenplay-download/
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Thanks so much Beth and Laura, I'll definitely watch the interviews and look at John August's website, reason I asked is I submitted a 10p script sample and treatment for a writer's fund in NZ, and the Fargo treatment was recommended as brilliant example of thriller treatment. I'm re-applying in a month or two with same script, as have full rights to NZ (short) novel-political thriller which I believe will make wonderful film. I'm just getting back into writing after long break. Thanks again, I'm so pleased to have found Stage32, and to be able to connect with fellow creatives the world over.
@Kt If you are interested in general in the Coen brothers, I attended an informative Scott Myers masterclass 2017, which I can recommend. It was the highlights/breakdown of the Coens “Narrative Legacy” from their varied film scripts. The downloadable PDF will not be as exciting as Scotts “LIVE” seminars but useful nonetheless. Scott Myers @gointothestory @All thanks for useful links etc.
Many of the ead are improperly formatted for the simple reason they a) know what they want or B) with their names they can explain what they want. (See True grit - scene headings, etc.) So be careful following their lead unless your Tarantino or Sorkin.
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There may not be a treatment.
Since they write-direct-produce their own work, they don't ever sell the script, they just find the money and make the movie.
Treatments are part of a step deal when you are hired by a production company. Since they are not hired by anybody, they can do whatever they want... which is why screenplays by a writer-director are not good examples. They can do whatever they want, they are never going to sell the script - just find the money and make the film.
Look for examples of treatments by Screenwriters without hyphens.
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Close as you will get.
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https://thescriptlab.com/download/screenplays/series_bible/Fargo_Bible.pdf