Creating a music video treatment template is at times like surfing a tidal wave. One second you’re riding high on the ideas. The next you’re nose-first in a heap of half-baked concepts. Let me thus simplify it. Not jargon; merely the skeleton and some muscles, awaiting the pulse of your vision. Not meandering.

First, first things first: Begin with a hook Start your therapy with one amazing paragraph. Create the mood by setting this. Paint the picture and then stop in your tracks. You want the reader to smell, see, and hear what you’re going to take them to. It’s like a text version of a movie trailer. Cut straight to the point; don’t waste time with the filler.

Then build on the artist’s world. Does your idea fit with their vibe? Refer back to past videos, maybe with an off-beat comparison. “Picture Billie Eilish somewhere between dreamlike and straight-up creepy at a wacky carnival.” Combine the known with something new.

Now let us get very specific. Scene breaks are not in short supply for those from Hollywood. Work section by section: intro, verse, chorus, bridge, outro. Write them as simply as a little child would describe their dream fantasy. Make them short but telling: “Rain pours.” The street seems to be purple. The globe slows speed to half-speed when the chorus arrives. All visuals must make one exclaim, “Show me more.” Add visual descriptions among other aspects. The magic ingredient is camera work, color paletteing, locations. Write “windows spill blue light all over wet tile,” instead of “beautiful lighting.” Brief sentences. Punctilious diction. It is worth its weight in gold if it makes the reader take notice.

Don’t forget the tone too. Is it dreamy, explosive, mercurial? Spell it out, but leave room for imagination. Visualize the energy shifting from soft focus to pinpoint clarity as the beat hits its deceleration. Throw if you’ve got one in an unpredictable twist. A wild card is a director and actor’s best friend.

A few key logistics finish it off. Think dancers, smoke bombs, or five Siberian huskies—estimated running time, shooting style, and whatever specific production concerns. Not too detailed, but enough to make you double-check that you have entertained ideas beyond strobe lights.

Lastly you will want to add some pizzazz to your document. A little reference images, perhaps a color wheel if you’re adventurous. Nobody has ever complained about a little eye candy at a pitch.

Good news is that no two treatments are the same. Write like you’re talking about the concept with a friend rather than a boardroom. Simplified language. Make jokes. You’re halfway there if you can get someone to gasp or laugh.

Your template is thus literally begging for design. Hook; context; scenes, images, tone; logistics; references. Add your vocals, and watch how quickly your music video idea pops off the page. Or at least off the screen and into someone’s head. Spend your last dollar.