How is DITA used for creating pre-production materials such as film treatments, pitch documents, and concept art?

November 10, 2023
|By Bryan Tipper

Utilizing DITA for creating pre-production materials like film treatments, pitch documents, and concept art is a strategic approach that enhances the organization and management of creative content in the film industry.

Structured Film Treatments

Film treatments are essential documents that outline the narrative and creative vision of a film project. With DITA, filmmakers can create structured film treatment documents, defining sections for story synopsis, character descriptions, settings, and more. This structured approach ensures that all critical elements of the treatment are consistently captured and can be easily updated as the project evolves.

Pitch Documents with Specialized Modules

Pitch documents are used to pitch film ideas to potential investors or collaborators. DITA allows filmmakers to create pitch documents with specialized modules for showcasing concept art, storyboards, and visual elements. These modules can be reused across different pitches, providing a consistent and professional presentation of creative concepts.

Example:

Here’s an example of how DITA can be used to structure a film treatment:


<film-treatment id="film-001">
  <title>The Adventure Begins</title>
  <synopsis>
    <paragraph>
      In a world of magic and mystery, a young hero embarks on a quest to save the kingdom from an ancient evil.
    </paragraph>
  </synopsis>
  <characters>
    <character>
      <name>Hero</name>
      <description>The brave protagonist on a journey to discover their destiny.</description>
    </character>
    <character>
      <name>Villain</name>
      <description>The cunning antagonist seeking to unleash chaos.</description>
    </character>
  </characters>
  <settings>
    <setting>
      <name>Mystic Forest</name>
      <description>A dense forest shrouded in enchantment and danger.</description>
    </setting>
  </settings>
</film-treatment>

In this example, a DITA film treatment includes structured sections for synopsis, characters, and settings, ensuring that the treatment is well-organized and comprehensive.