Start with the reasons you are creating this music video treatment template. Is it wild energy or a narrative that moves us emotionally? Perhaps you want lasers emanating from saxophones. Be open using a written logline. This is a spectacular one-liner that catches the attitude of your music and what happens in 15 words or less. Your grandma should grasp it; avoid overselling.

Go right to the section on concepts. Create a punch paragraph. What is the attitude? Urban streets, space, undersea, a midnight empty diner? Talk about the trip: beginning, disagreement, resolution. But no need for complete movie script drama. Just common language. “Band performs in an abandoned subway while magically graffiti shows up on walls.” neat, graphic, snack-sized.

In a treatment, style counts greatly. If at all possible, use images. Mood boards are great; even cut-out magazine items or pop culture references bring taste. Talk about color schemes (harsh reds, dusty blues), camera work (static and edgy or dizzying with handheld tremors). Talk of clothes, cosmetics, and props. Spitball crazy notions; the more vivid the better.

People—who are shown in the video? Just the artist, or are friends, performers, random skateboarders involved? Create concise descriptions. Lead singer in vintage outfit, backup dancers in raincoats, big rubber duck on wheels. One goes a long way with humor. At this point it prevents everyone from losing steam.

Second come location and set; keep it neat. “blue-painted garage with disco balls,” or “basket court at evening.” Here, precision takes the stage above poetry. Offer substitutes if the living room of the director’s aunt collapses out of nowhere.

Technical aspects—sometimes a bore, always required. Consider movement and shape, drone views or slow-motion. Lighting: dark and enigmatic or brilliant and happy? Any effects—smoke, rain, glitter explosions, stop-motion, or eccentric animation? List “em out, but avoid jargon’s loss of meaning.

Considering pace. Intro-hype, verse-chill, chorus-explosive, breakdown-weird, end-fade throw in beats. Imagine the edit breathing using the troughs and peaks of the song.

Add references last but not least Not only your favorite music vids—movies, ads, paintings, TikHubs. Even if it’s only a head full of 90s cartoons and old Japanese horror flicks, whoever’s reading should see your brain in action.

Most of all, keep it honest and keep it flowing. Artists and producers are working people. A loose, graphic, and succinct template helps you to see clearly and saves mountains of paper. Steer clear of drowning in adjectives. Remember: it’s music, not tax law; get to the beat, let your excitement show.