A summary of this acclaimed book has been published in anticipation of its movie adaptation. A movie treatment is one of the first steps in writing a screenplay, providing a detailed summary of the story idea and offering the kind of Hollywood-style recognition that only a few authors experience.
The three-act structure outlining the story has been written and released. The movie treatment is a detailed, prose-style summary of a film or television story. It serves as a blueprint for the screenplay, outlining the narrative, characters, settings, and major scenes, usually written in the present tense. The treatment is longer and more detailed than a logline or synopsis but shorter than a full script, typically ranging from 5 to 20 pages, though lengths may vary depending on purpose and audience. It is a crucial development tool that bridges the gap between a raw story idea and a full screenplay. Its value lies not only in guiding the creative direction of a project but also in effectively communicating that vision to others.
It looks like Rusty’s world is about to get a little bigger, and brighter, with a movie treatment now in the works for What Is God?: A Rusty’s Neighborhood Series by Joyce Bolton.
Now, if you’re not knee-deep in the film world, here’s a quick rundown: a “movie treatment” is kind of like a story’s first big audition. It’s not a full script yet, but it lays out the story, the characters, and the heartbeat behind it all; basically, it’s what producers read to see if a movie has that special spark.
And judging from Bolton’s story, it absolutely does.
At the heart of What Is God? is Rusty, an eight-year-old kid with a head full of questions and a summer full of adventures. One day, after a simple conversation with his best friend Timmy, Rusty asks the question that changes everything: What is God? His mom, Elaine, doesn’t really have an answer, but instead of shrugging it off, she turns it into a project. Together, they decide to ask everyone they meet what they think God is and write down the answers.
What starts as a kid’s curiosity turns into something way deeper.
Throughout the summer, Rusty and his mom gather all kinds of answers, from “God is love” to “God is spirit,” and even “God is infinite.” Each person they talk to adds another piece to the puzzle. There’s something kind of wonderful about it: the way this small, simple question opens up huge conversations about faith, kindness, and what it means to feel connected to something bigger than ourselves.
Rusty’s not just growing up that summer; he’s waking up.
The story paints his world with this nostalgic (almost magical glow) the neighborhood park, Huck the puppy chasing butterflies, the whiteboard at home filling up with ideas and little bits of wisdom. But what really makes it hit home is how real the journey feels. Elaine, his mom, starts out just humoring him, but by the end, she’s changing too. It’s one of those quiet, heartwarming stories that sneaks up on you with its honesty.
And honestly? It’s kind of refreshing.
In a world that’s all noise and distraction, What Is God? slows things down. It reminds us that faith, whatever that means to you, often starts with a question, not an answer. It’s about noticing love in small places, seeing goodness in people, and realizing that maybe God isn’t something “out there” at all. Maybe He’s right here, woven into our everyday lives.
The movie treatment captures that same warm, searching spirit. It’s gentle, curious, and full of heart, the kind of story families can watch together and walk away smiling, maybe even talking about their own answers to Rusty’s big question.
So, keep an eye out. What Is God?: A Rusty’s Neighborhood Series isn’t just making its way to Hollywood, it’s making its way into hearts.