3. A synopsis:
Is a brief summary of the plot of a
novel, motion picture or play.
4. Why do we have to produce a
synopsis?
A synopsis is used when a producer wants to
pitch a film to makers / financiers or film studios
The main function of a synopsis is to provide the
reader with information concerning the key
events within the film / book
5. When writing a synopsis:
Before you can consider writing a synopsis you
must be able to answer these questions
about your production:
What are the main events that happen in your
sequence?
Who are the main characters? What are their
roles within the production?
What conventions of the genre will be evident?
Who will be the target audience
6. Your synopsis must
contain:
Your name, complete contact information
(address, phone and email),
The title of the project,
The genre: Identify your genre or sub-genre with only
one tag (for example, drama, romantic
comedy, science fiction or animation)
The target market; be as specific as possible in
identifying your target audience--for
example, teens, family or WWII veterans.
All this must go in the upper left-hand corner of your
page..
7. Tag / logline
Summarize the premise of your film in one
sentence that contains 25 words or fewer; this
is known as a "logline." It can be something as
simple as "An extraterrestrial gets left behind by
his peers and must fend for himself in suburbia,"
or something clever that marries the elements of
two prior films (for example, "Forrest Gump
Meets The Terminator").
Write it as "Logline: An extraterrestrial gets left
behind by his peers and must fend for himself in
suburbia."
8. How your synopsis should look
Part one will be an over view of the film:
Identify the main character and the core conflict that will drive
the story. You need to divulge the major plot points that
transpire in the first act of your film. Your first few lines
should include any necessary foreshadowing of what's to
come.
Type the names of major characters, when first introduced
in the plot, in uppercase
9. Part two and three
Part two will contain information that happens in the
middle of your film
Escalate the suspense and risks in the next few
lines, which represents Act 2. List only the key
scenes and turning points that influence the lead
character's actions.
Part three will wrap up you film and include the ending
Escalate the suspense and risks again in your final
lines, which represents the resolve of all the problems
introduced in the beginning of your synopsis. It is
critical that you divulge the ending of your script in
this third paragraph.
10. And finally
Mention any notable contest awards or additional
information you think might sell the merits of the
screenplayin a fourth paragraph. If your
screenplay is adapted from an existing
work, such as a stage play or novel, include that
here. If you do not have any of these elements to
add, there is no need for a fourth paragraph.
