A screenplay synopsis summarizes a screenplay for a reader such as an agent, director or producer. If the reader likes the synopsis, he or she may ask to see the screenplay itself. Unlike a treatment, which is a narrative of everything that happens in a screenplay, a synopsis includes only the most important or interesting parts of the story. However, a synopsis must clearly show the necessary elements of the screenplay so the reader will know that you understand how to structure a script for a movie.
Writing a Screenplay Synopsis
1Write the logline. The logline is at most two sentences that sum up your screenplay. You can think of the logline as the description you might read on the website of a movie theater or in the information box of the program guide on your television.
- If you can, follow the logline with a paragraph describing why your screenplay is attractive from a filmmaker's point of view. For example, if it can be shot on a small budget using a limited number of locations near Los Angeles, your movie may be more attractive than one that will require weeks on location, elaborate sets or a lot of special effects.
2Introduce the main characters and setting in one paragraph. Include the names (who), their occupations (what), where they live and work (where), the time period of the story (when), and the reason you are telling their story (why).
- Type the names of the characters in all capital letters the first time their names appear. Thereafter, type the character names in the usual way.
- Characters that should be included in the synopsis are the protagonist (hero), the antagonist (villain), the love interest, and any important allies of the protagonist. Less important characters can be left out or not named in the synopsis.
3Summarize Act I in no more than 3 paragraphs. Act I is the setup, when you introduce the characters and the main conflict that drives the story.
4Cover Act II in 2 to 6 paragraphs. Show all the conflicts faced by your characters that lead to the crisis, the ultimate conflict that will change the course of your characters' lives.
5Finish with Act III, which should take no more than 3 paragraphs. Describe how the ultimate conflict ends and what happens to the characters afterward.
6Think of a title that fits your story. You can try to make the title catchy and interesting, but it will probably be changed by the director of movie studio, so don't work on it too hard. Put the title at the top of the page.
- Under the title, give the genre of the film, such as action, romantic comedy or thriller.
7Add your contact information and the Writers Guild of America (WGA) registration number. Always register your completed screenplay and/or treatment with the WGA to establish your authorship.
8Give your synopsis to other people to read. If they have any questions or if something isn't clear to them, change your synopsis to make the story clearer. If the agent, producer or director finds something in your synopsis that is unclear or confusing, he or she will not request your full screenplay.Ad
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- Be prepared to make changes to your synopsis to fit the word counts or page counts requested by the agent, movie studio or other reader. Many organizations you may submit your synopsis to publish guidelines for submissions, and not following them is a good way to be rejected without having your synopsis read.
- Write the synopsis in present tense, third person.
Categories: Plays and Screenwriting
In other languages:
Español: escribir la sinopsis de un guión, Русский: написать синопсис киносценария, Português: Escrever a Sinopse de um Roteiro, Italiano: Scrivere la Sinossi di una Sceneggiatura, Deutsch: Eine Inhaltsangabe für ein Drehbuch schreiben, Français: écrire le synopsis d'un scénario
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