The synopsis of a screenplay consists of its summary, written for the benefit of an agent, director or producer. If the reader appreciates the synopsis, they may ask to read the script itself and possibly purchase it. Unlike a treatment, which is the narration of everything that happens in the script, a synopsis includes only the most important and interesting moments in a story. It still needs to expose the basic elements of the script, so that the reader can be sure that you know how to structure the script for a movie.
Steps
Method 1 of 1: Writing a Screenplay Synopsis
Step 1. Write the "logline"
The logline is a short description, consisting of a maximum of two sentences, which summarizes the script. You can think of the logline as the description you might read on a cinema's website or in the small information box of a television program guide.
If you can, try to have the logline follow a paragraph describing why the script may be appealing to a filmmaker. For example, if the shooting can be done on a low budget or a limited number of locations near the film or television studios to which you propose the script, your film may be more inviting than one that will require weeks of shooting on location, set. elaborate or a large amount of expensive special effects
Step 2. Introduce the main characters and setting in one paragraph
Follow the 5 W rule of journalism: who (who), what (what), where (where), when (when) and why (why). Then, enter the names of the characters ("who"), their occupations ("what"), where they live and work ("where"), the period in which the story takes place ("when") and why you tell their story ("why").
- The first time character names appear, write them completely in capital letters. After that, keep writing them normally.
- The characters to be included in the synopsis are the protagonist (the hero), the antagonist (the villain), the protagonist's lover and any of his important allies. Less important characters may not be mentioned, or may be omitted from the synopsis altogether.
Step 3. Summarize the first act in no more than three paragraphs
The first act defines the situation and serves to present both the characters and the main conflict that will develop the story.
Step 4. Devote between two and six paragraphs to the second act
It shows all the conflicts faced by the characters, which will lead to the crisis, which is the final conflict that will change the course of the characters' lives.
Step 5. Conclude with the third act, which should not take more than three paragraphs
Describe how the final conflict ends and what happens next to the characters.
Step 6. Think of a title that fits the story
You can look for one that is interesting and impressive, but since it will likely be changed by the director or the film studio, don't work too hard on it. Write the title at the top of the page.
Under the title, write the genre to which the movie belongs (action, romantic comedy, thriller, etc.)
Step 7. Write down your personal data, including contact details
If you submit the synopsis in the United States and are a member of the Writers Guild of America (WGA), enter your registration number. To guarantee the authorship of your work, in the United States you must always register the complete screenplay and / or treatment you make with the WGA.
Step 8. Give your synopsis to other people for them to read
If they have questions or if something is not clear to them, change the synopsis to make the story more understandable. If the agent, producer, or director finds something confusing or confusing in the synopsis, they won't require the full script.
Advice
- Be prepared to make changes to the synopsis, so that the number of words or pages matches what the agent, studio or other reader requires. Many organizations to which you could submit the synopsis publish guidelines to follow when submitting a project: if you do not follow them, you will receive a rejection without the synopsis being even read.
- Write the synopsis in the present indicative and in the third person.
