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How To Write A Film Synopsis

The document provides a step-by-step guide on how to write an effective film synopsis, which is a one-page summary that includes the film's title, genre, logline, and a detailed storyline. It emphasizes the importance of a well-crafted synopsis for selling a screenplay to industry professionals and outlines the differences between a synopsis, logline, and treatment. Additionally, it offers formatting tips and advice on maintaining clarity, brevity, and character development throughout the synopsis.

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12 views5 pages

How To Write A Film Synopsis

The document provides a step-by-step guide on how to write an effective film synopsis, which is a one-page summary that includes the film's title, genre, logline, and a detailed storyline. It emphasizes the importance of a well-crafted synopsis for selling a screenplay to industry professionals and outlines the differences between a synopsis, logline, and treatment. Additionally, it offers formatting tips and advice on maintaining clarity, brevity, and character development throughout the synopsis.

Uploaded by

vihayasproductions
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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How to Write an Amazing Film Synopsis

(Step-by-step Guide)
By Luke Leighfield

A"er you’ve finished wri2ng your latest Hollywood smash and put your pen down (or shut
your computer), you might think your work’s done. But there’s one thing le" to do: write a
film synopsis.

What’s a film synopsis?


A film synopsis is typically a one-page document that summarizes your film. It contains the
film’s 2tle, genre, logline (a one-sentence summary), and a five-paragraph explana2on of the
film’s storyline, major plot points, and key characters.

Why you should write a synopsis


A screenplay synopsis is a vital tool in the filmmaking world, helping you sell your movie idea
to agents, managers, producers, studio execs - basically anyone in a film produc2on job.

Before anyone commits to reading your full screenplay, they’ll want to check out a one-page
synopsis. So it’s super important that you get it right.

The likes of screenwri2ng maestro Aaron Sorkin probably won’t have any trouble geKng
someone to read their script without a synopsis. But if you’re not in Sorkin’s league, you’ll
probably spend a bunch of 2me emailing query leMers to try to grab people’s aMen2on. To
do that, you’ll need to include a short synopsis that sells.

The difference between


a film synopsis, logline, and treatment
It’s easy to confuse a synopsis with a logline or film treatment. But while they’re similar
terms, there are a few important differences.

• Synopsis: one-page script summary


• Logline: one-sentence script summary (read our logline guide)
• Treatment: longer scene-by-scene breakdown of the storyline that screenwriters use
to pitch a movie idea before wri2ng the full screenplay (read our film treatment
guide)
How to format your synopsis
Before you dive in and start wri2ng your script synopsis, make sure you get to know the
basic formaKng principles.

1. Write a header
At the top of the synopsis, write your script's 2tle and state that it’s a synopsis. Under the
2tle, let the reader know what genre your synopsis is. If your film’s Rocky, for example, you’d
write: ‘A rags to riches sports drama’.

2. Include your contact details


Underneath the header, add your name, address, email address, and phone number. This is
super important, especially if the person reading your synopsis receives it from someone
else and doesn’t have your details. If you have a Writers Guild of America (WGA) registra2on
number, add that, too.

3. Write the logline


Next, add your logline before the first paragraph. This gives your reader a taster of the
storyline. A logline is typically two sentences that iden2fy the main character, the challenge
they’re trying to overcome, and why they need to overcome it. You might also want to
follow the logline with a paragraph that explains why your screenplay is appealing for
filmmakers.

Most screenwriters advise wri2ng loglines that are only one sentence long. Some people say
no longer than 30 words. But if your movie is on the complicated side, you might need to
stretch your logline to a couple of sentences.

4. Introduce the main characters and se9ng


Keep this part to one paragraph, max. It should include:
• Your characters’ names and occupa2ons
• Where your characters live and work
• The 2me period of the story
• The reason you’re telling the story

Type the characters’ names in capital leMers (e.g. ROCKY) when they first appear. A"er that,
type them normally (e.g. Rocky).

Make sure your synopsis includes the protagonist, antagonist, love interest, and any
important allies of the protagonist. You don’t need to include the names of smaller
characters.

5. Summarize Act 1: The Setup


S3ck to three paragraphs or half a page. Introduce the characters and the main conflict
that drives the story.
The first act is where you set the stage at the beginning of the story. It shows the
viewer who your main character is, what their life's like, and what they care about.
Importantly, you want to communicate some of the challenges that your character is facing.
Obviously, your character wants to overcome these challenges, which has a big impact on
how the story progresses.

Then, you'll need a catalyst or ‘inci2ng incident’ – something spicy that happens to get the
story started. This will spark a series of events that sets the protagonist on an epic journey of
character development. It inspires their character arc and helps them reach their goals.

6. Summarize Act 2: The Conflict


This part should be about a page long. Show all the plot twists and conflicts your
characters face.

The second act is where your story starts hoKng up, as your intrepid protagonist sets out to
achieve their goal. It's the point of no return. It’s also where your character starts hiKng
roadblocks as they get to know their new situa2on, and see the many challenges ahead of
them.

This is a good 2me to flesh out the rest of the characters in the story, both friends and
enemies, as well as the protagonist. You’ll also want to expand on the story’s central conflict,
whether it’s a person or a thing.

7. Summarize Act 3: The Climax


Limit this part to three paragraphs or half a page. Explain how the main conflict ends and
what happens to your characters aBer. Don’t worry about spoilers – your reader needs to
know what happens. Make sure you 3e up any loose ends.

The third act is where your narra2ve arc culminates, the story comes together, and we see
the final clash between our protagonist and antagonist. O"en, this is the point where we get
to witness the true strength of the antagonist – a"er not seeing much of them in the film –
which can surprise the protagonist.

Your viewers are probably aware that the main character will win in the end – a"er all, that’s
how stories usually go. But it’s much more exci2ng if you keep them on tenterhooks for as
long as possible.
Top <ps for wri<ng your movie synopsis

Keep it brief
Your synopsis should be roughly two to three pages long. A one-page synopsis is likely to not
have enough detail, but anything over three pages is too bulky. Your reader should be able
to finish reading your synopsis in a few minutes, and have a good idea of whether it’s right
for them.

Write in the present tense


You should always write in the present tense, even if your story’s set in the past. For
example, ‘Rocky punches Apollo Creed’ not ‘Rocky punched Apollo Creed’.

Use the third person


Always write from a third person perspec3ve, using pronouns like ‘he,’ ‘she,’ and ‘they.’

Get your spacing and paragraphs right


Use single spacing. Keep each paragraph single spaced. Place an extra space between
individual paragraphs. When you start a new paragraph, don’t indent.

Use a simple font


While you might love Comic Sans, your reader probably won’t. S2ck to a simple font like
Times New Roman or Arial, in font size 12 – unless submission guidelines ask for something
different.

S3ck to the main plot points and main characters


You don’t have a lot of space to play with, so skip the subplots and secondary characters. If
it’s not essen2al to your script's A-story, cut it.

Write in the style of the movie's genre


If it’s a comedy movie synopsis, it should be funny. If it’s an ac2on synopsis, make it exci2ng
and energe2c. Whatever the genre, the narra2ve should constantly be moving forwards.
Each beat in your synopsis should cause the next beat or be the effect of the previous beat.

Emphasize character development


In your quest to hit all the plot points, don’t forget to call out your character arcs. Your
protagonist’s mo2va2ons, and emo2onal turning points, need to be clear. Make sure each
main character has at least one dis2nc2ve characteris2c that helps them stand out from the
other characters.

Use simple language


Now’s not the 2me to show off your crea2ve wri2ng chops. If a Hollywood exec’s going to
jump on board, they need to understand the plot. Avoid superfluous adjec2ves and adverbs,
and s2ck to simple, succinct, clear language.
Ask for feedback
Send your synopsis to friends and family, and ask them to spot any sneaky spelling or
grammar mistakes. They can also let you know if any parts of the synopsis aren’t clear to
them. Keep refining and edi2ng your synopsis un2l it’s error-free and flawlessly clear to
anyone who reads it.

Prepare to make edits


When submiKng your synopsis to different places, they may well have specific guidelines.
Make sure you make any changes necessary to follow those guidelines. Agents, movie
studios, and other readers may also ask for changes to fit established word counts or page
counts.

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