Screenwriting : One-sheets correctly defined by Amazing Kacee

Why do screenwriters writing spec tv & feature scripts need to do a one sheet?

Seems a whole bunch of lazy dev execs & producers asking new writers for pitch decks & bibles, budgets, casting attachments... nonsense.

They don't usually, but if a producer wants to see how you will market the series/film, then they will ask for a ONE-SHEET or they will ask for a ONE-SHEET to help them market and sell your film/series! Great questions thanks so much! Dan MaxXx

This article says a one sheet has a logline, Amazing Kacee (www.creativescreenwriting.com/writing-an-effective-one-sheet). The one sheets I've read have loglines since loglines are marketing tools that help sell the scripts, movies, and shows.

Maurice Vaughan They do not have loglines, as they are not selling the script - this is after the script has been produced and they are selling the finished movie. This has nothing to do with the script, but everything to do with the finished product. Do not confuse the two! I saw the article and I know they are completely incorrect. so be careful!

I agree, Amazing Kacee. One sheets are for selling finished movies. I've also heard from writers who said they left one sheets behind after pitching to studios (“leave behinds"), and I've heard of producers asking writers for one sheets when the writers pitched scripts.

One sheet is for marketing and sales of the film, Leave behinds can be many things they are not asking for a one-page synopsis they are asking for one sheet to market the film which is totally different than a one-page! If you call up a distributor they will send you samples of one-sheets or you can simply look online Maurice Vaughan

like a blurb on the back of a novel?

Thank you for clarifying this. Lot of confusion about this.

I think there's some confusion here... there are multiple types "one sheets" in this industry, one being a movie poster. But, I think the context here is a one sheet that is most commonly used as supplemental material at pitch meetings/festivals, and in my 20+ years as a literary agent/manager, I've been given 1000's of them. This type of one sheet is not used for publicity or sales, and it does include a logline. Here are 3 websites that reference this type of one sheet for a script. Again, this is support material, and it is not required. The only thing required to sell a script is a great script. So, focus your time on the script.

https://screencraft.org/blog/how-to-write-an-effective-one-page-pitch/

https://www.creativescreenwriting.com/writing-an-effective-one-sheet/

https://nofilmschool.com/Free-One-Pager-Template

Keep writing!

Thanks, everyone for chiming in, John - All your websites are mistaken as they are referring to one-pagers which is not a one-sheet.. I have sold films through independent distributors and one sheet is just like the back of a DVD cover or the back of a novel. They never have loglines, never!!! And for one-sheets or leave-behinds they can have a logline but if you just spent 20-30 minutes with the networks or studios why would they need it as it is not a one-pager, it is different.

I too have seen hundreds of one-sheets and sadly people have no idea how to write them. Usually, if an executive asks for a one-sheet after seeing a script, they are usually asking for it so they can explain the script to their boss or buyers without having to send them the script, just what agents and managers do when they talk up the writer or their project! A simple one-sheet telling the story in a new easily explainable way, kind of like the blurb in the old TV guides.

I agree to disagree, Amazing Kacee.

Amazing Kacee Maurice Vaughan, when we pitch Stage 32 execs do they want a one-pager or a one-sheet?

Hi, Robin Gregory. When you do a Stage 32 written pitch, your pitch can be two pages. I suggest emailing success@stage32.com for the updated written pitch samples.

Thank you kindly, Maurice Vaughan. I'll do just that!

You're welcome, Robin Gregory.

https://nofilmschool.com/film-one-sheet

Thank you kindly, Stephen Folker!

Robin Gregory You're welcome!

So much content online say they're the same..thanks

But I am a newbie! I am SUCH a newbie! I'm an oldie but a newbie. I have a lot to learn.

To get better at one-sheets and synopses, I like to read the plot summaries on Wikipedia after I watch movies. It helps to see how large plots can be synthesized into short summaries that give the gist without overwriting details. Just remember not to spoil the ending on your one-sheets and keep the intrigue alive!