Screenwriting : One page synopsis by Claude Gagne

It can be overwhelming writing a one-page synopsis, Claude Gagne.

"Everything seems key points." The thing is to include the key-key points (the most important key points).

"Some key points are hard to do because they bring on others. If I go on readers will be discouraged and give up on reading the synopsis. But, if I omit something readers will say, 'Is that it!'" I keep rewriting a synopsis until I find a balance so I'm not including too many details and so I'm not being vague/withholding too much information. I'll read through the synopsis after I write it and ask myself "is this too much info?" and "will the synopsis make sense to a producer/director/etc. if I leave out this key point?"

A lot of times writers think they need certain information in a synopsis, but it's really not needed.

I recommend searching the written pitch of Star Wars that fits on one page. I looked it over every time I made a written pitch for my screenplays.

Thanks, Maurice and Anthony. I'll go and research different pitches to well known movies along the theme of my screenplay. It should give me pointers on what I need. I'll repost my loglines with the synopsis when I have them written. It's a real brain confusion to write! It's a should I or shouldn't I include this or that!

You're welcome, Claude Gagne. Great idea. I also suggest emailing success@stage32.com and asking for their most recent written pitch examples. It's two examples. One for a feature and one for a show.

A key skill every screenwriter needs to learn is the ability to summarise a story into whatever length is needed. The more you practice, the more enjoyable it becomes.

You're right, CJ Walley. I've been summarizing and reposting Stage 32's daily blogs for a while. It helped me get better at summarizing my scripts. Summarizing blogs, movies, articles, etc. is a great exercise that writers should consider doing.

And I like to write two synopses for feature scripts. A short synopsis (about 5-6 sentences) and a full synopsis (1 page to 1 and 1/2 pages). I usually only put the full synopsis in the treatment. I'll customize the full synopsis for the written pitches so it'll sound more like a pitch than a synopsis.

i always read plot synopses on wikipedia for movies i watch. they are great at synthesizing stories down to the core essence of what they're about. and a great example of what to focus on in a synopsis. reading a bunch of those will help in your quest. start with movies you like and watch this week. it's a great way to demystify what can often be a daunting process!