I know this has been covered a few times but I was wondering how others go about writing these?  Would you simply write it as the script goes or start with an opening paragraph about the characters and their lives., introducing them first rather than when they appear in the movie?

My experience amounts to only one.

Nevertheless, I did it by writing what happens from point A to point Z. Not giving to much detail. Just enough to satisfy the appetite and make them want more. lol.  


Gabe

Cheers Gabe.  I've started it like that now but I think I might struggle to keep the length down lol.

Oh and I have started reading Max's Traveling Carnival but been really busy.  Hopefully will get some time at the weekend to read some more of it.

You don't have to give it all. Just enough that they can get from point A to Z fine. I would suggest sending it to someone who read the script and making sure it makes sense. lol

Don't worry about MTC. Take your time. Hope you enjoy it. lol

Gabe

If somebody has asked you for a synopsis, you already know something right there -- they are not up for hardcore reading right now.

So, keep it short.  A couple of pages, tops -- with short paragraphs, just like a script.

I find it helpful to think about your script (reread if you must) and pluck out the 20-30 very best parts of your story.  That is your outline for the synopsis, right there.

Take these 20-30 "best stuff" points and tell your story without getting bogged down in fine details.  It is perfectly OK to leave stuff out, and you should.

Should I include all the story details or leave some out?

Example; the script has a backstory about a witches curse and how someone used it to their advantage.  This is again exploited later by the main character.  Should I then include the original man's story in the synopsis?  (This is only explained in the script and not shown.)

I'm also worried that the synopsis doesn't sound like a comedy as most of the comedy comes through dialogue.  Should I try and include some of the visual comedy, even if they only play small parts in the story?

Damn I suck at this!

No. You can avoid using the backstory in the synop. Depending on how you convey the idea in the synop, you can make it into a mystery so you can bait them to read it.

leave things out so it creates mystery.

Gabe

Quoted from alffy I'm also worried that the synopsis doesn't sound like a comedy as most of the comedy comes through dialogue.  Should I try and include some of the visual comedy, even if they only play small parts in the story? Damn I suck at this!

Your questions are kind of too vague, though you probably already know this.

If you are pitching this as a comedy, then you better "write it funny", so it reads funny.  There is a place for very limited, small amounts of dialogue, provided it is truly hilarious.  I've seen it done, though not very often.

Off the top of my head, I would say "no" to backstory.

Quoted from Gabe ...leave things out so it creates mystery...bait them to read it...

This is also true, if you feel confident enough to do it.  There is no rule that says you "have" to give away the ending.  Leave it as a cliffhanger of sorts -- "Joe and the Wizard face off for their final battle to decide the fate of the planet" -- not the best example, but hopefully you see what I mean.

If you've done it right, hopefully the guy says, "I've got to read this!"

But not every producer will like that.  As with most everything, you hear pros and cons, and need to decide for yourself.

Try the following

https://sites.google.com/site/allaboutwritingscreenplays/the-screenwriters-synopsis

http://www.sellingyourscreenpl.....for-your-screenplay/

Kind Regards,

Eoin

'write it funny', okay, cheers, Bert.

Hey Anthony,

Have to say more goes into a Synopsis as you need to outline the story, input all your ideas and then beat it out.

Thereafter writing the screenplay is a "Piece of Piss". That's an Aussie term for easy.

Regards Alex

I try to fit it all in one page and make sure the acts are apparent - I've heard the filmmakers look for an outline in the synopsis. Then I try to make sure that most of it is about the second act.

So, those are my three things.

In the end I guess it's all about how the thing reads. I'd think if the synopsis is engaging - they like it and ask for a read, no matter the acts and the rest of it.

Quoted from Alex_212 a "Piece of Piss". That's an Aussie term for easy.

We have this saying too lol.

You can pay someone to write it for you.

Mark

Quoted from Alex_212 Hey Anthony, Have to say more goes into a Synopsis as you need to outline the story, input all your ideas and then beat it out. Thereafter writing the screenplay is a "Piece of Piss". That's an Aussie term for easy. Regards Alex

There's one thing I don't get... what's the point of "beating it out"?  I mean, no one reads the beat sheet anyway.  Just my two cents, but cinema would be better if things weren't so "planned" all the time.

Anyway.  Synopsis' are simple enough to write.  Just grab a novel, like... Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows and follow its example.  The whole story condensed with a cliffhanger end sentence.  Perfection.

An opinion I hear all the time about writing (spec) screenplays is... nail your concept, log-line and synopsis down before you even type 'FADE IN' on your screenwriting software.

Have I always done this?  No.  

Do I do it now?  Yes.

Feel free to discuss...

A couple suggestions I can make here:

1) Hire a professional reader.

It's part of the job for a development grunt to write synops.
Always needed for new script coming into the prodco, etc.
Synops are second nature to those types.

2) Compare & Contrast.

Gather synops from colleagues of scripts of theirs you've read.
I could send you the official synop for Clone Wife.
But that only helps you, if you've read the script. LOL!
I can e-mail that to you, if it would help.

Good luck!

Regards,
E.D.

Hey Brett, Clone Wife is on my reading list.  I'll start reading it tomorrow....if you want to send my the synopsis lol.

Quoted from irish eyes You can pay someone to write it for you. Mark

Funny Mark.

Would a plumber pay another plumber to fix the leaky taps in his house ???

Same scenario !!!