How to Write a Film Synopsis That Sells Your Screenplay

Writing a film synopsis can seem daunting, but with a clear understanding of the process and some practice, you’ll be able to craft a gripping summary of your screenplay. A film synopsis is a concise, informative overview of your movie’s plot, main characters, and central conflict. It serves as a quick reference for potential producers, agents, or contest judges, allowing them to grasp the essence of your story and determine if it’s worth further exploration.

To begin writing a movie synopsis, you’ll want to focus on identifying the key elements of your story, including the protagonist, their goals, and motivations, as well as the central conflict and obstacles they face. Additionally, consider the setting and tone of your screenplay, as these are important components of your story that can help readers visualize your script. Once you’ve established these essential aspects, you can start to craft your synopsis in a way that is both engaging and informative.

What is a Film Synopsis?

A film synopsis is a brief summary of your script’s story, focusing on the main events and characters. It serves as a marketing tool for producers, agents, managers, and other industry professionals who may be interested in your script. The purpose of the synopsis is to give them a clear understanding of your film’s story, style, and genre, capturing their attention and intriguing them to know more.

As a filmmaker, you want to create a synopsis that effectively showcases the essence of your film. Think about the audience and the viewers you want to reach while writing it to ensure that you convey the message and plot of your story.

4 Elements to Add When Writing a Film Synopsis:

1. Purpose: A film synopsis should summarize your screenplay while maintaining its unique voice and enticing potential buyers. It aims to inform as well as act as a material for pitching.
2. Genre: State the genre of your film to guide industry professionals in understanding the type of project they are considering.
3. Main characters: Introduce your film’s main characters and their defining traits or characteristics. Keep it brief and to the point.
4. Plot: Present the main events, conflicts, and turning points in the story without giving away the ending. Remember to balance between brevity and detail.

Moreover, you can format your film synopsis using the following guidelines to make it easier for readers to understand:

1. Write a header at the top, mentioning your script’s title and specifying that it’s a synopsis.
2. Include your contact details.
3. Use bold and italic fonts for emphasis.
4. Break down the synopsis into short paragraphs.
5. Use lists and tables to present information in an organized way (e.g., character descriptions, important plot points).

Remember to remain confident, knowledgeable, neutral, and clear in your writing style when crafting a compelling film synopsis. By doing so, you will increase the chances of capturing the interest of industry professionals and helping you sell your script.

Why You Should Write a Film Synopsis

Writing a film synopsis is crucial for conveying the essence of your story. A well-written synopsis highlights the characters, plot, genre, and setting, giving readers a clear idea of what to expect from the film. It’s important to write a synopsis that is confident, knowledgeable, neutral, and clear, as it can help garner interest from potential viewers, producers, and investors.

A synopsis helps you structure your story and pinpoints the beginning, middle, and end. Including the climax and resolution can give readers a sense of the emotional arc your film will take. By doing so, your synopsis outlines the critical events and turning points, as well as the stakes and conflict driving the story.

In addition to the central conflict, a compelling synopsis should cover relevant subplots and character arcs. Showing your main character’s development and how their motivations and goals change over time can make for an engaging and dynamic narrative. Moreover, it’s essential to tie up any loose ends and provide a satisfying conclusion for your audience.

Here’s a brief example of how you can incorporate these elements into your synopsis:

In a dystopian future, a young woman named Jane struggles to survive in a dangerous world. After discovering a secret society fighting against the oppressive government, she joins their cause. As Jane navigates her new life and uncovers hidden truths, she must confront the difficult reality that the revolution might not be as righteous as it seems.

To write an effective synopsis, consider creating a brief outline:

1. Genre: Dystopian Sci-Fi
2. Setting: Futuristic city
3. Main Character: Jane, a young woman
4. Central Conflict: Fight against oppressive government
5. Turning Points: Discovery of secret society, realization of hidden truths
6. Character Development: Jane’s growth from a disillusioned survivor to a determined revolutionary
7. Conclusion: Resolution of the central conflict, tying up loose ends

Writing a film synopsis is essential for presenting your story clearly and concisely. It enables potential viewers, producers, and investors to understand the core elements of your film, eventually increasing the chances of your project’s success.

The Difference Between a Film Synopsis, Logline, and Treatment

Writing about a film involves creating a logline, synopsis, and treatment. Each of these components serves a specific purpose and requires a unique approach. In this section, we’ll explore the differences among these elements and provide guidelines on how to write them.

Logline:

A logline is a concise, one or two-sentence summary of your film’s main idea. It should paint a picture of the film’s main conflict and hook the reader’s interest. When writing a logline, focus on the essence of your story, its unique elements, and the tone you aim to convey. Ensure that your language is clear and precise.

Synopsis:

A film synopsis is a brief, yet comprehensive explanation of your film’s plot, including its key events and character arcs. While writing a synopsis, remember to:

1. Use present tense and third person perspective
2. Keep it concise, typically within 1-2 pages
3. Maintain a neutral and descriptive style
4. Avoid revealing major spoilers or twists

To create a strong synopsis, start by outlining the main events in your story, and then expand on them to provide more context. Be mindful of the language, grammar, and style you employ. Once you have a draft, seek feedback from others and proofread your work to identify areas for improvement.

Treatment:

The treatment is a more detailed document that provides a thorough explanation of your film’s story, characters, and themes. It typically ranges between 40 to 80 pages in length. Here’s what to keep in mind while writing a treatment:

1. Present your story in a clear and structured manner
2. Incorporate dialogue, if it helps convey important plot points
3. Describe visual elements when necessary
4. Emphasize character development and motivations

Treatments serve as an essential tool when pitching your film to investors or producers. It’s essential to make multiple drafts and refine your treatment through an iterative editing process.

How to Structure Your Film Synopsis

When writing a film synopsis, it’s essential to create a structured and informative document that covers the critical aspects of your story. Here’s how you can construct an organized synopsis:

1. Write a header:

Begin by stating the working title of your film at the top of the page, along with your name as the writer. This helps readers know whose work they are assessing and identify the genre from the title.

2. Include your contact details:

Add your email, phone number, and any professional website you have to make it easy for interested parties to reach out to you.

3. Write the logline:

Craft a compelling logline that captures the essence of your story in a single sentence. This should include the main character, their objective, and the primary obstacle they face.

4. Introduce the main characters and setting:

Provide a brief introduction of your central characters, highlighting their roles, personality traits, and how they contribute to the storyline. Also, briefly describe the setting, including the time period and location.

5. Summarize Act 1 – The Setup:

In a short paragraph, outline the essential plot points of Act 1. Describe how your story begins, the characters’ initial goals, and what sets the main conflict in motion.

6. Summarize Act 2 – The Conflict:

For Act 2, focus on the central conflict and how it escalates. Discuss key turning points, new challenges, and how the protagonist and other significant characters evolve within these events.

7. Summarize Act 3 – The Climax:

Finally, cover Act 3 by conveying the climax and resolution of your story. Identify the characters’ final confrontations, decisions, and any epiphanies they experience that lead to the resolution.

Remember to use tables and lists when appropriate to organize information effectively. Use bold and italicized text to emphasize essential points and key phrases that reflect the intrigue and suspense of your story. Keep your language clear, concise, and engaging to maintain the reader’s interest. By following these steps, you’ll create a well-structured film synopsis that showcases the narrative arc and unique qualities of your story.

11 Tips for Writing Your Film Synopsis

Writing a compelling film synopsis requires clear communication, creativity, and attention to detail. Here are some helpful tips for creating an effective synopsis that will captivate your reader.

1. Keep it brief:

A well-crafted synopsis should convey the essence of your film in a concise manner. Aim for one to two pages in length.

2. Write in the present tense:

Ensure your synopsis feels immediate and engaging by using the present tense.

3. Use the third person:

Write from an objective, third-person perspective to maintain a professional tone.

4. Get your spacing and paragraphs right:

Organize your content into logical paragraphs, with appropriate spacing, for easy reading.

5. Use a simple font:

Choose a clean, legible font that won’t distract from your content.

6. Stick to the main plot points and main characters:

Focus on your primary characters and crucial plot elements. Avoid lengthy descriptions of subplots or minor characters.

7. Write in the style of the movie’s genre:

Tailor your writing style to reflect the atmosphere of your film. If it’s a tense thriller, convey that tension in your synopsis.

8. Emphasize character development:

Highlight the growth and transformation of your main characters throughout the story.

9. Use simple language:

Keep your language clear and straightforward to ensure your reader can easily understand your story.

10. Ask for feedback:

Share your synopsis with trusted colleagues or friends to gain valuable feedback and insights.

11. Prepare to make edits:

Be open to changes and improvements to refine your synopsis and make it as compelling as possible.

By following these tips, you’ll be on your way to crafting a captivating film synopsis that conveys the heart of your story and attracts the interest of your target audience. Stay confident and remember that practice makes perfect.

Pitching and Presentation

When it comes to pitching your film to potential investors or producers, having a well-crafted synopsis is essential. This section will guide you on how to effectively present your story and captivate your audience.

First and foremost, it is crucial to identify the key information you want to convey. Make sure to highlight the following elements in your synopsis:

• Title
• Genre
• Logline
• Theme
• Hook
• Main characters
• Setting
• Conflict
• Resolution

A good film synopsis should be concise, yet engaging. To achieve this, use the following format:

1. Introduction: Briefly summarize your story, providing an overview of its main elements.
2. Hook: Present a compelling moment or aspect that will captivate the reader and spark their interest in your project.
3. Body: Elaborate on the core plot points and character arcs, using a three-act structure to organize your summary (beginning, middle, and end).
4. Conclusion: End on a note that leaves the reader excited and curious about how the story unfolds.

When pitching to an audience, keep your tone confident, knowledgeable, and neutral. Use clear and concise language, making sure to avoid any exaggerated or false claims. Remember, the goal is to present your story in a way that appeals to filmmakers, producers, and Hollywood executives alike.

In addition to your synopsis, it is a good idea to prepare a film treatment. This document provides a more in-depth exploration of your story, including character and scene descriptions, dialogue snippets, and visual references. Although not essential during your initial pitch, having a well-prepared treatment can be useful in subsequent meetings or for providing coverage if your project gains traction.

Finally, practice your presentation. Rehearse your pitch in front of a trusted friend or colleague, soliciting feedback and refining your delivery. The more comfortable you are in sharing your story, the more likely you will captivate your audience and garner support for your film project.

4 Feature Film Synopsis Examples

In this section, we will review four film synopses to give you a better understanding of how unique narratives can be summarized succinctly and engagingly. Keep in mind that when writing a film synopsis, it’s essential to provide the critical plot points, central characters, and, most importantly, the core conflict the protagonist will face throughout their journey. The examples below is provided by the guys over at Script Mag. 

1. A Few Good Men:

In this legal drama, A Few Good Men, you follow the story of two young military lawyers, Daniel Kaffee and JoAnne Galloway. They are assigned to defend two Marines accused of killing a fellow Marine at Guantanamo Bay. While initially seems like a straightforward case, Kaffee and Galloway soon uncover a conspiracy in the form of an unlawful order (known as a “code red”) issued by high-ranking officers, pushing them to challenge authority and seek justice. This film combines powerful dialogue and a novel approach to setting to keep viewers engaged.

2. Good Will Hunting:

The Good Will Hunting synopsis tells the story of Will Hunting, a self-taught mathematical genius working as a janitor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). When Professor Gerald Lambeau discovers Will’s extraordinary abilities, he endeavors to mentor him, but Will’s troubled past proves challenging to overcome. With the help of therapist Sean Maguire, Will embarks on an emotional journey to confront his demons and embrace his potential, offering a transformational character arc in the film.

Read the full film synopsis of Good Will Hunting.

3. Frozen 2:

In Disney’s animated sequel, Frozen 2, the two sisters, Elsa and Anna, embark on an adventure far beyond their kingdom of Arendelle. Elsa hears a mysterious voice calling her and, together with Anna, Olaf, Kristoff, and Sven, seeks to uncover the source, unraveling truths about their heritage and saving their kingdom in the process. Filled with whimsical visuals, catchy tunes, and a focus on the power of sisterly love, Frozen 2 offers a unique take on the classic adventure story.

Read the full film synopsis of Frozen 2.

4. The Dark Knight:

The synopsis for The Dark Knight dives into the chaotic world of Gotham City, where the vigilant Batman continues to protect its citizens. A terrifying new force, the Joker, emerges and threatens the very structure of the city, forcing Batman into a battle of wit and morality. In partnership with allies such as Lieutenant James Gordon and newly-elected District Attorney Harvey Dent, Batman faces his most twisted and intelligent opponent yet. The gripping project expertly combines action, suspense, and a captivating exploration of the line between hero and villain, resulting in a truly engaging film synopsis.

Read the full film synopsis of The Dark Knight.

iFilmThings Free Film Synopsis Template

Here is our synopsis template for you to use. It will help you correctly structure your synopsis and set you on your path to success. 

The synopsis will also need a character arc implemented. Read our article here on character development to help you with crafting a memorable character.

We hope this article on how to write a synopsis was useful! Let us know what you thought in the comments below. While you’re here, why not check out some of our favourite articles below: 

• The Dan Harmon Story Circle
• Best Screenwriting Books
• Screenwriting Tips to Help you Become a Better Screenwriter