Well I've had ten pages of a pilot episode read and I've been asked for the entire script. In addition to this they want synopsis for future episodes.
These are in the bag but I want make sure the synopsis is right.
any suggestions.
Making my synopsis count.
Hi Stephen... you could post the synopsis in critique, and we'll all give our honest opinions/pointers.
Congrats on getting your pilot read btw! 
Start with a arse-kicking opening line that sums the show up, and sells it.
Then just describe what the premise is, highlighting key features - relationships, conflicts etc. About a page should do it.
Quote: Seefacts @ October 8, 2007, 1:55 PMStart with a arse-kicking opening line that sums the show up, and sells it.
Then just describe what the premise is, highlighting key features - relationships, conflicts etc. About a page should do it.
Sounds good Seefacts.
Just describe the character who's a monster and has one eye. No wait thats the cyclopsis. I'm here all week folks 
Best advice I got for doing a synopsis is to look at the back of a video or DVD and copy that. They usually tell you the story, the genre and describe the main characters and the 'drama' they will go through in the film in a concise manner.
Quote: stephen maddock @ October 8, 2007, 8:30 AMWell I've had ten pages of a pilot episode read and I've been asked for the entire script. In addition to this they want synopsis for future episodes.
These are in the bag but I want make sure the synopsis is right.any suggestions.
Congratulations. I was just wondering, when they say they want to see more stuff, do they give you a deadline?
Yeah - congrats.
I would think ifyou've got to that stage surely you shouldn't have difficulty with a synopsis. Maybe if you post it here you coiuldf run a comp for someone here to synopsize.
ooo Congratulations!
Well it's done and dusted.
All I do now is sit around cacking myself.
Thanks to all the advice I got(Especially the cyclops bit)
I'm sure there's a thread about this somewhere else, but I'll be dammed if I can find it, but what I want to know is the difference between a synopsis and a treatment? I know the treatment has more to it, but I'm not quite sure what to put into it and what to leave out. I'm asking this here because I can't be arsed to start a new thread. Cheers if you can answer my question.
Quote: earman2009 @ November 12, 2007, 9:14 PMI'm sure there's a thread about this somewhere else, but I'll be dammed if I can find it, but what I want to know is the difference between a synopsis and a treatment? I know the treatment has more to it, but I'm not quite sure what to put into it and what to leave out. I'm asking this here because I can't be arsed to start a new thread. Cheers if you can answer my question.
Basically the same aren't they?
Just cover key relationships, characters, style etc and make it sound exciting.
What I will say is this . . .
This: don't feel like you have to write one. The script should speak for itself. If it's good, they'll get back to you. I've said before, they'd never go 'Great script, but no synopsis - NEXT!'
There are strict rules in this industry, but not THAT strict. Cover yourself by saying 'A synopsis can be provided on request' but don't feel compelled to write one.
The main difference is that a treatment is longer - I think they are mainly used to sell screenplays.
I have more difficulty writing the synopsis than the piece I'm trying to sell - if you don't grab your audience in a couple of lines, forget it.
However, you can get people to read the full piece on the strength of a good synopsis, so it's worth the sleepless nights in the long run!
p.s - earman, just look at the blurb on the back of any dvd - that's what you're aiming for!
You're getting good advice, mate. A great synopsis is worth the sweat and is an artform in itself, dragging the reader into wanting to know more.
Synopsis is what the show is about in a FEW brief paragraphs (A page to a page and a half of non-dense concise summary). Give them some taglines (the kind of "In space, no one can hear you scream" one-line teasers) to break up the paragraphs and give readers an instant 'handle' on the show. For example, the Alien tagline tells you it's horror, in space, and the crew are isolated and helpless.
Don't answer every question in the show but leave teasers to entice (hopefully).
Avoid lengthy character descriptions and backstory, that's for later - if at all. Describe a character (if you really have to) in single sentences: "Weak, bullied, unsure of his standing yet Jeremy is the social conscience of the group."
Put a few lines in about future episodes to show that it has 'legs'. But keep them to one-sentence taglines such as: "HM Inspectors are calling in on the prison, the inmates and warders have some serious blagging to do." etc.
A treatment as Stylo says is more a screenplay idea that is a line or paragraph per scene in the film / pilot. Unusual for it to apply to shortform work, although I've been asked to supply them for feature film projects.
Thanks for the advice/info. I won't bother with a treatment then and I'll write a synopsis instead. Cheers!