Synopsis Help

I'm sending off a sketch show pilot in the next few days, but I need to send a 1 page synopsis with it.

I wrote one for the last sketch show pilot I sent out, but didn't take too much advice. I want this one to look great!

So what do people recommend?

At the moment, I'm gonna have it laid out as:

One sentence to sum up the theme of the show.
A paragraph going into more detail about the shows content.
Audience / Channel demographic info.
Number and style of actors needed.

Any other suggestions?

Thanks in advance.

I wouldn't have thought you needed a synopsis for a sketch show. It's a show to entertain the audience with a certain number/length of sketches, there's no storyline as such to explain.

Just pretend you're reviewing it.

Most sketch shows do have a general theme tying them together. Be they looks at the british public or absurd looks at everyday life. Prod co's need to know that I have an agenda for the show and haven't just stuck a load of sketches together with no thought.

I actually go balls-out when I'm writing the synopsis front page. I even do little graphics in Photoshop to illustrate the idea. So for instance, if one of the characters is a builder, I'll get a picture of a builder on Google Images and insert it next to his character brief. Anything to make it more interesting and paint a mental picture, you know?

Someone'll probably blow me out of the water and say that's stupid, but that's what I did for my own sketch show which goes into pilot stage soon, so it worked for me anyroad.

Quote: Perry Nium @ April 4 2008, 2:09 PM BST

I actually go balls-out when I'm writing the synopsis front page. I even do little graphics in Photoshop to illustrate the idea. So for instance, if one of the characters is a builder, I'll get a picture of a builder on Google Images and insert it next to his character brief. Anything to make it more interesting and paint a mental picture, you know?

Someone'll probably blow me out of the water and say that's stupid, but that's what I did for my own sketch show which goes into pilot stage soon, so it worked for me anyroad.

View original

That's like when I'd try and do school work, and just spend ages making the title look nice.

Yes. It's JUST like that.

Quote: Perry Nium @ April 4 2008, 2:09 PM BST

I actually go balls-out when I'm writing the synopsis front page. I even do little graphics in Photoshop to illustrate the idea. So for instance, if one of the characters is a builder, I'll get a picture of a builder on Google Images and insert it next to his character brief. Anything to make it more interesting and paint a mental picture, you know?

Someone'll probably blow me out of the water and say that's stupid, but that's what I did for my own sketch show which goes into pilot stage soon, so it worked for me anyroad.

View original

Citin! Can you come back and tell us how it goes?

I have wondered if there is a specific method for laying out a synopsis, just like there is a specific method for writing a report. I have tried internet searches but not found anything.

It would be good to hear from others here if there is indeed a specific layout, and if possible can they give examples or a template?

Badass!

Def.

Quote: Perry Nium @ April 4 2008, 2:09 PM BST

So for instance, if one of the characters is a builder, I'll get a picture of a builder on Google Images and insert it next to his character brief. Anything to make it more interesting and paint a mental picture, you know?

View original

I thought it was quite a novel idea, but I don't think I could do it for mine as I don't have any recurring characters. It would end up being more than a one page synopsis if I did that.

However, a brief description of the different types of characters involved in the show is a good idea. One that I will add to my synopsis.