Writing a Script Synopsis

[kirstin_mccormack]

This question is a bit different than usual...

I need to write a synosis for a play script. This synopsis is meant for the director of a theatre festival (for promotional materials), and not as a means of hopefully getting the script published.

Can anyone give me a concrete idea of how to go about writing a synopsis for this play? I've search the forums, but everything I found is geared towards getting something published.

Thanks.

[Joe270]

Hey, Kristin.

I think you hit the wrong forum by accident, still, your answer may lurk here in the form of dpat, our monitor. His screen name's listed as the monitor for this site, I'd pm him, because he can set you up, seems like he knows a thing or two.

A quick comment, promotion is selling, and that's what everyone wants to do. We write because we must, but we hope to survive while plying our trade. Seems to me these promotional materials are intended to lure audiences, real people, rather that pros. I don't see much difference in the sell.

[alleycat]

Here's one way, just to get started . . .

First, what kind of play is this (comedy? drama?) combined with a broad overview of what the play is about (theme). A couple of sentences should be enough.

Then write a short paragraph about the inciting incident if there is one, and what the beginning or first act of the play is about. Who are the main characters? What's the setting? What do the main characters want?

Then a paragraph or two about what happens in the middle of the play (Act II if you're using acts). What's the conflict? How do the main characters deal with the situation?

And finally, a paragraph or two about the ending of the play, including the final resolution if there is one.

Try to keep it a page or less.

That sounds a bit formualistic. I didn't have time to do a detailed description about writing a synopsis (and I'm no expert in any case). Again, this is just to help you get started.

And this probably is in the wrong forum. It should have been in the Playwriting sub-forum. Don't worry, Derek will move it if it needs to be.

[dpaterso]

Sorry, I know nothing. Moving thread into Playwriting sub-forum as ordered. :)

-Derek

[Mac H.]

I need to write a synosis for a play script. This synopsis is meant for the director of a theatre festival (for promotional materials), and not as a means of hopefully getting the script published.If it is meant for promotional materials, then try and make it interesting and PLEASE DON'T GIVE THE ENDING AWAY !!

I've sat down in plays, opened the program and read the synopsis .. which explained who the murderer was. I was so peeved.

Try reading the synopsies printed in theatre programs for other plays you've seen. What have you liked? What did you hate ?

Good luck,

Mac

[alleycat]

Mac has a good point. Sorry, it was late at night for me when I first posted and I overlooked that it was just for promotional purposes.

In that case, you'd probably want to do a much shorter synopsis than what I described; more of a "blurb" type of thing such as you find on Wiki for well-known plays (you might want to look at some of those just for some ideas).

When you get it done you could post it in the Plays section of Share Your Work and get some feedback.

[bison]

Look at all the promos for movies or upcoming TV shows. Take inspiration from
them.
Remember the advice to all salemen, "Sell the Sizzle, not the Steak!"

[Joe Calabrese]

Yes. but the steak better be good or they'll want their money back.

[bison]

Joe, I love what you've done with your hair!
:)

[Cat Scratch]

Mac has an excellent point: is this synopsis meant to be for promotional materials for a play that is being produced? Or is this meant as a sell for the producers of the theatre company so they will include your play in the festival? I had assumed it was the former, and was going to recommend that you use the same technique as when selling to a publisher. If it's the former, I don't know of any hard-and-fast rules. Just think about the theme of your play and attempt as best you can to sum it up.

[kirstin_mccormack]

It is for a play that has already been accepted into a Theatre Festival. Now the director of the Festival wants a synopsis that can be used to promote the play in the community.

I managed to come up with (what I think is) a super sweet one line "tagline". I am pretty certain that the director is going to want more than a snappy phrase.

To make things additionally difficult, I didn't write the play. I am merely in charge (by default) of writing the synopsis.

[brydra]

Separate yourself from your work for a moment in time..........then think like a marketer. simple but tough.