RESEARCH INTO TYPICAL SYNOPSIS

Into the Wild A young man leaves his middle class existence in pursuit of freedom from

relationships and obligation. Giving up his home, family, all possessions but the few he carried on his back, and donating all his savings to charity, Christopher McCandless (Emile Hirsch) embarks on a journey throughout America. His eventual aim is to travel into Alaska, into the wild, to spend time with nature, with 'real' existence, away from the trappings of the modern world.

In the 20 months leading up to his Great Alaskan Adventure, his travels lead him on a path of self-discovery, to examine and appreciate the world around him and to reflect on and heal from his troubled childhood and parents' sordid and abusive relationship.

When he reaches Alaska, he finds he is insufficiently prepared for the hardships to come. Despite making it through the winter, his plan is ill-judged and he prepares to return home in spring, only to find the stream he crossed in the snow has become an impassable, raging torrent, and that he is trapped. With no means of sustaining himself adequately, he eventually starves to death in his so-sought-after isolation.

Throughout his epic journey the people he meets both influence and are influenced by the person he is and bring him to the final and tragic realization that "Happiness is only real when shared".

The text on the previous slide was an example of a typical film synopsis. In this case it was for the film ‘Into the Wild’.

A film synopsis summarizes a film for a reader such as an agent, director or producer. If the reader likes the synopsis, he or she may ask to see the film itself. Unlike a treatment, which is a narrative of everything that happens in a film, a synopsis includes only the most important or interesting parts of the story. However, a synopsis must clearly show the necessary elements of the film so the reader will know that you understand how to structure a script for a movie.

Film Synopsis: How to in 8 steps

Write the logline. The logline is at most two sentences that sum up your film. You can think of the logline as the description you might read on the website of a movie theater or in the information box of the program guide on your television. If you can, follow the logline with a paragraph

describing why your screenplay is attractive from a filmmaker's point of view. For example, if it can be shot on a small budget using a limited number of locations near London, your movie may be more attractive than one that will require weeks on location, elaborate sets or a lot of special effects.

Introduce the main characters and setting in one paragraph

Include the names (who), their occupations (what), where they live and work (where), the time period of the story (when), and the reason you are telling their story (why). Type the names of the characters in all capital

letters the first time their names appear. Thereafter, type the character names in the usual way.

Characters that should be included in the synopsis are the protagonist (hero), the antagonist (villain), the love interest, and any important allies of the protagonist. Less important characters can be left out or not named in the synopsis.

Summarize Scene one in no more than 3 paragraphs

Act I is the setup, when you introduce the characters and the main conflict that drives the story.

Cover Scene two in 2 to 6 paragraphs

Show all the conflicts faced by your characters that lead to the crisis, the ultimate conflict that will change the course of your characters' lives.

Finish with Scene three, which should take no more than 3

paragraphs Describe how the ultimate conflict ends

and what happens to the characters afterward.

Think of a title that fits your story

You can try to make the title catchy and interesting, but it will probably be changed by the director of the movie studio, so don't work on it too hard. Put the title at the top of the page. Under the title, give the genre of the film,

such as action, romantic comedy or thriller.

Add your contact information

Always register your completed screenplay and/or treatment with the proper authorities to establish your authorship.

Give your synopsis to other people to read

If they have any questions or if something isn't clear to them, change your synopsis to make the story clearer. If the agent, producer or director finds something in your synopsis that is unclear or confusing, he or she will not request your full screenplay.