Got A Kickass One-Pager?
Screenwriters, TV Writers and Show Creators need to have lot of supporting documents at their disposal when marketing their projects. There is the Treatment, the Outline, the Written Pitch Document or Show Bible and these docs are always asked for after the proverbial foot is in the door. But what about when the foot is still on the street or in the trenches or standing in line at Starbucks?
Generally, a simple query sent to film production companies, directors or agents comes with the cover letter and a blurb about the project; perhaps with a synopsis and logline attached but that is not enough anymore.
Things are moving at the speed of sound in the industry now, and yes there are a lot more opportunities and platforms to get your work out there but there are also a lot more creators and writers as well. It is vital when given or taking any type of opportunity to be as specific, clear and bam-pow-pop concise as you can.
A kick ass one-pager is the best bang for the buck because when done correctly it conveys so much about you and your project and takes only minutes to read. But sculpting this document is no small feat. You want it to not only be fluid, new, have a fresh take, be in your own unique voice and, in the tone of the genre but it also needs to read easier than the grocery list you wrote on the back of a paper napkin while watching the kids at soccer practice. Specificity, pointedness and focus are required here but so, so, so worth the effort.
Generally, a simple query sent to film production companies, directors or agents comes with the cover letter and a blurb about the project; perhaps with a synopsis and logline attached but that is not enough anymore.
Things are moving at the speed of sound in the industry now, and yes there are a lot more opportunities and platforms to get your work out there but there are also a lot more creators and writers as well. It is vital when given or taking any type of opportunity to be as specific, clear and bam-pow-pop concise as you can.
A kick ass one-pager is the best bang for the buck because when done correctly it conveys so much about you and your project and takes only minutes to read. But sculpting this document is no small feat. You want it to not only be fluid, new, have a fresh take, be in your own unique voice and, in the tone of the genre but it also needs to read easier than the grocery list you wrote on the back of a paper napkin while watching the kids at soccer practice. Specificity, pointedness and focus are required here but so, so, so worth the effort.
A well-crafted one-pager for TV, will, in small pleasurable bursts, convey the style of the show, what it is; include the logline, tagline, themes, the overall summary, the pilot episode, character descriptions, and a concept paragraph. It will imply why it has legs and the makings of a great story engine. This is the one page that could get them to ask for more, you have to kick-ass, man.
For a screenplay it should include the logline, a 2 or 3 paragraph synopsis/summary and a pitch paragraph where you also talk about your vision, how your take is unique and different yet relevant and identifiable and why you wrote it. Close the page with a sentence or two that lights a fire under their butts. Talk about why this script will succeed, who it will appeal to, the hook, perhaps budget—and end on a button that you want them to hit…on their I-phone.
For a screenplay it should include the logline, a 2 or 3 paragraph synopsis/summary and a pitch paragraph where you also talk about your vision, how your take is unique and different yet relevant and identifiable and why you wrote it. Close the page with a sentence or two that lights a fire under their butts. Talk about why this script will succeed, who it will appeal to, the hook, perhaps budget—and end on a button that you want them to hit…on their I-phone.