Introduction
The world of filmmaking is all about capturing the audience’s attention as well as crafting a compelling story.
Once you’ve written your screenplay, you may decide to pitch to producers, distributors or festival organizers. Wherever you take your script, a polished presentation can make all the difference.
Here is where the one sheet (or one pager) comes in. A succinct, visually engaging document that serves as your project’s calling card.
The question is, how do you put together a one sheet? What does it include? How do you make it as engaging as possible? Well, that’s where we come in. In today’s blog post, we’ll be exploring the ins and outs of the one sheet and how you can make the most of it!
What Is a One Sheet?
A one sheet does exactly what it says on the tin. It’s a single-page document designed to summarize your film or project in a succinct and appealing way. Think of it as the movie poster’s informative cousin, with key details to give potential stakeholders.
It’s a snapshot of what your film is about and why people should care about it. In the past, most one sheets came in the form of detailed and vibrant movie posters. But as with most aspects of the film industry (including documentation like call sheets), times have changed, and so the new one sheet was born.
So, why does a one sheet matter? Well, in an industry driven by first impressions, a one sheet can be the difference between piquing someone’s interest or getting lost in a growing pile of ideas and concepts.
A well-crafted one sheet acts as a concise pitch that conveys professionalism, creativity, and clarity. All of which are critical in the highly competitive film and television industries.
Key Components of a Great One Sheet
To create an effective one sheet, it’s crucial to strike a balance between design and information.
First, and most importantly, let’s focus on the content you need to include. Your one sheet can look great on the surface, but the information you’ve included needs to match up to that. Substance over style, always!
Title
This is pretty self-explanatory: the title of your project.
Writer Name(s)
List the names of everyone who has contributed to the writing of the project. This could just be yourself, or if you have a writing partner, make sure to include them.
Also make sure to add your contact information so any interested parties can get in touch with you! Include your email address, phone number, and a link to your website or portfolio if you have one.
Logline
This is a one sentence summary. In essence, you’re summing up the core of your story which includes the main protagonist, their goal and the stakes. Ideally you want your logline to be no longer than fifty words.
For more on how to write a stellar logline, check out our dedicated blog which has all you need to know, plus some great examples of killer loglines!
To know your protagonist is to understand them. For guidance on creating a strong protagonist in your screenplay,
click here!
Genre
Knowing which genre your project fits into is extremely important, and make sure to note this down alongside the logline.
Theme and Tone
Mention the overarching themes or messages in your story.
Are you exploring redemption, the power of friendship, or the consequences of ambition? Or something else? This can help convey the depth of your screenplay.
This section is also the ideal place to include any comparisons to existing movies or TV shows. For example:
“A heartfelt comedy in the vein of Little Miss Sunshine.”
“A dark psychological thriller reminiscent of Gone Girl.”
Synopsis
A compelling synopsis is the heart of your one sheet. Your synopsis should be three to five short paragraphs which clearly depict the beginning, middle and end of your story. In essence, the story arc should be super clear!
The key to this synopsis is to not explain every single story beat, but to summarize. You want the reader to understand the crux of your story and have an overview of what happens. Make sure to include the core concept, core characters, the inciting incident key turning points as well as the resolution; all the points that will keep an audience glued to the screen.
Don’t omit any plot twists either; a one sheet is a document to promote your film, so you want the reader to fully understand the project and why they should want to know more about it.
TOP TIP: Even though this is a summary of your story, it doesn’t mean it has to be boring. Use exciting language and make sure that every single sentence reveals something key about the story. The trick is to keep the reader entertained!
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How to Make a One Sheet
Creating a one pager isn’t about just summarizing your screenplay but making it irresistible to executives.
Start with the Logline
Your logline is what sets the tone of your one sheet: it’s backbone, if you will. Spend time refining your logline until it’s clear, engaging, and succinct.
Draft your Synopsis (and refine it!)
Don’t just settle for the first version of your synopsis you come up with. Make sure to pare it down to focus on the most important elements of your story.
Clarity is key. You want as much impact as possible, and to avoid over exhaustive detail.
Highlight Unique Elements
Consider what makes your screenplay stand out from the rest. Emphasize its unique twists, innovative concept, or compelling characters.
You could even add a short section describing your personal connection to the project. All writers are human beings, and our stories all carry a small part of us. A short anecdote explaining this can help a reader become more invested in your story. Don’t linger too long on this section, however; keep the one-pager 99% about the project!
Design Matters
Use a simple, professional format to present all your information. It must be visually appealing but not cluttered, with a clear outline:
- A bold screenplay title.
- Clear headings for each section.
- Bullet points or short paragraphs for readability.
Also keep images to a minimum. If you have a striking image that would help sell the story, include it, but don’t go overboard. Remember, you want to dedicate page space to the all-important content!
Seek Feedback
Share your one pager with trusted peers or mentors for constructive feedback. A fresh set of eyes is invaluable to help you spot areas to clarify or refine.
Your one sheet is your film’s first impression — make it count. Celtx’s collaborative tools make it easy to refine your pitch with feedback.
See how.
Proofread, Proofread, and Proofread again!
There should be no typos or grammatical errors on your one sheet. You have one chance to impress the executive reading it, so don’t waste it with a sloppily written document covered in errors. It will just be thrown away or deleted.
Examples of Iconic One Sheets
While we haven’t been blessed with examples of one sheets from famous Hollywood productions from which to take inspiration, we thought we’d create our own to demonstrate how you can boil down your 90+ page screenplay into just one page, ready to amaze executives!
We’re going to create our own, brand-new examples of mock movie ideas from different genres and condense their cores into loglines, tone and theme, alongside some comps. We’ve even thrown in some top tips to help you along the way, depending on your preferred genre.
Starting with… rom coms!
The Wedding Crashers 2 | Romantic Comedy
Title: The Wedding Crashers 2
Logline: Two estranged siblings team up to crash their exes’ weddings, only to discover their schemes may lead to unexpected romance.
Tone: A zany, heartwarming comedy with shades of Crazy, Stupid, Love and the original Wedding Crashers.
Theme: Redemption and the unexpected power of love.
TOP TIP: Romantic comedies often rely on highlighting the emotional arc of characters and humorous misunderstandings. Check out the synopsis for When Harry Met Sally for inspiration. The one sheet for this movie should succinctly present the dynamic between the characters. Studio Binder does an amazing job of highlighting the movie’s structure, giving valuable insight into how you could break down your own script, ready to write your one sheet’s synopsis.
Edge of Silence | Thriller
Title: Edge of Silence
Logline: After losing his hearing in a car accident, a former spy must use his remaining senses to stop a terrorist plot.
Tone: A tense, high-stakes thriller reminiscent of The Bourne Identity.
Theme: Overcoming adversity and reclaiming purpose.
TOP TIP: If you’re writing a thriller along the same vein as The Bourne Identity or The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, make sure to use your one sheet to build intrigue. Focus on the stakes and unique premise to grab your reader’s attention.
The Long Goodbye | Drama
Title: The Long Goodbye
Logline: A retired detective must confront his dark past when an old case resurfaces, threatening his newfound peace.
Tone: A brooding, character-driven drama inspired by True Detective.
Theme: Justice, redemption, and the weight of memory.
TOP TIP: For the drama writers out there, make sure to emphasize tone and emotional depth. Movie examples like Manchester by the Sea are fantastic conveyers of heart and emotion.
A polished screenplay deserves a professional one sheet. Celtx’s screenwriting tools help you organize your ideas from script to pitch.
Try Celtx for free today — No download required!
Eclipse Protocol | Science Fiction
Title: Eclipse Protocol
Logline: In a future where the sun is dying, a scientist races against time to ignite a new star and save humanity.
Tone: A high-concept sci-fi adventure in the spirit of Interstellar.
Theme: Sacrifice, innovation, and hope.
TOP TIP: Science fiction thrives on world-building. Focus on key elements of the setting and the protagonist’s goal when writing your one sheet.
For templates of one sheets, check out a few of our favorites below:
Screencraft also has a great example of a one sheet written for the original Jurassic Park.
Using Celtx for Pre-Production
Our suite of screenwriting tools isn’t just for planning your screenplay – it can also be a valuable tool for creating and organizing your one-pager!
Story Development Tools
Our beat sheet and index cards are perfect for mapping out the key points for the one sheet synopsis.
Outline the key elements of your screenplay, such as the logline, character arcs and pivotal moments to include in your synopsis. Why not experiment with different ways to summarize your story, testing which approach works best to make your story stands out?
To access your beat sheet on your Celtx dashboard, click on the project you want to work on, then select Beat Sheet from the left-hand menu.
Use this to break down the key points in your plot and work out your primary story arc.
Collaboration
Celtx’s collaborative features make it easy to share your one sheet with your trusted peers and mentors so you can receive vital feedback. Or if you’re working with a writing partner, these tools are even more useful.
You can invite any collaborators to review your work directly within Celtx, track changes in real time and use comments and annotations to refine that work. For more on sharing files in Celtx, click here.
Accessible
Celtx is cloud-based, which means you can work on your one sheet anytime, anywhere. Whether you’re on a laptop, tablet, or smartphone, your progress is always saved and synchronized, making last-minute edits a breeze!
To explore our features further, visit us at Celtx.com and discover how we can help streamline your pre-production process and elevate your screenplay to industry standards and beyond!
Conclusion
A one sheet is more than just a summary, it’s your film’s first impression. In a competitive industry where every detail matters, a well-crafted one sheet showcases your professionalism, creativity, and passion.
By including a strong logline, compelling synopsis, and polished design, you can capture the attention of producers, distributors, or festival organizers. Remember to emphasize what makes your project unique and seek feedback to refine your pitch.
Whether you’re an emerging filmmaker or a seasoned storyteller, mastering the one sheet is an essential step in bringing your vision to life and standing out in the world of filmmaking.
Writing a one sheet is just the beginning — Celtx helps you structure, format, and pitch your script like a pro.
Explore all Celtx has to offer with a 7-day free trial.
Thanks for reading! Try these articles next:
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