Shortfilm questions

[draags]

Hi

Im from sweden and have written a short script for a 3d animation, its about ten pages.

My question is if you have some help how to write a synopsis for that?

I have today a producer and she wants a synopsis. What else should i have to send here to make her happy, if you know what i mean.

Should i write down a logline?

Do you out there have some good help just for shorts, and how to give the best impression for it.

[JoanEasley]

Has the producer already decided to make your script, and she wants a synopsis for festivals? Or does she want a synopsis so she can decide whether or not she wants to read the script? Are you working in English? No offense intended, but your English could use a little smoothing out. (I admit, it's better than my Swedish.)

If you don't get the help you need for free, I'll help you for a small fee. I have a logline/synopsis/query letter business, and I've written synopses for my own short scripts and other peoples'. If your script is in English, I'd help you with that for no extra charge. E-mail me if you are interested.

Best,

JoanEasley@excite.com

[PteranoDon]

Draags, let me read it and I will advise you gratis.

pteranodonfilms@yahoo.com

[draags]

The producer have already read my script and like it, i think she want one to send to the swedish film institute and maybe to swedish televisions.

Joan, i didnt take as a offense, i know i have troubles with my english, i hope i someday can give me time to excercise it to be better... ;-)

Pterano, are you from sweden maybe?

My question is how long and how detailed should my synopsis be, could it look like this as a example in length and detail.

My script is 7-10 minutes warm & funny character animation short for children. It´s a basic story about a boy who wants to cry but the tears are gone, and his friend and cat helps him to get them back.

And ones again, i hope you understand my poor english. ;-)

[JoanEasley]

Here's my reaction, for free:

The producer will be able to tell you how long and detailed a synopsis she needs for her Swedish contacts.

I wouldn't put "warm and funny" in the synopsis. Nor would I call it a "basic story." Leave out judgmental words.

I'd give the title and convey that it's a comedy by stating the genre (children's animated comedy short).

You are on the right track with your logline, but she said she wanted a synopsis, so she probably wants a bit more detail. If so, expand it to include answers to these questions: Why does he want to cry? How do they help him find his tears?

[draags]

Thanks Joan for your help, is it wrong to both write down a logline and a after that the longer synopsis?

[JoanEasley]

You can do that. In the logline you refer to "a boy." In the synopsis you use character names and flesh it out with more detail.

[draags]

Thanks Joan.

I dont know if you can help me with this but i try ;-)

In my story at the end one of my character lies about that the other characters cat is dead to make him cry.

One person who read that dont like that he lied about death, you dont do that, if you are a pal.

What do you think about that, or anyone else out there???

[JoanEasley]

Your friend has a point.

Instead of that, you could have his friend tell him -- and his cat -- a sad story about how another wonderful cat dies. It could be the friend's cat, or it could be a story in a book. Either way, you can't just say, "My cat died" and get any emotion out of it. You'd have to tell a good story that makes us care about the cat and mourn its death. If you are a good storyteller, you can do this in a pretty short time. And the story could be animated as the friend tells it, for visual interest.

Also, since this is animation, both the boy and the cat could start crying from the sad story. That way, it becomes a story about the power of a good story to tap into our empathy for others and make our emotions flow.

[draags]

Thanks for your time again, and for your help, i will think it over.