How to Write a Film or TV Series Synopsis
How to Write a Film or TV Series Synopsis That Gets Attention
A strong film or TV series synopsis is one of the most essential tools in a filmmaker’s pitch package. Whether you’re applying for funding, pitching to investors, or submitting to festivals, your synopsis needs to hook the reader and clearly convey what makes your project compelling.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through how to write a film or TV series synopsis that grabs attention and sells your story.
What is a Film or TV Series Synopsis?
A film or TV series synopsis is a brief summary of your story, characters, and themes. It should be concise yet engaging, providing enough detail to intrigue the reader without overwhelming them. Depending on the purpose, your synopsis may range from one paragraph to a full page.
Used for:
Grant & funding applications
Investor pitches
Pitch Decks
Film festival & TV pilot submissions
Marketing & press materials
Production company pitches
The 3 Types of Synopses
1. Logline (1-2 Sentences)
A one-liner that captures the core of your story.
Example: “When a struggling musician discovers a mysterious guitar that grants him supernatural talent, he must choose between fame and his soul.”
2. Short Synopsis (1-2 Paragraphs)
Gives a quick overview of the protagonist, conflict, and stakes.
Used in film festival submissions, pitch decks, and marketing materials.
3. Full Synopsis (1 Page)
A detailed summary of your story, including major plot points, character arcs, and themes.
Used for investor pitches, production decks, TV series bibles, and grants.
In this blog post we’ll be covering the short synopsis.
Step-by-Step: Writing Your Film or TV Series Synopsis
1. Start with a Strong Hook
Your opening line should immediately grab attention.
Weak: “This film is about a detective solving a mystery.”
Strong: “When a disgraced detective is framed for murder, he has 48 hours to solve the case—or take the fall.”
💡 Tip: Lead with an inciting incident that sets the story in motion.
2. Introduce the Protagonist & Their Goal
Who is your main character?
What do they want?
What’s standing in their way?
Example: “Lena, a reclusive scientist, discovers a hidden dimension, but when a government agency hunts her down, she must escape before her research is erased forever.”
💡 Tip: Keep character introductions concise. Focus on their goal and obstacles.
3. Outline the Conflict & Stakes
What is the major conflict?
What happens if the protagonist fails?
Why should the audience care?
Example: “As a deadly virus spreads, an estranged father and daughter must cross a quarantined city to reach safety before the military locks down the borders.”
💡 Tip: Highlight what makes your story unique (genre, tone, and setting).
Writing a TV Series Synopsis
Writing a TV series synopsis follows the same rules as a film synopsis but includes additional elements:
Set Up the Pilot Episode – Introduce the premise, protagonist, and key conflict.
Highlight the Show’s Longevity – Explain how the story unfolds over multiple episodes or seasons.
Include Series-Wide Themes & Structure – Show what makes it binge-worthy or different from similar shows.
Example: “In ‘ECHO CITY,’ a rogue journalist in a dystopian future discovers that every memory in her city is being rewritten by a shadowy corporation. As she fights to expose the truth, she finds herself caught in a web of conspiracy that forces her to question her own past. With each episode revealing deeper secrets, the series explores the power of information in a world where history itself is for sale.”
💡 Tip: If submitting to a network or investor, mention key story arcs for future seasons.
Keep the Ending Optional (for Some Cases)
If your synopsis is for an investor or production pitch, include the ending to show your story’s full arc. But for marketing or film festival submissions, keeping the ending vague builds intrigue.
Example: “With time running out, Jake must decide: expose the conspiracy and risk his life, or stay silent and let corruption win?”
Examples: Short Synopsis Format
🎬 Title: Shadow of the Past
“When a burned-out journalist returns to her hometown, she stumbles upon an unsolved case from her childhood. Determined to uncover the truth, she follows a trail of forgotten memories and hidden evidence. But as she digs deeper, she realizes that someone has been covering up the crime for decades, and they’ll do anything to keep it buried. With danger closing in, she must decide whether to walk away or risk everything to bring the truth to light.”
📺 Title: Echo City (TV Series)
“A rogue journalist in a dystopian future discovers that every memory in her city is being rewritten by a shadowy corporation. As she fights to expose the truth, she finds herself caught in a web of conspiracy that forces her to question her own past. Each episode unravels deeper secrets, pulling her closer to the heart of a powerful deception. But as the stakes rise, she must navigate betrayals, shifting alliances, and the haunting question can she even trust herself?”
Final Tips for a Strong Synopsis
✔ Write in Present Tense – Makes it feel immediate and engaging.
✔ Be Concise – Avoid unnecessary details or subplots.
✔ Show, Don’t Tell – Make the reader feel the tension and stakes.
✔ Match Your Film’s Tone – A comedy synopsis should sound different from a horror synopsis.
✔ For TV: Clarify the ongoing arc and what keeps audiences hooked.
What’s Next?
Need a professional-looking film or TV pitch deck? Want templates to streamline your pre-production process? Check out CGP Creators' Corner for industry-ready resources to help get your project funded and produced!
