Writing

a synopsis
 Writing a synopsis

Content page Content page

1. Introduction 2 5. Facts to know 14
2. Mind Map 3 5.1. General tips 14
5.2. Linking words. 16
3. General aspects 4
3.1. What is a synopsis? 4 6. Check your knowledge 17
3.2. What for do we need to write a synopsis? 4
7. Glossary 22
4. Steps to write a synopsis 8 8. Bibliography 23
4.1. How do I start? 8 9. Creative Commons 24
4.2. What do I do now? 9 10. Credits 25
4.3. It doesn’t look good! 11
4.4. I kind of like it! 12
4.5. It’s much better! 12
4.6. Is my synopsis ready? 13

FAVA - Formación en Ambientes Virtuales de Aprendizaje SENA - Servicio Nacional de Aprendizaje 1

 Writing
a synopsis
Introduction
Creative people usually have their minds full of amazing projects that are not always
implemented. One of the reasons why this happens is because these ideas are not
written.

Writing forces you to clarify, classify and organize the information, and gives you an
overview of what it is required to develop your project.

Hi there! I’m Lisa Olsson and I welcome you to this material. Here, we are going
to work on how to write a synopsis step by step. Don’t forget that the materials
you find in the Multimedia Producer Program is only a quick guide for you and it is
important to go deeper into the topics by some independent work.

Are you ready? Let us begin!

FAVA - Formación en Ambientes Virtuales de Aprendizaje SENA - Servicio Nacional de Aprendizaje 2

 Mind Mind
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Writing
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General Steps ta Facts to our
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aspects know know le
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Definition General
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Tips

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I kind
Evaluate
of like it!

It's much Ask your peers

better! to read it

Is my synopsis
ready?

Revise Edit Publish

General aspects

What is a synopsis?

A synopsis is a brief statement or outline of

some subject or product.

What for do we need to write a synopsis?

Well, we could talk about two main moments when synopsis

are useful: planning and promoting. When planning, it helps
you to keep focused on what is really important for your story
or product. When promoting, it helps you to sell your product,
so you can find a publishing house to print your books, find
producers who invest in your project or get the attention of an
audience.

To learn how to write a synopsis is essential to have success

in your multimedia projects.

Here we have an audiovisual project

example of how to promote your project to
find financing, producers and others. Pay
close attention to the information included
in the publication.

FAVA - Formación en Ambientes Virtuales de Aprendizaje SENA - Servicio Nacional de Aprendizaje 4

 Company Profile Producer's Profile
Clap Studios is a sound post-production facility for film Audiovisual producer and CEO of Clap Studios.

Mákira Torrá and television that offers stereo and 5.1 and 7.1
surround mixing, recording and audio editing, sound
design, Foley, ADR, dubbing, voice-overs, consulting,
International negotiator and specialist in Finance
(EAFIT University), with a masters degree in Design
and Management of Audiovisual Production
and studio rental. We take care of every detail to (Autonomous University of Barcelona). He has also
MÁKIRA TORRÁ creatively contribute to the development of the stories, studied at the University of California, New York
with the highest technical standards, ongoing Film Academy, and Universidad Bellas Artes.
technological upgrades, and certified human talent Producer of the short films "Dani the Sweet" (FICCI,
DIRECTOR
Juan Pablo DAGUER
GENRE
Road movie (including Avid-certified Pro Tools Experts). Comfenalco Honorable Mention), "Right After
Before" and "Gotcha". Currently in pre-production of
PRODUCER RUNNING TIME
Gabriel Jaime PÉREZ 98 min Director's Note the short film "Verses without Rhyme".
PRODUCTION COMPANY CURRENT SCRIPT DRAFT Mâkira Torrâ represents a paradox: to find the
Clap Studios Eighth or greater draft surface you must touch bottom. It is,
Director's Profile
metaphorically, to overcome ourselves. Mâkira Degree in communications (Pontifical Bolivarian
Torrâ semiotically synthesizes words in the University), with a specialization degree in art direction
Fucked up local foreigner is searching for Paula. language of the Emberâ people, an Amerindian (School of Creative Advertising, Argentina) and studies
population in western Colombia, which refers to the in film staging (EICTV, Cuba). He directed the short
Synopsis "white/ foreign man” (yu makira torro). This films "Cortaditos" (series), "Dani the Sweet" (FICCI,
Antonio, after twenty years living outside his expression, which appears as a catalyst in a major Comfenalco Honorable Mention), "Kidnapped"
country, returns to look for the woman he thinks (FICCI, AXN Film Festival), and several television
dialogue, is itself the essence of this opera prima. It shows, commercials and music videos.
he loves. In his search, Antonio gets lost along the is our personal search for the solution to the
way: no money , no phone, not knowing anyone , quixotic task of making movies, and it is expressed He is currently in pre-production of the short film
ragged and filthy . Or as some would say , "all through the character of Antonio - a white, foreign 'Verses without Rhyme".
fucked up”. Antonio has no choice but to join a man in his own land, who builds his destiny
group of colorful/eccentric characters who, lik e through the characters, situations, and sublime
him, are alone, and to plunge into the unknow n landscapes that life offers him.
but fascinating territory that is Colombia. After a
series of absurd and funny adventures, Antonio
finally finds the true destination of his journe y. Looking For
The Makira Torra project is seeking national
and international co-production, in addition to
financing.

Contact at BAM

NAME NAME
Gabriel Jaime PÉREZ DÍAZ Juan Pablo DAGUER

EMAIL. EMAIL.
info@clapstudios.com callelargapfoducciones@g-
mail.com

Financial Information
TOTAL BUDGET FINANCING ALREADY IN PLACE % ADDRESS PHONE WEB
506,284 USD 25% Calle 14 #30 -20, Medellin (+57)310428 6845 www.clapstudios.com

Taken from the Bogotá Audiovisual Market (BAM) catalog, July 2015. Pages 84-85, 92-93, 100-101

FAVA - Formación en Ambientes Virtuales de Aprendizaje SENA - Servicio Nacional de Aprendizaje 5

Here we have more audiovisual project examples to check.
Mister Tierra Bomba
MISTER TIERRA BOMBA
DIRECTOR
Joséphine LANDERTINGER FORERO
GENRE
Creative documentary
PRODUCER
Magnus KOSSMANN
RUNNING TIME
75 min
PRODUCTION COMPANY CURRENT SCRIPT DRAFT
Global Eyes Production / Lente Viva Filmes Third or fourth draft
On the island of Tierra Bomba, where erosion
and a lack of government are causing
enormous damage, Cristian wants to fulfill his
dream of becoming an actor and save himself
and his community through his fame.
Synopsis
Cristian, a charismatic young man, sees his
community immersed in a constant struggle fo r
survival. His home is the Colombian island of
Tierra Bomba, full of social and environmental
problems. Maritime erosion has swallowed up
several houses and streets. Almost in an act of
desperation, Cristian dreams of fame to open
doors for his abandoned community . He competes
in the Mister Cartagena beauty contest and
organizes a film workshop on the island. The
participants create a short fiction film with a her o
who manages to save his friends from the danger
they face. The main actor is Cristian; fiction is
used as an indirect comment on Cristian’ s realit y.
The shooting of the short film is interspersed with
everyday scenes of vulnerable situations on th e
island. The short film is projected to the
community and Cristian contacts casting agencies.
In the end, Cristian climbs into a boat, carrying
his film to the other side. It remains uncertain
whether the main character of the documentar y
manages to save his community .
Financial Information
TOTAL BUDGET FINANCING ALREADY IN PLACE %
140,000 USD 27%
Taken from the Bogotá Audiovisual Market (BAM) catalog, July 2015. Pages 84-85, 92-93, 100-101
FAVA - Formación en Ambientes Virtuales de Aprendizaje
Company Profile Producer's Profile
Global Eyes Production S.A.S. was founded in Magnus Kossmann studied Film and Social
February 2013 in Bogota. It is dedicated to film
production with a focus on auteur film and creative
documentary: films with a personal signature and
Anthropology at the University of Cape Town
(South Africa), where he was tutor of Media
Anthropology. Worked for Sesotho Media &
unique vision. It is oriented toward the international Development in Lesotho, developing media
film market and seeks to establish itself as a education projects and mobile cinema. Has
co-production partner for auteur films in Colombia. produced countless documentaries with a social
The company primarily handles films with issues focus, such as Shamiela's House or Basotho Voices.
related to identity, migration, social issues, and human He was associate and line producer for "Coming of
rights. Age", premiere Berlinale 2015. He currently lives
and works in Bogotá.
Director's Note
Cristian's existential drama turns this story of a
Director's Profile
native of Tierra Bomba into a universal one that
everyone can connect with. In addition to being a Josephine Landertinger Forero studied Film and
Communication in Berlin, focusing on Documentary
fantastic person, he wants to share his story with the Film, Performance Art, Neorealism and the
world and is fully willing to be followed by my Colombian armed conflict. Completed the Journalist
camera. When, in exchange for his story, he asked Academy in Germany and a film script course from
for a film workshop to be organized, this mix EICTV Cuba. Scholar of the Humanity in Action
between fiction and reality seemed extremely human rights programme. Several years working as a
fascinating. director, including at a German NGO. Interested in
films that analyze identity and cross borders.
It was a desire that came out of the main character
and not something that was imposed. This increased
the creative potential overnight, challenging me
artistically with a new way of telling a documentary
story. Thanks to reality, a fiction film will be shot
that will hopefully also provide the participants with
useful tools for audiovisual expression to change the
reality of their island.
Looking For
We want to internationalize the project, present it to the
industry, and above all make concrete deals with
potential co-producers from Colombian television and
other international funders in order to complete the
project's financing.
Contact at BAM
NAME NAME
Josephine LANDERTINGER Magnus KOSSMANN
FORERO
EMAIL.
EMAIL. projects@
info@globaleyes-production.- globaleyes-production.com
com
ADDRESS PHONE WEB
Calle 166 20-60, Bogotá (+57)312 577 9447 www.globaleyes-production.com
SENA - Servicio Nacional de Aprendizaje 6

Psicópatas Enamorados
PSYCHOPATHS IN LOVE
DIRECTOR
Felipe MARTÍNEZ AMADOR
PRODUCER
Salvador DEL SOLAR
PRODUCTION COMPANY
Proyectil S.A.S
Financial Information
TOTAL BUDGET
300,000 USD
Taken from the Bogotá Audiovisual Market (BAM) catalog, July 2015. Pages 84-85, 92-93, 100-101
FAVA - Formación en Ambientes Virtuales de Aprendizaje
GENRE
Dark comedy
RUNNING TIME
80 min
CURRENT SCRIPT DRAFT
Third or fourth draft
Psychopaths in love, a romantic comedy.
Synopsis
Jake, an introverted volunteer at a suicid e
prevention hotline, played by Albi De Abreu
("Zero Hour", "Greetings to the Devil", "Cumbia
Ninja") is actually a lovable serial killer calle d
"The Prozac murderer". He convinces his most
desperate and lonely patients to let him kindly kill
them to save them from the su ffering in which
they find themselves. On the other hand, we have
Madison, played by Natalia Reyes (Tsa TK + ",
"Cumbia Ninja", "The Red Elephant") who
appears to be the perfect victim for Jake, but i s
really a meticulous serial killer called "The
Surgical Murderer". When she calls the hotlin e
and pretends to be desperate and alone, Madison
meets Jake, thus beginning a struggle between
them to become the most popular psychopath i n
Los Angeles. This culminates in their attempt to
kill each other when they learn more about each
other than they can bea r.
You can be a psychopath and love ... bloodi ly.
FINANCING ALREADY IN PLACE %
70%
Company Profile
Production company founded in 2012 with the
purpose of accompanying stories at every stage of
their development, from their origins on a blank page
until they reach the screen. Proyectil was born with
the vocation of producing pan-regional contents out
of our conviction that the natural market of the Latin
American audiovisual projects must not be restricted
to one of our countries but aim for the entire region.
Director's Note
Psychopaths in Love is a black comedy, but with all the
elements of a romantic comedy about the war between
the sexes. The two main characters, a man and a
woman, are striving for the same goal, and after hating
and trying to destroy each other they eventually fall in
love. The only "subtle" difference is that in this case the
main characters are two serial killers who are trying to
kill each other to achieve their goal. The movie will be
filmed by mixing the language of romantic comedy and
a gore film, with very sophisticated photography mixed
with very crude, contrasting photography. We will
always have restrained performances and let the humor
be given by the situations and not by the performances
of the actors, achieving in this way a dry and intelligent
comedy.
Looking For
Obtain the remaining 30 % of the financing of the film,
as well as the distribution. Meet other companies from
the industry, investors, and distributors to make
contacts for this and future audiovisual projects.
Contact at BAM
NAME
Felipe MARTÍEZ
EMAIL.
felipe.martinez@proyectil.net
ADDRESS
Calle 128B #78-70 Int 1, Bogotá
Producer's Profile
Peruvian actor, writer and director who has forged a
successful career starring in movies and TV series but
has also dabbled as producer, director and writer of
the film "Magallanes", which won the "Cine en
construction" award at the most recent San Sebastian
film festival. Along with Felipe Martinez, he founded
the production company "Proyectil", creating projects
like the movie "Magallanes" and transmedia projects
"Talion" and "Yo te llevo a Brasil".
Director's Profile
Colombian director and screenwriter with experience
in the direction of over 50 episodes of TV series such
as "Cumbia Ninja", "Tiempo Final" and "Kdabra".
Martinez’ first feature film "Bluff' was released in
2007. "Bluff won the Audience Award at the Miami
Film Festival and the Toronto Latin Film Festival. He
is now in pre-production of "Esceptico", his second
feature film, and is preparing a Colombian remake of
the Mexican film "Nosotros los Nobles" for the
Colombian production company Dynamo.
NAME
Salvador DEL SOLAR
EMAIL.
salvador.delsolar@proyectil.
net
PHONE WEB
(+57)315 6151813 www.proyectil.net
SENA - Servicio Nacional de Aprendizaje 7
 Steps to write a synopsis

Let’s learn how to write a very basic synopsis using as an example the well known movie: I am legend,
from the director Francis Lawrence.

2
How do I start? Identify the main
elements of your
audiovisual project.

1
Think about an idea or
story and classify it into
an audiovial project
Example
format.
Idea: to tell a story
Project Format: film
Project Formats
Main elements
• Print publication
• Tutorial • Film name
• Simulation • Context
• Game • Principal character
• Web site The elements change according Do not include the resolution
• Main situation
• TV commercial to the project format. For of your story if you are
• Principal character’s goal promoting your film. This
• Film example, for a website synopsis
• Antagonist / Villain element is only included when
• Documentary some elements may be: visual
• Conflict / Climax you are planning or looking for
design, content, navigation, etc. producers.
• Resolution

FAVA - Formación en Ambientes Virtuales de Aprendizaje SENA - Servicio Nacional de Aprendizaje 8

 What do I do now?

3
Organize the
information about your
project using a mind
map.

Example

Idea: to tell a story

Project Format: film

Context New York, 2012

Principal character Robert Neville

Robert is the last human being alive on

Main situation earth after a biochemical disease.
Film name Robert wants to find other survivors
Principal character's goal of the biochemical disease.
I am leyend
Antagonist / Villain Mutants

Conflict Mutants want to hurt Robert.

Resolution Robert dies.

FAVA - Formación en Ambientes Virtuales de Aprendizaje SENA - Servicio Nacional de Aprendizaje 9

 4
Write extra information
to support or describe
each element.

Example

Idea: to tell a story

Project Format: film Example

Context New York, 2012 The city is in ruins.

Principal character Robert Neville Military scientist

Robert is the last human being alive on A biochemical disease have

Main situation earth after a biochemical disease. become people into mutants.
Film name Robert wants to find other survivors Robert has tries to
Principal character's goal of the biochemical disease. find the cure.
I am leyend
Antagonist / Villain Mutants Blod thirsty mutants that only go out at night.

Robert hunts mutants to test the potencial virus cure.

Conflict Mutants want
to hurt Robert.
Robert finds other survivors.

Robert finds the cure but has to kill himself

Resolution Robert dies. to save the cure and the survivors.

FAVA - Formación en Ambientes Virtuales de Aprendizaje SENA - Servicio Nacional de Aprendizaje 10

 It doesn’t look good!

5
Organize each element
and its support information Use Linking Words to write

6
into sentences. the first version of your
synopsis and add more
information details if
necessary.

Example

Idea: to tell a story Example

Project Format: film
Idea: to tell a story
I AM LEYEND Project Format: film

• New York, 2012. The city is in ruins. I AM LEYEND

• Robert Neville is a military scientist.
• Robert is the last human being alive on earth after a
biochemical disease. The biochemical disease has become
people into mutants.
• Robert wants to find other survivors of the virus attack and
tries to find the cure.
• The bloddy thirsty mutans only go out at night.
• Mutants wants to hurt Robert. Robert hunts mutants to
test the potential virus cure. Robert finds other survivors.
• Robert finds the cure and kills himself to save the cure and
the other survivors.
It is 2012 and New York city is in ruins. Robert Neville is a
military Scientist and The last human being alive on earth after
a bioqemical disease. As a result, most of the people have
become mutans. Robert wants to find other survivors of the
virus attack and tries to find the cure. Robert hunts mutants to
test the potential virus cure; for this reason, the blood thirsty
mutants, who only go out at night, wants to hurt Robert. After
sending out radio messages without answers, two survivor
appear Robert finds the cure and has to kil himself to save it
and protect the human race.

FAVA - Formación en Ambientes Virtuales de Aprendizaje SENA - Servicio Nacional de Aprendizaje 11

I kind of like it! It’s much better!

Read your first version

7 8
carefully; check grammar, Ask your peers to read and
spelling, capitalization and critique your synopsis.
puntuacion. Then, Write Take notes and write a
your second version. third version.

Example

Idea: to tell a story

Example Project Format: film
bert"
Idea: to tell a story You write "Ro es!
I AM LEYEND too many tim
Project Format: film
It is 2012 and New York city is in ruins. Robert Neville is a
I AM LEYEND military Scientist and the last human being alive on earth after
a biochemical disease. As a result, most of the people o
It's tohave
It is 2012 and New York city is in ruins. Robert Neville is a b o
become mutants. Robert wants to find other survivors of the ri n g !
military Scientist and The last human being alive on earth after virus attack and tries to find the cure. Robert hunts mutants to
a bioqemical disease. As a result, most of the people have test the potential virus cure; for this reason, the blood thirsty
become mutans. Robert wants to find other survivors of the mutants,Give
who
moronly go out at night, want to hurt Robert. After
inform e
virus attack and tries to find the cure. Robert hunts mutants to sending outatradio
ion! messages without answers, two survivors
test the potential virus cure; for this reason, the blood thirsty appear. Robert finds the cure and has to kill himself to save it
mutants, who only go out at night, wants to hurt Robert. After and protect the human race.
sending out radio messages without answers, two survivor
appear. Robert finds the cure and has to kil himself to save it
The story
and protect the human race. is great!

FAVA - Formación en Ambientes Virtuales de Aprendizaje SENA - Servicio Nacional de Aprendizaje 12

Is my synopsis ready?

9 Read and repeat steps 7

and 8 as necessary.
10 Share your
synopsis!

Example

Idea: to tell a story

Project Format: film

I AM LEYEND

It is 2012 and New York city is in ruins. A biochemical disease

has become human beings into blood thirsty mutants and
the only man alive and immune is Robert Neville. For about
three years, he has tried to find other survivors and the cure to
reverse the effects of the virus. Robert hunts mutants to test
them on a hopeful treatment derived from his own blood, but
the only thing he gets is to be persecuted by the mutants.
Robert is losing hope, but other apparently immune humans
show up. The cure seems to be ready, but there is no time
for Robert and he has to to kill himself to save the cure and
protect humandkind.

Remember: if your synopsis is for

promoting your film, you don’t include
the resolution of the story.

FAVA - Formación en Ambientes Virtuales de Aprendizaje SENA - Servicio Nacional de Aprendizaje 13

Facts to know
Do not name more than 3 characters
Wonderful! Now you know how to write the basic structure of
(protagonist, antagonist and a
a synopsis. You can complete your synopsis by adding more
supporting character).
details in each one of the elements. Each element can be
developed in one paragraph.

Now it’s time to know some general tips and some rules to
improve your synopsis.

General tips

Let me give you some tips to take into account for writing a
great synopsis.

Limit the number of

locations you name.

Always use the active voice

Robert finds the cure

The cure was found

FAVA - Formación en Ambientes Virtuales de Aprendizaje SENA - Servicio Nacional de Aprendizaje 14

 Give more details about each synopsis Link the paragraph of your synopsis in
element by describing places, a logical way. Let them flow by using
emotions and intentions. appropriate linking words.

Do not write the resolution or final of

the story if you are promoting your film
Keep your writing simple, so to an audience. But, if you are sending
anybody can understand the main your story to producers, include one
idea of your story. or two sentences about your ending
scenes.

FAVA - Formación en Ambientes Virtuales de Aprendizaje SENA - Servicio Nacional de Aprendizaje 15

 Linking Words

Use Times New Linking Words are “words” that helps you to connect ideas or
Roman or Arial. sentences to make your text understandable to others. There
are two categories of linking: conjuctions words and transition
words.

There are too many Linking Words to write them all. This
chart include some of the most common ones.

Function Conjunctions and Transitions

Also, Again, And, And then, As well
as, Besides, Coupled with, Equally
important, First, Finally, Furthermore,
Addition
In addition, In the first place, Last,
Write different versions of your Likewise, Moreover, Next, Plus,
synopsis until you have the Second, Still, Too
best version. Accordingly, Granted, Naturally, Of
Concession
course
Accordingly, As a result,
Consequently, For this reason, For
Consequence this purpose, Hence, Otherwise, So
then, Subsequently, Therefore, Thus,
Thereupon, Wherefore
Although, Though, Also, And yet, (But)
at the same time, Despite, Despite
Contrast and that, Even so, Even though, For all
Synopsis_Version Synopsis_Version Synopsis_Version Synopsis_FINAL Comparison that, However, In contrast, In spite of,
1 2 3 version
In the same way, Instead, Likewise,
Nevertheless, Notwithstanding, On

FAVA - Formación en Ambientes Virtuales de Aprendizaje SENA - Servicio Nacional de Aprendizaje 16

 Function Conjunctions and Transitions
the contrary, On the other hand,
Contrast and Otherwise, Regardless, Similarly,
Comparison Still, Though, Yet, As, Like (is a verb
and a conjuction)
Above, Beyond, Here, In the distance,
Direction Nearly, Opposite, Over there, There,
To the left, To the right, Under
Diversion By the way, Incidentally
Above all, Chiefly, Certainly, Especially,
Emphasis
Indeed, In fact, Of course, Particularly
After all, As an illustration, Even, For
example, For instance, In conclusion,
Example - Illustration Indeed, In fact, In other words, In
short, It is true, Of course, Namely,
Specifically, That is, To illustrate, Thus
Aside from, Barring, Besides, Except,
Exception Excepting, Excluding, Exclusive of,
Other than, Outside of, Save
As a rule, As usual, For the most
Generalizing part, Generally, Generally speaking,
Ordinarily, Usually
In essence, In other words, Namely,
Reiteration That is, That is to say, In short, In
brief, To put it differently
FAVA - Formación en Ambientes Virtuales de Aprendizaje
Function Conjunctions and Transitions
All in all, Altogether, As has been
said, Finally, In brief, In conclusion,
In other words, In particular, In short,
Summary
In simple terms, In summary, On the
whole, That is, Therefore, To put it di-
fferently, To summarize
After a while, Afterwards, Again,
Also, And then, As long as, At last, At
length, At that time, Before, Besides,
Earlier, Eventually, Finally, Former-
ly, Further, Furthermore, In addition,
In the first place, In the past, Last,
Sequence
Lately, Meanwhile, Moreover, next,
Now, Presently, Previously, Prior to,
Second, Shortly, Simultaneously, Sin-
ce, So far, Soon, Still, Subsequent-
ly, Then, Thereafter, Too, Until, Until
now, When, After
Check your knowledge
Read the next synopsis. Then, identify and circle all the
Linking Words that it contains.
SENA - Servicio Nacional de Aprendizaje 17
 MISS MARIA: SKIRTING THE MOUNTAIN
Colombia
2017– 90 min. – Digital

In the mountain village of Boavita, inhabited by conservative

Catholic farmers, lives Miss Maria Luisa. She is 44 years old
and though she was born male, she dresses and identifies as a
woman. Solitary and rejected from a young age, Maria Luisa has
found unshakeable strength in herself and in the small gestures
of solidarity she receives. Her faith in the Virgin Mary and love of
animals also act as pillars of support for this inspiring character
that lives in a world set on mistreating her. Without straying from
the conventions of documentary film, director Rubén Mendoza
maintains an appropriate distance — not without compassion,
but never invasive — as he paints a disturbing yet intensely
human portrait that forces us to bear witness to wickedness
and beauty, nature and culture, undeniable uniqueness and the
power of the masses. In a back and forth between convention
(maintained structurally) and transgression (manifested in
the characters and their world), Miss Maria: The Skirt of the
Mountain exhibits tremendous esthetic and moral strength.

Taken from the FICCI 57

catalog, March 2017. Page 118

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DARK SKULL
Bolivia / Catar - Bolivia / Qatar
2016 – 80 min. – Digital

The young Elder Mamani steals and takes off running down a street on a dark and dusty night in the mining town of Huanuni,
Bolivia, only to run again after dancing and stealing a second time at a club, apparently fleeing more than just his pursuers. Lost
in the confusion of his inebriation, strangely manifested in the troubling gaze of this indigenous youth, in an unconscious rage
he makes his way through the deep, dark, impenetrable labyrinth of the mines, which, in an unequivocal metaphor in his mind,
represent an escape from the imminent loss of his youth. He resists growth, eluding the fate of his recently deceased father,
a miner like all the others. His uncle and godfather Francisco abruptly and culpably takes Elder under his charge and lowers
him into the silent caverns where death stalks threateningly in agreement with an inevitable destiny. Here he has no chance
to question his place in the world, only the certainty of the underworld. Finally, he comes out into the light with composure
restored and takes his first step into inevitable adulthood.

Taken from the FICCI 57

catalog, March 2017. Page 76

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Read the next synopsis. Then, identify and select the elements of which it is composed.

TIMECODE
AMORES PELIGROSOS Spain
Colombia 2016 – 15 min.- Digital
2013– 90 min. – Digital
Luna and Diego both work in
The film is about moral decay, a car park. They have different
love, desire and cruelty, in a city shifts and the only time they see
of dreams and nightmares, where each other is when it is time for a
women are blinded by ambition, new shift to start. Their job duties
living the tragedy of their beauty. are to just serve as guards and
monitor the security cameras,
Taken from the Bogotá but one day Luna stumbles upon
Audiovisual Market (BAM) an old recording of a Diego that
catalog, July 2015. Pages 139 she never would have expected
to see.

Taken from the FICCI 57

catalog, March 2017. Page142

FAVA - Formación en Ambientes Virtuales de Aprendizaje SENA - Servicio Nacional de Aprendizaje 20

 Italy
1997 - 1h 56min

In 1930s Italy, a carefree Jewish book keeper named

Guido starts a fairy tale life by courting and marrying a
lovely woman from a nearby city. Guido and his wife have
a son and live happily together until the occupation of
Italy by German forces. In an attempt to hold his family
together and help his son survive the horrors of a Jewish
Concentration Camp, Guido imagines that the Holocaust
is a game and that the grand prize for winning is a tank.

Taken from http://www.imdb.com Retrieved2017.

Written by Anthony Hughes

Wow! You’ve just mastered synopsis

writing!

It’s been a pleasure to work with you

on this material.

See you next time!

FAVA - Formación en Ambientes Virtuales de Aprendizaje SENA - Servicio Nacional de Aprendizaje 21

Audience: a group of listeners or Mind map: a diagrammatic method Statement: a report of facts or
spectators of representing ideas, with related opinions
concepts arranged around a core
Biochemical: characterized by, concept Shift: to change the place, position, or
produced by, or involving chemical direction
reactions in living organisms Peers: one that is of equal standing
with another. One belonging to the same
Disease: a condition of the living societal group, especially based on age,
animal or plant body or of one of its parts grade, or status
that impairs normal functioning and is
typically manifested by distinguishing Planning: the establishment of goals,
signs and symptoms policies, and procedures for a social or
economic unit
Blinded: unable or unwilling to discern
or judge Promoting: to present (merchandise)
for buyer acceptance through advertising,
Brief: short in duration, extent, or publicity, or discounting
length
Simulation: the imitative
Capitalization: the use of a capital representation of the functioning of
letter in writing or printing one system or process by means of the
functioning of another
Character: a person represented in a
drama, story, etc. Spelling: a sequence of letters
composing a word

FAVA - Formación en Ambientes Virtuales de Aprendizaje SENA - Servicio Nacional de Aprendizaje 22

 Bibliography
Online Language Dictionaries. (n.d.). Retrieved June 20, 2017,
from http://www.wordreference.com/definition/Character
Dictionary: Search the Merriam-Webster dictionary first. He-
re’s why... (n.d.). Retrieved June 20, 2017, from https://www.
merriam-webster.com/
FESTIVAL INTERNACIONAL DE CINEDE CARTAGENA DE
INDIAS CARTAGENA, COLOMBIA. (n.d.). Retrieved June 20,
2017, from http://ficcifestival.com/descargas.php
Bogotá Audiovisual Market BAM. (2015). Bogotá D.C , Bogotá
D.C.: BAM. July 2015 Catalog
Mike Wells Official Website. (n.d.). Retrieved June 20, 2017,
from http://mikewellsblog.blogspot.com.co/2011/04/se-
cret-formula-for-creating-short.html
How To Write A 1-Page Synopsis. (2015, September 14).
Retrieved June 20, 2017, from http://www.publishingcrawl.
com/2012/04/17/how-to-write-a-1-page-synopsis/
Bibliography
I Am Legend (2007). (n.d.). Retrieved June 20, 2017, from
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0480249/?ref_=ttmi_tt
Learn How to Write a Synopsis, Quick & Easy Format Tips &
Examples. (2016, November 23). Retrieved June 20, 2017,
from http://www.writersdigest.com/editors-picks/learn-how-
to-write-a-synopsis-like-a-pro
Tips on Synopses. (n.d.). Retrieved June 20, 2017, from ht-
tps://www.inktip.com/tips-synopses.php
Goldsman, A., & Protosevich, M. (1970, January 01). I Am Le-
gend on iTunes. Retrieved June 20, 2017, from https://itunes.
apple.com/bg/movie/i-am-legend/id272821220
 Creative Creative
Commons Commons
 Credits
LÍNEA DE PRODUCCIÓN
Credits
PROGRAMA Producción de Multimedia
NOMBRE DEL OBJETO Writing a synopsis
DISEÑADORES GRÁFICOS Caren Xiomara Carvajal Pérez
Julián Alberto Camargo Fonseca
Luis Carlos Reyes Parada
PROGRAMADORES Nilda Inés Camargo Suescún
Nancy Astrid Barón López
Milady Tatiana Villamil Castellanos
John Freddy Vargas Barrera
GUIONISTAS-PRODUCTOR DE MEDIOS AUDIOVISUALES Dolly Esperanza Parra Lozano
Jheison Edimer Muñoz Ramírez
ASESORAS PEDAGÓGICAS Janet Lucía Villalba Triana
Shirley Andrea Ovalle Barreto
LÍDER DE L A LÍNEA DE PRODUCCIÓN Zulma Yurany Vianchá Rodríguez

EXPERTOS TEMÁTICOS
EXPERTOS TEMÁTICOS Versión 1(2017): Lina Patricia Váquiro Rondón