Synopsis: To resolve or not to resolve

[ScriptNurse]

You'll find some examples of "synopses" here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Academy_Award_for_Writing_Original_Screenplay ---or---
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Academy_Award_for_Writing_Adapted_Screenplay

How to write one:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0805072780/qid=1075488633/sr=1-5/ref=sr_1_5/102-2011878-6100147?v=glance&s=books
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/094118840X/scriptpimp

[mteverest]

Thank you, padma!  Daysleeper, I'll monitor how well my synopsis is doing.  Good thing with InkTip is it lets you change your logline and/or synopsis anytime (I think).

Ever

[Daysleeper]

I can't see the value in revealing the ending. It's pretty much understood that the ending has to be fantastic - that the rest of the script sets it up. You can't do an ending justice in the synopsis.

[padnar]

Hi mt everest ,
My best wishes for a successful script
padma

[ScriptNurse]

A treatment is the sales letter for the script.

[mteverest]

Thanks, guys!  Well, I did it.  I've submitted my logline, synopsis, and script.  Now, I just need to do my magnetizing meditations.

I decided to resolve it in the synopsis.  I thought, if I left it hanging, then the only reason they would want to read my script is to know how it ends.  Whereas, now that they have the entire story in front of them, if they read my script, I know they liked my synopsis.  Just like what Don said, they're either interested in my story or they're not.

k... on with the meditations.   Please wish me luck, guys!
Ever

P.S.  I could have submitted a treatment and/or a script.  What's a treatment again?

[Write Or Wrong]

Last month, my producer asked me to work up a synopsis of my feature spec.  She entered it in a famous director's lab competition (the production company is interested in producing it themselves if they can get the financing) and needed it for the entry.  You better believe I had to include the resolution...although this may be a rather unusual example compared to the readers and agents that usually read synopses.

[ScriptNurse]

Ah, this will be debated for eons to come. I've always been told that the purpose of the synopsis is to get the script read. That said, studio readers include the resolution, of course. I would think that the more you can make it resemble what a producer or agent would normally see is probably best. They are either interested in the story you have or they aren't. If they like it but don't like the ending, they'll tell you.

[mteverest]

Hi guys, long time no post.  How's everyone doing?  Well, I finally finished my script and was ready to upload to InkTip when I realized I needed a synopsis, too. 

I was looking at their list of successful synopses.  Some resolve the story, others leave it hanging.  Since these were considered "successful", I guess it doesn't matter which approach you choose.  However, I'm wondering if those who did it one way just lucked out and that the other way (whichever way that is) is preferred by most readers/producers.

Thoughts?

Thanks,
Ever