how to make a proper "one sheet"? at DVinfo.net

Andrew Todd · February 27th, 2007, 12:05 AM

my partner pitched a series and he was told he needs a proper "one sheet" for

can someone be so kind to give me or direct me to some guidelines of how to make a proper "one sheet"

thank you

Jason Robinson · February 27th, 2007, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrew Todd

my partner pitched a series and he was told he needs a proper "one sheet" for

can someone be so kind to give me or direct me to some guidelines of how to make a proper "one sheet"

thank you

As to the format, see here

Quote:

The term "one sheet" refers to a specific size of advertising created to promote a film in the United States, currently 27 x 40 inches, displayed in a portrait format primarily at cinemas. It is what is commonly referred to as a "movie poster" or "film poster". Prior to the 1980s, American movie posters were one inch (27 x 41) larger. In comparison, a "24 sheet" is what is known as a billboard. Film posters sold in general retailing are in "poster size" which is 24 x 36 inches

As to how to lay them out.... I have no clue. Have fun.

jason

Nate Weaver · February 27th, 2007, 07:50 PM

Most of Jason's reference I believe is for the feature film business. When I was making DVDs for retail, a one sheet was 8.5x11 layout that would be included in the DVD distributors monthly catalog mailing to retailers.

While art and style was important to get people interested, a lot of it was purely informational. For us, it was stuff like:

DVD Title
Running time
Track list (if applicable)
NTSC or PAL
Label or Production company name
Summary of special features

etc etc. You get the idea. Brick and mortar retailers would need this info to plan where/how they would stock the item, and online retailers want this info for the product database (check out a DVD page on Amazon to get that idea).

How this concept translates for a series for broadcast, I have no idea. Maybe these sheets would be given to network affiliates or syndication buyers? It would be finding out this info that would direct you next. Unfortunately, it sounds like you need to extract this info from somebody who has successfully sold a series...might be difficult.

You could try to fake it, but I'm not sure it would be the thing to do. The executive in question already knows you don't know what you're doing, but to try to fake it might send the message you're just winging the whole thing.

Glenn Chan · February 27th, 2007, 11:59 PM

Here's my not very helpful reply...

The one sheet you are probably looking for is 8.5 x 11 inches with the following things:
-on glossy paper / looks nice
-double sided
-Front: Ad copy + visuals to grab reader's attention
-The back page would contain a little more detailed information about the show; some one-sheets don't really contain more than a few paragraphs of text
- Reader should have a decent idea of what the show is (you can do this in a paragraph).

-Title
-# of episodes
-length (i.e. half-hour, 22 minutes, 11 minutes)
-Contact info (i.e. phone number, email, address; company name)
-Genre (although this may be implicit)

The one sheet (for broadcast) is a sales document you would use in sales conventions (MIP, NAPTE, MIPCOM, etc.) as something like a brochure. At these sales conferences, you have tens of thousands of sellers all trying to sell their show (and several thousand buyers). One sheets are one of the tools of selling (as well as one-on-one selling, and stalking particular people at bars after the convention is over).

Like other kinds of advertising, it may be good to keep the one sheet simple (no more than a few paragraphs of information).

You should be able to skim over the one-sheet and find out:
Format: # of eps, length
Genre (i.e. preschool 3D animation)
What the show is about
Why you should buy it / selling message

This is what other people have told me.

2- Take a look at some one-sheets here:
http://www.ccientertainment.com/Portfolio.html#null

Nate Weaver · February 28th, 2007, 12:32 AM

Not very helpful. Heh. I know a little, Glenn knows more!

Jason Robinson · February 28th, 2007, 05:50 PM

Now that link is a page full of good looking One Sheets. Very valuable link. Thanks.

jason

February 27th, 2007, 12:05 AM	#1
Andrew Todd Major Player Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Saint John, CANADA Posts: 633	how to make a proper "one sheet"? my partner pitched a series and he was told he needs a proper "one sheet" for can someone be so kind to give me or direct me to some guidelines of how to make a proper "one sheet" thank you __________________ video : xl2 / letus35xl / bogen 503 photo- canon 1dmkII - bronica etrsi

February 27th, 2007, 07:50 PM	#3
Nate Weaver Wrangler Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 2,100	Most of Jason's reference I believe is for the feature film business. When I was making DVDs for retail, a one sheet was 8.5x11 layout that would be included in the DVD distributors monthly catalog mailing to retailers. While art and style was important to get people interested, a lot of it was purely informational. For us, it was stuff like: DVD Title Running time Track list (if applicable) NTSC or PAL Label or Production company name Summary of special features etc etc. You get the idea. Brick and mortar retailers would need this info to plan where/how they would stock the item, and online retailers want this info for the product database (check out a DVD page on Amazon to get that idea). How this concept translates for a series for broadcast, I have no idea. Maybe these sheets would be given to network affiliates or syndication buyers? It would be finding out this info that would direct you next. Unfortunately, it sounds like you need to extract this info from somebody who has successfully sold a series...might be difficult. You could try to fake it, but I'm not sure it would be the thing to do. The executive in question already knows you don't know what you're doing, but to try to fake it might send the message you're just winging the whole thing. __________________ My Work: nateweaver.net

February 28th, 2007, 12:32 AM	#5
Nate Weaver Wrangler Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 2,100	Not very helpful. Heh. I know a little, Glenn knows more! __________________ My Work: nateweaver.net

February 28th, 2007, 05:50 PM	#6
Jason Robinson Trustee Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Boise, Idaho Posts: 1,997	Ahhhh Now that link is a page full of good looking One Sheets. Very valuable link. Thanks. jason

February 27th, 2007, 11:59 PM	#4
Glenn Chan Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 4,750	Here's my not very helpful reply... The one sheet you are probably looking for is 8.5 x 11 inches with the following things: -on glossy paper / looks nice -double sided -Front: Ad copy + visuals to grab reader's attention -The back page would contain a little more detailed information about the show; some one-sheets don't really contain more than a few paragraphs of text - Reader should have a decent idea of what the show is (you can do this in a paragraph). -Title -# of episodes -length (i.e. half-hour, 22 minutes, 11 minutes) -Contact info (i.e. phone number, email, address; company name) -Genre (although this may be implicit) The one sheet (for broadcast) is a sales document you would use in sales conventions (MIP, NAPTE, MIPCOM, etc.) as something like a brochure. At these sales conferences, you have tens of thousands of sellers all trying to sell their show (and several thousand buyers). One sheets are one of the tools of selling (as well as one-on-one selling, and stalking particular people at bars after the convention is over). Like other kinds of advertising, it may be good to keep the one sheet simple (no more than a few paragraphs of information). You should be able to skim over the one-sheet and find out: Format: # of eps, length Genre (i.e. preschool 3D animation) What the show is about Why you should buy it / selling message This is what other people have told me. 2- Take a look at some one-sheets here: http://www.ccientertainment.com/Portfolio.html#null