Checklist: What to Include in a Studio-Ready One-Sheet for Your IP

Hook: Stop losing deals because your one-sheet doesn't read like a studio pitch

You're sitting on a high-potential IP — a graphic novel with cinematic panels, a serialized podcast, or a microseries idea built for mobile viewing. You know the story and you can see the audience. But when you send that first outreach to agents and studios, your email gets bounced, buried, or politely ignored. The problem is rarely the idea; it's the one-sheet. In 2026, studios and platforms are moving faster than ever to secure adaptable IP (see The Orangery’s recent WME signing) and commissioning short-form originals for new channels (the BBC-YouTube push). If you want to be in the room, your one-sheet must read like a studio-ready elevator pitch — concise, commercial, and legally tidy.

Why this matters in 2026: market shifts that change the one-sheet game

Late 2025 and early 2026 confirmed two clear trends: (1) transmedia boutiques and IP studios are prime acquisition targets for top agencies and producers — the Orangery signing with WME is a high-profile example — and (2) legacy broadcasters are commissioning platform-native short-form content (BBC-YouTube initiatives). That combination means buyers look for IP that can live across formats and scale quickly into serialized, cross-platform revenue streams. Your one-sheet must therefore sell that scale and format flexibility in one page.

What a studio-ready one-sheet must do — in one glance

• Hook instantly: One-line logline that nails genre, stakes, and tone.
• Show commercial potential: Formats, episode counts, target demos, and comps.
• Prove ownership and readiness: rights status, attachments, and sample pages/audio.
• Make the ask crystal-clear: option terms, license flexibility, and next steps.

Studio-Ready One-Sheet Checklist (copyable template)

Below is a modular one-sheet you can copy and paste. Keep it to one page (or one PDF page) for initial outreach. If your IP is visual — like a graphic novel — attach a 3–5 page lookbook or sample chapter. For podcasts, attach a one-minute sizzle or pilot episode link.

Top-of-sheet: Metadata & Visual

• Title: [Working Title — Short Title in ALL CAPS]
• Format: Graphic Novel / Serialized Podcast / Microseries (3–8 x 5–10 min)
• Genre/Tone: e.g., Sci‑fi Noir / Dark Comedy / Intimate Mystery
• Creator(s): Name(s) + one-line credential (e.g., creator of X, 120k IG followers)
• Contact: Name | Email | Phone | Representation (if any, e.g., WME — submitted with permission)
• Visual: Small mood image or cover thumbnail (300–600px wide). Filename: TITLE_Onesheet_2026.jpg

Section 1: One-line Logline (the make-or-break line)

Write one punchy sentence that communicates stakes and uniqueness. Keep it under 25 words.

Example loglines:

• Traveling to Mars — When a failed botanist joins a smuggler’s crew, they must grow life on a hostile world before mercenaries harvest it.
• Sweet Paprika — A cook with a secret spice can manipulate memories, and a heist chef wants it to cook the perfect crime.
• Night School Microseries — A 6-episode microseries where an online tutor teaches criminals how to erase themselves from the internet.

Section 2: Brief Pitch Paragraph (2–4 sentences)

Expand the logline with the core conflict, protagonist arc, and why it matters now. This must read like a synopsis for a development exec who skims fast.

Example pitch paragraph:

In Traveling to Mars, exo-botanist Lina wakes to find the colony’s greenhouse dying. To save the fledgling civilization she must broker peace between a corporate syndicate and a band of refugees — while unraveling why the planet's flora is mutating. It's a character-driven sci‑fi series with a strong visual identity that translates to graphic novels, limited TV seasons, and an audiobook franchise.

Section 3: Why This IP Now (one sentence)

Connect to market trends (2026): transmedia-friendly IP, demand for short-form and multiplatform storytelling, podcast-to-screen conversions. Example: "With studios buying IP that can scale across comics, podcasts, and short-form video, this IP offers three monetizable entry points."

Section 4: Comparable Titles & Tone Mates (Comps)

List 2–4 comps with why — not just names. Executives use comps to slot your IP quickly.

• "Comps: Black Mirror x Saga — speculative tech, serialized family stakes, heavy visual motif."
• "Tone: Fleabag for voice-driven intimacy with Love, Death & Robots for short-form visual punch."

Section 5: Format Plan & Episode Map

Be explicit about adaptable formats. List options in prioritized order for studios scanning scalability.

• Primary: Graphic Novel Series — 6 volumes planned, 120–160 pages each.
• Secondary: Microseries — Season 1: 8 x 8–10 min episodes (YouTube/Short-Form friendly).
• Tertiary: Serialized Podcast — 10 x 30–40 min episodes, cinematic sound design.
• Episode Map: One‑line summaries for Pilot + next 2 eps (include inciting incident, midpoint twist, and S1 arc).

Section 6: Audience & Market

Who will watch/read/listen? Include demo, estimated CPM-friendly metrics, and platform fit.

• Target demo: 18–35, genre fans, comic readers, podcast listeners of true fiction.
• Why it scales: strong visual IP for merchandise; podcast companion content extends engagement; short-form clips ideal for YouTube discovery and BBC-style commissioning.

Section 7: Creator Bio / Team

One-paragraph for the creator and two bullet points each for key collaborators (illustrator, showrunner, composer). Show prior work, audience size, or notable credits. If represented, list agency and rep.

Section 8: Rights, Attachments & Readiness

Studios need clarity on rights early. Use short legal-sounding bullets — but avoid sounding amateurish.

• Ownership: 100% original IP owned by [Your Name / Company].
• Existing Materials: PDF sample chapter (10p), episode pilot script (12p), 60‑second podcast sizzle (MP3), artwork pack (JPG/PNG), moodboard (PDF).
• Availability: Available for option or co-development starting Q2 2026.
• Option terms (suggested): 12–18 month option, fee range €10k–€30k (negotiable) with purchase terms or revenue share on sub‑licensing.

Section 9: The Ask & Next Steps

Be direct: request a meeting, request a read, or offer to send the pilot. Provide two clear CTAs and a polite follow-up timeline.

Example ask: "If interested, I'd love to send the full 12-page pilot and a 60s podcast sizzle. Can we schedule a 20‑minute call next week? I'll follow up in 7 days if I haven't heard back."

Practical File & Delivery Standards (studio expectations)

How you package matters as much as what you write. Here are studio-friendly technical guidelines:

• One-sheet: Single-page PDF, 8.5x11 or A4, 150–300dpi. Filename: TITLE_Onesheet_YourName_2026.pdf
• Lookbook/Sample chapter: 3–5 pages PDF, 5–10MB max. Include captions and page numbers.
• Audio sizzles: MP3, 128–256kbps, labeled TITLE_Sizzle_60s.mp3. Host via private link (Dropbox, Google Drive with view access, or SoundCloud private).
• Video sizzles or trailers: H.264 MP4, 1080p. Host via private Vimeo link with password.
• Make sure all links are direct — no account sign-ins or long redirects. Embed a one-line digest of materials in the email body.

Email Subject Lines & First Outreach Templates

Your subject line must promise value and fit the recipient's slate. Personalize always. Two proven subject formulas:

• "[Title] — Graphic Novel IP with Microseries & Podcast Potential (One‑sheet)"
• "For [Agent/Producer Name]: Short-form sci‑fi microseries — pilot + sizzle enclosed"

Sample email body (50–80 words):

Hi [Name],

I’m [Your Name], creator of [Title] — a visually driven sci‑fi graphic novel adapted for a microseries (8x8–10m). Attached is a one-sheet and 60s sizzle link. The Orangery recently showed how transmedia IP moves fast with agency interest; I’d welcome 20 minutes to discuss fit or next steps. Available next Tue/Wed mornings. Thanks for reading. — [Name] | [Phone]

Follow-up Cadence That Works

1. Day 0: Send one-sheet + sizzle with personalized subject line.
2. Day 7: Short follow-up — one additional line of value (new metric, festival placement, or talent interest).
3. Day 21: Final nudge with a clear deadline (e.g., "Available for option through March 30").

Negotiation Prep: What to expect from agents & studios

In 2026, agencies like WME and boutique IP studios will push for exclusive option windows if they see cross-platform value. Be prepared to:

• Accept an initial option (12–18 months) with development milestones.
• Negotiate a buyout versus revenue share for future podcast/merch rights.
• Discuss deliverables: a treatment, pilot script, art pack, and a showrunner attachment within 60–90 days of option.

From One-Sheet to Treatment: What you should have ready

If a studio asks for a treatment, have this packet pre-built:

• 8–12 page treatment: S1 arc, pilot beats, and character bios.
• Pilot script (12–30 pages depending on format).
• Art references: 6–10 full-page examples or key frame mockups.
• Budget & schedule outline (high-level range for production tiers).

Real-world example: How The Orangery & BBC trends change your ask

The Orangery’s WME signing is a reminder that agencies are buying IP companies with pipelines of adaptable work — not just single projects. That means when you pitch, you should highlight the franchise plan (volumes, seasons, spin-offs). Similarly, the BBC’s pivot to commissioning on YouTube shows that legacy buyers now greenlight platform-native microseries and then repurpose them for linear or streaming. Use this to your advantage: propose a staged rollout (microseries → podcast → graphic novel editions → TV) and show simple financial levers for each stage.

Advanced tactics for creators who want edge

• Data-backed comps: Include reader/listener stats (newsletter open rates, microtransaction revenue, Patreon numbers) to prove demand.
• Pre-attach talent: Even a letter of interest from a director, composer, or VP at a podcast studio raises buyability.
• Modular IP packaging: Offer an a la carte rights menu (audio-only license, visual adaptation, merchandising) to speed legal conversations.
• Short-form proof: Produce one 90–120s pilot clip for YouTube reels — a low-cost way to validate tone and audience reaction.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

• Too much text: One-sheet is not a treatment. Use bullets and short paragraphs.
• Vague rights: Don’t say "open to offers." State ownership and availability.
• Missing comps: Executives need a quick mental map — list 2–3 clear comps with reasons.
• Bad attachments: Oversized PDFs or broken links cost you credibility. Test every link on a fresh device.

Quick checklist to run before you hit send

1. PDF is single page, under 2MB, titled correctly.
2. Sizzle and sample links are private, password protected (if needed), and load quickly.
3. Comps and monetary ask are realistic and backed by data or milestones.
4. Rights and option language are simple and clear.
5. Email personalized to recipient, subject line tested, and follow-up schedule noted in calendar.

Actionable takeaways — start now

• Create a one-sheet using the template above and export to PDF with a 300dpi thumbnail image.
• Prepare a 60s audio or 90s visual sizzle; host it on a private Vimeo or SoundCloud link.
• List two clear format pathways (e.g., microseries then podcast) and include a short revenue/rights menu.
• Reach out to 10 targeted agents/producers with personalized subject lines; follow the 7/21-day cadence.

Closing: Your one-sheet is your handshake with the industry

Studios and agencies in 2026 are hunting for IP that is adaptable, quick to test in short-form formats, and legally tidy. A studio-ready one-sheet is not an art exercise — it's an operational document that sells scalability, ownership, and speed. Use the template and checklist above to get your one-sheet to the standard buyers now expect. If you want help quick-turning a one-sheet into a treatment or crafting a high-impact sizzle, get a targeted review from an industry-savvy editor who knows what WME or a BBC commissioning editor will ask for.

Call to action

Ready to convert your IP into a studio opportunity? Download the free editable one-sheet template at freelance.live/templates, attach your sizzle, and book a 20‑minute pitch review. We'll help you tighten the logline, package the rights, and prep the outreach so your next email gets read. Go from inbox ignored to meeting on the calendar.

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