One sheet

In the entertainment industry, a one sheet (or one-sheet) is a single document that summarizes a product for publicity and sales.^[1]

Cinema

In 1909, the one sheet was introduced and standardized (27 by 41 inches (69 cm × 104 cm)) by Thomas Edison's Motion Picture Patents Company, and was printed via lithography.^{[2][3][4][5][6][7][8]}

A one sheet is a specific size (typically 27 by 41 inches (69 cm × 104 cm) before 1985; 27 by 40 inches (69 cm × 102 cm) after 1985) of film poster advertising. Multiple one-sheets are used to assemble larger advertisements, which are referred to by their sheet count, including 24-sheet^[9] billboards, and 30-sheet billboards. The term is also used as synonym for the poster artwork and the film poster itself.^[10] Since a one sheet is used in the official advertising for a film, they are prized by both collectors of memorabilia for specific films and of film posters themselves.^[11] Film posters sold in general retail are in poster size, 24 by 36 inches (61 cm × 91 cm). Prior to 1985, the majority of film posters sent to cinemas were folded before mailing, although, on rare occasions, they were instead rolled and shipped in tubes. While today there are several ways to eliminate these fold lines, many purists prefer film posters in their used conditions.

Music

In music publicity and distribution, a one sheet is exactly what the name implies: one sheet of paper, on which information is provided about the musician and/or a specific release which is being distributed.^[12] One sheets often accompany a record or CD when it is being shipped to radio stations and music publications (i.e., magazines, web-based forums, etc.). A one sheet is sometimes also referred to as a press sheet, Artist One-Sheet,^[13] or a promo sheet.

Layout and content

Depending on the purpose it serves, a one sheet will often contain a variety of information about its subject. Often comprising both images and text, one sheets typically serve as a way to introduce the unfamiliar reader to a particular artist. The name of the artist (and perhaps the title of the release) will appear prominently. Some common elements found on a one-sheet can include:

• Logo
• Biographical information
• Photograph(s) of the artist
• Cover artwork for the release
• Names of the stronger, more representative tracks
• Names of tracks that might be in violation of U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) guidelines (for radio airplay)
• List of similar artists
• Contact information for the artist, record label, or distributor
• Planned retail release date

See also

• Fact sheet

References

1. Scott Myers "Reader question: What should be on a one sheet?". gointothestory.blcklst.com. 8 November 2017. Retrieved 22 July 2023.
2. "One Sheet Poster". learnaboutmovieposters.com. Archived from the original on 25 February 2002.
3. Kennedy, Adam (23 July 2019). "Thomas Edison and the Movie Poster". Art of the Movies. Retrieved 22 July 2023.
4. John Parris Springer The Golden Age of Hollywood B Movies: Lobby Cards from the Bob Burke Film and Autograph Collection Max Chambers Library, University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond, Oklahoma, 13 April 2017
5. Silver, Jonathan Derek (2007). "Hollywood's dominance of the movie industry : how did it arise and how has it been maintained?". PhD thesis. Queensland University of Technology. Retrieved 22 July 2023.
6. Kennedy, Adam (24 February 2021). "What Is The Difference Between A Quad And A One Sheet Movie Poster?". Art of the Movies. Retrieved 22 July 2023.
7. Lessig, Lawrence (2004). Free Culture: How Big Media Uses Technology and the Law to Lock Down Culture and Control Creativity. New York City: Penguin Group (USA). ISBN 1594200068. Retrieved 22 July 2023.
8. Gaines, Jane M. (9 November 2000). Contested Culture: The Image, the Voice, and the Law. Univ of North Carolina Press. p. 38. ISBN 978-0-8078-6164-6. 1909 ... Motion Picture Patents Company
9. "24 Sheet Posters: how Outdoor Billboards are Made". Design. 53 (4): 86–87. January 1952. doi:10.1080/00119253.1952.10743187.
10. Miller, Nancy (June 28, 2002). "One-Sheet Wonders". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on 2012-02-11. Retrieved 2007-01-31.
11. "Dwight Cleveland collection of posters". Margaret Herrick Library. Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Retrieved 22 July 2023. The Online Archive of California is a service of the UC Libraries, powered by the California Digital Library.
12. "What Is a One-Sheet in Music?". LiveAbout. Retrieved 22 July 2023.
13. Reverditto, Larissa. "Music One-Sheet: Ultimate 5 Point Checklist for Aspiring Musicians". Omari MC. Retrieved 22 July 2023.

External links

• Novin, Guity. "Chapter 46: A history of the American Movie Posters". A History of Graphic Design.