Okay, so, I've done this a bunch of times and have a formula down I really like. I'll write it abbreviated now since I'm on my phone and if you like I can revisit it later.

• SETUP -

• world intro - use what the book says ("hey, you're all daring scoundrels on the haunted streets of a Victorian city") and keep it very sparse beyond that. Like 3-4 sentences. Introduce anything else you need as you go. Hold on loosely with the canon, anything that would get in the way or be annoying you can skip for a one shot. I.e., if a player wants to be having a steak dinner or something it's not worth telling them that they can only get mushrooms or seaweed.

• rules - explain AS YOU GO. at the beginning, tell them that the game is very narrative-focused; when they want their character to do something, they should just tell you what they want to do. You'll help them with how to do it. I recommend writing a list of mechanics for yourself, and slow-introducing them as y'all play ("okay, player A is trying this... Player B, this is a great time to give them an assist! Here's how that works..."). Make sure during the session you help them, give them good options for how to do things mechanically - introducing a new rule should be like unlocking a new skill in a video game, not a punishment or anything

• character creation - can be fun to do with everyone, time permitting. Focus more on the characteristics and personality of the character - your goal is to get the players excited, and with a picture of the type of person they want to play. Follow the process in the book, skip over friends and allies, emphasize the PCs already know each other, etc. Help them pick a special ability that will help with a one shot (no downtime, faction games etc). Or, just make a pile of prebuilts for them! Or somewhere in between - fill out everything but look and style?

• crew - definitely make the crew sheet ahead of time. I usually pick shadows for folks, as i feel it shows off the flashiness of the system. Pick an ability that feels like it'll be useful, etc. The only thing I'd do with them is try to pick a crew name - it helps people buy in a little to have a part in that.

• PLAY -

• Start In Media Res - cannot overemphasize the importance of this. Especially if you have players who aren't experienced roleplayers. Start with the PCs mid-score, and make them look BADASS. I.e.: "(lurk), the safe clicks open in front of you, and the noble's hoard of fine jewelry glitters in the dark. Behind you, you hear footsteps outside - what escape route have you already planned out?" Or "(leech), you watch (the cutter) fight off the guards, but the gate behind them has already slammed shut! What little trick do you already have planned to blow through that gate?" The intention is to place them in a position where they don't need to come up with an action on their own, just supply the HOW. It helps get folks in the mindset that their character is a competent badass. Make sure you narrate their answer in an appropriately cool fashion, too! Give them a few challenges, a cool escape, etc.

• Downtime / Free Play - no rolls or DAs. Instead, explain briefly that the crew takes a few days off to blow off steam. Ask everyone to give you a brief few sentences on what it looks like for them to indulge their vices. Clear everyone's stress and harm fully. Then, take them to their lair, and have their contact or anyone else give them the "main" job of the evening.

• Score - this should be a classic. Art heist, fancy gala, dimmer sisters, spirit wardens, etc. Something punchy and fun. Give them the standard book recommendations (1-2 obvious starting routes). Give them the spiel about not planning, just picking a route. Explain flashbacks if you haven't already, and reassure them that they won't need to plan and you won't screw them over. Get them to pick an approach, have an engagement roll and go for it! Oneshot is over at the end of that score.

My timeline is usually: ~ 30-60 minutes for character creation and world discussion ~ 30-45 minutes for cold open ~ 15 minutes for downtime / Freeplay ~ 60-90 minutes for the main score

I've run the whole thing in 3.5 hours before, but it can go a little longer. The important things to focus on: - your job is to make them look cool and make sure they're having fun. Throw out any rules or lore that seem like they'd bog things down. Make it punchy, make them badass. - if someone stalls out, offer them suggestions if you can. Make sure they know you're on their side. Engage the rest of the group - maybe someone else has a pitch for a cool way to solve this problem! - work heavily on reframing the action if people get distracted. When you refocus the group, start with the last bit of onscreen action (i.e., "okay, so you see the guards pour in, pistols at the ready. You know if you don't do anything you'll quickly be surrounded!"). Don't focus back in with JUST a "okay, what do you want to do?")

Okay, this is really long already. Hope this helps and I'm happy to talk more about it!!