Here’s what we’ll be covering in the post:
#WHATS A LOGLINE HOW TO#
Learn how to write a logline the smart way and you’ll save yourself months of rewrites in the future by addressing problems at the foundational concept stage. In this post, we’ll show you not only how to write a logline, but how to write good loglines that will grab the interest of execs, managers and producers.
#WHATS A LOGLINE MOVIE#
This is because a screenplay logline contains the foundational DNA the whole movie is built on: its struggle between all the major characters and essence of what’s at stake. Without a great logline-one that succinctly sums up the core conflict of the story-it’s pretty hard to write a great script. Learning how to write a logline that achieves this is perhaps the most important stage in the planning and development phase of writing a screenplay. 97 comments How to write a logline: the ultimate step-by-step guide.The ageing patriarch of an organized crime dynasty transfers control of his clandestine empire to his reluctant son. Hollywood script readers see a lot of loglines, so just make sure yours stands out. While we've given you a crystal clear logline definition, and tips on how to write one, there are always exceptions to the rule. Like this movie logline for Speed, which raises the stakes with the detail about the bus needing to stay above 50 mph:Ī young police officer must prevent a bomb exploding aboard a city bus by keeping its speed above 50 mph. A sense of peril-like the risk of death-is always a big help. If you want your reader to care about your logline, it's vital to make sure the stakes are high. With the help of a German bounty hunter, a freed slave sets out to rescue his wife from a brutal Mississippi plantation owner.
It's okay for the inciting incident to happen to your character, but you should always talk about what they do in the active voice. Here's an example of goal-driven logline from Little Miss Sunshine:Ī family determined to get their young daughter into the finals of a beauty pageant take a cross-country trip in their VW bus. The best loglines say what the main character wants, and what they'll have to do to get it. Your story is defined by the actions your characters take. Instead, he's referred to as 'an eccentric pirate':Ī plucky blacksmith teams up with an eccentric pirate to save his lover from the pirate's former shipmates, who are now undead. So there's not much point using his name in the film's logline. Don't use namesĪlthough Jack Sparrow is a household name now, no one knew him before Pirates of the Caribbean. Here's an example of a logline that sells the main character, for The Pianist:Ī virtuosic Polish-Jewish pianist struggles to survive the destruction of the Warsaw ghetto of World War II. When it comes to loglines, adjectives are your friend. Your logline is the perfect time to sell your main character, and be super clear about who they are. Tagline: His whole life was a million-to-one shot. We'll use our favourite film, Rocky, to explain:Ī small-time boxer gets a one-time chance to fight the world champion, attempting to go the distance and restore his self-respect. It's similar to a logline, but not the same. Don't write a tagline eitherĪ tagline is a pithy line that gets people excited about your film. Make sure you follow the logline formula and you'll be a-okay. A synopsis, however, is a blow-by-blow explanation of the plot. Write a logline, not a synopsisĪ logline is a snappy summary of your film. Four, to be precise:Įight tips for writing a great logline 1. Much like a good pasta sauce, you only new a few ingredients for a tasty logline. Producers often use a logline to court studios, financiers, and other people who might take a shine to your script. When you begin the process of getting producers, agents, and managers in Los Angeles and New York interested, your logline will be one of the most important things to include in your query letter. Being able to sum up your story in a clear, concise way is super useful for when you start taking meetings about your screenplay. Writing a simple logline forces you to work out exactly what your story is about. And, if your logline's on point, it'll help you stand out from the crowd. Both can be perfect places to show off your work to a roomful of Hollywood buffs. You often need a logline to get into screenplay competitions or film festivals. When done right, a great logline can set you up for filmmaking success. Screenwriters don't include loglines in the writing process for fun-they serve an important purpose.
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