Logline

Definition

A logline is a brief summary of a film's plot, typically one or two sentences long, that captures the essence of the story and highlights its main conflict and characters. A strong logline serves as a hook for audiences and industry professionals, conveying what makes the story unique and compelling.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. A logline should clearly present the protagonist, their goal, and the central conflict they face, making it easy for readers to grasp the story's stakes.
2. Writing an effective logline is crucial when pitching to agents or studios, as it forms the first impression of the project.
3. A well-crafted logline can be instrumental in marketing the screenplay and attracting interest from producers or directors.
4. Loglines often adhere to a specific formula that includes the protagonist's name, their goal, and the main obstacle they must overcome.
5. Many successful screenwriters develop their loglines early in the writing process as a guiding tool for story development.

Review Questions

• How can a well-written logline enhance your pitch to potential buyers in the film industry?
  • A well-written logline acts as a hook that captures attention and sparks interest in your story. It succinctly communicates the main characters, their motivations, and the central conflict, which can intrigue producers or agents looking for compelling content. When you start your pitch with a strong logline, it sets a positive tone for the rest of your presentation and helps keep your audience engaged.
• Discuss how a logline differs from a synopsis and why both are important in screenwriting.
  • A logline is a concise summary meant to grab attention quickly, typically one or two sentences long, focusing on key elements like the protagonist and conflict. In contrast, a synopsis provides a more detailed overview of the entire story, including character arcs and plot developments. Both are essential in screenwriting because while the logline serves as an initial pitch tool that piques interest, the synopsis allows for deeper exploration of the storyline during discussions with producers or agents.
• Evaluate how crafting multiple versions of a logline can impact your overall storytelling process.
  • Crafting multiple versions of a logline encourages you to experiment with different angles of your story and helps clarify its core themes and conflicts. This iterative process can reveal strengths and weaknesses in your narrative approach, leading to stronger character development and plot structure. Additionally, having various loglines allows you to tailor your pitch for different audiences or industry professionals by emphasizing aspects of your story that resonate with their interests.

Related terms

Synopsis: A more detailed summary of a film's plot that expands on the logline, often providing additional context and character development.

Pitch: A verbal presentation where a screenwriter communicates their story idea to potential buyers or collaborators, often starting with the logline.

Treatment: A narrative document that outlines the story's structure, characters, and key scenes in more detail than a logline, typically used to sell a screenplay.