Logline

Definition

A logline is a brief summary of a film or video project, typically one or two sentences long, that conveys the central conflict and main characters. It serves as a pitch to hook the audience's interest and is crucial in the script writing process as it helps clarify the story's focus and direction.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. A good logline typically includes the protagonist, their goal, the antagonist or conflict, and what’s at stake if they fail.
2. Loglines can vary in length, but they should be concise enough to be memorable while still providing essential information.
3. Crafting a logline can help writers focus on their story's core elements and make necessary adjustments during the writing process.
4. Loglines are often used in pitch meetings to quickly communicate the essence of a project to producers or investors.
5. Having a strong logline can significantly increase the chances of getting attention for a script, as it succinctly summarizes what makes the story unique.

Review Questions

• How does a logline help in shaping the narrative structure of a video project?
  • A logline serves as a guiding light for writers by succinctly outlining the main conflict and key characters. This helps in determining the direction of the story and ensures that all elements contribute to the central theme. By having a clear logline, writers can stay focused on what truly matters in their narrative, making it easier to identify unnecessary subplots or distractions.
• In what ways can crafting an effective logline enhance the pitching process for a video art project?
  • An effective logline can capture attention quickly during the pitching process by clearly articulating the project's essence. It allows producers and investors to grasp the main conflict and unique aspects of the story at a glance. A well-crafted logline creates intrigue and interest, setting the stage for deeper discussions about the project’s vision and potential.
• Evaluate how loglines differ from synopses and treatments in terms of their purpose and content.
  • Loglines differ from synopses and treatments mainly in length and purpose. While a logline is a concise one- or two-sentence summary designed to hook an audience, a synopsis provides more detailed information about plot developments and character arcs. Treatments go even further by outlining the entire narrative structure in detail. Each format serves its own purpose: loglines attract interest, synopses give an overview for initial evaluations, and treatments provide comprehensive insight for potential production considerations.

Related terms

Synopsis: A synopsis is a more detailed summary of a film or video project, usually several paragraphs long, that outlines the plot, characters, and themes.

Treatment: A treatment is a narrative version of a screenplay that describes the story in detail, including character arcs and significant plot points, often used to present a project to potential producers.

Script: A script is a written document that contains the dialogue and action of a film or video project, serving as the blueprint for production.