A logline is a brief summary of a screenplay, typically one to two sentences long. It’s a powerful tool for capturing the essence of a story and selling it to producers, agents, and other industry professionals. Writing a logline can be challenging, but by following the do’s and don’ts of logline writing, you can increase your chances of success.
Do:
Focus on the central conflict: A logline should be all about the central conflict of the story. It should describe what the protagonist wants, what is stopping them from getting it, and what is at stake if they fail.
Be concise: Loglines should be short and to the point. The goal is to quickly capture the reader’s attention and make them want to learn more about the story. Aim for one to two sentences that are easy to read and understand.
Highlight what makes the story unique: Loglines should highlight what sets the story apart from other stories in the same genre. Whether it’s a unique setting, a fresh take on a classic theme, or a quirky sense of humor, the logline should capture what makes the story special.
Use strong verbs: Strong verbs can help to make a logline more engaging and memorable. Words like “struggles,” “fights,” and “overcomes” can help to convey the conflict and urgency of the story.
Don’t:
Give away too much: Loglines should leave something to the imagination. They should be intriguing and make the reader want to learn more, not provide a full summary of the story.
Use cliches: Avoid cliched phrases and overused concepts. A logline that uses cliches or sounds like a hundred other loglines will be less likely to catch the reader’s attention.
Get too technical: Loglines should be accessible to a wide audience. Avoid using technical jargon or industry-specific terms that may not be familiar to everyone.
Be too vague: Loglines should be specific and concrete. A logline that is too vague or abstract will not convey the essence of the story and may not be memorable.
Examples of strong loglines:
“When a washed-up boxer is given the opportunity to fight the heavyweight champion of the world, he must overcome his personal demons and regain his self-respect.” (Rocky)
“A young woman must navigate a treacherous post-apocalyptic world and find her way back to her family.” (The Road)
“A struggling actor takes on the identity of a detective in order to win back his ex-girlfriend, but finds himself embroiled in a real-life murder mystery.” (The Big Lebowski)
“A young woman with a troubled past must team up with a veteran detective to solve a series of gruesome serial killings.” (Silence of the Lambs)
In conclusion, writing a logline is an important part of the screenwriting process. By focusing on the central conflict, being concise, highlighting what makes the story unique, and using strong verbs, screenwriters can craft loglines that are both engaging and memorable. By avoiding cliches, technical jargon, and vagueness, they can increase the chances of their story being read and considered by industry professionals.
