In the competitive world of screenwriting, capturing the attention of producers, agents, and executives often comes down to a single sentence: the logline. A well-crafted log line not only piques interest but also communicates the essence of your story in a way that’s concise and powerful. In this article, we’ll delve into the importance of a logline, what makes it effective, and provide you with actionable tips from professional screenwriters.
What Is a Logline?
A logline is a brief, one or two-sentence summary of your screenplay that encapsulates the main plot, the protagonist, and the core conflict. It’s often the first thing industry professionals see, and it can make or break their interest in your script.
According to John August, a renowned screenwriter known for his work on Big Fish and Aladdin, “A logline should quickly convey the story’s essence without being overly detailed. It’s a hook that should leave the reader wanting more.”
Why Is a Logline Important?
The importance of a logline cannot be overstated. It serves multiple crucial purposes:
- First Impressions: Your logline is often the first thing someone reads about your screenplay. A strong logline can grab attention and make the reader eager to delve into your script.
- Guiding the Writing Process: Writing a log line early in the process can help you focus on the core of your story. It acts as a compass, keeping your narrative on track.
- Pitching and Selling: Whether you’re pitching your screenplay to a producer or submitting it to a contest, a compelling logline is essential. It’s your elevator pitch—a way to sell your story in the time it takes to ride an elevator.
As Christopher Lockhart, a story editor at WME, explains, “A logline is your screenplay’s calling card. It must be compelling enough to make someone want to read more. It’s about clarity and intrigue.”
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What Makes an Effective Logline?
Crafting an effective logline is both an art and a science. Here are some key elements that make a logline stand out:
- Clarity: Your logline should clearly convey the story’s main plot without any ambiguity. Avoid complex sentence structures and unnecessary details.
- Protagonist: Introduce the main character in a way that highlights their role and personality. The reader should get a sense of who they are and what drives them.
- Goal: Clearly state the protagonist’s goal or objective. What are they trying to achieve, and why does it matter?
- Conflict: The core conflict should be evident in the log line. What obstacles or antagonistic forces stand in the protagonist’s way?
- Uniqueness: Your log line should hint at what makes your story unique. What is the hook that sets it apart from other stories in the same genre?
- Brevity: A logline should be brief—preferably under 30 words. Every word must count, so eliminate anything that doesn’t contribute to the overall impact.
Tips from Professional Screenwriters
To help you craft a compelling logline, we’ve gathered insights from experienced screenwriters and industry professionals.
1. Focus on the Core Conflict
“The heart of any good logline is the central conflict,” says Blake Snyder, author of Save the Cat!. “Your logline should make it clear what’s at stake and why the protagonist’s journey is compelling.”
For example, Jurassic Park is a masterclass in highlighting conflict: “A pragmatic paleontologist visiting an almost complete theme park is tasked with protecting a couple of kids after a power failure causes the park’s cloned dinosaurs to run loose.”
2. Avoid Clichés
While it might be tempting to use familiar phrases or tropes, it’s important to avoid clichés in your logline. Instead, focus on what makes your story fresh and original. Shonda Rhimes, creator of Grey’s Anatomy, advises, “Originality is key. Find what’s unique about your story and emphasize that in your logline.”
3. Keep It Simple
Your logline should be simple yet intriguing. “Don’t overcomplicate it,” warns Aaron Sorkin, the writer behind The Social Network. “The best loglines are clear and direct, yet they leave you wanting to know more.”
4. Test Your Logline
Once you’ve written your logline, test it on others. Share it with friends, colleagues, or fellow writers to see if it resonates. Linda Seger, a script consultant and author, suggests, “A good one should spark interest immediately. If people don’t understand it or aren’t intrigued, it’s time to revise.”
5. Reflect the Genre
Make sure your logline reflects the genre of your screenplay. A logline for a comedy should have a light, humorous tone, while a thriller should convey tension and urgency.
Consider the logline for Inception: “A thief who steals corporate secrets through the use of dream-sharing technology is given the inverse task of planting an idea into the mind of a CEO.” This perfectly captures the high-stakes, mind-bending nature of the sci-fi thriller.
Examples of Effective Loglines
To further illustrate these points, here are some examples of effective loglines from well-known films:
- The Godfather: “The aging patriarch of an organized crime dynasty transfers control of his clandestine empire to his reluctant son.”
- Toy Story: “A cowboy doll is profoundly threatened and jealous when a new spaceman figure supplants him as top toy in a boy’s room.”
- The Matrix: “A computer hacker learns from mysterious rebels about the true nature of his reality and his role in the war against its controllers.”
Each of these loglines is concise, highlights the protagonist, and presents a clear conflict and stakes, making the reader eager to explore the story further.
Final Thoughts
Crafting a compelling logline is a crucial skill for any screenwriter. Make its first impression, hook the reader. Determines whether your screenplay gets read. By focusing on clarity, conflict, and uniqueness, and by following the tips from industry professionals, you can create a log-line that not only captures the essence of your screenplay but also captivates the interest of those who matter most.
Remember, as Robert McKee, author of Story, says, “A great logline is like a promise. It promises a story worth telling, and it makes the reader want to see how that promise is fulfilled.”
So, take the time to craft your logline with care. It might just be the key to unlocking the door to your screenplay’s success.
