Like the blurb on the back cover of a book, a logline serves the dual purpose of providing information and enticing people to read the entire script. Writing a movie script is only part of the whole job of being a scriptwriter. Writing a short, effective logline may be the most important work a scriptwriter ever does.
A Logline Is a Sales Pitch
A logline delivers the pitch for a movie. It describes the story of a script in the fewest possible words, preferably in just a single sentence, but more often in two or three sentences, up to a maximum of around 50 words.
Why Is a Logline Important?
A logline is the first and perhaps only contact a reader or producer might have with a script. A badly written logline will destroy a script's chances of being read and being produced.
What Makes a Good Logline?
"High Concept" movies provide the best examples of perfect loglines. "High Concept" movies are movies where the concept can be described in just a few words, and the mere idea of the film can capture the imagination of the producer and the audience and be sold to them without the actual story of the film ever being discussed (e.g. Snakes on a Plane).
How to Write a Logline
Writing a logline should be done with great care. Take time to approach the task methodically and follow three basic steps.
- Define the premise
- Use evocative language
- Refine and edit, then refine and edit again
Define the Premise
The first thing a scriptwriter must do when writing a logline is to stand back from the story and consider what the premise of the story is. Writers often confuse the premise with the plot. In answer to the question "What is your story about?" writers often answer by beginning to explain the plot movements of their story. In fact the question, "What is your story about?" should really be thought of as, "What is the point of your story?"
When considering how to write a logline, it's important to focus on the following:
- What is the genre? Making the genre clear - romantic comedy, family drama, thriller, etc - is essential.
- What is the story's unique appeal? What makes this story stand out as an example of its genre? Why is it different? Why is it special?
- How will the story make the audience feel? What is the effect that the story should have on an audience?
Use Evocative Language
When there are very few words to spare, it's important to make every word count.
- Employ active rather than passive voice to pull the reader into the story.
- Use vivid, unambiguous descriptions.
- Write in present tense.
- Highlight the most dramatic elements.
Refine and Edit
The first draft will normally be much longer than it should be, but it is important to write down all the important points that need to be made. After writing the first logline, decide what elements take priority and work at paring the words away to the essentials. It is best to set the logline aside at this point and return to it, objectively in a day or two.
Loglines should never be produced in a hurry. On a second reading, refine and edit the logline once more. It is useful then to give the logline to friends and relatives to see if the message it conveys to them, matches your expectations. Take note of their reactions and refine and edit accordingly.
It is often said - because of the speed that people in the film world read proposals - that pitches or loglines should be written at the reading level of a twelve year old, therefore it might be useful to give your logline to some twelve year olds and gather their opinions on it.
Further advice on writing drama for stage and screen can be found here.
Janice Hally - Janice Hally has written more than 300 broadcast hours of prime-time TV drama in the UK, as well as fiction and non-fiction books.
