Logline

Definition

A logline is a brief summary of a film or television show that conveys the essential elements of the story in one to two sentences. It typically includes the main character, their goal, the conflict they face, and what’s at stake. A well-crafted logline serves as a marketing tool and helps to clarify the production concept, guiding the creative direction of the project.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. A logline should be concise yet compelling, often no more than 25 words, to quickly engage potential viewers or investors.
2. The effectiveness of a logline hinges on its ability to highlight the unique aspects of the story, making it stand out in a crowded market.
3. Loglines are commonly used in screenwriting competitions and film festivals as a way to pitch projects succinctly.
4. Creating a strong logline can help writers focus their storytelling by clarifying the central conflict and motivation of the main character.
5. Loglines often evolve during the development process as the story grows and changes, reflecting any new insights into the narrative.

Review Questions

• How does a logline aid in clarifying the production concept during the early stages of development?
  • A logline aids in clarifying the production concept by distilling the essence of the story into a concise format. This summary forces writers and creators to focus on the main character's goal, the primary conflict, and what’s at stake. By doing this, it helps ensure that everyone involved in the project has a clear understanding of its direction and core themes from the outset.
• Discuss how a well-written logline can impact the marketing strategy for a film or television show.
  • A well-written logline can significantly enhance a marketing strategy by providing a quick and engaging summary that hooks potential viewers. It captures the attention of audiences and can be used across various promotional platforms, from social media to film festivals. The logline's ability to convey excitement and uniqueness helps in attracting interest from both distributors and audiences, which is crucial for a project's success.
• Evaluate the role of a logline in both script development and pitching to producers, considering how it influences decision-making.
  • In script development, a logline serves as a guiding star that helps writers maintain focus on their story's core elements. It influences decision-making by prompting creators to assess whether each scene contributes to their central premise. When pitching to producers, a strong logline can capture attention quickly in a competitive environment. It simplifies complex narratives into digestible ideas, allowing producers to make faster decisions about whether they want to pursue further development or investment in the project.

Related terms

Synopsis: A synopsis is a more detailed summary of a film or television show that outlines the main plot points and character arcs, often spanning multiple paragraphs.

Pitch: A pitch is a presentation where a writer or creator shares their concept for a film or show, often including the logline, to attract interest from producers or studios.

Treatment: A treatment is an extended narrative description of a film or television project that outlines the plot, characters, and themes, usually several pages long.