The logline is the shortest written account of your script. It best conveys what it's about. Also called a ‘one liner,’ but it doesn’t have to be exactly one sentence long. A logline conveys the concept of your script, its beating heart.
How to write a logline for your film?
What Are Some Logline Writing Tips?
- Read other loglines. If you’ve never crafted a logline before, don’t go into it blind. ...
- Active voice. Reading other loglines will likely help you separate the good from the bad, but it’s never a bad idea to keep some pointers in mind.
- Evocative/visual language. As a Screenwriter, your goal is to have your script made into a film, right? ...
How to write the perfect logline?
When Hollywood reads a logline, they want to know four things:
- Who is the protagonist?
- What’s the goal, conflict, or major problem that they face?
- Who is the antagonist or what obstacle is in the way of the protagonist’s goal?
- What’s the genre?
How to create a logline?
A logline conveys the dramatic story of a film or book in the most abbreviated manner possible. It's the briefest summary showing both your plot and hook to stimulate interest. Just Google 'logline' and you will come up with hundreds of formulas for creating your logline.
How to write a logline that producers love?
How to write a logline step #2: add struggle with antagonist. We could’ve called this step “Add Antagonist,” but that would be to skip over an essential factor in creating great loglines: the pressure the protagonist is put under while struggling with the antagonist. It’s much easier to come up with an effective concept and screenplay logline if you do it from the perspective of a ...
What is a logline in a treatment?
A logline is just a brief sentence (or two) that captures the general premise of your movie. In your log line, include who the protagonist is and what they're up against in their world. This condensed summarization of the overall concept of your film should make the reader want to see the rest.
What is an example of a logline?
Examples of Effective Loglines “The Godfather”: “The aging patriarch of an organized crime dynasty transfers control of his clandestine empire to his reluctant son.” “Reservoir Dogs”: “After a simple jewelry heist goes terribly wrong, the surviving criminals begin to suspect that one of them is a police informant.”
What are the three parts of a logline?
Still thinking concise, try to nail these three elements: Protagonist, Distinctive, Emotion. Protagonist: Give the reader the primary character's perspective into the story. Distinctive: Provide some key narrative element that will hook the reader. Emotion: Present a point of emotional connection for the reader.
Is logline and synopsis the same?
The point of a synopsis is that the reader can visualize the story. Your logline is your elevator pitch, short and sweet – sparking interest. A synopsis is the next step, building anticipation. There are two different lengths of synopses.
How do you write a screenplay logline?
The Simple Guide to Writing a LoglineShare the Core Concept, Not the Story.Start with a General Logline Structure.Stay Within 25-50 Words.Avoid Character Names.Search for Irony in Your Concepts.Write Multiple Options with Different Phrasing.Write the Logline Before the Script.Read Loglines on IMDb.
What is a good log line?
It's a one-sentence summary of your movie that entices someone to read the entire script. A good logline is short, sharp, and sells your story. Loglines explain the key parts of your screenplay—like the main character, inciting incident, central conflict, and antagonist—in a tight, hooky sentence.
How do you write a killer logline?
A killer logline is a must have....First, write down:SETTING: When and where your story takes place.PROTAGONIST: Who your main character (hero or heroine) is.PROBLEM: The issue or event that causes your Protagonist to take action.ANTAGONIST: Who or what tries to stop your Protagonist.More items...
How long is a log line?
one to two sentenceA logline, or log line, is a brief (one to two sentence) summary of a movie, tv show, etc. that hooks the reader in and describes the central conflict of the story. If someone asks you what your screenplay is about, respond with a logline.
What questions should a logline answer?
A great logline might just be the most important part of your script....Every logline should strive to answer these three questions:Who is this story about (and why is this person interesting)?What does this character want (and why should we care)?What is the main obstacle keeping them from achieving their goal?
How is a treatment different from a screenplay?
Typically a treatment is a much longer and more detailed description of the screenplay than a synopsis. Treatments are often written before the script is written as a guide for the screenwriter and producer so that the screenwriter doesn't waste time writing a draft that the producer isn't going to like.
Is a treatment and synopsis the same thing?
A script synopsis is a short overview of your plot that could be used in part as a pitch to producers, managers, or agents. A script treatment is a longer overview of your script that's often written before the script is completed.
What is a treatment in screenwriting?
The Film treatment basics It's a multi-page document written in prose, that tells the story that happens in your screenplay. It is a synopsis, with action, sparse dialogue, and works as a roadmap for the reader, producer, and writer.
What is a logline in screenwriting?
A logline isn’t just an industry term, or a step in the screenwriting process: a great logline can help propel your career forward. Now that you’ve created your logline, here are three ways to put it to use: Gain visibility.
What is a logline in a movie?
A logline is a one-sentence summary or description of a movie . Loglines distill the important elements of your screenplay—main character, setup, central conflict, antagonist—into a clear, concise teaser. The goal is to write a logline so enticing that it hooks the listener into reading the entire script.
What is the difference between a logline and a tagline?
A tagline, meanwhile, is a witty slogan or dramatic statement, used to advertise a finished film to moviegoers. In other words, loglines are descriptive, while taglines are provocative.
Why do you need a logline?
Gain visibility. Loglines are often required for entry into screenplay competitions or film festivals , which offer the opportunity for aspiring screenwriters to showcase their work to a room full of development executives or producers. Writing a great logline can help you get noticed amid a sea of entries.
What does Aaron Sorkin teach you?
Aaron Sorkin teaches you the craft of film and television screenwriting. Even if nobody reads your logline, writing one is a useful exercise for boiling the core ideas of your story down to their clearest and simplest form.
What is a logline in a movie?
Here’s a quick logline definition: A logline is simply the script’s core conflict summed up in one or two sentences. By “core conflict” we mean the struggle between protagonist and antagonist that indicates to the reader what’s at stake—the reason why they should watch this movie.
Why is it so hard to write a script without a logline?
This is because a screenplay logline contains the foundational DNA the whole movie is built on: its struggle between all the major characters and essence of what’s at stake.
Why do we care so much about what happens in movies?
Either literally, or figuratively. This is why we care so much about what happens in great films because they’re about the highest stakes you can get: death.
What is a logline in script writing?
The logline is the shortest written account of your script. It best conveys what it's about. Also called a ‘one liner,’ but it doesn’t have to be exactly one sentence long. A logline conveys the concept of your script, its beating heart. While a logline relates the strength of your idea, it’s not the execution.
What is the purpose of a logline in a script?
In length, the logline is typically one or two sentences. It highlights the dramatic core of your story. Most importantly, the purpose of the logline is marketing . It compels a reader to read your script, or a viewer to go see your movie.
What to do when your screenplay is complete?
One your screenplay is complete, use a logline and synopsis for marketing tools. They effectively and concisely tell your story. If well done, they incite a person to request your script.
How to write a logline?
Using Them Separately And Together 1 Before you’ve created a script, logline is written to pitch your movie to others. You might test it out on strangers in line for a movie, or send it to a few friends, like, hey, what do you think of this? Would you go see that movie? 2 Once several people weigh in on your logline, and like it, you would further expand the basic idea into a synopsis, a 3-paragraph skeleton of the story. These guide your writing. 3 After your script is finished, and you’ve gotten feedback on it, done a rewrite, and had it proofread: you send the logline and synopsis to others as an introduction of your script – to market it.
What is a synopsis in a logline?
Whereas the logline shows off the strength of your idea, a synopsis gives you the opportunity to show off the craft of your writing; for example, your attention to genre-related details.
How many words are in a synopsis?
A synopsis comes in 2 lengths –1 succinct paragraph, or several paragraphs, from 3-6, lasting about a page long. A word count would be from 300-500 words, approximately. A 1-paragraph synopsis outlines the setup of your story, then what happens to get it going, with your major character, their goal and the conflict.
What is the point of a synopsis?
The point of a synopsis is that the reader can visualize the story. Your logline is your elevator pitch, short and sweet – sparking interest. A synopsis is the next step, building anticipation.
Simplicity
No need to click buttons or keyboard shortcuts to format your screenplay. Just type - Logline takes care of the rest.
Guidance
Screenplays are structure. Logline helps you build the foundation of your story and never lose sight of it.
Power
Write your screenplay, treatment and outline in one document. You'll be more organized and productive.
Beauty
Clean design you can customize. Write in Courier Prime and choose the high resolution background that fits the mood of your screenplay.
Freedom
Logline uses the plain text format Fountain. This makes your work portable. Write on any device or platform.
Support
Logline is run by Joe Parker, a programmer and part-time filmmaker. Questions? Reach us via email or phone .
About Fountain
Fountain is a simple markup syntax for writing screenplays in plain text. Fountain allows you to edit your screenplay on any computer, device or platform.
What is a logline in a script?
A logline. A logline is a 1-3 sentence teaser that hooks the reader int he dramatic narrative of the script. Longines is looked at like a headline for your movie. Some people won’t even read your writing if the logline is trash. Loglines can get complicated so for reference I will give you some famous ones.
What is script treatment?
A Script Treatment is a 10 to 20-page outline of a screenplay. The purpose is to Communicate the story, characters, and acts of the script. Its generally used for marking the concept of a film to producers and studios.
What is a synopsis in a book?
A synopsis is a broad overview of the series, making the world and the dynamics of the characters as clear to the reader. Networks want to see the commercial aspects of your story.
How long is a short film?
It can be just a page long. Most short films are anywhere from 3 to 20 pages long. Every treatment you write is an overview selling the story you don’t want to end up rewriting the whole thing to fill in some unrealistic page count. Short film script treatment example.
Which act should be the most significant part of the treatment?
You should dramatize how the conflicts introduced in Act 1 lead to a crisis. Act two should be the most significant part of the treatment seeing as usually, the second act is the most substantial part.
What is a logline in a movie?
A logline is a one to two sentence description of a film that shows the most interesting elements of the storyline to hook the reader. If playback doesn't begin shortly, try restarting your device. Videos you watch may be added to the TV's watch history and influence TV recommendations.
What is the purpose of the spy masters misinterpret the strategy papers he steals as a plan
When the spy’s masters misinterpret the strategy papers he steals as a plan for an imminent western attack on East Germany, he tries to prevent the Cold War turning hot. The Game: In 1970s London, a KGB defector warns MI5 of a Soviet plot to destabilize Britain.
What is screenplay treatment?
Just what is a screenplay treatment? A screenplay treatment is simply the plot of your story written down in prose form. However, in Hollywood, one person’s screenplay treatment is another person’s “synopsis,” is another person’s “outline.”. Overall, the terms are pretty interchangeable.
Why do screenwriters write treatment scripts?
Screenwriters generally write screenplay treatments for two reasons: • They want to get their story down in prose form before writing the screenplay to make sure it’s working. • They’ve been asked by a production company to send in a screenplay treatment for a script they may want to purchase.
Is an outline a screenplay?
In general, though, an outline usually focuses on short bullet point scenes, while a screenplay treatment or synopsis tends to be more prose-focused.
How to write a script treatment?
What is a Script Treatment used for? 1 You need a title (not necessarily set in stone) 2 a logline 3 a plot summary 4 the characters all included in your script treatment.
What is the difference between a script synopsis and a treatment?
For instance, what’s the difference between a script synopsis and treatment? A script synopsis is a short overview of your plot that could be used in part as a pitch to producers, managers, or agents. A script treatment is a longer overview of your script that’s often written before the script is completed.
What is a synopsis in a script?
So let’s start with a script synopsis. A synopsis is simply a compelling description of your screenplay that gets people excited about your work. You want to keep the synopsis about a page in length, which should give you enough space to get the bones of your story down on paper.
How many pages is a synopsis?
The synopsis is somewhere in between, as it’s longer than the sentence or two afforded to you by a logline, but it’s not 40 or 80 pages like a treatment. Remember, a synopsis is a short but succinct description of your plot, main characters, and fictional world.
When writing a synopsis, what is the tone?
When writing your synopsis, use a voice and tone that’s as similar to your script as possible. That often means sticking to the third person and present tense.
Can you craft a treatment before writing a script?
Your treatment can, at least initially, be a good chance to throw some ideas at the wall and see what sticks. By the time you’re done writing it, you can determine if you should keep some characters or cut some out.
Can you add dialogue to a synopsis?
That often means sticking to the third person and present tense. You can even add some dialogue to your synopsis, but only a few lines. This is not the time to bust into your main character’s three-minute monologue, as that takes up too much valuable space.
