Screenwriting : Loglines - Before or After Writing Screenplay? by Jorge J Prieto

I find having a logline before diving in can be a huge help in knowing what my script is really about.

Whenever I get an idea for a script, I put it in my notes on my phone and it is a "sort of" logline. Once I'm done with my first draft, I tweak that original logline to better fit the story, but my completed logline always has elements of the initial notes I jotted when I first had the idea.

I start with a logline. Once the screenplay is complete and I receive my notes, then finish the rewrites, the logline usually changes.

Nonsense. logline won't keep you on course. an outline/treatment will.

Great suggestions, but really, like they say if isn't broken why fix it? What works for any of us , works. I have an idea, theme, conflicts, protagonist with a goal, a core wound, something or someone is in his/her way. I always know my ending , although at times it changes a bit, now what happens in between is always a surprise to me or else I get bored. I'm not only the writer, I'm also the audience. Thanks everyone. Great conversation Dan MaxXx short and sweet. Does damn xXx , they are like a logline , I keep forgetting the capital X goes in the middle, between the two little ones. What is that all about? Just curious. Short & brief please.:)

@Jorge I agree, I think there are plenty of different methods and each writer should use what works best for them.

@Jody Thanks, girlfriend. Some of us are on the same page. You and I. Well close enough. LOL

Lol Jorge. Thinking more on this, I think this is just one of those things that, like I said, depend on what works best for the writer. For example, I don't really do outlines. I've had people here say that you MUST do an outline if you want your script to be good. But that isn't the case for me. I prefer to jump into the thick of it all, with the only real outline being the one in my head. And it works for me. But I get that it doesn't work for others and I realize everyone has a different process. In short, writers should find whatever method works for THEM and it's okay if it's not the method others use.

Jody Outlines are manatory for TV writing. There is no winging it, " in my head" chatter. Hey, there are exceptions. David E Kelly handwrote every Ally McBeal episode.

@Dan I think you mean a bible don't you? That's entirely different. I know tv shows need a bible. I am talking about people writing things like beat sheets or outlines for features. I don't do that. I did actually just finish a tv pilot that is being considered by a producer. If they want to move forward, at that point I'll create a bible for it. But the pilot episode, all 59 pages of it, was written without any kind of outline.

TV series. Gotta write outlines before scripts

I am not talking about someone writing on an established series. I'm talking about writing a spec pilot. Nobody cares about seeing the outline of a spec pilot or spec script. It's about the individual writers own process. Edited to add, I should clarify, I personally have never been asked to provide the outline or beat sheet I used to write my script. Maybe others have?

I like writing my logline first. It's me get direction for what the center idea of my script will be. But then I go back and revise it when I'm done!

Jody: No only here on screenplays. Only once, and that's because it's a crime drama and needed to keep track of all the evidence. Other than that, never. I know my beginning, my ending, have my protagonists, what it is facing, take it from there. Writing #8 now. Hey, what works, works. Period. Love this, everyone. Thanks

After - Definitely. I've tried before, only to have the story take a left turn on me and no longer match the logline. I have to let the story run its course and then sum it up in a logline. Some writers follow an outline that dictates the story. I can't. I have to let creativity flow. My muse tells me what to write and I dare not go against her.

Sometimes I write a log line and sometimes i don't. Sometimes I write a synopsis and sometimes I don't . Sometimes I write an outline and work off of it and and sometimes I don't. It really doesn't matter because no matter what I do my scripts seem to turn out about the same. If nothing else that seems to be the only thing that is consistent.

@Dan G same here. I stopped worrying about doing outlines when I realized they didn't seem to make a big difference in how my scripts turned out. I'd rather just churn out that first draft. It's what works for me.

Jody, Dan: I agree with both of you. TV? Well, we or I should be so lucky. Really difficult to break in from the get go . Thanks guys. Anthony: Great points

I feel like once the overall writing is strong and the idea is solid the logline should write itself - be it before or after.

I always write them before I write the script to make sure I keep my story on track. I tape the logline to my monitor and anything that is not that logline doesn't get written into the script.