How do I write one?
Screenwriting : What is a log-line? by Carol Chang
What is a log-line?
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A logline is basically your story in 27 words or less. The best logline contains irony, for example: 'She's the perfect wife until she has a drink'. You know what's it about and you know it's a comedy. Getting your logline right is the best thing you can do beginning writing because it keeps your story on track.
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Sorry Ken, but your example (She's the perfect wife until she has a drink) is not a logline, it's a tagline. A tagline is a catchy little phrase that appears on a movie poster. A logline is a one-sentence summation of your story that is used to promote your story and to attract interest and read requests.
the below will really help
http://www.twoadverbs.com/logline.pdf
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Here's a quick read about the difference between a tagline and a logline, to piggyback off of Pierre. There are some other links with more examples of certain types of loglines at the bottom. Like comedy examples, but the same rules apply.
https://screenwriting.io/what-is-the-difference-between-a-logline-and-a-...
Pierre, respectfully, I disagree.
Thank you all. So helpful here.
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When [INCITING INCIDENT OCCURS] , a [SPECIFIC PROTAGONIST] must [OBJECTIVE], or else [STAKES].
I like it Rutger. It's nice to work in the antagonist too, but sometimes that will spill out in the stakes or objective.
It's what we call an 'elevator pitch' - you got 30 seconds to hook me or I'm gettin' off on this floor.
Hey Eric, it's not my formula!!!! Just visited a lot of sites explaining loglines. This formula through googling I found on one of those sites. And yes, it says nothing about the antag,!
A try to make a more complete formula:
When [INCITING INCIDENT OCCURS], a [FLAWED PROTAGONIST] is [SET] on a [JOURNEY] (sometimes with the help of a [GUIDE] ) to [OVERCOME/FIGHT] the ['PRIMAL' PROBLEM] through an [ANTAG IN WHATEVER FORM] leading to (much needed) [GROWS OF PROTAG] in order to reach [HIS/HER/IT'S OBJECTIVE] }, or else [STAKES=PRIMAL MISERY and/or DEATH].
... and then trying to turn this migraine into a logline that's 27 words or less... which often again leads to PRIMAL MISERY.
Hey Carol! Here's a raindance article that gives a great 101. Take a look, also check out their other resources for newbies. I hope this helps! https://www.raindance.org/10-tips-for-writing-loglines/https://www.raind...