A few weeks ago, one of my writing friends was talking about how few responses they received to the 200 query letters they sent out to producers, agents and managers. When I read their logline and synopsis, I could better understand why the success ratio had been so poor. The logline had two plot lines that read like they were unrelated to each other. The synopsis was lackluster and suffered from what I consider lazy writing. The synopsis also failed to provide the reader with the ending to the story, which most industry people will find irritating. I advised the writer they need a clear beginning, middle and end. I also advised my writing buddy that as a reader, I got no sense of his main character traits and character arc. I finally provided him with some notes on how to rework his one-page written pitch.
Now I've heard many writers say the hate writing their 1 to 2 page logline and synopsis and that it's so bothersome. That may be the case but why would you expect any professional agent or producer to request your screenplay if your written pitch is a poor representation of your writing skills?
What say you forum dwellers.
Having a poor logline/pitch is expecting to be hired for a job with no CV.
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MaxXxy
Now you're thinking with steam!
I hate writing loglines - pet hate. But, as you correctly state - they're part of the process.
Like all forms of irksome writing, it's best to just open a Word doc, plot out the main points to cover, and get writing. Have a good moan and state how much you hate writing them until you're sick of moaning, then get typing.
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I love writing and re-writing my synopsis. It's like writing the script without having to worry about the format although I agree that it can also be a pain. I always end up making mistakes when introducing the world I created because I tend to get caught up in telling the story rather than proposing the script.
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Dan MaxXx - there must be an AI program by now that can read our screenplays and spit out a logline/synopsis for us, surely! ....oh, wait...maybe that's what BL is using ;-)
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Aray:
It's an important part of marketing your screenplay to be able to summarize your story in one compelling sentence.
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Phil:
I Think Inktip still has a tool you can use to write log lines. I don't know how well it works.
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Write the logline - when you first sit down to write the screenplay. That is when you are still in touch with the zen of your story. After that it is just nitty gritty.
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Andrew: Great point. Some folks advise otherwise. But I always begin with a logline. If the story changes a bit as you forge ahead, you can always modify it. Thanks for posting.
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Phillip - Great post! Thanks!
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Have stopped wasting time reviewing scripts if someone can't be bothered to provide a logline and 30 word synopsis. If the basic story can't be told in a sentence and paragraph then the script will be empty.
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@Laura Scheiner It's true for me. Have wasted too much time reading scripts with no story. I didn't say anything about great loglines/synpopsis - I said basic. These can always be improved.
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I agree with Laura: It's definitely "completely different skill set." I review poor logline and synopsis one/two page queries all the time from good writers who don't get why they're important. Screenwriters may want to consider being proficient at both. Nobody will market your work as hard as you do.
Laura Scheiner You've taken my choice of wishing not to spend time reading scripts with no story into bragging about yourself. I made no claim of being a professional script reader. Your opinion doesn't invalidate mine. And vice versa.
I admit. I suck at writing loglines that capture my scripts. I usually will come close on my 7th attempt.
Laura Scheiner Please get over yourself. Your constant need to think you're better than others simply because you claimed to have worked as a professional reader is sad. I based my opinion on my experience.
To:Laura: Any suggestion on how to right a decent logline and synopsis? Thanks.
Thanks. Laura, good information. I didn't know if my other thank you's was published, here on Stage 32.
Laura, that's really great information. Thank you for sharing!