How to Write a Captivating Logline

The purpose of the logline, from its origins in early Hollywood right up to the present day, is to sell your script - or, at least, the idea of your script.  

Now, you might wonder how you can effectively 'sell' your script in just a sentence (maybe two). Well, keep in mind, the logline isn't about giving a detailed synopsis of the plot, nor is it about conveying all of the emotional twists and turns in a storyline.

It's just a little taster; a hook; the thing that will pique enough interest for someone to say, "Yeah, that's interesting, I'd like to take a look at that."

The logline is your selling tool. It's your pitch; your advertisement. If someone isn't captured by your logline, they won't read the script, it really is as simple as that.

So, even a spectacular screenplay, with a bad logline, is destined to be never read by producers (or anyone else who could help you get your work from page to screen). In other words, although that one sentence may seem trivial, it is, in fact, just as important as the whole of your script.  

Okay, now you know what a logline is and why it needs to be good. So, let's get right to the nuts and bolts of the issue.

How do you actually write one? Here are some of the dos of creating a captivating logline. 

Try writing your logline before you've even written your script

For one thing, this will give you a fair idea of whether the idea is any good. Try it on friends or relatives (who'll be honest, but not unsupportive), and ask whether it's successful in sparking their interest.

The other thing offered by having your logline ready before writing, is a touchstone. The logline is what your script is about. If at any point, you find yourself getting stuck, refer back to the logline and make sure you're writing with its message in mind.

If at all possible, keep the logline to one sentence

It'll be a very rare circumstance, when you have to stray beyond one sentence. In almost all circumstances, if you've rabbited on for longer than that, you can afford to trim some fat somewhere.

Ask for a second opinion

If you have a sounding board, it's great to use them. But the opinion of someone who's always going to tell you it's great isn't helpful - to your ego, 'yes', but to your chances of getting the screenplay made, 'not so much'. 

What about what not to do? Well, these are some of the common mistakes you're likely to make when first starting to craft a logline.

Don't use character names

It's tempting, but don't do it. The goal here is simplicity and brevity. So, rather than saying. 'John is a doctor whose wife has just left him', try 'a recently divorced doctor...' The fact he's 'John' is of no importance at this point.

The only time you could waive this golden rule is if you're writing about a real life human being.

Don't try to tell the story

It's only one sentence, it's just not possible, so don't even try.

Don't be tempted to use analogies.

Your screenplay might be Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead meets Mrs. Doubtfire, but that kind of comparison is not useful for a logline. Remember, you've only got one sentence. Not a single syllable can be wasted.

Don't use hyperbole

'Greatest story ever told'...'A masterpiece'...'Heartbreaking and beautiful'. You know, the kind of thing you'd find on a movie poster. It's really not for you to decide whether or not it's the greatest story ever told, and, let's face it, chances are, it ain't. So leave it out.

Don't confuse a logline for a tagline

A tagline is also a one sentence hook for a screenplay, but it's usually for movie posters as a marketing tool.

The logline is a marketing tool too, of course, but directed at film makers not film goers. Taglines are much more succinct and usually a little more obscure; they don't give the important elements of a screenplay. For instance, one of the taglines for Beetlejuice is, "He's guaranteed to put some life in your afterlife." 

So, here are some examples of what a logline should look like. See if you can guess the movie from the one sentence summary.

"A young FBI cadet must confide in an incarcerated and manipulative killer to receive his help in catching another serial killer who skins his victims."

"An 8-year-old boy, who is mistakenly left at home when his family flies to Paris for the holidays, defends his home from inept burglars."

"A single British woman seeks self-improvement and love during a year in which she keeps a diary."

"A FedEx exec must find a way to survive when a plane crash leaves him stranded on a desert island."

"A nanny with magical powers tries to bring happiness to an irritable banker's family."

If you're still struggling to put a logline together, take a look at a website like imdb.com, and read as many different loglines as you can. Then, try to write ones for movies you know well.

Once you've mastered this, you should have no trouble writing a logline for your own script.