Fight, fight, fight! Haha I see some writers use taglines as their loglines, so I wanted to make a post to clear up any confusion.
A tagline is a short, catchy phrase like you would see on a poster, in a pitch deck, etc. Something like, “This vacation is gonna be wild.” That could be the tagline for an Animation movie about wild animals taking a vacation.
A logline is a short summary of your script that you use to help sell it (or attractive people to watch your movie, show, etc.).
There are different ways to write a logline. Here’s a logline template I came up with that might help you write your logline: After/when ______ (the inciting incident/event that sets the plot in motion), a _______ (the main flaw the protagonist has to overcome in the script or an adjective that describes the protagonist’s personality) _______ (the protagonist’s position/job/career) tries to/attempts to/fights to/struggles to/strives to/sets out to/fights/battles/engages in/competes/etc. _______ (goal of story and try to add the obstacles here) to/so/in order to ________ (stakes).
The inciting incident can also be at the end of the logline: A _______ (the main flaw the protagonist has to overcome in the script or an adjective that describes the protagonist’s personality) _______ (the protagonist’s position/job/career) tries to/attempts to/fights to/struggles to/strives to/sets out to/fights/battles/engages in/competes/etc. _______ (goal of story and try to add the obstacles here) to/so/in order to ________ (stakes) after/when ______ (the inciting incident/event that sets the plot in motion).
Loglines are one or two sentences. A one-sentence logline sounds better, and it takes less time for a producer, director, etc. to read it. Try to keep your logline to 35 words or less. Long loglines can make producers, directors, etc. pass on a project.
Avoid using “must” in loglines. “Must” usually means the protagonist is forced to do whatever they need to do in the story instead of doing it willingly. You might need to use “must” in a logline though, like when the protagonist is forced by another character to do something.
Names in loglines are usually for biopics, well-known stories, and franchises (like MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE).
Sometimes I put the location and date that the story takes place in instead of the inciting incident if it’s a Period Piece script.
All stories don’t follow this logline template. Biopics, documentaries, and Experimental scripts might not follow the template. The series logline for a TV show can follow this template, but the pilot logline and episode loglines for the show might not.
Logline Example #1:
After a group of canine criminals arrives in a small town, a timid dog sheriff defends a factory to keep the crooks from stealing food meant for hungry families.
Logline Example #2:
A dysfunctional couple works together to survive against hungry bears after crashing their vehicle on a flooded, abandoned road miles from help.
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Cool, Mike Childress. If it works for you, it works for you. The logline is one of the first things I write when I come up with a script idea. I wrote a feature script once and after finishing the rewrites, I couldn't fit the story into a logline no matter how many times I rewrote the logline. I started coming up with the logline first after that script. I don't start writing a script until I figure out how to fit the story in a logline (and until I outline the story). I also use the logline as a guide as I write and rewrite a script.
"If the ultimate, and single-minded, purpose of the Logline is to hook a reader in a literary tractor beam often Taglines are more of a hook for me than their longer brethren, e.g. the Tagline for Alien: 'In space no one can hear you scream.'" Yeah, I like to think of the tagline as a super quick hook.
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I remember, Mike Childress. I didn't like loglines before, but I think I'm in love now. Haha I can write a logline quickly and easily (sometimes). It took A LOT of practice though. Ultimately, I think writing an effective logline is about showing/focusing on the most attractive parts of the story.
I don't like watching long trailers. I like teaser trailers and short official trailers.
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Ran after a pro and screamed out the worst elevator pitch possible. He stopped in his tracks, wheeled around, stared deep into my terrified eyes, and uttered , "Chinese Moana." Ding-a-ling-a-ling!!!!