Hey guys!
I have a question: is the log line rating here about being short/long or about being interesting/captivating? Please, don’t tell me it’s a bit of both, cause I’ve been rated ONLY for being too long!
I can't be judged by not having short loglines after reading James Cameron: "A human soldier is sent from 2029 to 1984 to stop an almost indestructible cyborg killing machine, sent from the same year, which has been programmed to execute a young woman whose unborn son is the key to humanity’s future salvation."
I don’t care if it’s long, but I care if it’s interesting and captivating for the readers.
Also, if you’re willing to rate my log lines, please share your thoughts on how you reached your decision, since I see people struggling with their own log lines and rating mines with two stars!
I don’t rate anyone’s log lines, since I don’t think I have enough knowledge, so if you’re not better than me, please I politely ask you to not rate.
I am not English speaker and I don't mean at all to be rude, but it upsets me that people tries to use my writing as a way to ease their struggles with their career...
Thanks for the ones who always takes time to write me either a comment or a private message! I appreciate you immensely!
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To me a good logline is brief, informative, and captivating all around.
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Wow...Carmen...great post. I'm like you, I'm reluctant to rate loglines because I know I'm no expert ,and I'm still learning. There are experts and webinars on Stage 32 who can give you good advice. The best guide I've found on writing loglines is....keep it to 25 words or less. If you can convey exactly what the story is about in so few words, most likely it's be a pro level logline.
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J.M. Gulmire what if it's not short as everyone expect? Why does everyone have to do what the "standards" say? Why can't some write loglines the way they want and being judged just by their storytelling and not by the size of their sentences?
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Michael Elliott yeah, I know the standards, but why do we HAVE to make it with 25 words? The logline for the terminator is not a short one.
"A human soldier is sent from 2029 to 1984 to stop an almost indestructible cyborg killing machine, sent from the same year, which has been programmed to execute a young woman whose unborn son is the key to humanity’s future salvation."
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I didn't say you HAVE TO but it is a good guide. For example, here's the logline for "Nobody's Heroes". A disillusioned Vietnam combat vet defies the FBI to help a notorious antiwar activist escape to Canada. So, right away, we know the Protagonist, the Antagonist and the story line...in only 17 words. It's worth a try.
Michael Elliott I see what you mean, thanks for commenting... However, I don't quite agree with the standards you're referring to. If it's not so long, but it's good, then it reaches the purpose.
The more important for a screenwriter is storytelling and not loglining. As long as it's good and captivating, it's good and captivating! haha
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The sentiment of a logline is to grab attention as quickly and as wholly as possible. Often when a logline is deemed "too long" it's because it doesn't feel strong enough or the stakes don't feel high.
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Thanks, Niki H - I agree with that, but as long as its not way too long and grabs the attention, the length is what matters the least. James Cameron's log line for The terminator was not short, but it grabbed the attention, so being short doesn't guarantee is going to be interesting.
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I post my loglines here to have some comments, cause I'm not English speaker. However, I've noticed a lady called Tasha rating me with 2 stars and she struggles with loglines too... I want experienced screenwriters rating me, not someone who's probably rating me to ease their own frustration with their failed career... I'm a beginner, but I am not untalented... Thanks, @Dan :)
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A logline should be concise, no matter the length. It should also leave a little bit of mystery in order to hook the audience in.
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Marcel Nault Jr. I couldn't describe it better! Thanks!
That's what I meant, but I didn't have the right words!
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Hi, Carmen Ferreira. I know you said don’t tell you it’s a bit of both, but a logline should be interesting/captivating and not too long. The reason a logline shouldn't be too long is producers, directors, etc. are busy and if they see a long logline, they might pass on reading it.
Some of the loglines you see online are for finished movies, and some of those loglines aren't written by writers. They're written by producers, marketing departments, etc. That might be why "The Terminator" logline looks like that.