Log Lines

mjjason

mjjason

Well-known member
I always have trouble writing a good logline to my script. I find I worry over the logline more than I worry over the script.

What techniques do you guys use? Do you come up with a logline before or after finishing the script? Are you ever fully satisfied with it?
 
I agree, the logline is often the hardest part of the process. I guess because you are essentially boiling down the content of your script into a single sentence, or at most two sentences.

I usually write a logline before I write the script, in order to help cement the story I intend to write. After I finish the script I usually write a new log line and then compare them to see if/how the story changed and then refine from there.
 
I write mine after I am finished with the story, because even with a 6 pager, my story and characters will change. When I am certain I have the bulk of the story cemented into place, I can then try to sum it all up without telling too much. Just enough is what I hope for.

I found this LENGTHY article by Christopher Lockhart to be of assistance. I didnt follow everything in the article, but it sure gave me a roadmap to all the possibilities.

Loglines

Good luck!

T
 
thartley said:
I found this LENGTHY article by Christopher Lockhart to be of assistance. I didnt follow everything in the article, but it sure gave me a roadmap to all the possibilities.

Loglines

Good luck!

T
Click to expand...
That is a great article, thanks for posting it. After reading that I must say that I had a completely different idea of how to construct a logline. I would say I was more towards the tag line side than a logline. At least now I know more of the basics so hopefully I will get better at it.

Thanks!
 
It is a very difficult process. I usually wait until I am done and try to throw up a sentence that gets the idea out there, but leaves several questions, making the audience want to read it. Not sure if I ever accomplish it, though...
 
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