10 Tips For Writing Loglines

13/01/2019 10 Tips for Writing Loglines - Raindance
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10 Tips for Writing Loglines

by James Burbidge | 4 April, 2013 | Screenwriting | 126 comments
Loglines are tricky things – distilling 120 pages of script into one sentence and imbuing it
with the power to summarise, titillate and intrigue is a surprisingly di cult task. As a writer it
can be hard to develop a good logline because you are invested equally in each part of your
work – identifying the crucial story elements and leaving everything else out feels like you
aren’t doing your script justice. But remember, a good logline is crucial to selling your script;
in a covering letter, in a pitch, in the 30 second window you have with an executive when you
accidentally meet on the Great Wall of China. That being the case it is vital that you develop a
good logline for your magnum opus, something with sizzle and pop, but also, crucially,
something that tells the audience what the script is about.
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https://www.raindance.org/10-tips-for-writing-loglines/ 1/32
The di erence between a logline and a tagline

A logline is a one (or occasionally two) sentence description that boils the script down to its
essential dramatic narrative in as succinct a manner as possible.
A tagline is a piece of marketing copy designed to go on posters to sell the lm
– In space no one can hear you scream (Alien)
Crucially, a logline contains all the elements necessary for the telling of a good story. It is
written for industry professionals to show them that you can create a viable story for the
script – a marketing hook alone won’t cut it.
One further note that you won’t like: A logline is the DNA of your script. If you can’t make the
logline work, it’s probably becasue the story in your script doesn’t work. This is why some
people suggest writing a logline for your idea before embarking on the script.
Not sure where to begin? These tips are going to help:
1. A logline must have the following

– the protagonist
– their goal
– the antagonist/antagonistic force
2. Don’t use a character name

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– A sous-chef
– An ex-superhero
3. Use an adjective to give a little depth to that character

This is your chance to show some character. Beware of cliche, and also of the power of irony.
It’s helpful if the characteristic you describe will have something to do with the plot.
– A mute sous-chef
– An alcoholic ex-superhero
4. Clearly and quickly present the protagonist’s main goal

This is what drives your story and it will drive your logline too. Make sure that the goal is
present early in the script – if you don’t make good on your logline’s promise early enough
the rest of the script won’t get read.
– A mute sous-chef wants to win the position of Head Chef at her boss’ new restaurant
– An alcoholic ex-superhero searches for his daughter
5. Describe the Antagonist

The antagonist should be described in a similar, but preferably shorter, manner than the
hero. If the hero faces a more general antagonistic force then make it clear that they are
battling something, not just life’s bumps and bu ets.
– A mute sous-chef wants must ght o an ambitious rival to win the position of Head Chef at her
boss’s new restaurant.
– An alcoholic ex-superhero searches for his daughter after she is kidnapped by his dementing,
jealous former sidekick.
6. Make sure your protagonist is pro-active

He or she should drive the story and do so vigorously. Good loglines will show the action of
the story, the narrative momentum that carries you through the script. In some cases the
protagonist will be reactive, but note, this is not the same as passive.
7. If you can, include stakes and/or a ticking time-bomb

These are very useful narrative devices that add urgency tou your script. If they t in easily,
include them in your logline.
– To save his reputation a secretly gay frat-boy must sleep with 15 women by the end-of-semester
party.
8. Setup assume that you are happy with it.
Ok
Some scripts operate in a world with di erent rules to our own and require a brief setup to
explain them, e.g. most science- ction stories. Others have a protagonist whose personal or
psychological history is crucial to the story and needs to be explained. Again, be brief.
– In a world where all children are grown in vats…
– Driven to a mental breakdown by an accident at work, an aquarium manager…
9. About the ending

Do not reveal the script’s supercool twist ending, even if it is the next The Usual Suspects.
The story, and thus the logline, should be good enough to hold up by itself; a surprise ending
should be a lovely bonus found when reading the script. N.B. This all changes when you get
to writing your treatment.
10. Don’t tell the story, sell the story

Create a desire to see the script as well as telling them what’s in it. Loglines are like poetry,
every word counts. Tinker, test, and tinker some more.
Bonus
If you can’t write a decent logline of your idea before embarking on the script, then maybe
reconsider writing that thing. If it’s unfocused and muddled at the loglines stage, it’s not
going to get any better as you write.
Good luck, and feel free to submit samples in the comments box.
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126 Comments
Randy Brown on April 4, 2013 at 1:13 pm
Great article.
Evelien van Raaij on June 27, 2013 at 10:34 am

This helped me so much! Thank you! And if you're curious, this is what I
wrote:
A subdued cleaning lady has to work her way through three dangerous
situations as she enters what at rst appears to be an empty o ce building
to do her cleaning chores, and encounters a number of egocentric men.
It's going to be a dutch story, so I've translated it for you
Anne Katherine on July 17, 2013 at 4:35 pm

This is the logline for my screenplay.
MJ Brewer on July 30, 2013 at 12:40 am

I really love what you have to say about Loglines and how to include
everything, but nothing extra. I'm a lm student and this information is
valuable. Thank you.
John Joyce on August 24, 2013 at 4:27 pm

Thanks James,
That simple information about loglines really helped me with the novel 'Fire &
Ice'. More power to your elbow – as we say here in Ireland.
Daniel Cooney on August 29, 2013 at 1:35 pm
Ok
Thanks for posting this, James — I've been working on adapting my comic
book series for tv and this is a great springboard for getting it started.
Markos Pandora on September 2, 2013 at 9:08 pm

Thanks for the advice! I used your 'formula' and – what are the duties you are
not allowed to tell about?
Chrissafo Sandy Selemidis Selorme on September 12, 2013 at 12:58

am
Wonderful site James…thanks!
Maguy Cohen on October 8, 2013 at 1:48 pm

Thanks James,
The information about loglines and taglines really helps me. Thank you so
much.
Valerie Hill on October 15, 2013 at 2:01 pm

Thank you James, just what I needed, good straightforward notes.
Paul Mckoy on October 18, 2013 at 4:06 am

Great stu , James. Thanks very much.
John Cheung on November 1, 2013 at 6:04 pm

A lonely teenager lives completely alone in a boarding school, without any
friends or teachers. However, he soon discovers he might not be the only one
living there…
Is this all right?
Ok
Charlie Leeves on November 1, 2013 at 7:33 pm

Why would he even be at school if there were no teachers?
Joe Hughey on December 1, 2013 at 12:50 am

very helpful. I'm writing my rst short lm and just beginning to learn all
about this stu : )
Shahrohan Yaakob on December 2, 2013 at 3:28 pm

great helps!!… thanx alot
Shrirang Nargund on December 9, 2013 at 5:42 am

here is logline of my lm that is in development stage – "Top Comedian
looses his power of comedy; his soul as he faces the fear of death; Cancer…
and then the struggle begins within to get his power back!
Marvin Powell on January 3, 2014 at 4:58 am

"A stressed-out cynical young adult seeking love and ful llment must ght
against rival forces on the side of good and evil after learning he is
prophesized to change the fate of the human race."
Wilmar Luna on January 7, 2014 at 4:47 am

"An ex-assassin turned superheroine is on the run from a vengeful CIA Agent
who has discovered her secret identity."
I hope you will consider doing a marketing blurb how-to as well! I know that's
more for books, but I think this kind of advice transcends all mediums.
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Beautiful post about logline thing, thanks a lot for this brief info!
Ok
Kiron Kesav on January 14, 2014 at 1:19 pm

That was so refreshingly simple, yet profound.. Loved it!
Rolando Calfa on January 22, 2014 at 7:14 pm

What about: In a world where all children are grown in vats, a mute sous-chef
must ght o an
ambitious rival to win the position of Head Chef at her boss’s new restaurant
while helping an
alcoholic ex-superhero search for his daughter after she is kidnapped by his
demented, jealous former sidekick, who was driven to a mental breakdown
by an accident at the aquarium where he now works…
John Wright on January 23, 2014 at 4:16 pm

When a mother and her talented daughter move to California to chase the
Hollywood dream, they discover not everything is how it seems.
Ayla Ponzini on January 29, 2014 at 7:41 pm

d
Bigg Syyno on February 5, 2014 at 4:33 am

Lol at Rolando Calfa. Love the extension.
Bigg Syyno on February 5, 2014 at 4:38 am

"A confused young screen writer must decide whether to pitch his idea on
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Gary Writes on February 19, 2014 at 4:32 pm

How would you do this for a new sit com with multiple characters ?
John Moore on February 21, 2014 at 9:51 pm

A handsome dude commenting on this article is suddenly attacked by ninjas
and ……..
Jim Conway on February 23, 2014 at 10:21 am

My comedy log log log logline is hard f f f for me to write about, be be be
cause my key
pad stut stut stut stutters, damn!
Anil Senior on March 18, 2014 at 7:39 am

An uneducated poor and cocky nobody, falls in love with the daughter of an
oxford educated business tycoon and single handedly defeats him in
business to prove his worth and get the girl.
Tia Hall-Brown on April 15, 2014 at 6:42 pm

Generalize the group. A gang of mis ts, a diverse set of friends, mixed-
matched couples…. hope that helps.

Generalize the group. A gang of mis ts, a diverse set of friends, mixed-
matched couples…. hope that helps.

An a uent housewife wants to catch her husband in the act, so she and her
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more about herself, her
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she bargains for. ????

An a uent housewife wants to catch her husband in the act, so she and her
two childhood friends venture on a girl’s weekend at her summer home on
the historic Honeywell Lake, but she nds out more about herself, her
husband and her friends than she bargains for. ????
Karl Gerhardt on April 20, 2014 at 2:48 pm

That is lol, Rolando!
Eilish Ra erty on May 1, 2014 at 5:59 pm

Can anyone advise if you need to spell out that it's a comedy in your logline?
Nick Douglas on May 7, 2014 at 9:34 pm

Anyone good enough to write your idea better than you could, already has
their own idea that they're working hard on. So don't worry. Pitch it!
Sarah Hermione Tyrer on May 8, 2014 at 11:26 am

won't she be cooking the babies from the vats? or only the ones bred in rare-
vineyard balsamic vinegar?
Sarah Hermione Tyrer on May 8, 2014 at 11:26 am

make it funny? light?
MJ Brewer on May 8, 2014 at 6:06 pm

But can you say it all in one breath?
Ok
MJ Brewer on May 8, 2014 at 6:09 pm

The comedic giveaway would be contained in the adjective used to describe
your protagonist combined with the situation. If you need to spell it out, you
can do better.
Jesse James on May 27, 2014 at 7:27 am

I correct your log lines,pitch,synopsis and share brilliant creative ideas to
perfect your script. Contact me.

I correct your log lines,pitch,synopsis and share brilliant creative ideas to
perfect your script. Contact me.

You got me laughing already. Your comedy will do great

You got me laughing already. Your comedy will do great

I agree with Tia Hall-Brown, generalize the group and add the goal

I agree with Tia Hall-Brown, generalize the group and add the goal
Ok

You write comedy below your screenplay's title

You write comedy below your screenplay's title

You write comedy as a title on its own, which falls below your screenplay title
and before the logline

You write comedy as a title on its own, which falls below your screenplay title
and before the logline

Stunned silent but…….huh?

Stunned silent but…….huh?

This is only a tip of the risk
Ok
This is only a tip of the risk
Az Marv on August 6, 2014 at 11:29 pm

A whole village is razed to the ground when a demented and perverse
herbalist deceive the people that a certain girl was responsible for the recent
deaths in the village and must be sacri ced to the gods to cleanse the land,
while the local chief is away to a nearby village to seek diagnosis and
treatment for cholera.
James Hamman III on August 7, 2014 at 3:42 am

a panicked nobody writer furthers his research on perfecting loglines all
while ghting o the voices in his head that suggest to forever keep changing
the perfect wording.
Gabriel Anthony Peña Bo ll on August 8, 2014 at 7:20 pm

On a regular workday at home in NY city, a young screenwriter witnesses a
girl's kidnapping below his window and becomes involved, which entangle
him with the kidnappers and eventually embroils him into the Russian
ma a's underground in the US and with a shipload of stolen uranium seeking
a buyer….his actions precipitate a nuclear catastrophe that could end the
world as we know it….
Gabriel Anthony Peña Bo ll on August 8, 2014 at 7:20 pm

there is a twist though…lol
Gul Ramani on August 18, 2014 at 7:29 pm

Typically unlikely and bollywoodish
Anil Senior on August 19, 2014

Ok at 2:48 am
Thanks Gul… You are right, this is for bollywood.:)
Michael Gillam on August 19, 2014 at 6:03 pm

Ahh…La Boheme…?
Anil Senior on August 19, 2014 at 7:31 pm

Yes la boheme…
Amit Sharma on August 21, 2014 at 1:06 am

56-year-old ex F1 champion was not sure if where to begin his life from, after
losing 30 years in unknown. His search for his loved ones leads him to take
on the steering wheel once again, this time outside the stadium. He will not
let the fate take it away from him again.
Lori Crabtree Plegge on November 29, 2014 at 7:18 pm

A tragedy, the loss of a child, turned into something positive to save the lives
of others.
Mike Roberts on January 17, 2015 at 3:23 pm

No.
D.j. Tyson on February 1, 2015 at 2:59 am

and… is replaced by another handsome dude a year later.
Ok
Amber Reigh Walton on February 15, 2015 at 10:42 pm
Title: Target
After the death of her best friend a seventeen year old suicidal heiress
pretends mental and emotional stability to free the people she loves from
her misery.
Diomataris Dimitris on February 15, 2015 at 11:30 pm

thanks guys, it is helpfull for my cv, I am a sous-chef now, although i use to be
a drunk ex-superhero …
Michelle Fleishman on February 21, 2015 at 4:37 am

A group of teenagers learn to live, love and lie their way through drugs,
drama and daily life.
Aseem Achintya on March 4, 2015 at 5:21 pm

i think a lm like this exists. the guy falls for her but nds out she has cancer
or sth like that
Linda May Kallestein on March 9, 2015 at 9:25 am

Very helpful! BUT: how would you write a logline for movies like Pulp Fiction,
Babel and other non-linear lms or lms with multiple protagonists?
Andy Bu ham on March 12, 2015 at 2:38 pm

Cemetery Hill – A disturbed teenaged boy forces a homeless man to help him
hide his murder victim in a cemetery.
Patrick Newton on March 12, 2015 at 6:27 pm

Fate crosses the galaxies to unite a dying man with a hunted alien, on a quest
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Ok
Patrick Newton on March 12, 2015 at 6:28 pm

A ying prodigy thrust into the twilight of a war, is rescued from certain death
by a beautiful young woman who longs for the remembered love of her
father, the brutal German Field Marshall
Game on April 23, 2015 at 9:43 am

That is the case i one is true-handed and the watch is
worn on the left wrist (as iss historically nished).
Ari Rossen on April 23, 2015 at 12:11 pm

Lost in a strange world, a quiet Muslim girl meets a disillusioned Jewish
pianist, and discovers her musical potential through their unexpected
friendship.
Harold DeFiesta DelaRosa on April 23, 2015 at 12:35 pm

thank you, now I can probably create mu own logline.
Dawnya Clarine on April 29, 2015 at 9:14 pm

Should I just stick with the rst sentence?
A man longing to do something that he knows is unquestionably good and
right, decides to kill a pair of child molesters. He ees the scene of the crime
and journeys across the western US where he meets an Indian with mystical
insights an ancient storyteller and a little girl who help him see that having
the courage to do what you’re meant to do is what truly matters in life.
Johny Beaumont on May 2, 2015 at 4:41 pm

if you asked a producer if this was an unquestionably good and right logline,
after reading it to him (because who could cold-turkey remember all this) he
would punch you dead in the face.
Johny Beaumont on May 2,Ok
2015 at 4:44 pm
funny. damned funny.
Dawnya Clarine on May 2, 2015 at 5:34 pm

Johny Beaumont So stick with the rst sentence then, with perhaps a few
tweaks? If I ever meet a producer who is into punching me in the face, I think
I would not like that relationship anyway. Ha!
Dawnya Clarine on May 2, 2015 at 6:12 pm

A man haunted by the tragic loss of his wife and son kills a pair of child
molesters then ees to the Badlands where an Indian takes him on a spirit
journey, reuniting him with the people who have been most signi cant in his
life.
Joseph Buchanan on May 9, 2015 at 8:50 pm

A New York transplant struggles to achieve stability when his life is turned
upside down by a brain tumor diagnosis and he must learn to accept
emotional support.
Amber Isleib on May 12, 2015 at 3:43 am

This now seems a bit muddled. I'd focus on the decision to kill – contrast it
with his moral intentions, not present it as moral.

What are the stakes? What is the con ict? If they don't learn that, then…
what? What's standing in their way?

I am intrigued!
Ok

The title and the logline are a bit wordy, but the premise has grabbed me!

How does going on a girls' weekend help her catch her husband? You imply a
direct relationship with the word "so".
Gina Rodgers-Sealy on May 15, 2015 at 4:14 pm

Jen Govey …can I please ask your opinion on this one Jen? "Despite growing
up in a third world nation and never seeing a baseball game, a gentle spirited
athlete grows up to become his country rst major league baseball player."
Karen Wager-Smith on May 22, 2015 at 6:56 pm

I like Donny's original. It came as such a surprise when you get to the part
about her only having 2 months to live that I was arrested by how touching
the situation was.
Lorraine Chittock on May 29, 2015 at 7:37 pm

I've learnt more here from reading the spoof loglines (and some real ones)
than I did from the article! Well done, sounds like some of you write loglines
for play.
Tena Gruner on June 9, 2015 at 7:02 pm

Leapin'Lizards
A dancing, singing lizard needs to save his home from destruction. He breaks
all the rules and changes the world forever.
Rajeev Kumar on June 29, 2015 at 9:45 pm

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a lot you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will
James…
Ok
DL Lewis on June 30, 2015 at 4:25 am

Good question, and I wish someone would answer it.
Ti any Mills Morrison on July 13, 2015 at 4:25 am

Past and present collide during a high school reunion, when a happily
married woman’s sanity is threatened by her rst love; a sexy, charismatic,
but destructive man, intent on making her crave him, by reminding her how
good they used to be together.
Tito Ontherise Ellis on July 14, 2015 at 1:12 am

I already have the outline of this story. I am trying to get some feedback on
this logline.
Is it too long?
Have I included enough information?
Thanks.
Two long time friends since the age of 7, grew up, graduated high school,
then went o to college only to fall in love with the same girl that caused their
friendship to go sour and that caused a very bad uproar between the two x-
best friends and the girl husband.
Zachary Paul on July 14, 2015 at 5:16 am

SawWind Hollow – Horror
On Halloween night in the small town of Saw Wind Hollow, a esty teenage
girl's plan to cut loose and have fun is interrupted when the veil between our
world and the spirit world vanishes. Now she must uncover the town's dark
past in order to stop an ancient evil from destroying those she loves and
even the world.
Tom Norton on July 21, 2015 at 4:06 pm

In Ancient Egypt, a beautiful, charismatic slave catches the attention of two
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What do you guys think of this one?
Carmen Bordas O'Connor on July 21, 2015 at 11:25 pm

Hi, "catches the attention" and "whilst trying to" slow it down…get some
sexier verbage!
Tom Norton on July 22, 2015 at 2:15 am

How's this? Oh and could you also tell me if I need more commas or have
them in the wrong places?
In Ancient Egypt, a beautiful, charismatic slave creates and breaks familial

bonds during her ght against oppression.
Rex Martian on July 23, 2015 at 2:26 am

Very informative and helpful !!!
Gabe Russo on August 5, 2015 at 12:20 am

A Computer analyst and his podcaster wife take the family on a fun- lled
beach camping trip, until they run afoul of black market, endangered animal
poachers bent on collecting and selling newly hatched turtles to restaurants
overseas.
Je rey Correia on August 9, 2015 at 6:25 am

Tom Norton A charismatic Egyptian slave rises from the masses, creating and
destroying royal bonds in her unquenching desire for freedom for her
people.
Jacob Rubinstein on August 16, 2015 at 6:05 am

After the assassination of the President by a super villain, a female superhero
is hired to protect the rst elected female President.
Ok
Cece Monique on August 18, 2015 at 8:56 pm

An inspiring Ad executive on her way to landing her dream job must rst
prove her innocence and sanity against someone trying to end her career
and ruin her life.
Cece Monique on August 20, 2015 at 12:23 am

An inspiring Ad executive on her way to landing her dream job must rst
prove her innocence and sanity against someone trying to end her career
and ruin her life.
Tom Norton on August 31, 2015 at 1:58 am

Je rey Correia In the words of Captain Jack Sparrow "That's good, can I use
that?"
Gary C Tesser on September 6, 2015 at 6:18 pm

I'm not a pro, but I like the Norton original best.
Richard Betancourt on September 18, 2015 at 4:10 am

remove some details
Anthony Reese on September 22, 2015 at 8:55 pm

smh
Fausto Ignacio Garcia on September 27, 2015 at 2:08 pm

great advice, thanks a lot!
Ok
Tyler McCray on September 30, 2015 at 3:16 pm

An eccentric physicist explains to his drunk roommate how he made a
machine that will open a portal to another dimension which allows him to
win the heart of his soulmate since he can't in this world, then he travels
across dimensions to hold the one he always cared for most.
Tim Aucoin on August 11, 2017 at 9:08 pm

Couldn’t agree more with the last bonus line.
Catharine LJ Parks on August 30, 2017 at 2:41 am

A female matriarch elephamorphis must ght o the village witch doctor of
her african tribe in order to gain the right to life and a place in society.
Sow on September 20, 2017 at 2:25 am

I want to know where the log line must be..It have to be on the top or end of
the story (screenplay)or it should be apart ?I want to protect my screen play
so am in the dilemma if it have to be on it or be separated.
Keith on October 3, 2017 at 7:42 pm

Your logline is a selling tool separate from the screenplay, it describes your
story at its most basic level, yet keeps it exciting and builds interest in reading
your script. Your logline is a part of your query letter and your pitch – but not
the screenplay.
Juman on October 11, 2017 at 3:55 am

A blind mother seeks to nd out what happened to her 7 years old daughter
who was kidnapped by a psycho.
34 years later, when he strikes again she becomes the key that helps fbi
detective to uncover bigger plot involved other children born with particular
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Erin Weatherhogg on November 30, 2017 at 7:48 pm

These tips apply to writing loglines, and knowing the di erence between
them and taglines, in literature as well. Succinct, informative, and enormously
helpful. Jot down a couple words (relevant to your story) for each tip, then
look at what you have, and arrange it into a coherent, intriguing logline.
Chris Geltemeyer on March 12, 2018 at 4:36 pm

Bad luck is the steadfast companion to three friends during a month-long trip
across Europe; as they are each injured, they become repeat crime victims—
they are even suspects in a man’s violent death.
Other than that it was the best trip of their lives.(True Story)
Mikey on March 14, 2018 at 9:56 pm

Awesome article. Loved it so much I printed it and keep it in my writing
backpack at all times for reference. I haven’t delved into more than just an
outline and treatment, and I realize this post is ancient at this point, but I was
hoping for some feedback by anyone really:
In an alternative victorian era Britian, A pugnacious soldier nds himself

pinned against a totalitarian Europe; his one saving quality is his immunity to
death.
It hits most of the checklist provided, and the last idea about the protagonist
being undead is the one thing that separates my story from the rest so I felt it
worthy of mentioning. Any notes would be very greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Mike on March 29, 2018 at 7:14 pm

Can you pose a question in the logline? Something like – Two estranged
partents reunite over the death of their child. Will his passing help them
rediscover the love they once had? Thanks.
Dennis on April 14, 2018 at 11:20 pm

Thank you for sharing it with us. It really cleared up a lot of questions I had
about Loglines.
Ok
Carl DeMonbrun on June 28, 2018 at 10:38 am

There was Once a Dog from Sholin who hopped a ride to Yulin. as he said
with a grin, as he wiped o his chin, Confusious says ,I am here to end the Sin
…!
JoAnn Salin on July 13, 2018 at 10:03 pm

A disabled mother, plagued by misfortunes, discovers an inner strength and
sets out to protect her son when her ex-husband reappears with a devious
scheme.
Would appreciate your comments. Thanks
Lemke's Leverage on October 8, 2018 at 5:49 pm

Scared to submit but isn’t that the point?!
Meet the Marketing Realtor who is determined and inspired by thinking
outside the box. You’ll meet those who can’t wait to see her fail and the
others who come up with ideas that are unheard of! The Marketing Realtor is
NEW to the industry but knows one thing…marketing, however, everything in
Real Estate depends on timing, so will she make the cut with her
transactions?? With under a year in the business and listings from $84,900 to
$2.75M this rookie has so much to prove!
O-naje Tuma on November 14, 2018 at 5:11 am

A struggling writer must turn in a report by tomorrow or risk being red, but
his 5 friends have other plans for him.
Trackbacks/Pingbacks
1. Loglines – Setting The Story Hook | The Massage Manuscripts - [...] I found a couple of
sites worth looking at for more about loglines. They focus on the lm/script genre,…
2. How to write your lm logline - [...] Not sure where to begin? These tips are going to help:
10 Tips for Writing Loglines | Raindance Film…
3. LOGLINES AND TAGLINES ARE DIFFERENT And You Need Both For Your Novel by R. Ann
We use cookies
Siracusato|ensure thatDiego
RWA San we give youResources
- [...] the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will
http://www.dailywritingtips.com/whats-your-
novels-log-line/http://www.movieoutline.com/articles/writing-good-log-lines.html
Ok
http://www.ehow.com/how_8663965_write-taglines.html
http://www.bang2write.com/2010/05/loglines-are-not-taglines.html
http://www.staceynash.com/2012/08/24/taglines-hooklines-loglines/
http://theloglineblog.blogspot.com/p/how-to-do-log-line.html
http://www.kimberlykillion.com/writers.asp
http://www.closequartersmovie.com/cms/uploads/press-
kit.pdfhttp://www. yingwrestler.com/2013/02/loglines-dont-
tease/http://staging.raindance.org/10-tips-for-writing-loglines/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Log_line http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tag_line
http://www.lifeformz.com/logline.html http://carissa-taylor.blogspot.com/2013/02/pitch-
factory-twitter-pitch-logline.html [...]
4. 37 Screenwriting Resources To Help You Write The Perfect Logline | The Screenwriting
Spark - [...] 10 tips for writing loglines | Raindance [...]
5. Discovering Your Log Line | feekwrites - [...] was a great article and I recommend you take
the time to read the material directly from the source.…
6. Why Your Novel Needs a Logline | Keyboard in Hand - [...] 10 Tips for Writing Loglines [...]
7. Writing loglines - [...] you’ve created a logline or two, or even before, also read 10 Tips for
Writing Loglines It’s chock full…
8. Writing a Logline that Hooks the Reader | Melissa Janda – A Time to Write - [...] 10 Tips for
Writing Loglines by James Burbidge [...]
9. Writing loglines | Get On The Dark Horse - [...] you’ve created a logline or two, or even
before, also read 10 Tips for Writing Loglines It’s chock full…
10. Staying Organized, Busy, Inspired and Sexy: Part III | Pyragraph - [...] a screenplay-style
logline for your piece. This can help you see problems or even inspire better ideas. Writer
Blake…
11. Updated Logline: “Soldiers of Fortune” | The Cine le Writes - [...] Raindance [...]
12. Writing loglines | Freshly Squeezed Prize - [...] you’ve created a logline or two, or even
before, also read 10 Tips for Writing Loglines It’s chock full…
13. Words on a page - [...] 10 tips for writing loglines [...]
14. Loglines for Novels: Crafting Your Pitch is a Marketing Necessity - Million Pens Million
Pens - [...] symptom of a deeper problem with your story. In his article on writing successful
log lines, “10 Tips for…
15. Writing a Resume Is Like Writing a Best Seller - Ruth Glover - [...] “Your log line needs to
say it all concisely and quickly.” Use action words: “Make it real.” Duties/ [...]
16. Script Tip: How to Write a Logline | Digital Cinematic - [...] Raindance Film Festival
http://staging.raindance.org/10-tips-for-writing-loglines/
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our[...]
website. If you continue to use this site we will
assume
17. 5 Tips for Getting Your Indie thatFestivals
Film Into you are happy with it.
| Premiumbeat.com - [...] all they do need
to ll seats in the theatre. For assistance on crafting
Ok the perfect logline see this…
18. Logline #3 – Bunker | Motion Brothers - [...] A summary of a story in one sentence (ok,
sometimes two) often used during the “pitching” process for lm…
19. test | Motion Brothers - [...] A summary of a story in one sentence (ok, sometimes two)
often used during the “pitching” process for lm…
20. Video Research | Ms. Moza ari – Westwind Prep - [...] 10 Tips for Writing Loglines “The
di erence between a logline and a tagline: A logline is a one (or…
21. Logline #4 – Ahead of the Game | Motion Brothers - [...] A summary of a story in one
sentence (ok, sometimes two) often used during the “pitching” process for lm…
22. Logline #5 – Slight of Mind | Motion Brothers - [...] A summary of a story in one sentence
(ok, sometimes two) often used during the “pitching” process for lm…
23. Logline #6 – The Sandman | Motion Brothers - [...] A summary of a story in one sentence
(ok, sometimes two) often used during the “pitching” process for lm…
24. Wisdom from the world of screenwriting | L.M.Sorrell - […] James Burbridge of Raindance
Film Festival gives us 10 Tips for writing loglines […]
25. New Class | Motion Brothers UK | Experience Strategy - […] A summary of a story in one
26. A Guide to Launching Indie Games, Part Three: Getting Press – Binpress - […] Check out
this article for a breakdown of what a log line should contain. Just keep in mind that…
27. Zoombies | Motion Brothers UK | Experience Strategy - […] A summary of a story in one
28. The Call of the Demon | Active Comics - […] did not know what a logline was before this
and had to look it up. Here is some advice.…
29. The Silver Age | Motion Brothers UK | Experience Strategy - […] A summary of a story in
one sentence (ok, sometimes two) often used during the “pitching” process for lm…
30. Indie game marketing curated content. | Rats – Time is running out! - […] 10 TIPS FOR
WRITING LOGLINES […]
31. PODCASTS DE GUIÓN, BLOGS CATALANES Y MÁS ENLACES PARA EL FIN DE SEMANA |
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para cuando vayáis a ver a…
32. 7 things screenwriters forget about lmmaking - The Spread - […] Avoid this kind of
mistake by rigorously testing your ideas before committing to a full script. Loglines,
treatments and pitching…
33. Production – From Application through Delivery and Beyond | Red Tree Creative - […]
Longline Writing Tips Synopsis Writing Tips Save the Cat – Blake Snyder The Complete
Independent
We use cookies Movie
to ensure thatMarketing
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the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will
34. Blurbs | J. R. Biery - […] http://www.raindance.org/10-tips-for-writing-loglines/ […]
Ok
35. Desktopepics Entertainment | Screenplaying: Road to the Big Screen - […] is my

logline for the screenplay, which is required when posting on the […]
36. HOW TO WRITE A KILLER LOGLINE! | rbhblog - […] suggest writing a logline for your idea
before embarking on the script. Thanks to the experts…
37. The Call of the Demon- Oni Press - Comics by Nico - […] did not know what a logline was
before this and had to look it up. Here is some advice.…
38. Issue 11: Lesson 11—Writing the Screenplay (Loglines) | Reel Screen Life - […]
http://www.raindance.org/10-tips-for-writing-loglines/ […]
39. Loglines | Pen of Paul – Writer - […] Raindance.org […]
40. What is a logline? | storytelling3danimation - […] For tips of what makes a good one:
http://www.raindance.org/10-tips-for-writing-loglines/ […]
41. Logline / Treatment / Synopsis & Character Bio for Help a Haven – Joshua Macey - […]
struggling to build from the rst two that I wrote, so after exploring online I found a fantastic
article…
42. Revise It! Seven Checks to Make Sure Your Plot Works – Janeen Ippolito - […] having a
rough draft summary and log line can only help you with the next check. Go
here and here for great…
43. The Screenwriting Process - Step 2. Premise – the screenwriting process - […] execs and
marketers love it because it means they can understand a lm very quickly (here are ten
top…
44. The FOLD Festival Adds Comics to the Mix - Women Write About Comics - […] Workshops
vary from year to year, Richardson explained. This year, one of the workshops was simply
titled, “Writing Comics.”…
45. How To Pitch A Movie Idea - […] a logline is basically one or two sentences. Some people
say it is the TV Guide version. All you…
46. How to Write Your First Screenplay - […] As James Burbridge says, in a great post about
constructing a logline: […]
47. How to Write Your First Screenplay – researchpaper - […] As James Burbridge says, in a
great post about constructing a logline: […]
48. How to Write Your First Screenplay - Grammar Channel - […] As James Burbridge says, in
a great post about constructing a logline: […]
49. How to Write a Discovery Draft (Step 2) - Numawok Creative - […] 10 Tips for Writing
Loglines […]
50. 5 Filmmaking Secrets | Use These Tips to Help Your Career - FilmLocal - […] Here’s a quick
and easy
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51. How to Write a Good Logline thatSynopsis
and Film you are happy withFilm
| Lights it. School - […] in a logline, and
a characters’ name doesn’t tell us much. Why Ok

spend the space? As Raindance puts it, a
name…
52. 10 Tips For Getting Your Original Nollywood Screenwriting Ideas - […] A logline is a brief
description of what a movie is all about. It’s usually not more than a…
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10 Tips For Writing Loglines - Raindance

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13/01/2019 10 Tips for Writing Loglines - Raindance

The di erence between a logline and a tagline

A tagline is a piece of marketing copy designed to go on posters to sell the lm

– In space no one can hear you scream (Alien)

Not sure where to begin? These tips are going to help:

1. A logline must have the following

2. Don’t use a character name

3. Use an adjective to give a little depth to that character

4. Clearly and quickly present the protagonist’s main goal

– An alcoholic ex-superhero searches for his daughter

5. Describe the Antagonist

6. Make sure your protagonist is pro-active

7. If you can, include stakes and/or a ticking time-bomb

– In a world where all children are grown in vats…

– Driven to a mental breakdown by an accident at work, an aquarium manager…

9. About the ending

10. Don’t tell the story, sell the story

How To Create Your

It’s getting started that’s the

Evelien van Raaij on June 27, 2013 at 10:34 am

It's going to be a dutch story, so I've translated it for you

Anne Katherine on July 17, 2013 at 4:35 pm

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Chrissafo Sandy Selemidis Selorme on September 12, 2013 at 12:58

Wonderful site James…thanks!

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