Mastering the Art of Log Lines: A Comprehensive Guide
A log line is an essential tool for selling your story. It encapsulates the essence of your narrative in one or two compelling sentences, sparking the reader's imagination. Utilized for TV shows, films, and novels, the log line serves as the first impression a producer or publisher will have of your work. A captivating log line can pique their interest, making them eager to dive deeper, and could be the decisive factor in getting your script or novel approved. Additionally, a well-crafted log line is beneficial for screenplay competitions and film festival entries.
Log Line vs. Synopsis: Understanding the Difference
A log line is distinct from a synopsis. While a log line is a brief and punchy summary, a synopsis provides a more detailed overview of the story and its characters, usually spanning a few paragraphs but no more than a page. A synopsis often includes the log line but expands on it to give a fuller picture of the narrative.
Example Log Line for "The Godfather":
When a rival family exploits a powerful Mafia Don’s refusal to join the drug trade, his youngest son, yearning for a normal life, is drawn into a brutal underworld war, unleashing a darkness within him he never knew existed.
Example Synopsis for "The Godfather":
In 1945, war hero Michael Corleone returns home, determined to avoid his Mafia family's legacy. However, when a rival family attacks his father for not entering the drug trade, Michael is pulled into a violent world he hoped to leave behind. Despite his father's survival, Michael's quest for revenge leads him to eliminate those responsible, including a corrupt police captain, igniting a bloody war. Forced to flee to Italy, Michael finds temporary peace and love, only to be shattered by his brother's murder and his wife’s tragic death. Returning to New York, Michael orchestrates a masterful plan to eliminate his enemies, securing his place as the new Godfather.
Log Line vs. Tagline: Key Differences
A log line should not be confused with a tagline. A tagline is a catchy, memorable phrase created during the marketing phase of a project. Some famous taglines include:
Ghostbusters: Who You Gonna Call?
Titanic: Nothing on Earth Could Come Between Them
Ferris Bueller's Day Off: One Man's Struggle to Take It Easy
Superman: You'll Believe a Man Can Fly
The Dark Knight: Why So Serious?
The Social Network: You Don't Get to 500 Million Friends Without Making a Few Enemies
Crafting the Perfect Log Line
To create an engaging log line, follow these steps:
Identify the Inciting Incident: This is the event that disrupts the hero’s world.
Define the Hero: Describe the protagonist with compelling adjectives (e.g., "determined cop," "mastermind criminal"). Avoid using character names.
Add Irony: Introduce contrast or unexpected twists (e.g., a hero seeking a normal life but facing chaos).
Highlight the Core Conflict: Present the hero's main challenge or goal.
Introduce the Antagonist: Describe who or what opposes the hero.
Use strong verbs like "struggles" or "unleashes" to convey action and stakes. Ensure your log line sparks curiosity and intrigue without giving away too much.
Examples of Log Lines
Jurassic Park: A pragmatic paleontologist must protect children when cloned dinosaurs run loose in an almost complete theme park.
Inception: A thief who steals corporate secrets using dream-sharing technology is tasked with planting an idea in a CEO's mind, but his tragic past threatens the mission.
Avatar: A paraplegic Marine on a mission to Pandora must choose between following orders and protecting the world he feels is home.
The Game: A wealthy banker’s life is turned upside down when a mysterious game makes him question if it’s a conspiracy to destroy him.
Mad Max: Fury Road: In a post-apocalyptic wasteland, a woman rebels against a tyrannical ruler, aided by a group of female prisoners, a worshiper, and a drifter named Max.
Raiders of the Lost Ark: In 1936, archaeologist Indiana Jones is hired by the U.S. government to find the Ark of the Covenant before the Nazis.
Final Tips for Writing Log Lines
Creating a perfect log line requires time and multiple drafts to strike the right balance of information and intrigue. Test your log lines on colleagues and consider their feedback. Always leave the reader wanting more and never reveal the ending in your log line.
By Sal Framondi,
CEO/Founder, OPPRIME.tv
Producer, Black Filmmakers Matter
Black Filmmakers Matter celebrates the diverse voices and narratives of black filmmakers, offering a dynamic hub where every story finds its voice. Partnering with OPPRIME.tv, a leading video-on-demand platform, we empower independent filmmakers to reach a global audience. Our collaboration prioritizes film promotion and exposure, fostering impactful social and cultural discourse. Join us as we honor the creativity and resilience of filmmakers, navigating distribution challenges to achieve success.
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