A logline is a concise, engaging summary of a film, TV show, or any narrative-driven project. It distills the essence of the story into one or two compelling sentences, highlighting the protagonist, their goal, the central conflict, and what’s at stake. A strong logline is crucial for pitching projects to producers, agents, and investors. Here’s a guide to crafting an effective logline.

1. Key Elements of a Logline

A powerful logline typically includes the following elements:

• Protagonist – Who is the main character? What makes them unique?

• Inciting Incident – What event sets the story in motion?

• Goal – What does the protagonist want to achieve?

• Conflict – What obstacles do they face?

• Stakes – What is at risk if they fail?

2. Formula for Writing a Logline

One common structure for a logline is:

When [inciting incident] happens, [protagonist] must [goal] before [stakes] while facing [conflict].

Example:

• When a timid Hobbit discovers a powerful ring, he must embark on a dangerous journey to destroy it before a dark lord uses it to conquer the world.

3. Keep It Concise and Clear

A logline should be around 25-35 words. Avoid unnecessary details, subplots, or character names (unless the name itself is crucial, like Sherlock Holmes or James Bond). Focus on the core story.

4. Create a Hook

Your logline should spark curiosity. It should make people want to know more about the story. Consider:

• Using irony or contrast (e.g., "A ruthless assassin must protect a child.")

• Posing an intriguing dilemma (e.g., "What if your worst enemy was your only hope for survival?")

• Highlighting unique elements (e.g., "A man relives the same day over and over again, trapped in a time loop.")

5. Examples of Strong Loglines

• A young lion prince, cast out of his kingdom after his father’s murder, must reclaim his throne from his treacherous uncle. (The Lion King)

• A struggling actress and a jazz musician fall in love while chasing their dreams in Los Angeles, only to realize that success might mean sacrificing their relationship. (La La Land)

• A computer hacker discovers that reality is a simulation and must lead a rebellion to free humanity from its digital prison. (The Matrix)

6. Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Being too vague: "A man must overcome challenges to save the world." (Too generic – who is he? What challenges?)

• Including too much detail: "In a small town in 1955, a high school student named Marty McFly accidentally travels through time in a DeLorean invented by his eccentric scientist friend, Dr. Emmett Brown, and must ensure his parents fall in love or else he’ll cease to exist." (This can be streamlined.)

• Lack of stakes: "A detective investigates a case." (What happens if they fail?)

7. Final Tips

• Read loglines of successful films for inspiration.

• Test your logline on others – does it make them curious about the story?

• Rewrite and refine until it’s as strong and clear as possible.

A well-crafted logline is your story’s elevator pitch. With the right balance of intrigue, clarity, and stakes, it can capture the attention of industry professionals and get your project noticed.