What is a Log Line?
A log line is a concise, compelling summary of a story designed to captivate the reader's imagination. Typically used for TV shows, films, and novels, a log line serves as a producer's or publisher's first impression of your work. A well-crafted log line can hook them, sparking interest and potentially leading to your script or novel being greenlit. It's also useful for getting into screenplay competitions or film festivals.
Is a Log Line a Synopsis?
No, a log line is different from a synopsis. While a log line is brief and to the point, a synopsis is more detailed, usually spanning a few paragraphs but no more than a page. A synopsis provides a comprehensive overview of the story and characters and may include the log line.
Example of a Log Line for "The Godfather":
When a rival family exploits a powerful Mafia Don’s refusal to enter 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 of a Synopsis for "The Godfather":
In 1945, war hero Michael Corleone returns home, hoping to escape his powerful Mafia family’s shadow. When a rival family targets his father for not joining the drug trade, Michael is thrust into a violent world he wanted to leave behind. Despite his father’s survival, Michael’s quest for vengeance 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 until his brother’s murder and his wife’s tragic death bring him back to New York, where he orchestrates a masterful takedown of his enemies, securing his place as the new Godfather.
Is a Log Line a Tagline?
A log line is not the same as a tagline. A tagline is developed during the marketing phase and is often catchy and memorable. 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
How to Craft the Perfect Log Line
To create a compelling log line, follow these steps:
Identify the Inciting Incident: The event that disrupts the hero’s world.
Define the Hero: Describe the protagonist with strong adjectives (e.g., "determined cop," "mastermind criminal").
Add Irony: Create contrast or unexpected twists (e.g., a hero wanting a normal life but getting entangled in chaos).
Highlight the Core Conflict: Present the hero's main challenge or goal.
Introduce the Antagonist: Describe who or what the hero is up against.
Use powerful verbs like "struggles" or "unleashes" to convey action and stakes. Ensure your log line sparks curiosity and intrigue without revealing 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 Note on Log Lines
Crafting a perfect log line takes time. You might go through several drafts to get the right balance of information and intrigue. Test your log lines on colleagues and heed their feedback. Remember, never reveal the ending in your log line.
By Sal Framondi,
CEO/Founder, OPPRIME.tv
Producer, Black Filmmakers Matter
Distribution plays a crucial role in the success of independent filmmakers, and OPPRIME.tv offers an excellent opportunity for these creators to present their work to a global audience. By collaborating with OPPRIME.tv, independent filmmakers gain access to a specialized distribution platform that focuses on promoting and exposing their films. This collaboration enables filmmakers to reach a broader audience, generate substantial revenue, establish important industry connections, build a solid reputation, and contribute to social and cultural discussions. OPPRIME.tv empowers independent filmmakers by giving them the tools to share their unique stories, spark meaningful conversations, and make a lasting impact on the world of filmmaking. Partnering with OPPRIME.tv helps independent filmmakers overcome distribution challenges and seize growth and success opportunities in the industry.
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