Understanding the Importance of a Strong Logline

Reader Question: What constitutes an outstanding logline?

The answer is simple: Concept. Clarity.

Kindra, a reader, inquired via Twitter:

@GoIntoTheStory This is excellent advice. What type of logline catches your eye? What makes one exceptional?

Your question, Kindra, is the million-dollar inquiry. Believe it or not, a logline can be worth hundreds of millions to a studio, serving as the bedrock for everything that follows: script development, casting, marketing strategies, merchandising, sequels, franchises, and more.

First, let’s delve into the function of loglines. I previously analyzed a prominent agency's guidelines regarding loglines on Go Into The Story. According to the document, a logline is a succinct one-sentence summary of the script's premise and plot. It should clearly depict the protagonist's situation and highlight any significant story elements.

Clarity is crucial. A logline should generally encapsulate the script without getting bogged down in specifics. The repeated emphasis on "concise" is no accident. Professionals in the film industry have hectic schedules and limited attention spans. Thus, an effective logline is one that communicates its message in the briefest and most direct manner possible.

Next, we arrive at the concept of "high concept." While it may not be as trendy as it once was, a compact and distinctive story is far more likely to pique interest compared to a complicated, sprawling idea.

What exactly is "high concept"? It refers to a story idea that can be conveyed in just one or two lines. A high-concept film should present a clear, simple, and fundamental idea.

We can further dissect this by discussing the notion of a story conceit, which we define as the "central premise of the story." For instance, in K-9, the premise revolves around a human cop teaming up with a canine counterpart. In Inception, it’s about individuals entering others' dream worlds. Groundhog Day features the concept of a character reliving the same day repeatedly.

What kind of logline captures my attention? To start, it must feature a strong story conceit.

Another essential element is a clear emotional core that resonates with a broad audience. How does your logline evoke emotion?

Finally, we have the six-word test, which I learned from my conversation with screenwriter Daniel Kunka:

Scott: You followed that up with the spec script "Agent Ox" in March of 2011, which was sold to Columbia. It’s described as a human spy on an alien planet trying to thwart an invasion of Earth. What inspired that concept?

Daniel: Sheer desperation. Despite the success of 12 Rounds — which got me into the guild and provided health insurance — the industry constantly demands, "What can you do for me now?" At that time, I wasn’t in a position where studios were lining up to work with me. The film didn’t perform well, so even though I had some recognition, I still needed fresh ideas.

For a few years, I attempted to replicate the success of 12 Rounds. I penned a few action-thrillers akin to Taken, but they weren’t true to my voice. While the scripts were decent, they garnered little interest. I received plenty of "this is great" feedback, but that was it. My earlier success with 12 Rounds led me down the path of trying to take shortcuts, hoping for another lucky break, but it didn’t happen.

That experience taught me a valuable lesson: I wasn't writing authentically. I was trying to conform to what I believed Hollywood wanted. And Hollywood can be a capricious mistress. So, Agent Ox was my response, a return to the essence of the script Copies I wrote years prior. It was a big, entertaining genre piece. While it was still marketable and aimed at Hollywood, it represented my voice rather than a diluted version of someone else's vision.

This decision significantly shaped my identity as a writer. After four years of college and eight more in the industry, I had a film produced but didn’t fully understand my own voice until I began work on Ox. The original concept was straightforward. I compiled a document titled "High Concept Story Ideas," brainstorming for two or three days. The final idea in that document was the six-word phrase "Human Spy on an Alien Planet," and I knew that was the one.

I often joke that those six words changed my career and perspective on screenwriting, but it’s entirely true. I started writing just three weeks before my son was born, completed it during late-night feedings, and sold it ten days before my WGA health insurance expired. While the first sale is always memorable, it’s the second that makes you realize you can pursue this as a career.

Scott: That six-word concept really emphasizes distilling high concepts so they’re easily understood. It’s crucial since those on the receiving end are often busy; having that concise description is vital, right?

Daniel: Absolutely. Many people resist this idea, believing it diminishes creativity, but this is the reality of the industry. To write at a studio level, you must convey grand ideas in straightforward language. This clarity helps specs ascend through the ranks. If an assistant loves your script, that six-word concept aids them in pitching it to their boss, who then presents it to producers, who in turn sell it to the studio and marketing teams, ultimately leading to a global audience.

Even for independent films, what are those six words that differentiate your project from others? While I don’t want to undermine the craft of storytelling, character development, dialogue, conflict, and emotion, I think emerging writers often overlook the broader perspective.

Taking K-9 as an example: Headstrong cop. New partner. Police dog. Boom. You understand the film.

Returning to the initial question, here are three exemplary loglines from spec scripts that sold recently:

1. Once a year globally, people lock themselves indoors to fend off the senseless and random attacks by Grims. Tonight's the night. — The Grims
2. A 7-year-old girl accidentally misspells "Santa" and invites Satan to bring her a toy for Christmas — and he does. — Dear Satan
3. A dog will go to any lengths to ensure its owner chooses wisely between two eligible young women. — My Owner's Wedding

When crafting a logline, focus on selling the story rather than simply recounting it. Identify the central conceit and build your logline around it. This approach is most likely to resonate with potential buyers.

What stellar movie or script loglines have you encountered lately? Please share your thoughts in the comments.

Comment Archive

For hundreds more articles in the Reader Question series, click here.

Chapter 2: Insights from Industry Experts

The first video offers three valuable tips for enhancing character transformation in storytelling, using the film Legends of the Fall as a reference.

Chapter 3: Transforming Data into Compelling Narratives

The second video discusses how to convert data into captivating stories, emphasizing the significance of storytelling in all forms of communication.