Plotlines vs. Loglines

From the Nitty Gritty to the 30,000-ft View

When you’re script is done and even before, when you’re in the middle of writing, if you tell someone that you’re working on a script, the first question they ask is: “What’s it about?” Your answer is the logline of your movie.

For those who aren’t sure what a logline is — a good logline is a quick and compelling summary of the main character, underlying drama and the unique setting of your script.

For more information, you can find hundreds of discussions and examples online. For me, one of the best explanations of what makes a good logline is in “Save the Cat” by Blake Snyder.

A logline is an essential part of turning an idea into a script. It helps a writer focus his or her story. It fosters confidence and enthusiasm in that idea. And it allows a writer to communicate the concept of their ideas to others.

While loglines serve a valuable purpose, they also have their limitations.

A Logline is a Selling Tool.

The perfect logline is the secret sauce everyone in Hollywood is chasing: that one sentence that will sell the movie. Writers, Directors, Producers, Studio Execs who develop scripts and ideas will always want to boil down their ideas to that defining essence: “What is the logline?”