Loglines

Everyone agrees you need a great logline to get your screenplay 'in the door'. It's a plain and simple fact. And the shortest and most succinct are the best.

But when to write this all important logline? That is a subject I've seen debated all over the internet.

I, for one, think the logline should be written first. Others argue it should come after the script is done. My response to them is: Why wait? If you have a story that's just screaming to come out, why wait to write the logline. If you know what the story is about - the general 'gist' - then write it down. That's your logline!

Since nothing has been written, and your mind is telling you what the story is about, jot down the plot, protagonist, and threat that he or she needs to overcome. Viola! You have a logline.

Waiting to see how the story plays out on paper will only lead to an obtuse, unfocused logline that will leave the reader thinking your screenplay will also be unfocused. You risk alienating the reader from your story before the first word is read. That's not the way to start.

If you don't know the gist of your story before you start writing it, you're in trouble anyway. So why set yourself up for a meandering, rudderless screenplay whn you could have a guiding beacon - your logline - staring you down as you start down that pointless tangent.

Write the logline first, it will keep you focused on what your story was in the beginning. The result will be a well focused script in the end.