What Is a Logline?
A logline is a one-to-two sentence summary of your screenplay that captures the essence of your story. It answers three critical questions:
- Who is the protagonist?
- What do they want?
- What stands in their way?
The Formula
The most effective loglines follow this structure:
When [INCITING INCIDENT], a [PROTAGONIST] must [OBJECTIVE], or else [STAKES].
Examples That Worked
- Jaws: "A police chief, a marine scientist, and a fisherman set out to kill a great white shark terrorizing a beach community."
- The Matrix: "A computer hacker learns that reality as he knows it is a simulation and joins a rebellion against the machines controlling humanity."
Common Mistakes
- Too vague: "A man goes on a journey of self-discovery." — What kind of journey? What's at stake?
- Too detailed: Cramming subplot details into the logline
- No conflict: If there's no antagonist or obstacle, there's no story
Your Logline Checklist
- ✅ Contains an active protagonist
- ✅ Has clear, specific stakes
- ✅ Creates a sense of urgency
- ✅ Is under 30 words
- ✅ Makes someone want to read more
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