Writing a Logline That Makes a Programmer Want to Watch

On a submission form, the logline is the first thing a screener reads. A strong one makes the film feel specific and alive; a weak one makes it blend into the pile.

A useful formula is who, wants what, but what stands in the way. "A shy ten-year-old wants to win the school talent show, but she has lost her voice" tells a reader the character, the goal and the obstacle in one breath.

Name the stakes, not the plot. Skip the middle of the story and avoid listing every scene. The reader needs a reason to care, not a summary.

Avoid vague words. "A heartwarming journey about friendship" could describe any film ever made. Concrete details — a place, an object, a problem — are what make a logline memorable.

Say it out loud. If you cannot say it in one breath to a friend, it is too long. Aim for 25 to 35 words, then cut again.

Write the logline before you shoot as well as after. If you cannot write one, the story may not be clear enough yet — and it is far cheaper to find that out at the script stage.