Logline

Definition and Craft

A logline is a one-to-two-sentence summary that encapsulates a story’s protagonist, goal, and core conflict. It distills the essence of a film into a brief, compelling pitch, often used in query letters, pitch meetings, and festival submissions. Effective loglines clearly identify stakes and character motivations, sparking curiosity without revealing every plot twist.

Crafting a logline requires precision: writers must choose active language, highlight unique elements, and maintain narrative clarity. For example, the logline for “Jaws” reads, “When a killer shark menaces a small resort town, the local sheriff, a marine scientist, and a grizzled fisherman set out to stop it before more lives are claimed.”

Importance and Examples

Loglines function as the gateway to a screenplay or pitch deck, influencing whether industry professionals request additional materials. They also serve as internal reference points during development, keeping creative teams focused on the story’s core conflict.

Studios and competitions often require loglines for submissions, making them critical tools for emerging filmmakers. Memorable loglines—such as “A man travels through time to save his wife from assassination” (“The Lake House”)—demonstrate the enduring power of concise storytelling in cinema.