Why Every Filmmaker Needs a Strong Logline—and How to Create One
What’s your film about?
It’s a simple question, but as filmmakers, we often struggle to give a concise answer.
This is where a logline becomes invaluable.
A logline is a one- or two-sentence summary of your film that conveys its core story, themes, and hook.
Crafting a strong logline isn’t just a writing exercise—it’s a crucial tool that guides your creative process and serves as the perfect pitch to producers, collaborators, and even your audience.
In this post, I’ll explain why a great logline matters, show you how to create one, and share examples from my own independent film WITH LOVE.
Plus, as part of my filmmaking journey, I’m sharing resources to help you craft your own loglines.
What Is a Logline?
A logline is a concise summary of your film’s premise that answers these key questions:
Who is the protagonist?
What is their goal?
What are the stakes or obstacles?
For example:
"The Shawshank Redemption": A banker wrongly convicted of murder forms a transformative friendship with a fellow inmate, all while secretly plotting his escape from prison.
"Get Out": A young Black man visits his white girlfriend’s family estate, where a dark secret about their motives slowly unravels.
A good logline hooks the listener, sparking curiosity and excitement to learn more about your story.
Why a Logline Matters
1. Clarifies Your Film’s Core Concept
Creating a logline forces you to distill your film’s story into its essential elements.
If you can’t summarize your movie in one or two sentences, your concept might need more focus.
Example:
For WITH LOVE, my initial concept felt scattered. Writing a logline helped me zero in on the emotional arc of my protagonist and clarified the stakes of the story.
2. Guides Your Creative Process
Your logline acts as a blueprint, keeping your story on track during development and production.
Every creative decision—from writing scenes to designing visuals—should tie back to the core premise outlined in your logline.
Example:
When revising the screenplay for WITH LOVE, I used my logline as a litmus test. If a scene didn’t align with the protagonist’s goal or the story’s central conflict, it was cut or reworked.
3. Sells Your Film to Others
A strong logline is your most powerful tool for pitching your film.
Whether you’re meeting with producers, potential collaborators, or distributors, your logline is your elevator pitch—it needs to grab attention fast.
🎬 Review Real Production Documents
Writing a strong logline can feel daunting, but you don’t have to do it alone.
As part of my filmmaking journey with WITH LOVE, review the loglines that I created to help you craft a logline that captures your story’s essence and grabs attention.
👉 Sign up now to download those production documents and start pitching your film with confidence!
This post includes a video walkthrough, and real production document to review for paid subscribers.
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How to Create a Compelling Logline
Follow these steps to craft a logline that stands out:
