What is a log line, and why are they bad?
Asked by: Michelle Stracener
A logline is a one sentence description of a film (same for a novel, though it’s called a “hook line“) that is designed to portray elements that comprise the interesting, unique, or “high concept” essence of the work. If written properly, it should induce the reader or potential audience to want to see the film.
What is a logline and why is it important?
A logline is a one-sentence summary or description of a movie. Loglines distill the important elements of your screenplay—main character, setup, central conflict, antagonist—into a clear, concise teaser. The goal is to write a logline so enticing that it hooks the listener into reading the entire script.
What is a logline example?
Examples of Effective Loglines
“The Godfather”: “The aging patriarch of an organized crime dynasty transfers control of his clandestine empire to his reluctant son.” “Reservoir Dogs”: “After a simple jewelry heist goes terribly wrong, the surviving criminals begin to suspect that one of them is a police informant.”
What is a log line in a treatment?
A logline is just a brief sentence (or two) that captures the general premise of your movie. In your log line, include who the protagonist is and what they’re up against in their world. This condensed summarization of the overall concept of your film should make the reader want to see the rest.
What is the logline for breaking bad?
Here’s the original BREAKING BAD logline: A chemistry teacher diagnosed with terminal lung cancer teams up with his former student to cook and sell crystal meth in order to provide for his family, his wife, disabled son, and newborn.
Why is it called a logline?
In the film industry, loglines possess a sense of such importance that it even has its own nickname. Both producers and writers use the term “Elevator Pitches”. The reason behind the name is that one can use a logline to provide a quick rundown or pitch in the time that it takes for one to use an elevator.
What is a logline summary?
A log line or logline is a brief (usually one-sentence) summary of a television program, film, or book that states the central conflict of the story, often providing both a synopsis of the story’s plot, and an emotional “hook” to stimulate interest.
How do you make a logline?
The Simple Guide to Writing a Logline
- Share the Core Concept, Not the Story.
- Start with a General Logline Structure.
- Stay Within 25-50 Words.
- Avoid Character Names.
- Search for Irony in Your Concepts.
- Write Multiple Options with Different Phrasing.
- Write the Logline Before the Script.
- Read Loglines on IMDb.
What are the key elements of a logline?
A well constructed logline typically has three narrative elements: Protagonist, Goal, Nemesis. If the story is a complex one, try to hit these three elements: Protagonist, Distinctive, Emotion. Always remember this: It’s a logline, not a longline. Its job is to sell the story, not tell the story.
How many words should a logline be?
35-45 words
A logline is a one-sentence outline of your film using only 35-45 words. It must be only one complete sentence. Any longer and it becomes a synopsis. Any shorter and it becomes a tagline.
Can a logline be a question?
It comes down to this: if you’re asking a question in the logline that’s supposedly answered by the plot in the accompanying screenplay, then why bother with the question in the logline; why not just describe what happens in the screenplay? That’s the good stuff.
Was Breaking Bad based on a true story?
Is Breaking Bad Based on the Real-Life Walter White? Despite popular belief, Breaking Bad didn’t take any inspiration from real-life stories of drug dealers. Rather, creator Vince Gillian first conceptualized the idea after working on The X-Files.
Why is Breaking Bad so good?
With unique dialogues and complex references to chemistry, this show is devoured by nerds who dream of a transformation like White himself, a mundane everyman to a stellar drug kingpin. The series is poetic from the very start to the end with brilliant wide-ranging imagery.
Why is it called Breaking Bad?
Even the title of the series has a special meaning. To Gilligan, the term “breaking bad” was a saying that is native to his home state of Virginia, meaning “raise hell.”A broader definition suggested that the phrase “break bad” is a colloquialism that meant “turn to a life of crime.”
Which is Better Game of Thrones or Breaking Bad?
When it comes down to Game of Thrones vs. Breaking bad, Game of Thrones has more average votes per episode than Breaking bad but Breaking bad has a higher average rating than Game of Thrones. The decisive factor is their frequency which sees Game of Thrones win by a landslide.
Is Breaking Bad best series ever?
Since its conclusion, the show has been lauded by critics as one of the greatest television series of all time. It had fair viewership in its first three seasons, but the fourth and fifth seasons saw a moderate rise in viewership when it was made available on Netflix just before the fourth season premiere.
What is the highest rated Breaking Bad episode?
Breaking Bad: The 15 Best Episodes, According To IMDb
- 8 Dead Freight (9.7) …
- 7 Granite State (9.7) …
- 6 Crawl Space (9.7) …
- 5 Full Measure (9.7) …
- 4 To’hajiilee (9.8) …
- 3 Face Off (9.9) …
- 2 Felina (9.9) …
- 1 Ozymandias (10.0)
Why is Breaking Bad so slow?
Pace : the pace of the story is slow. It takes entire seasons for something to actually happen. That is not good for binge watching. Direction : the direction is so precise it is clinical.
What show is as good as Breaking Bad?
11 Shows Similar to Breaking Bad
- The Wire.
- Boardwalk Empire.
- The Sopranos.
- The Shield.
- Weeds.
- Homicide:Life on the Streets.
- Sons of Anarchy.
- Deadwood.
Is Breaking Bad better than the wire?
Breaking Bad: Which One Wins? The Wire ultimately wins. Breaking Bad is a thoroughly engaging show, and I love every second of it.
Is Sopranos or Breaking Bad better?
But when it comes to Breaking Bad, the further away from Bryan Cranston the narrative gets, the less impressive the performances are. However, the acting in The Sopranos is top tier across the board, whether it’s Tony’s crew or the guest appearances from Steve Buscemi and others. Even the child acting is great.
Which is better Breaking Bad or narcos?
Breaking bad is better than narcos . Breaking bad is better because it is not a true story rather it’s an imaginary story which seems to be too much realistic and fascinating at the same point. They created interesting character and plot unlike narcos it was already available .
Is Ozark like Breaking Bad?
So sure, Ozark brilliantly paints moral corruption and the sheer allure of power, like Breaking Bad before it. But Ozark’s central truth is different. It’s not about the lies we tell others, but those we tell ourselves—in marriage, in parenthood, in friendships—and who we become at the end of the thousandth fib.
Is Breaking Bad based on Pablo Escobar?
Based on the true story of Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar (Wagner Moura), leader of the infamous Medellin cartel, comparisons to Breaking Bad are going to be hard to shake off.
Which should I watch first Narcos or Narcos?
How should viewers watch the ‘Narcos’ series? According to Narcos: Mexico showrunner Eric Newman, viewers can watch the series in any order. Although the spinoff series centers around the Mexican drug trade, the Netflix crime drama tells one story. So, viewers can watch the spinoff series first or vice versa.