What's the secret to crafting a killer logline and synopsis for your film script?

1 What is a logline?

A logline is a one-sentence description of your film script that answers the question: what is your story about? It usually includes the protagonist, the antagonist, the main conflict, the genre, and the tone of your script. A good logline should be clear, concise, and catchy, and should intrigue your reader to want to know more. For example, here's the logline for The Matrix: A computer hacker learns from mysterious rebels about the true nature of his reality and his role in the war against its controllers.

2 What is a synopsis?

A synopsis is a brief summary of your film script that covers the main plot points, characters, and themes. It usually ranges from one to five pages, depending on the length and complexity of your script. A good synopsis should be coherent, engaging, and consistent, and should showcase your writing style and voice. For example, here's the first paragraph of the synopsis for The Matrix: Thomas Anderson is a computer programmer by day and a hacker by night, known as Neo. He is contacted by Trinity, a mysterious woman who tells him that a man named Morpheus can reveal the truth about the world he lives in.

3 How to write a killer logline

Creating an outstanding logline is not an easy task, but it can be achieved with a bit of practice and ingenuity. Start with the protagonist and their ambition - who are they and what do they desire? Then, add the antagonist and the conflict - what or who is stopping them from achieving their goal and what are the repercussions? Furthermore, specify the genre and the tone - what kind of movie is it and how will it make viewers feel? Additionally, use active and descriptive language, avoiding passive verbs, generic words, and overused phrases. Finally, test your logline by reading it aloud, seeking feedback, and comparing it to other loglines in your genre.

4 How to write a killer synopsis

Writing a killer synopsis is a difficult task, but it can be done with the right approach. To ensure your synopsis hooks your reader, you should follow the three-act structure and focus on the main characters and their arcs. Introduce the protagonist and antagonist, their flaws and motivations, and show how they transform. It's also important to highlight the underlying message or lesson of your story and how it relates to the genre and tone of your script. When writing your synopsis, use present tense and third person to describe the events as if they are happening right now. Lastly, proofread and edit your synopsis for any errors in grammar, spelling, punctuation, or formatting. Make sure that it is clear, concise, and consistent.

5 Common mistakes to avoid

Crafting a great logline and synopsis for your film script can be a challenge, but it is possible. To make a good impression and encourage readers to read your script, make sure to give enough information to entice them without spoiling the surprises. Avoid using questions or rhetorical devices, generic terms, or phrases that could apply to any story in your genre. Additionally, ensure that the logline and synopsis match the genre, tone, and style of your script and don't contradict or misrepresent it. With these tips in mind, you can write a logline and synopsis that will capture readers' attention and make them want to read more.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?