On this recent episode of Scriptnotes, the hosts discuss the topic of Loglines. They say that they previously avoided talking about Loglines because normally screenwriters don’t write them and they just aren’t that interested in them. However people kept asking them so they finally decided to answer. Loglines according to them are brief summaries of the plot of both Tv shows and movies. I previously had never heard the term “Logline” before so this is a new education for me. However the hosts explain that while loglines sometimes can help, they aren’t “the real thing” and therefore aspiring screenwriters shouldn’t be overly concerned about them. That “real thing” I am assuming is the full plot summary. I kind of agree with them here because, while it is good to have a brief summary to let people know the plot, it is more important for screenwriters to create the full story and plot for the idea to become a reality. The hosts also advice us not to be afraid to be brash, ambitious, or sneaky about loglines either because according to them most loglines aren’t competitive and are just “empty advertisements.” I think it was a wise decision on the part of the hosts to reassure up and coming screenwriters not to worry too much about loglines also.
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