ANY comments on the following LOGLINE for WHIPLASH: (One of Screencraft's 2014 AWARDS SEASON SCREENPLAYS) "Andrew Neiman is an ambitious young jazz drummer, single-minded in his pursuit to rise to the top of his elite east coast music conservatory. Plagued by the failed writing career of his father, Andrew hungers day and night to become one of the greats. Terence Fletcher, an instructor equally known for his teaching talents as for his terrifying methods, leads the top jazz ensemble in the school. Fletcher discovers Andrew and transfers the aspiring drummer into his band, forever changing the young man’s life. Andrew’s passion to achieve perfection quickly spirals into obsession, as his ruthless teacher continues to push him to the brink of both his ability—and his sanity."
Screenwriting : Logline by Shakir Hussein
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I agree with Sam - this reads more like a synopsis. Logline - one or (max) two sentences.
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With the help of an impassioned instructor; an ambitious but young jazz drummer aims to take on the world to prove his worth against the stigma of a soiled legacy. [30 words]
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Yes to all the above. The ideal logline is one sentence, or very occasionally a sentence fragment, and short enough that you can say it in one breath without gasping for air at the end. That's where the 30 words max suggestion comes from.
This is not my Logline nor my screenplay.. It is that of a winning screenplay submitted to a competition. The point is that for a lot of readers/judges this Logline is OK. Why is this so?
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Very true. Technically not a logline. Nice bit of work. And even more proof that format and rules are irrelevant in the face of great writing.
We can all agree, not a logline. We can also agree great work. So when someone says a bit of formatting will get your work thrown a cross the room or straight into the trash can. Send them a link to this post.
PS trust Aray, she writes good loglines.
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Like Aray said, It wasn't a logline - and it was written by an IMDb member and can be found in the summary section for the film Whiplash on IMDb.
The script for Whiplash adheres to formatting rules, and the film utilizes elements of drama that are common and essential to all great stories. (Nice try though, Craig D. Griffiths. Heh-heh.)
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A possible logline for Whiplash: A young jazz drummer's obsession with perfection and his instructor's ruthlessness tests the young man's hold on sanity.
Bill Costantini and anyone that would like a free writing class from the writer Chernobyl
https://johnaugust.com/2019/how-to-write-a-movie
You must listen to this. You can also download the transcript. You will never need anything else.
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I had no idea it was a short, first. Just watch the whole thing.
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Joleene DesRosiers I was listening to an interview and apparently they made the short to help get funding. Which worked.
The only impact was that they were nominated for best adapted screenplay, as the short existed prior to the feature.
Meanwhile, I just noticed this thread is FIVE YEARS OLD. :)
Craig Griffiths: I listened to it last week, and have been aware of his theories and beliefs for a long time. It sounds like you actually like them, since you are recommending them to others.
Oh no -.Craig is now a conformist? Say it isn't so, Craig - say it isn't so! Heh-heh. (But I am glad you are.)
Best fortunes in your creative endeavors, Craig!
Bill Costantini having no guiding principles would be an indication of insanity, as much as the fervent belief in something that has little truth in the real world.
I just choose to follow a path forged by award winning and the herald people that have come before me and not those watching them. As much as I love this echo chamber. Sometimes we need to hear a new song from the choir.
Craig: I understand. To each their own. It's no surprise to me that all of the reputable theorists and teachers - Daniel, Field, McKee, Walter, Snyder, Gulino, August, Mazin, etc. - have testimonials from successful writers, but like I said....to each their own. I embrace all the tools that I can, and am glad that you have found something that helps make you a better writer.
Best fortunes in your creative endeavors, Craig!