Screenwriting : What first: full screenplay or logline? by Carine San Juan

Depends how your brain works. I find a logline is good once I get going to make sure I understand what I am looking at.

I start with what people would call an outline. I start with dot points and this document will morph into a script.

Agree with Craig. It’s completely based on your personal style of working. But keep in mind that neither the script nor the logline will be

Lol sorry… … will be 100% ready to go on the first draft. They’ll both evolve as your story develops.

Thank you for your replies, I now need to figure out what to post where to get feedback, it's a journey so let's make it interesting and fun :)

Yes, a logline can have two purposes: 1) to help the writer find the core point of the story as part of the preparation process of writing the screenplay and 2) as a marketing tool, a pitching device to help sell your script to the right people.

Agree, with Craig D Griffiths, it does depend on the individual writer, really. If you're naturally a plotter, then I imagine you'll get a lot out of developing a logline to act as a a kind of compass or guide for your developing story. If you're more of a pantser, then this may feel too restrictive. And as Brian rightly said, if you're writing the logline as a guide to the writing, then this will unlikely remain fixed throughout the process, but will evolve.

If you'd like any more focused help when it comes to logline creation (or indeed anything else writing-related) then do by all means get in touch. I've a logline helpsheet that might prove useful to you.

I'd say logline comes last. It's a selling reference, like putting a preference tag to the brand new convertible hybrid uwe just manufactured. First and foremost u need to have an outline, something to tell you have all components of a good story...I'm in the middle of writing my third treatment this year only...two former fell apart as not all aspects of a sustainable story were present to even start gathering a script...both have pretty cool loglines, through :)

In an ideal world, logline, synopsis, outline then the screenplay. A lot of screenwriters ditch the logine and outline, dive straight in, get lost, blame writer's block, power through, send their script out into the world, and if they get feedback are startled at the notes they receive.

Phil's point is correct about the story's core - if you can articulate your concept in a logline format, you can test if it has a compelling dramatic structure and hook.

My award winning screenplay began as a logline. It won a logline contest and spurred me to turn it into a screenplay.

Yes, I can imagine that @Barry

Carine, I start out with a logline. Then I come up with six plot points (a short synopsis, if you will). Next, I make a combination outline/scene list...a list built around the six plot points.

Afterwards, I write the screenplay itself...and I don't create a long synopsis until the screenplay's finished (okay, until I've typed "FADE OUT" in the script).

Glad you're here on Stage 32, Carine! All the VERY BEST to you!

Script. I have an idea for a script. I usually have the plot fleshed out all the way to the end before I write one single line of outline.

The logline gets written last; although by that time the I have known for weeks what the story is about.

I do agree with some others that the logline may change as you develop your script.

Early on in development, I try to formulate an appealing logline. And since I began film as a poster designer, I also put a lot of thought into visualizing a poster and universal theme which will potentially sell the project to fans and distributors.

Depends how you approach the story. If it's a historical event, then you likely already know the logline. For an original story as you're just beginning the script, I'd say there's a good chance it'll change along the way.

You write the script first, because there's value in having a written script even if the logline isn't compelling. You can and will change the script over time, but you will always have something of value to show. A logline without a script carries no value.

What first? My opinion only - a short script. You'll still need a basic logline to identify your story's concept/journey - but don't sweat the details as it will change during the writing process.

Typically you have to be an established writer with a track record to be able to pitch something with just a logline and a one-pager.

Many times I start with the log line, but the story morphs into something a little different.

Erik A. Jacobson I totally get the visual aspect, I also have the "poster" in my head :)

Last year, my producing partner and I got a funding offer on the back of a two page synopsis I'd written that morning. We're actually in pre-production on that movie right now and scheduled to shoot in the fall.

Thing is, you need to be in a well connected position to be able to do that.

For most writers trying to break in, who are churning out specs, they are operating in a vacuum and may as well just get on with drafting those specs as efficiently as possible.

That all said, I do think it's always worth having loglines and short synopses ready for your best concepts, just incase someone you trust asks you what other ideas you have.

When trying to drum up interest in a script, having a one page summary is important. That page has a logline, then a short summary, and then some bio info on you and any other people connected to the project. Logline alone doesn’t say enough about the characters, theme, or the quality of your writing.

For me, always the logline first as it helps me test the idea - is it a movie I'd want to see (and write)? Also helps me choose the next project to work on, which one do I like the best? Can evolve, but usually the core idea remains the same.