logline

noun

log·​line ˈlȯg-ˌlīn 

ˈläg-

variants or less commonly log line or log-line

plural loglines also log lines or log-lines

: a simple synopsis of a screenplay, film, novel, etc. that is used for pitching (see pitch entry 3 sense 3c) or promotion

You're not telling a story in a logline. You're presenting the core concept of your script. You don't need to delve into twists, character arcs, and plot. You're simply conveying the core idea—the initial seed from that which the plot, characters, twists, turns, and ensuing conflict grows.

—Ken Miyamoto

The new series "tells the story of one year within the walls of the palace of a modern European regime as it begins to unravel," according to its official logline.

—Charna Flam

There are many formats you can use to write a good logline. (The one I currently use is: "When _____ happens to [your hero], he must do _____ in order to solve his problem.)"

—Linda Venis

[Brad] Pitt himself gave [screenwriter Steve] Conrad producing notes to help push the narrative beyond the surface gimmick. … But in spite of its bankable star and juicy log line, the film never went into production.

—Yohana Desta

Examples of logline in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

So reads the logline for North South Man Woman, a film getting its world premiere at the 32nd edition of the Sheffield DocFest on Friday. —Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 16 June 2025

The sentimentality of the logline is undercut by Burnett’s dreamlike evocations of girlhood. —Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 14 June 2025

The Season 3 logline reads: The American Gilded Age was a period of immense economic and social change, when empires were built, but no victory came without sacrifice. —Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 12 June 2025

The brothers, who work closely with U.S. Treasury Deputy Director Marybeth Medina (Cynthia Addai-Robinson) uncover a deadly conspiracy and become targets of a ruthless network of killers who will stop at nothing to keep their secrets buried, per to the film's official logline. —Amaris Encinas, USA Today, 2 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

log entry 1 + line entry 1, originally in reference to the line in a TV program log that summarizes the plot of a show

First Known Use

1982, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for logline

• affine
• airline
• align
• aline
• assign
• baseline
• beamline
• benign
• bloodline
• bovine
• byline
• canine