The February Logline Competition results are in. The caliber of submissions stepped up a level this month, and we’re very excited about the top loglines. Check out these great examples of how to write a logline:
THE WINNER
This month’s winner was Colin Costello with his logline for TAGGED, a horror:
“The popular teen daughter of a disgraced Georgia sheriff must stop an Emoji-mask-wearing killer who uses social media to hunt her friends and tag her in pictures of their gruesome deaths.”
We love this logline because it feels original and also perfectly suited to today. This logline has great layers, and it has the potential to be the Scream for a new generation.
About Colin (@colincostello10 – [email protected] – colincostello.com)
Colin Costello is a produced WGA writer. His theatrical family comedy The Stream, starring Rainn Wilson and Kelly Rutherford enjoyed a theatrical release in 2013. He has written two episodes for a new educational series on PBSKids called Moochie Kalala Detectives Club. Most recently, he was hired to ghostwrite a horror script and re-write a family sci-fi feature from Dreaming Tree Films called, Traveling Without Moving. When not writing, he enjoys bragging about his two daughters and rooting for his Philadelphia sports teams. He is currently seeking representation.
THE FINALISTS
First up, we have John Tetzlaff with his logline for THE LONG NIGHT, a sci-fi:
“In the distant future, a disgraced soldier must bring a scientist from the past to the wasteland of Earth, for only she can stop a resurgent AI hell-bent on eradicating humanity.”
This logline is well-constructed, layered, and it gives just enough detail to pull the reader in. It feels cinematic, commercial, and uses compelling language at every turn.
About John ([email protected])
John Tetzlaff is an electrical engineer from Chicago who has been writing fiction (mainly science fiction and fantasy) as a hobby for over twenty years. He’s recently been focused on screenwriting and his latest project, The Long Night, is progressing nicely. When he isn’t troubleshooting circuits, trying his wife’s patience, or writing, John is an avid tabletop gamer, long distance runner (training for Chicago starts in a few weeks), brewer, and painter.
Next, we have Lowman Hatfield with his logline for ROCK DAMNATION, a comedy:
“The guitar that brought the world rock and roll has been stolen from Lucy Fir, Queen of Hell, and now Lucy must clash with demons and her ex throughout the French Quarter to get the guitar back before rock and roll is lost forever.”
Totally original, fun, and high concept. It’s not every day you can root for the Queen of Hell, but this sounds like an entertaining exception.
About Lowman (@Lowmanhatfield – [email protected] – YouTube)
Lowman Hatfield is an information assurance engineer living and writing in northern Virginia. He is currently utilizing his love of movies and music to complete his first script, Rock Damnation.
HONORABLE MENTION
Finally, we have Chris Michael Burns with his logline for SOMETHING COMING, a horror/comedy:
“When a rogue fertility scientist unleashes a giant, acid-spewing penis, a pair of misfit teen girls recruit their vivacious sex-ed teacher to help them destroy it.”
We don’t usually include an honorable mention, but Chris’s logline was just too perfect not to share. This idea feels unlike anything we’ve ever seen and just plain hysterical. There’s little to no chance a movie like this could ever get made, but it could make an amazing, contest-winning sample script.
About Chris (@toemichaelburns – [email protected])
Chris Michael Burns is a cinephile, playwright, and screenwriter based in Toronto. His mind thinks in plot points and he begins every project with a title. His favorite film is Shock Treatment, and he is a student of the art of satire.
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The March Logline Competition is now open for entries. Enter today!
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