Logline – Your Story in One Sentence

Setting - Where your story lives

Synopsis – The Summary of Your Story

Imagine this: you step into an elevator, and standing right next to you is a Netflix producer. You have 20 seconds before the doors open. They turn to you and ask:

. One sentence. No rambling, no backstory—just the 

If you can’t answer that cleanly, don’t worry. Most writers struggle here. But trust me—once you nail your logline, your whole story will click into place.

 is a one or two-sentence summary that captures:

, “If the logline doesn’t work, the movie doesn’t work.”

 Producers, studios, investors—this is the first thing they look at.

 Journalists, audiences, streaming platforms—they all encounter your story first through a logline.

) reminds us: if you can’t tell it in one sentence, you don’t yet know what you’re writing.

When [INCITING INCIDENT] occurs, a [PROTAGONIST] must [GOAL/CONFLICT], or else [STAKES].

"A blind pianist’s life is turned upside down when he unwittingly becomes the sole witness to a murder, pulling him into a dangerous web of deception where nothing is as it seems."

"A devoted father goes to extreme lengths to cover up an accidental crime and protect his family when the police start closing in on the truth."

"A pregnant woman arrives in Kolkata searching for her missing husband, only to uncover a chilling conspiracy that threatens her life and everything she believed to be true."

"Spanning generations, a relentless feud between rival crime families erupts in the coal mafia world of Wasseypur, where betrayal, power, and revenge dictate survival."

"A skilled thief who steals secrets through dream invasion must plant an idea into a target’s subconscious, or risk losing everything he loves."

"The aging patriarch of a crime dynasty transfers control to his reluctant son, whose moral struggle threatens to tear the family apart."

"A poor family schemes to infiltrate the household of a wealthy family, but their plan spirals into chaos when hidden secrets come to light."

"Wrongly imprisoned for murder, a man forms an unlikely friendship and clings to hope as he plans a daring escape over decades."

To really understand the difference, here’s a quick comparison:

 “A man tries to survive in difficult times.”

 “A washed-up boxer must win one last fight to pay off a deadly debt.”

 “A curious farm girl is swept away to a magical land and must defeat a wicked witch to return home.” (

See the difference? Specificity + stakes = engagement.

 “A blind pianist’s life is turned upside down” - We instantly know the hero and the irony.

 “When he unwittingly becomes the sole witness to a murder” - The exact event that ignites the story.

 “Pulling him into a dangerous web of deception” - Tells us what he’s up against.

 “Where nothing is as it seems” - Sets the tone and promises twists.

This single sentence holds the movie’s heart.

 What’s the biggest problem your protagonist faces?

 Is it irony, an unusual setting, or a fresh twist? Highlight it.

 If it sounds flat or confusing when spoken, it needs sharpening.

 Take your favorite films, write their loglines, and compare with the real ones.

👉 Pause for a second: think about your current story idea. Can you write a one-sentence logline for it right now?

 - if the reflection of my story looks blurry in one sentence, I know I need to keep shaping it.

) puts it: “The premise is the seed from which the story grows.”

So next time you’re working on a film idea - indie or mainstream, Indian or foreign - ask yourself:

Can I capture it in one irresistible line?

Because if you can, you’re already halfway to telling a story worth watching.

Happy writing!

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 of a film is not just where the story takes place—it shapes the mood, influences character decisions, and impacts the plot.