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SimplyScripts Screenwriting Discussion Board    General Boards    Questions or Comments  ›  Location/Actors Information in Logline
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  Author    Location/Actors Information in Logline  (currently 3186 views)
Reef Dreamer
Posted: February 16th, 2012, 3:13pm Report to Moderator
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I know, I know, just as things calm down following the thread that not speak it's name, or as i fondly put it, The Cathartic Purge, i'm going to ask a questions thats going to cause a dispute. I can feel it in my waters!!

Ok, what is it?

Well, i was interested by the comment of Mr Zack Van Eyck, who recently made an appearance, about why he puts the actor and location information in an expanded logline. To quote he says;

The list of characters and locations is something I always include as part of the expanded logline.  Producers don't have time to read through a script to see if there might be a role for the actors they have in mind.  And they often have budget restraints or limited location availability.  They need to know right away if the script fits those requirements.  So I always include this information when I send or list a script somewhere where  a producer might come across it.  It's simply to help facilitate the potential sale of the script.

So, my dear friends, should we not consider this? Personally, i find this argument quite strong, IF you want your script to be picked up.

Now, so far, my scripts have little producer appeal as they are expensive and difficult. So, i don't think i would put this information in for them (maybe True Myth could pass) as for Falling Angels i would need a bomber squadron and a Cathedral to blow up!

However, i have a script in progress which is two people, largely one room. I think that is a selling point in terms of cost and accessibility and i would like to promote that fact.

Ok, enough of my rambling, what does everyone think?

cheers

(PS - if you do want to promote your work, and this helps, does it matter that a normal practice is
not adhered to and a few writers pass comment?)


My scripts  HERE

The Elevator Most Belonging To Alice - Semi Final Bluecat, Runner Up Nashville
Inner Journey - Page Awards Finalist - Bluecat semi final
Grieving Spell - winner - London Film Awards.  Third - Honolulu
Ultimate Weapon - Fresh Voices - second place
IMDb link... http://www.imdb.com/name/nm7062725/?ref_=tt_ov_wr
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Mr.Ripley
Posted: February 16th, 2012, 3:19pm Report to Moderator
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I think as a writer you can convey the requirements in a logline as opposed to saying it.

My thoughts
Gabe


Just Murdered by Sean Elwood (Zombie Sean) and Gabriel Moronta (Mr. Ripley) - (Dark Comedy, Horror) All is fair in love and war. A hopeless romantic gay man resorts to bloodshed to win the coveted position of Bridesmaid. 99 pages.
https://www.simplyscripts.net/cgi-bin/Blah/Blah.pl?b-comedy/m-1624410571/
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Scar Tissue Films
Posted: February 16th, 2012, 3:24pm Report to Moderator
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I personally think it's helpful.

In the past I've even suggested having a separate synopsis listing...so I can just skim read what the story is.

There appear to be an increasing number of serious people circling...anything that helps them can't hurt I would say.
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bert
Posted: February 16th, 2012, 3:25pm Report to Moderator
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I can see his point.

But I personally would not do it because I think it looks silly and pretentious.  (Though I reserve my right to change my mind in a few years when everybody starts doing it... )

In the big picture you either have a good script or you don't -- so this particular quirk probably matters quite little.


Hey, it's my tiny, little IMDb!
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mcornetto
Posted: February 16th, 2012, 3:36pm Report to Moderator
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I think if you're pimping the script to an agent and you think that will get you the sale you want then go for it.  However, I think that sort of informal banter about your script is more appropriate for a spoken pitch than a written pitch.  But if it works for you then it works. There is one thing I can say with certainty and that is it is not appropriate to include such information in your log line if you are looking for criticism on a screenwriting site.    
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rc1107
Posted: February 16th, 2012, 3:42pm Report to Moderator
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Quoted from reef dreamer who quoted Zack Van Eyck in the first place.
Producers don't have time to read through a script


Hey guys.  Just wanted to let you know I'm one step closer to finding out why movies have been so shitty lately.  I'll keep you posted on any further findings.

- Mark


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ghost and_ghostie gal
Posted: February 16th, 2012, 3:54pm Report to Moderator
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"In the universe, there's law and order, and everything has its rightful place."

To each his own...  but I would never do anything like that.


Ghostie


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Mr. Blonde
Posted: February 16th, 2012, 3:59pm Report to Moderator
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I'm with Ghostwriter on this one. I see no reason to make a logline any longer than it has to be. To me, a logline is basically a formal tagline. It should be as short as possible, while still getting across the info it has to.


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Heretic
Posted: February 16th, 2012, 5:26pm Report to Moderator
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Quoted from Scar Tissue Films

In the past I've even suggested having a separate synopsis listing...so I can just skim read what the story is.


I like this idea; something separate to the logline.  And the actor/location info could be included with this as well.  Would definitely be helpful to those seeking scripts for production.
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Electric Dreamer
Posted: February 16th, 2012, 6:54pm Report to Moderator
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Hey Reef,

I see where you're coming from, but for me, keeping options open is king.
Right next to story, of course.  
I don't want to pigeon hole someone if the story grabs them.

If someone loved the Lie Detector logline...
But was discouraged over the all male cast listing.
I could dissuade them right there from contacting me.
It could come off as pretentious or signal to them I'm not open to changes.
They may have a female action vehicle agenda in mind.  

So why confine the casting parameters?
If Gina Carano's people looked at Lie Detector and got excited...
You better believe when they call, I'll change Carson to Carla in a heartbeat!

Regards,
E.D.


LATEST NEWS

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is producing a short based on my new feature!

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Reef Dreamer
Posted: February 17th, 2012, 6:56am Report to Moderator
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Thanks everyone, hopefully we can have a useful debate on this.

First off i should have clarified the only reason for putting this information into an extended logline is because there is nowhere else on SS for this, as far as i know.

Even at MP there are sections for genre, cast size, production availability.

Not all scripts are here for promoting, but many are and that's a good aspect of SS. Why not make it more producer friendly?

If i may say, there does to appear a little difference between producers and writers, which i can understand.

Having read the replies and pondered this a bit more, i still like the idea. I can't see why, if put sensibly, any reader would be affected when reviewing the script.

An example of what i mean would be;

TRUE MYTH - When a secret military department is given the power of psychic foresight, they must quickly use this to avert an impending disaster. (Producer note; slapstick/spoof comedy, depending on structure/alterations would require  one or two locations and between four and seven actors)

Ok, not likely to be produced but an example.

Any harm in doing this?


My scripts  HERE

The Elevator Most Belonging To Alice - Semi Final Bluecat, Runner Up Nashville
Inner Journey - Page Awards Finalist - Bluecat semi final
Grieving Spell - winner - London Film Awards.  Third - Honolulu
Ultimate Weapon - Fresh Voices - second place
IMDb link... http://www.imdb.com/name/nm7062725/?ref_=tt_ov_wr
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Andrew
Posted: February 17th, 2012, 7:07am Report to Moderator
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I recall Rick mentioning this before.

It would surely do no harm to have some casting/location 'suggestions for producers.

Something like:

SIMPLY SCRIPTS MOVIE: Standard logline here.

Producer's note: Then a little about casting/location here.


Quoted Text

Hey Reef,

I see where you're coming from, but for me, keeping options open is king.
Right next to story, of course.  
I don't want to pigeon hole someone if the story grabs them.

If someone loved the Lie Detector logline...
But was discouraged over the all male cast listing.
I could dissuade them right there from contacting me.
It could come off as pretentious or signal to them I'm not open to changes.
They may have a female action vehicle agenda in mind.  

So why confine the casting parameters?
If Gina Carano's people looked at Lie Detector and got excited...
You better believe when they call, I'll change Carson to Carla in a heartbeat!

Regards,
E.D.


I'd say that producers are not scared of changing things around to suit requirements if the logline is compelling. If they stop reading based on the note, would they have really read it anyway? Not too sure they would've.


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mcornetto
Posted: February 17th, 2012, 7:41am Report to Moderator
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Quoted from Reef Dreamer

TRUE MYTH - When a secret military department is given the power of psychic foresight, they must quickly use this to avert an impending disaster. (Producer note; slapstick/spoof comedy, depending on structure/alterations would require  one or two locations and between four and seven actors)

Any harm in doing this?


To me, you seem to be confusing a log line and a pitch.  There is no harm in providing that information in a pitch.  However, it seems out of place to include that information if you call it a log line.  I know it's sort of just semantics but I think most anyone will agree with the last statement.
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leitskev
Posted: February 17th, 2012, 9:59am Report to Moderator
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When I first read this, I didn't understand. I thought you meant literally in the logline. But you mean just including it in the SS space available to logline. That seems like a good idea.

One option is to do what I did with Tap. I gave Don 2 links: one for the script, one for a 1 page pitch sheet. On the pitch sheet, I have the log, a brief pitch, and brief synopsis. I actually did not think to put down characters or production information, but you could easily put it there. I have no idea how many people click that link, maybe no one. There are no stats on it.
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Dreamscale
Posted: February 17th, 2012, 11:20am Report to Moderator
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Quoted from rc1107
Hey guys.  Just wanted to let you know I'm one step closer to finding out why movies have been so shitty lately.  I'll keep you posted on any further findings.


I'll second and third this, Mark.  Well put...and so true.

To think that a "producer" would choose a script based on location and actors, and not even care if it's good or well written, or...oh fuck it.  I don't want to get started again.

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