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Gemini SilverLogliner
When a controversial podcast host believes an invasion is coming on Halloween, his friends bring him to a party to get his mind off of the ridiculous theories; but when one of the host’s friends reads a spell from an ancient book that unleashes several deities, the host and his friends must survive the night to break the spell.
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>>>When a controversial podcast host believes an invasion is coming on Halloween, his friends bring him to a party to get his mind off of the ridiculous theories
All that is setup and foreshadowing.
>>>but when one of the host?s friends reads a spell from an ancient book that unleashes several deities,
This is the inciting incident that triggers the plot. And consequently, the event that should lead off the logline. Something like “As Halloween revelers amuse themselves by reciting a spell from an ancient book…”
I should think it as important to plant the ancient book and its import in the setup as the podcaster’s premonitions.
fwiw
I like it!
“When … believes”: I’d like to know specifically what makes him believe this. Who is the messenger? Is there a messenger? As I’m a sucker for a good Inciting Incident/Call To Adventure, I want to see that moment on the screen – and I want it to be powerful. “Believe” isn’t strong enough as an Event.
I am assuming that the host is the Hero. Other than being ‘controversial’, I’d like to know if he has a weakness/flaw that he needs to overcome, or that turns out to be a strength. Is he superstitious?
Finally – ‘spell’ stories are hard to tell/sell because the audience cannot reasonably foresee how the spell can be lifted. Often the spell is lifted when the main character changes their behaviour for the better, has learned something etc. In horror this may be slightly different, as the spell/antagonist often lives on beyond the movie…
All that said, I think it’s a fun setup with a plot promise we can easily visualise.
I hope this helps.
BTW – Welcome to Logline It, and thank you for posting & reviewing! 🙂
Gemini Silver:
The ancient book is indeed an effective prop for setting up the unleashing.? ? In this story,? it creates the dramatic problem and the protagonist?s objective goal.? However, the midpoint reversal (MPR) occurs long? after the dramatic problem has been set in motion and the protagonist has locked into his objective goal.
For information on the purpose and placing of the? MPR? check out Karel Segers? YouTube video on the MPR and? his article on turning points.
Logline Suggestion:
When a forewarning podcast host attends a Halloween party, his friend reads a spell from an ancient book that unleashes a pack of evil gods, where the host and party guests must survive the night to? break the spell.