1. Posted: October 22, 2017In:

    When a magic notebook that kills who has a name written on it falls in the hand of a student that uses it to kill criminals, the law enforcement must find a way to stop him.

    dpg Singularity

    I suggest we have to be careful not to compare apples to oranges: the hit series was adapted "A Song of Ice and Fire" series of fantasy novels by George R. R. Martin's, the first of which is A Game of Thrones.? ?There was no need to worry about simplifying? a? complicated tangle of story lines or siRead more

    I suggest we have to be careful not to compare apples to oranges: the hit series was adapted “A Song of Ice and Fire” series of fantasy novels by George R. R. Martin’s, the first of which is A Game of Thrones.? ?There was no need to worry about simplifying? a? complicated tangle of story lines or singling out a protagonist from a cast of thousands for the purpose of a logline.? The success of the fantasy series WAS the hook that sold it as a movies series — not a logline.

    I don’t think the usual logline rules and requirements apply –or may even be necessary — for adapted material with a proven track record of commercial success.

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  2. Posted: October 21, 2017In:

    When his friend is kidnapped by ruthless thugs, an ex con trying to get his life together, must save her using ninja skills accidentally acquired through a backyard sobriety experiment. Comedy/Drama

    dpg Singularity

    What's the hook of the story?? A friend gets kidnapped?? Or a drunk mysteriously/magically acquires ninja skills as the unintended side effects of an experimental therapy (or drug?) intended to help him recover sobriety?I say lead with the hook even if it's not technically the "inciting incident".?fRead more

    What’s the hook of the story?? A friend gets kidnapped?? Or a drunk mysteriously/magically acquires ninja skills as the unintended side effects of an experimental therapy (or drug?) intended to help him recover sobriety?

    I say lead with the hook even if it’s not technically the “inciting incident”.?

    fwiw

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  3. Posted: October 22, 2017In:

    When a magic notebook that kills who has a name written on it falls in the hand of a student that uses it to kill criminals, the law enforcement must find a way to stop him.

    dpg Singularity

    Moviefreak81:"Classics" is now "Examples". So you've posted it in the right place.And it's an interesting choice. IMDB lists both a manga series and a feature film with the same hook: a magical notebook that is a death sentence for whoever's name is written it.But the feature film takes a differentRead more

    Moviefreak81:

    “Classics” is now “Examples”. So you’ve posted it in the right place.

    And it’s an interesting choice. IMDB lists both a manga series and a feature film with the same hook: a magical notebook that is a death sentence for whoever’s name is written it.

    But the feature film takes a different tack with the plot than the manga series. In the feature film the objective goal of the boy who discovers the notebook’s power is altruistic,? to rid the world of criminals.

    This is a excellent example of the primacy of the hook in a logline. How a potent hook can be be the launching platform for multiple plots that go in different directions.

    Indeed, I read of scripts that have been read and sold primarily on the strength of the hook, regardless –? even despite the plot. If the producer loves the hook, but hates the plot, he? can simple acquire the rights and hire a rewrite to suit his preference. So it seems that in terms of marketing a script, a great hook can overcome a bad plot.?

    But is the inverse also possible?? Can a great plot overcome a bad hook?

    I haven’t seen either the series or the film. My only quibble question with this logline is: in the manga series how does”the law enforcement” translate into a lead investigator, IOW: a specific protagonist?

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