Hey, I often peruse the logline section of this site. I read some, I write some. I see that others will comment on them, sparsely, and they will rate them, "sometimes." Then, it occurred to me that, once each logline has run the page, as new ones are added, then they are relegated to page 2, 3, etc.. I wondered if there were a way to cycle loglines back through for a fresh pair of eyes.
Then I thought, "Who's actually looking at these loglines?" The only logical answer I could come up with on my own was that they are viewed by peers. Other "screenwriters" that are either looking to view these posts or looking to post themselves. My next though or question was, "Why are we posting these loglines? Is it to gain viewership among our peers? Perhaps to get seen by someone that could help make that logline into a developed screenplay and or film project." Sounds reasonable, doesn't it? Can we actually find collaboration this way? I'm not sure at this point.
Collaboration is a two-way street. It seems as though most of us are waiting on something. Waiting on opportunity to find (discover) us. I see that there are a lot of individuals that are or have worked in areas other than just acting or screenwriting. But are they truly looking to working with screenwriters or other actors or are they here doing the same, waiting? I see "producers", "directors", "various executives", however very little movement between these individuals and the "content creators."
Now, I could be wrong about all this, but as they say, "perception is reality." So based on what I have perceived, that is the reality that I have come to understand. Believe me, I know this turned out to be a longer post then I intended. There was so much to say and I still have not said it all. However, one question I did want to pose, which is the seed question that prompted me to write this post is, "What specifically is the purpose of the logline section?"
I realized that lead into a broader line of questions like essentially, "What is the purpose of this website?" I'm not actually complaining about it. I have read some bad reviews about it and the paid services that are offered. I have not paid for a single service on the site. My intention was to grow a network of like minded individuals for the purposes of collaboration. Although I have not seen any fruits of that network to date, I still want to keep all channels open just in case. You never know what your path can be limited to if you burn your bridges.
I do want to press this matter for those that read this post and may have had some of the same questions. Collaboration goes both ways. If you're waiting on something to just land in your lap, don't because it won't. Sometimes you have to make things happen.
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Great post, Donte Burks! I'm glad you made it. Some other people might be thinking the same thing(s).
"I wondered if there were a way to cycle loglines back through for a fresh pair of eyes." When you updated your logline (or synopsis or script), your logline gets pushed to the top of the Browse Logline page.
"Who's actually looking at these loglines?" Sometimes it's screenwriters. Sometimes it's producers, directors, etc. looking for projects.
"Why are we posting these loglines? Is it to gain viewership among our peers? Perhaps to get seen by someone that could help make that logline into a developed screenplay and or film project." Yes, and to get feedback on our loglines, synopses, and scripts/projects.
"I see that there are a lot of individuals that are or have worked in areas other than just acting or screenwriting. But are they truly looking to working with screenwriters or other actors or are they here doing the same, waiting?" I've seen some posts in the Lounges lately where producers and directors are looking for scripts. Here's one: https://www.stage32.com/lounge/screenwriting/Looking-for-a-Short
"I'm not actually complaining about it. I have read some bad reviews about it and the paid services that are offered. I have not paid for a single service on the site." I've taken some webinars and Pitch Sessions on here. One class and a Feature Script Read/30-minute Talk with Executive too. All great. They're really helped me write better scripts and pitches. I recommend checking out the webinars, Pitch Sessions, etc.
"Collaboration goes both ways. If you're waiting on something to just land in your lap, don't because it won't. Sometimes you have to make things happen." I agree! I think writers (or directors, actors, producers, etc.) should list their projects in the Logline Sections of their profiles, but I also think they should be actively looking for opportunities and making their own opportunities (both of which include collaborating).
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Hey Maurice, thanks for the feedback. As far as the paid services go. I haven't done them because their not in my current budget at the moment. However I do plan to move forward A.S.A.P.
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Just a quick note on loglines ... post one if you have a completed script that's ready to be read. Too many logline warriors posting, i.e., they post loglines and there's no scripts available. It would be great if S32 has a best practice that when posting a logline the writer adds at the end in parenthetical (logline only) or (script available).
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I enjoy perusing the loglines and will read the script if it catches my interest (if hosted). Amending or updating a logline bumps it back to the top of the list. There's a three-parter that seems to always be there. I post for peer feedback.
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You're welcome, Donte Burks. There are some free screenwriting webinars you can watch in the meantime. https://www.stage32.com/webinars/tag/screenwriting
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Intelligent comments. I'd like to talk to you about what we've done. I asked for an add.
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Hey Greg, thanks for the feedback. I was thinking maybe del-and-repost would do the trick but if tweaking seems to cover it. I will try that. Thanks a bunch!!
I've misplaced my original logline. Things can get a little complicated when you're new at screenwriting.
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Sorry that happened, Pamela. What I do (and it might help you in the future) is I back up my loglines, treatments, scripts, etc. I also email them to myself.
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Tearfully thanks Maurice. And I believe I will start doing that.
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You're welcome, Pamela. :)
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While we're on the subject of loglines, I would like to send a personal shout-out to Tim Bragg for so far being the only Stage32 member as of recent to provide constructive feedback on two out of three of my loglines so far (extra points if read attached scripts). However, I might need to find a way for more Stage32 members to provide their own feedback as well so that I could combine all of their comments into a consensus as to how to make my own loglines even better.
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Back on this subject again. I realize how late it is but I have been busy with other projects and work. I haven't really been on hear much. Now I have had some time to read through some of your comments. I appreciate every letter of them all. I was mostly moved by Lindbergh E Hollingsworth's comment or advice that stated that loglines really should be posted when there is a script to go with it. I, at this point, whole heartedly agree. And, Yes, I am guilty of being a logline warrior. Hahaha! Hind sight 20/20.
However in my defense, I kind of knew in the back of my mind and the corners of my soul, oh and the seat of my pants, that this bit of truth was in fact that, true; but I guess, being new to the game, I was, firstly, flooded with a ton of Ideas, but at the same time, I wanted to get instant feedback from the masses to gain and insight as to which ones would be accepted and interesting enough a concept, to actually flesh out.
However in my defense, I kind of knew in the back of my mind and the corners of my soul, oh and the seat of my pants, that this bit of truth was in fact that, true; but I guess, being new to the game, I was, firstly, flooded with a ton of Ideas, but at the same time, I wanted to get instant feedback from the masses to gain and insight as to which ones would be accepted and interesting enough a concept, to actually flesh out.
I guess I wanted to get a sort of public thumbs up a head of time before putting the time in. Now as I think more about it, it seems that sometimes you just need to take that leap and dive into the project and get it done. Then you as the writer can decide if it's good enough to put in front of people and take up their time with your "ramblings." (Joking)
But seriously, I see now that work before accolades is always best and failure before success is the best teacher. Thanks all.
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You're welcome, Donte Burks. I understand wanting to get feedback to see which concept is interesting before outlining and writing the script. I have a few trusted people I ask for feedback on new loglines sometimes, but most time I just outline and write the script then get feedback.