While coming up with the idea for this preliminary task, the team and I were thinking of it more in terms of an isolated scene, which would make sense for a cold-open, but, in our case, I think it does slightly give the impression that the narrative was not completely well thought-out—something we would definitely want to avoid in our final task.
Accordingly, I came to the conclusion that it would be a good idea to also think of it as a part of a larger whole and come up with a logline for this hypothetical film too just to stick with film industry conventions.
To get a better idea of what I wanted ours to be like, I examined a few famous horror films and their loglines.
Lights Out (2013)
When you are all alone in a small dark room, what do you fear the most? Is it the temporary blindness or is it the uneasy deep feeling that someone, or rather something, is observing your every move?
Notes: Employs a very vague style and depends on the enigma of creating questions instead of revealing distinct plot points. Sparks intrigue and gives it a more unsettling tone especially by addressing the reader.
Get Out (2017)
A young African-American man visits his white girlfriend’s parents for the weekend, where his simmering uneasiness about their reception of him leads to a shocking discovery.
Notes: Reveals just enough information: who the film is about, what the setting is and a hint at the conflict to compel the reader to watch the film.
Saint Maud (2019)
A troubled, deeply religious young nurse becomes obsessed with saving the soul of her dying patient.
Notes: Outlines key parts of the narrative and characterises the protagonist as a result.
The Witch (2015)
A 17th Century Christian family are plagued by a local witch who uses black magic to infiltrate and ruin their lives.
Notes: Gruesome and to-the-point. The horror of the witch’s presence and actions evoke questions about her motivations.
Hereditary (2018)
After their reclusive grandmother passes away, the Graham family tries to escape the dark fate they've inherited as an overwhelming terror takes over their household & their peaceful existence is ripped apart.
Notes: The horror of the unknown and its power is demonstrated. Makes the reader question if the grandmother has any connection to shift in the family’s existence from ‘peaceful’ to that dominated by terror.
Most of these establish the key elements of the narrative—the protagonist, antagonist, conflict, etc.—and also use mystery to draw the spectator in. The use of relevant adjectives to add nuance to these elements also seems instrumental in writing a suitable logline.
Here is my attempt at it:
Following an untimely death, what seems to be a young girl’s spirit torments an unassuming doctor as unexpected pasts are revealed.
Notes: It’s 2 a.m. and even my brain cells have given up on me; may the logline deities be in our favour for the final film opening task.
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