CMO ESCRIBIR UN BUEN ARGUMENTO PARA UNA PELCULA

Para escribir el argumento de una pelcula existe una herramienta llamada logline, que es una frase que resume de qu trata una pelcula y que te permite explicar con facilidad la esencia de la historia. No hay que confundirlo con un tagline, la frase que se utiliza para vender la pelcula, como por ejemplo: en el espacio nadie puede or tus gritos. Tampoco es la sinopsis, donde se describe con ms detalle la historia. El logline te permite descartar ms fcilmente argumentos sin fuerza y te ayuda a tener claro el corazn de la historia mientras escribes el guin. Estos son los pasos a seguir para realizar un buen logline:

1 El protagonista
Lo primero es definir al protagonista de la historia. No con su nombre, sino con una buena etiqueta que lo represente exteriormente y un buen adjetivo para describir su interior. Por ejemplo:

Una astronauta novata. Un tmido adolescente. Una tenaz cazadora.

Hay que evitar definir poco al protagonista, como por ejemplo: un hombre, una mujer, John, Beth

2 El objetivo
El protagonista, en determinado punto de la historia, adquiere un objetivo concreto que, por la situacin o sus capacidades, le supone un desafo. Por ejemplo:

Llegar hasta una estacin espacial. Conseguir al amor de su vida. Escapar de un bosque.

3 El antagonista o fuerzas opuestas

Si el protagonista consigue su objetivo con facilidad, la pelcula no tendra mucha fuerza emocional. Normalmente, el argumento debe aadir una gran dificultad que obligue al protagonista a esforzarse al lmite. Por ejemplo:

Una mortal nube de restos espaciales. Paradojas temporales. Un grupo de asesinos.

4 Lo que hace a la historia nica

Si consigues tener un elemento extraordinario que diferencie a tu historia de las dems, el pblico va sentirse mucho ms atrado por tu pelcula. Por ejemplo:

Flotar a la deriva orbitando la Tierra. La capacidad de viajar en el tiempo. Un programa televisivo de supervivencia.

5 Un lmite
Para hacer ms vibrante la historia, muchas veces se pone un lmite de tiempo o de circunstancias. Por ejemplo:

Antes de que se acabe el oxgeno. Antes de que otro chico se adelante. Antes de quedarse sin alimento.

Completando el logline
Ahora slo queda unir los 4 pasos y retocarlos un poco siguiendo la siguiente frmula: Historia nica + Protagonista + Objetivo + Antagonista + Lmite

Mientras flota a la deriva orbitando la Tierra, una astronauta novata lucha por llegar hasta una estacin espacial antes de que una mortal nube de restos espaciales la destruya y antes de que se le acabe el oxgeno.

Tras descubrir una extraordinaria capacidad de viajar en el tiempo, un tmido adolescente se esfuerza por conseguir al amor de su vida evitando las paradojas temporales y antes de que otro chico se le adelante. Obligada a participar en un programa televisivo de supervivencia, una tenaz cazadora trata de escapar de un bosque plagado de asesinos antes de quedarse sin alimento. Lleva tiempo perfeccionar el logline, pero luego se convertir en una base argumental slida donde cimentar tu guin.

10 Tips for Writing Loglines

Loglines are tricky things distilling 120 pages of script into one sentence and imbuing it with the power to summarise, titillate and intrigue is a surprisingly difficult task. As a writer it can be hard to develop a good logline because you are invested equally in each part of your work identifying the crucial story elements and leaving everything else out feels like you arent doing your script justice. But remember, a good logline is crucial to selling your script; in a covering letter, in a pitch, in the 30 second window you have with an executive when you accidentally meet on the Great Wall of China. That being the case it is vital that you develop a good logline for your magnum opus, something with sizzle and pop, but also, crucially, something that tells the audience what the script is about.

The difference between a logline and a tagline

A logline is a one (or occasionally two) sentence description that boils the script down to its essential dramatic narrative in as succinct a manner as possible. A tagline is a piece of marketing copy designed to go on posters to sell the film - In space no one can hear you scream (Alien) Crucially, a logline contains all the elements necessary for the telling of a good story. It is written for industry professionals to show them that you can create a viable story for the script a marketing hook alone wont cut it. One further note that you wont like: A logline is the DNA of your script. If you cant make the logline work, its probably becasue the story in your script doesnt work. This is why some people suggest writing a logline for your idea before embarking on the script.

Not sure where to begin? These tips are going to help:

1. A logline must have the following

the protagonist their goal the antagonist/antagonistic force

2. Dont use a character name

It has no intrinsic information and so is a useless word. Instead, tell us something about the character.

- A sous-chef - An ex-superhero

3. Use an adjective to give a little depth to that character

This is your chance to show some character. Beware of cliche, and also of the power of irony. Its helpful if the characteristic you describe will have something to do with the plot .

- A mute sous-chef - An alcoholic ex-superhero

4. Clearly and quickly present the protagonists main goal

This is what drives your story and it will drive your logline too. Make sure that the goal is present early in the script if you dont make good on your loglines promise early enough the rest of the script wont get read.

- A mute sous-chef wants to win the position of Head Chef at her boss new restaurant - An alcoholic ex-superhero searches for his daughter

5. Describe the Antagonist

The antagonist should be described in a similar, but preferably shorter, manner than the hero. If the hero faces a more general antagonistic force then make it clear that they are battling something, not just lifes bumps and buffets.

- A mute sous-chef wants must fight off an ambitious rival to win the position of Head Chef at her bosss new restaurant.

- An alcoholic ex-superhero searches for his daughter after she is kidnapped by his dementing, jealous former sidekick.

6. Make sure your protagonist is pro-active

He or she should drive the story and do so vigorously. A good logline will show the action of the story, the narrative momentum that carries you through the script. In some cases the protagonist will be reactive, but note, this is not the same as passive.

7. If you can, include stakes and/or a ticking time-bomb

These are very useful narrative devices that add urgency tou your script. If they fit in easily, include them in your logline.

- To save his reputation a secretly gay frat-boy must sleep with 15 women by the end-ofsemester party.

8. Setup
Some scripts operate in a world with different rules to our own and require a brief setup to explain them, e.g. most science-fiction stories. Others have a protagonist whose personal or psychological history is crucial to the story and needs to be explained. Again, be brief.

- In a world where all children are grown in vats - Driven to a mental breakdown by an accident at work, an aquarium manager

9. About the ending

Do not reveal the scripts supercool twist ending, even if it is the next The Usual Suspects. The story, and thus the logline, should be good enough to hold up by itself; a surprise ending should be a lovely bonus found when reading the script. N.B. This all changes when you get to writing your treatment.

10. Dont tell the story, sell the story

Create a desire to see the script as well as telling them whats in it. Loglines are like poetry, every word counts. Tinker, test, and tinker some more.

Bonus
If you cant write a decent logline of your idea before embarking on the script, then maybe reconsider writing that thing. If its unfocused and muddled at the logline stage, its not going to get any better as you write. Good luck, and feel free to submit samples in the comments box.