Pitch Prose
The elevator pitch can grab the attention of producers, agents, and audiences alike. Let’s explore the elements of a successful logline or story paragraph using examples from Alias, Lost, Heroes, and Hannibal.
Every story begins with an ordinary world, a familiar setting that establishes the protagonist's initial state. This is where we meet the hero, and we get to know their motivations, desires, and limitations.
In Alias, the ordinary world is Sydney Bristow's life as a graduate student and a loyal CIA agent. In Lost, it's the passengers' mundane existence on Oceanic Flight 815 before the plane crashes. In Heroes, it's the ordinary lives of a diverse group of strangers before they discover their extraordinary abilities. In Hannibal, it's FBI agent Will Graham's life as a criminal profiler.
The catalyst is the event that sets the story in motion, disrupting the protagonist's ordinary world and forcing them to make a choice. It's the inciting incident that creates conflict and propels the story forward.
In Alias, the catalyst is Sydney's discovery that the organization she works for, SD-6, is not part of the CIA but a criminal syndicate. In Lost, it's the plane crash that strands the survivors on a mysterious island. In Heroes, it's the various events that trigger the characters' powers, such as Peter Petrelli's encounter with his brother Nathan or Hiro Nakamura's discovery of his time-travel abilities. In Hannibal, the catalyst is Will Graham's investigation into the Chesapeake Ripper, which leads him to cross paths with the enigmatic Dr. Hannibal Lecter.
After the catalyst, the protagonist must make a choice that sets them on a new path. This choice should be difficult and consequential, driving the story's conflict and revealing the character's values and flaws.
In Alias, Sydney's choice is to become a double agent, working for the CIA while pretending to be loyal to SD-6. In Lost, the survivors' choice is whether to stay on the island or try to escape. In Heroes, the characters' choices often involve deciding whether to use their powers for good or evil, such as Claire Bennet's decision to reveal her invincibility to the world. In Hannibal, Will Graham's choice is whether to trust or pursue Dr. Lecter.
Once the protagonist makes their choice, they enter an extraordinary world full of new challenges, dangers, and opportunities. This is where the story's main conflict unfolds, and the stakes are raised.
In Alias, the extraordinary world includes international espionage, high-tech gadgets, and double-crossing villains. In Lost, it's a mysterious island with supernatural phenomena, dangerous wildlife, and hidden secrets. In Heroes, it's the world of superpowers, with its rival factions, moral dilemmas, and world-threatening conspiracies. In Hannibal, it's the twisted mind of Dr. Lecter, with its psychological manipulation, macabre aesthetics, and deadly games.
Finally, the protagonist must face the consequences of their choices and actions, leading to a climax that resolves the story's conflict and reveals the character's growth or downfall.
In Alias, Sydney Bristow's consequences are both personal and global, as she struggles to reconcile her dual identities while also preventing the use of a dangerous artifact that could destroy the world. In Lost, the consequences are life and death, as the survivors must find a way to stay alive and escape the island. In Heroes, the consequences are the safety of the world, as the heroes must prevent a catastrophic event that could wipe out humanity. And in Hannibal, the consequences are both personal and professional for Will Graham, as he is forced to confront the darkest parts of himself while trying to catch a dangerous killer.
Here are some tips on how to craft an effective logline or story paragraph:
Start with your hero: Begin your logline or story paragraph by introducing your hero and their ordinary world. This will help ground your story and give the audience a point of reference.
Introduce the catalyst: The catalyst is the event or situation that sets the story in motion. It's the moment when the hero's life changes, and they are forced to make a choice.
Define the choice: The hero must make a choice that will define the rest of the story. This choice should be clear and specific, and it should have significant consequences.
Introduce the extraordinary world: This is where the story's major conflict unfolds. It's where the hero must face extraordinary challenges and obstacles.
Define the consequences: The consequences are the stakes of the story. They are what the hero stands to gain or lose by their actions.
Crafting a logline or story paragraph is an essential step in developing a compelling story. It can help focus your ideas, clarify your story's central conflict, and pitch your story to potential buyers or collaborators.
