2023 Black List Word Cloud Logline Challenge!

Check out this word cloud from the 2023 Black List loglines, then write your OWN logline from those words to win some great prizes!

We did this the last few years and had a helluva lot of fun, so following in footsteps of Hollywood’s studios, it’s sequel time! Yes, it’s the 2023 Black List Word Cloud Logline Challenge!

Here is a word cloud based on the loglines for the 2023 Black List scripts, all 76 of them:

You may download the official 2023 Annual Black List here.

NOTE: One way your logline will be assessed is by how many words from the word cloud you use in your logline. If only one or two, less points. If five or six, more points.

BIG NOTE: Please CAPITALIZE each word cloud word in your logline.

Example: An AWKWARD YOUNG WOMAN DREAMS about the MYSTERIOUS DEATH of THREE VIOLENT CRIMINALS due to the RISE of a DARK WORLD ORDER.

That, my friends, is a weird logline. However, it gets across the key CAPITALIZATION point. This helps in judging each entry.

How’s this for prizes:

• 5 Semifinal Winners: 1 free Core class I will be teaching next year through Screenwriting Master Class. See class roster below. Each winner gets their choice of one class.
• 3 Finalist Winners: Free 1 script read + 1 month script hosting via the Black List website + 2 free Core classes.
• 1 Grand Prize winner: Free 2 script reads + 2 months script hosting via the Black List website + 1 Core Package (free enrollment in all 8 Core classes).

Deadline for entries: Midnight (Pacific), Wednesday, December 27th.

Winners to be announced Friday, December 29th.

ENTER BY SCROLLING TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE, CLICK THE LITTLE “RESPOND” ICON, AND POST YOUR LOGLINE(S).

If you’d like to see some examples of previous Black List Word Cloud loglines, check out submissions here, here, here, here, here, here, here and here.

Here is the schedule of the 8 Core classes I will be offering in 2024:

CORE I: PLOT — A one-week class which begins with the principle Plot = Structure and explores the inner workings of the Screenplay Universe: Plotline and Themeline. Start date: January 15.

CORE II: CONCEPT — A one-week class which begins with the principle Concept = Hook and examines multiple strategies to generate, develop and assess story ideas. Start date: January 29.

CORE III: CHARACTER — A one-week class which begins with the principle Character = Function and delves into archetypes: Protagonist, Nemesis, Attractor, Mentor, and Trickster. Start date: February 12.

CORE IV: STYLE — A one-week class which begins with the principle Style = Voice and surfaces keys to developing a distinctive writer’s personality on the page. Start date: February 26.

CORE V: DIALOGUE — A one-week class which begins with the principle Dialogue = Purpose and probes a variety of ways to write effective, entertaining dialogue. Start date: March 11.

CORE VI: SCENE — A one-week class which begins with the principle Scene = Point and provides six essential questions to ask when crafting and writing any scene. Start date: March 25.

CORE VII: THEME — A one-week class which begins with the principle Theme = Meaning and gives writers a concrete take on theme which can elevate the depth of any story. Start date: April 8.

CORE VIII: TIME — A one-week class which begins with the principle Time = Present and studies Present, Present-Past, Present-Future and time management in writing. Start date: April 22.

More details about the contest:

(1) “How many loglines may I post?” You may submit as many as you’d like. That said, even in a fun challenge like this, you should focus on quality over quantity.

(2) “Since there are less than 75–100 words in the word cloud, there is bound to be overlap with loglines. How will you sort that out in terms judging?” Good question. And hopefully a good learning point for all of us, the difference between the logline for Dude, Where’s My Car? — “Two potheads wake up from a night of partying and can’t remember where they parked their car” — and The Hangover — “Three groomsmen lose their about-to-be-wed buddy during their drunken misadventures, then must retrace their steps in order to find him”. The focus on a lost groom due for his wedding is substantially better as a comedic conceit than simply looking for a car.

(3) “What about people riffing off earlier loglines?” Another good point and I will look more favorably on earlier loglines with similar iterations simply due to the writer coming up with the idea first.

(4) Since I’ll be the person judging the loglines — and just so you know — I put a premium on two things: Clever. Humor. If your logline shows a degree of cleverness with combining words from the word cloud, that’s a plus. Also, if you can make me laugh, that’s also a plus.

Bottom line, let’s remember this is supposed to be a fun exercise. The opportunity to get a free script read, web hosting or Craft class with me is a nice treat, but hopefully won’t create any ill will on the part of folks who don’t get selected. Even if you don’t win, you will have exercised your creative muscles, and that’s a plus for you.

FINAL REMINDER: Please CAPITALIZE word cloud words you use in your LOGLINE!!!

Let’s have some creative fun! Good luck!

CLICK THE “RESPOND” ICON (QUOTE BOX) AND POST YOUR LOGLINE(S).