Blog · Craft
Logline vs Synopsis vs Treatment: What to Write First
January 28, 2026 · 6 min read
Loglines, synopses, and treatments all summarize your story — but producers, agents, and contests each want a different one. Send the wrong document and you look like a beginner. Here's how they differ.
The logline: one sentence
A logline is a single sentence that captures protagonist, goal, obstacle, and stakes. It's your hook. Generate and A/B test variations with the AI Logline Generator.
The synopsis: one to two pages
A synopsis walks through the whole story, including the ending, in prose. Use the AI Synopsis Generator to produce short query-letter versions and longer contest versions from the same idea.
The treatment: several pages
A treatment is a scene-by-scene, present-tense narrative of the film — the bridge between idea and screenplay. The AI Treatment Generator builds one with acts, characters, tone, and theme.
Which do you need?
- Pitching or querying: lead with the logline.
- Contest or fellowship: usually a 1–2 page synopsis.
- Development or financing: a full treatment.
- Writing the script next: treatment, then a beat sheet.
The good news: you can generate all three from the same premise and keep them consistent inside one project.