An excerpt from Reals’ script review for Bodies, Bodies, Bodies which will be available 08/22/22:
Before we get started, a couple of quick things about the script and logline:
The Script
Now, it seems as if this is an early draft of the script, since the writer on the script is listed as:
Kristen Roupenian
While (according to IMDB) the writer on the final film was:
Sarah DeLappe
(Based on Kristen Roupenian’s story)
That’s probably not a good sign for the quality of this draft of the script.
The Logline
I think the logline / pitch for this one needed a whole lot of work.
The logline, from IMDB, reads as such:
When a group of rich 20-somethings plan a hurricane party at a remote family mansion, a party game turns deadly in this fresh and funny look at backstabbing, fake friends, and one party gone very, very wrong.
My issue? This sounds like LITERALLY EVERY SLASHER EVER.
There is nothing unique about this logline. At all. Period. End of sentence.
Now, I don’t like to criticize unless I can provide a better example, however, if the above logline is what we are working with, you would be hard-pressed to come up with a worse example.
But I won’t leave you hanging. Here is how I would have pitched this – and yes, it slightly alters the plot (for the better) but it also makes the project stand out.
A group of 20-somethings become stranded at an old mansion during a hurricane when a psychopath begins picking them off one-by-one. Even worse? There is no wi-fi! Now, the teens must band together and learn to fend for themselves if they are to survive the night.
Is that a perfect logline?
No.
Is it better than what we got?
Without a doubt.
To be fair, this particular take on the concept would probably get called: Hello Boomer, the Movie! on social media.
But, if you put some stars in it (like Pete Davidson, or whoever else the kids are into these days) and allocate some funds for a solid marketing campaign, I would wager that teens would turn up to check it out.
And, with the right promotions, you might also get the older crowd (30+) to show up, too, increasing your box office returns by a wide margin.
Just something to consider as you are working on your next “Four-Quadrant Slasher”
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