Save The Cat! The Last Book on Screenwriting You'll Ever Need
by Blake Snyder
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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 90)
Read in July, 2008
While this book is a clever and succinct reduction of Hollywood story structure, it is not well-served by its snarky, priggish author, who with every page radiates the very same sort of smug, too-cool attitude that the rest of the world associates with Los Angeles. That he is smart, I have no doubts, especially after reading his reduction of modern movies. Indeed, he is so smart that I will soon pick up his next book, Save the Cat Goes to the Movies. But ju...more
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Read in April, 2008
I think this book just completely changed my life. I read it cover-to-cover while flying from the Midwest to Florida and I couldn't put it down. Some of the screenwriting books I've seen seem to be a whole lot of talk and not much substance; this one is LOADED with substance.
One thing that may be a turn off for some is that, like every other screenwriting book I've seen so far, the book is unabashedly focused on crass commercialism. For example, there's an unnecessary few paragraphs in whic...more
One thing that may be a turn off for some is that, like every other screenwriting book I've seen so far, the book is unabashedly focused on crass commercialism. For example, there's an unnecessary few paragraphs in whic...more
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Read in March, 2008
Let's be honest: Blake Snyder isn't going to win any academy awards for writing. He writes mainstream, PG rated comedies, and he's not ashamed of it.
If you can get over his lack of literary merit, and his rather forward nature, you'll realize that what he's done here is provided an excellent blueprint for writing a story (in my opinion useful beyond screenplays).
His tips will help with plot, pace, characters, and most importantly planning. Planning just enough up front to avoid writing you...more
If you can get over his lack of literary merit, and his rather forward nature, you'll realize that what he's done here is provided an excellent blueprint for writing a story (in my opinion useful beyond screenplays).
His tips will help with plot, pace, characters, and most importantly planning. Planning just enough up front to avoid writing you...more
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Has a copy to sell/swap
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Read in August, 2007
I picked up Save the Cat! as a sort of consolation prize after failing to locate a not-misprinted copy of Syd Field's Screenplay. I generally liked the book, a lot of the advice sounded reasonable, and Snyder does a good job of calling out advice that is useful for the sake of making a script marketable rather than artistically perfect. His to...more
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Read in April, 2007
i'm of the mind that sometimes reading books on writing (or acting, or painting, or starting your own business, or meditation, et al) is kind of a way of procrastinating, but this book is actually very helpful. it's simple, straightforward, and written by a guy who actually sells a lot of screenplays. there's very little namedropping and anecdotes, just very pragmatic advice on writing a marketable commercial screenplay. so you can, you know, get that chedda.
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Read in January, 2008
This book is saving my ass as I toil through weeks of screenwriting hell. It is the best screenwriting book I've read so far. Like a good writing teacher it teaches the tools of the trade but also reminds you that so much of what is behind your creativity is between your ears.
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Read in May, 2008
recommends it for:
Aspiring Screenwriters
This really helped me outline and pace the script I wrote for Script Frenzy 2008. Recommended to all people that want to give script writing a trial. Blake Snyder really has it down to a science.
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Great book to help you break down and understand what a "Marketable Idea" really is. As for the rest, there are better books on structure and story, though not bad for an intro.
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Read in June, 2008
Loved Blake when I saw his speak in Seattle. This book is very helpful as a great writing took for not just screenwriters but anyone writer to help with plotting.
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Read in April, 2008
I sorta really dug this book. Again, no-nonsense guide (I seem to be really into those) about the structure of a screenplay. Thought it was fascinating.
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Read in January, 2007
recommends it for:
Anyone who wants to know how to write successfully
Still reading, can be a bit smarmy or whatever, but I am definitely learning a bit about story structure and how to keep an audiences attention/interest.
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Read in March, 2007
recommends it for:
A definite for wannabes
Good screen writing book. A little on the simple side, but a nice refresher if you've read 20-30 books on the subject, as many writers have.
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Read in July, 2008
A little too "jokey" for my taste, but there is some solid information about the screenwriter's craft hiding in there.
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Very interesting take on the art of screenwriting...contemporary and accessible.
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