Sign in with Facebook
Loading...
30th out of 345 books
—
525 voters
Save the Cat!: The Last Book on Screenwriting You'll Ever Need
by
Blake Snyder
This ultimate insider's guide reveals the secrets that none dare admit, told by a show biz veteran who's proven that you can sell your script if you can save the cat!
Kindle Edition
Published
May 25th 2005
by Michael Wiese Productions
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
Community Reviews
(showing
1-30
of
3,000)
I'm torn about how many stars to give this book. If you are completely new to screenwriting, then this would be a five-star book. Otherwise, I'll give it four because it's easy to understand and allows you to start breaking down the movies you watch quite easily.
However, if you've written screenplays and understand basic three act structure, the advice is a little naive -- as in, "The Theme has to be stated on page 5." "Page 30 is where the 'B' story comes in." Well, maybe, but not really in a l...more
However, if you've written screenplays and understand basic three act structure, the advice is a little naive -- as in, "The Theme has to be stated on page 5." "Page 30 is where the 'B' story comes in." Well, maybe, but not really in a l...more
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 just as his intelligence and skill are a...more
11 likes · like · see review
view 1 comment
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 which Sny...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 which Sny...more
6 likes · like · see review
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 tone makes reading entertaining, except for an awkward moment when he more or less picks a fight with the reader over whether "Memento" was a good movie, sin...more
1 like · like · see review
Blake Snyder is supposedly “Hollywood’s most successful spec screenwriter.” I don’t know how that works exactly, since he has exactly two IMDB credits (for Blank Check and Stop or My Mom Will Shoot), but whatever.
Save the Cat is basically a book full of little gimmicks for improving a screenplay, as well as pitfalls to avoid. The title comes from the idea of having the hero of the story save a cat early on in the movie to establish his/her likability. It sounds silly, but the examples Snyder giv...more
Save the Cat is basically a book full of little gimmicks for improving a screenplay, as well as pitfalls to avoid. The title comes from the idea of having the hero of the story save a cat early on in the movie to establish his/her likability. It sounds silly, but the examples Snyder giv...more
1 like · like · see review
One of three books I highly recommend for people interested in writing and for those of us interested in deeper knowledge of how that works in movies and stories. Like many reviewers, this is not the end-all-be-all. It has some serious problems to it, like some of the movies it touts as good are simply not. They may follow his formula and may even have made lots of money opening weekend, but that doesn't make them good movies. But the ones that are good are explained well. Like all formulas, do...more
My critique partner swears by this book, and in fact has been holding my revision notes ransom until I read it! :) She was kind enough to gift me with a copy, so I hunkered down and zipped through.
It was a punchy, fast read--the margins are freakishly large, so it's not *really* a 150 page book; it reads like 100 pager. The writing style is at times annoying, but it's readable. As a novelist, as opposed to a screenwriter, a lot of the specific advice in Save the Cat is useless -- such as "you mu...more
It was a punchy, fast read--the margins are freakishly large, so it's not *really* a 150 page book; it reads like 100 pager. The writing style is at times annoying, but it's readable. As a novelist, as opposed to a screenwriter, a lot of the specific advice in Save the Cat is useless -- such as "you mu...more
Yes, I read this for school, but it wasn't assigned so I say it counts toward my goal for the year. You don't have to be a film student to enjoy this book. It's fascinating. However, it is written for aspiring screenwriters, so be prepared for that. But if you are a fan of movies and/or show business in general, you'll probably like this book. It doesn't just tell you "da rules" of script writing - it shows the formula behind box office hits (and bombs) and why studio executives like to buy scri...more
I have no desire to be a screenwriter, but this was a fun book to read to learn about why we like the movies we do. It's true that blockbuster movies often follow a certain formula and this book breaks it down.
One example is that last night I watched Rowan Atkinson's "Bean" just after reading the "whiff of death" section....and yes, "Bean" has a whiff of death. And it is a really obvious whiff, too.
The weakest point of the book is that Blake goes on and on about his movie "Blank Check" and appl...more
One example is that last night I watched Rowan Atkinson's "Bean" just after reading the "whiff of death" section....and yes, "Bean" has a whiff of death. And it is a really obvious whiff, too.
The weakest point of the book is that Blake goes on and on about his movie "Blank Check" and appl...more
The book is exactly as the title suggests, a guidebook for writing screenplays. It is also probably the most followed book for writing a novel. Almost every writer of fiction, if asked, will tell you "Save the Cat" is the go-to book for writing fiction, perhaps even their favorite book.
Snyder has screenwriting down to a successful formula that guarantees a viewer's (and in the case of a novel, a reader's) interest. He successfully formulates "beats" or events that must happen in a script, and w...more
Snyder has screenwriting down to a successful formula that guarantees a viewer's (and in the case of a novel, a reader's) interest. He successfully formulates "beats" or events that must happen in a script, and w...more
The 3 most important things for a movie are; story, story and story! No the book doesn't say that but everyone who understands film making does. Unfortunately that does not include the majority of the people within the industry.
This is a very straightforward guide book on screenplay plotting. It is a nice and easy read; does not require as much concentration as Robert Mackee or Syd Field. Although unchallenging, this is a good read for anyone in the film industry - especially producers who tend...more
This is a very straightforward guide book on screenplay plotting. It is a nice and easy read; does not require as much concentration as Robert Mackee or Syd Field. Although unchallenging, this is a good read for anyone in the film industry - especially producers who tend...more
SAVE THE CAT, THE LAST BOOK ON SCREENWRITING THAT YOU'LL EVER NEED may have just saved my writing. As an aspiring author, I've struggled over the years as I've grown and learned how to write fiction. I've read a handful of books on the craft of writing but none have compared to SAVE THE CAT by Blake Snyder.
If you are a fiction writer, don't let the fact that SAVE THE CAT is about screenwriting cause you to look the other way. It has all the elements needed to write a novel. And not just any nove...more
If you are a fiction writer, don't let the fact that SAVE THE CAT is about screenwriting cause you to look the other way. It has all the elements needed to write a novel. And not just any nove...more
Review originally posted here: http://emmamaree.com/reviews/save-the-cat/
A clear, well-written guide to presenting your story to other people. It’s aimed at screenwriters, but it’s also a well-known tool for fiction and non-fiction writers. A lot of the information (such as know your genre, have a one line pitch) will be familiar to anyone who’s been following writing blogs or lurking in the query trenches, but if not then it’s a great place to start.
It covers lots of essential information, incl...more
A clear, well-written guide to presenting your story to other people. It’s aimed at screenwriters, but it’s also a well-known tool for fiction and non-fiction writers. A lot of the information (such as know your genre, have a one line pitch) will be familiar to anyone who’s been following writing blogs or lurking in the query trenches, but if not then it’s a great place to start.
It covers lots of essential information, incl...more
The best book I have ever read on screenwriting and the guideline by which I analyze Hollywood films! I apply it to everything!
I'm finding it fascinating how even Doris Lessing's short story "A Sunrise on the Veld" contains the plot points like the mid point high and all is lost low that Snyder discusses. Blake Snyder's beat sheet helped me take educated guesses with the plot points in my first read of tonight's short story, as I helped a grade 12 student with her English homework.
I'm finding it fascinating how even Doris Lessing's short story "A Sunrise on the Veld" contains the plot points like the mid point high and all is lost low that Snyder discusses. Blake Snyder's beat sheet helped me take educated guesses with the plot points in my first read of tonight's short story, as I helped a grade 12 student with her English homework.
After well over two dozen author chats via Skype in my classroom, one book continues to surface on the lips of the authors: Save the Cat: The Last Book on Screenwriting You'll Ever Need by Blake Snyder.
The first I heard of it, YA author Lizabeth Zindel responded to a question about how a writer can make a character likable. Zindel references this book and explained that a character may be written to "save a cat" or perform an act of kindness, tenderness, selflessness t...more
The first I heard of it, YA author Lizabeth Zindel responded to a question about how a writer can make a character likable. Zindel references this book and explained that a character may be written to "save a cat" or perform an act of kindness, tenderness, selflessness t...more
I’ve been hearing about Save the Cat! for years. It has an excellent reputation as a resource not only for screenwriters, as the subtitle suggests, but also for novelists. After reading it, I agree that the reputation is well-deserved.
Save the Cat! mostly focuses on the big-picture elements of storytelling:
- Coming up with a “high concept” idea or hook that is unique, ironic, easy to convey, and primal.
- Choosing a hero and antagonist who will best fit the concept, and making your hero likeable...more
Save the Cat! mostly focuses on the big-picture elements of storytelling:
- Coming up with a “high concept” idea or hook that is unique, ironic, easy to convey, and primal.
- Choosing a hero and antagonist who will best fit the concept, and making your hero likeable...more
With the idea in my head that Mr. Snyder's rules are not chapter and verse I enjoyed this book. For those lacking any sense of structure the book is a great springboard. He understands Hollywood and what it takes to get a screenplay sold, however I think his structure is slave to what the commercial studio expects. Although it is fun to hear him skew Hollywood terms like "High-Concept", by the time he gets to the financial merits of "Miss Congeniality" versus the artistic merits of "Memento" you...more
Blake Snyder has an interesting approach to feature film formula. He breaks all successful movies into a series of steps, such as "Opening Image" (page 1), "Theme Stated" (by page 5), " "Setup" (page 10), "Catalyst" (page 12), "Debate" (pages 12-25) and so forth.
Normally I would reject anything this formulaic, but (a) Blake has sold a bunch of screenplays for big money; and (b) my showrunner friend Shelley uses his system to arc out features she's hired to write. So something's working there. An...more
Normally I would reject anything this formulaic, but (a) Blake has sold a bunch of screenplays for big money; and (b) my showrunner friend Shelley uses his system to arc out features she's hired to write. So something's working there. An...more
Hack advice given by a hack writer. While it's nice to see the business side of writing examined, it would have been better (i.e. something approaching "acceptable") to have it examined by a competent writer. If your only two credits for screenwriting are "Blank Check" and the so-bad-Sylvester-Stallone-apologized-for-his-role-in-its-creation "Stop Or My Mother Will Shoot", you have no place writing a book on the subject. Even the non-creative side is uninspired rehashes of common sense advice (F...more
A lot of people swear by this book, but I think it's just terrible. If you want to write movies, there is a great deal to be gained by learning about the three-act structure. That being said, though, Blake Snyder will teach you a micro-managed form of it that forces you to meet a very specific and frankly obnoxious rubric.
Snyder says specifically in his book that if he turns to one of the pages where he says X should happen and X doesn't happen, he immediately dismisses the script. Though he pro...more
Snyder says specifically in his book that if he turns to one of the pages where he says X should happen and X doesn't happen, he immediately dismisses the script. Though he pro...more
What I liked...
- Great tips on sharpening your one-sentence pitch, which will in turn focus your storytelling.
- A "beat sheet" laying out exactly what should happen in a screenplay right down to the page. I'm working on a novel rather than a screenplay, but many of the beats are still in the same relative location and work toward the same goals. (Thinking in terms of film offers different spin, too, since the focus for some beats might be an image.)
- An index card organization strategy to flesh...more
- Great tips on sharpening your one-sentence pitch, which will in turn focus your storytelling.
- A "beat sheet" laying out exactly what should happen in a screenplay right down to the page. I'm working on a novel rather than a screenplay, but many of the beats are still in the same relative location and work toward the same goals. (Thinking in terms of film offers different spin, too, since the focus for some beats might be an image.)
- An index card organization strategy to flesh...more
"Save the Cat!" proclaims that it's "The Last Book on Screenwriting You'll Ever Need". This may come as a shock, but it's really not.
There are two things you need to remember when reading this book; this is for breaking into Hollywood. This is how to write a classic Hollywood-blockbuster, not your avant-garde, slice of life-story that you've been dreaming about. This book gives you tips, tricks, orders and notes on your title, logline, structure, rewriting, screenplay and the business.
With the t...more
There are two things you need to remember when reading this book; this is for breaking into Hollywood. This is how to write a classic Hollywood-blockbuster, not your avant-garde, slice of life-story that you've been dreaming about. This book gives you tips, tricks, orders and notes on your title, logline, structure, rewriting, screenplay and the business.
With the t...more
Here is a review since I have several writer friends hooked up with me here who might want to know (wait no longer Roxy!) Pro: It does give some good ideas for structure, and makes me want to read more about screenwriting. I can see how it can help a person like me who is all over the place set up some firm guidelines and actually, possibly finish a book. In fact, it makes it look kind of easy. Cons: 1)I am not writing a movie. This is very specific to an exact 110 page screenplay. The structure...more
3 likes · like · see review
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.
I am a novelist, and this is the best book on crafting a story I've ever read. It really should read "The Last Book on STORYwriting You'll Ever Need."
Not only is the writing fresh and fun and incredibly easy to understand (even though it used screenwriting/movie-making lingo I wasn't familiar with, I still totally got it) and was a breeze to read.
While reading I was constantly struck with how I could easily translate what was being taught into crafting a novel. It just so happens that I was get...more
Not only is the writing fresh and fun and incredibly easy to understand (even though it used screenwriting/movie-making lingo I wasn't familiar with, I still totally got it) and was a breeze to read.
While reading I was constantly struck with how I could easily translate what was being taught into crafting a novel. It just so happens that I was get...more
Very hard to rate this book, but giving it four stars because it has a strong log-line and perfect one-sheet. Don't read this book if you are looking for a literary masterpiece. It would be like expecting an interesting film like Memento when you buy your ticket for Blank Check. (Sorry could not resist. Hollywood doesn't write movies with me in mind.)
I first saw this at my cousin's apartment in Germany. He picked it up in film school. I remember breezing through the introduction (Theme Stated) a...more
I first saw this at my cousin's apartment in Germany. He picked it up in film school. I remember breezing through the introduction (Theme Stated) a...more
I bought this book based on the recommendation of a member of one the book writing groups I belong to. It tells how to write movie scripts, but the friend who told me about it said the same principles could be used to help make novels better. Since I was about halfway through my latest book, I decided to hold off on writing until I studied the techniques described in this book.
Snyder, a successful screenwriter who died in 2009, describes how every good movie script is organized. It is an easy-to...more
Snyder, a successful screenwriter who died in 2009, describes how every good movie script is organized. It is an easy-to...more
First of all, I'm not an aspiring screenwriter. I am an aspiring fiction writer. That being said, I thought that this book had a ton of helpful insight on the thing that I often struggle with the most: structure.
He does offer plenty of other tips and tricks, like the title's Save the Cat moment, but I think overall the real value in this book is in the straight foward way that Snyder approaches structure. His narrative voice, while cloying at times, breaks down films (and stories in general) in...more
He does offer plenty of other tips and tricks, like the title's Save the Cat moment, but I think overall the real value in this book is in the straight foward way that Snyder approaches structure. His narrative voice, while cloying at times, breaks down films (and stories in general) in...more
I went into this book with some degree of scepticism. I am convinced that the proliferation of fill-in-the-blanks screenwriting books that teach you "the 15 key beats of act 2", or whatever, are responsible for the horrible sense of deja vu that one gets when watching so many Hollywood films. Anyone who's read a couple of these books can pretty much check off the list as they're watching the film ("This must be the bit where the hero enters the special world"). However, a writer friend of mine w...more
2 likes · like · see review
Okay, you figured it out. At this stage in my writing life, which involves doing novel-length stories, I have found no other "how to" text on writing as helpful as Balker Snyder's SAVE THE CAT. On the surface, Snyder talks about how to write a screenplay. More importantly, though, he plainly presents the elements we all should consider when creating story in/for any media/genre. It's simple pie, actually. And sometimes plain ol pie is the best. Here's one example.
That said, different "how to" b...more
That said, different "how to" b...more
There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one »
In his 20-year career as a screenwriter and producer, Blake Snyder has sold dozens of scripts, including co-writing Blank Check, which became a hit for Disney, and Nuclear Family for Steven Spielberg. His book, Save the Cat! The Last Book on Screenwriting You'll Ever Need, was published in May, 2005, and is now in its eleventh printing. It has prompted "standing room only" appearances by Blake in...more
More about Blake Snyder...
Share This Book
No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »
