Save The Cat! The Last Book on Screenwriting You'll Ever Need

If you are serious about writing for Hollywood, this book is a must!

Whether you are a beginner or a pro... want to write small indies or big studio fare... which ever genre... this book is a must. It is a quick easy read, gives practical advice on how to prepare to write a script the right way from the beginning. It starts with making your concept the best it can be, then writing the best Logline to keep your focus on the true narrative of your story; to developing your best protagonist for the story, and then hammering out your simple yet effective beat sheet. If you don't do this right from the beginning, you will waste a lot of time going back and doing more re-writes than necessary. If you want to get it right from the beginning, this book is for you.

I know for a fact that "big time" working studio writers and development executives use it on a regular basis. I personally have several books that I refer back to when writing my scripts and this one is definitely in the top three along with, "How Not to Write a Screenplay" and "500 Ways to Beat the Hollywood Script Reader."

Although, if you are a beginner, you should definitely start off with Syd Field's "Screenplay" and if you are advanced, I also highly recommend John Truby's "The Anatomy of Story: 22 Steps to Becoming a Master Storyteller".

Hope this helps! Enjoy!

I've been a writer for more years than I care to admit. Thought I knew it all...or most of it. For those of you who, like me, approach screenwriting with the notion 'hey, how hard can this be' only to be turned down time and time again by people you want to read your precious work; for those of you who read your screenplay and wonder what went wrong and how; any who read some of the structure books and scratch your head, THIS IS THE BOOK FOR YOU!!
Unlike the other formula books on the market today, Blake makes screenwriting fun and exciting. My first screenplay took over 32 drafts...just to get it readable! After reading Save the Cat, my next screenplay was three drafts for the reading copy.
So, for all of you veteran writers out there who feel frustrated by the complexities of the seemingly simple creative process of screenplay writing, I hope you will give this outstanding book a read. It truly is the only book you will ever need on screenwriting!

Movies are for emotional adolescents with short attention spans who want to feel but lack the maturity to think. If you want to feel you go to a movie; if you want to think you read or go to a play.

This book entertainingly repeats advice from earlier writers on how to write scripts that make you feel. And it is scripts that make you feel that make money for both writer and producer. If money is your goal as a scriptwriter this book is a helpful package. If you want to write for the brain don't waste your time with movies; you should be writing novels or drama. The author doesn't understand that which is why I gave it 3 stars.

Admittedly, when I walk into a book store I am somewhat overwhelmed by the screenwriting section. There are so many choices; it is difficult to know were to start. I was first attracted to the book because of the interesting (and appropriate) title. Not only is the book easy to read, but it is enjoyable to read as well. An instructional book that's fun to read: what a concept. Unlike Syd Field's books, and no disrespect to the man - you at least have to recognize what he's done for the craft, Save the Cat feels conversational, like you're being talked to on your level, not down to from on high. Blake Snyder is relatable, and I found every chapter raised at least one point that I hadn't thought of. I spent a summer reading and re-reading this book to revise a screenplay, which is now near completion. It is everything you'd expect from a book on writing screenplays...only different.

This book makes it very clear for anyone starting out writing for film. Easy to read and lots of good advice. I've used lots of this material to teach my students with.