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Save The Cat, should be called Save my A$$....

Customer Rating:

As a screenwriter, as a skeptic, and a person who rarely takes anyone's advice, when I picked up this book I was like "Yeah right, another book to tell me how to write.." That's just what I need. But on the insistent advice of my co-writer, I said okay I'll read it. So I read the book and let's just call it the single most influential 15 hours of the development of my writing career. It taught me how to think about story development in simple ways that can truly set you free as a writer. It taught me ways to represent how a story should look in a visual medium with the big-board. And overall it let the development process be as productive as possible. In the end, it gives you the tools to help think most efficiently while developing the story. And the thing I like best, it never mentions one word about dialogue and "how to" write. Blake understands where the true creativity of the writer comes from, the words, and he leaves that up to you. So in my advice, buy this book, learn the techniques, and use them. And let your art of writing the language be the true skill instead of muddling with the development process.. And that's why I call it Save My A$$...

You do have to...

Customer Rating:

You do have to take this with a grain of salt. I have just finished reading the provocative 1 star review by NO WAY. Yes, he is right, Save the Cat IS formulaic. But this can be helpful, as the formula is based on sound principles. I have used it as a guide to write my first screenplay and found it immensely helpful. (I have just begun marketing it - so wish me luck.) I have previously written a long Mythopoeic novel, have studied mythology and folklore (including Campbell) and so I recognized a lot of the underlying principles. Perhaps this helped me have a little perspective on it. As I see it - the formula is the the guide to the structure. You still need to have talent in writing. You may even be able to stray from the formula, but knowing it is really important. One thing I liked about the book is the author's sense of humor. To me, his style implied a bit of "don't take me TOO seriously." I also like the way he discusses the ups and downs of the writer's process. For me, it was nice to know that I was not the only one going through the emotional roller-coaster. So - I recommend it highly. Just don't take it as the bible. (THAT is 'Story" by McKee)Story: Substance, Structure, Style and The Principles of Screenwriting

All Aspiring Screenwriters should read STC. Period.

Customer Rating:

in my long and continuing search to learn the craft of screenwriting, i've read many books and have gotten something out of just about all of them. this is not something learned in one or two books and don't let anyone fool you into thinking otherwise. sure, we've all heard stories of first-time, unschooled scribes selling their script or idea for millions, but that's tantamount to winning the lottery or a one-time stoke of genius lightning . it can happen, but the odds are against all of us. you've really gotta learn how to do it. and true and practical screenwriting cannot be learned in most universities either. you almost have to teach yourself. STC is a condensed, practical tool all students of the craft need to read. this is not to say you shouldn't read others as well. and Snyder references and praises some of these. crucial reads in my opinion are Syd Fields, Christopher Vogler and Lajos Egri amongst others. for me the best thing i got out of STC was that it helped demystify the process. since my first interest in the subject, i always felt that patterning an "original" after an already existing, hopefully successful, film would be a kind of "short cut" without really "copying" any particular film. to use other films simply as patterns. like a dressmaker does. only i couldn't put my brain around how to do it no matter how many movies i watched. STC did this for me. it defined and explained what i had sensed all along. this helped me tremendously and i think it will you to. it's the breakdown of genre types and beats that Snyder does so succinctly and originally that summed it up for me. in this same vain, it's companion book, "STC Goes to the Movies" is also a must read. both these books make for excellent reference material you'll find yourself reverting back to constantly. i highly suggest anyone with an interest in the craft to include STC as an important addition to required reading in a fascinating and very challenging endeavor. in the end, you'll probably even learn things about yourself as well.

Great way of looking at movies

Customer Rating:

While this may not actually be the last book on screenwriting you'll ever need (partly because you'll find yourself also wanting Blake Snyder's next book "Save the Cat Goes to the Movies), it is an excellent guide for screenwriters because it gives a different slant on understanding genres and screenplay composition. After you've read Syd Field, William Goldman, Russin & Robbins, etc., Blake comes at the topic from a different angle that, at least for me, brought about an Aha! moment. If you're interested in ever selling a screenplay, you'll want to read other books as well, but I highly recommend Snyder's work as not-to-be-missed on your list.

Keeps the Litter Box Fresh

Customer Rating:

Save the Cat is a screenwriters guide with claws. Most of the stuff you read in guides has been said before in lots of ways, but Snyder keeps the information fresh. Instead of saying "Make your protagonist likeable," Snyder uses the cat metaphor. Show him being nice. The info is presented with humor. It's like having lunch with a script doctor who's an industry insider. You come away feeling able to get back to work saving your own little kittens.