37 pages • 1 hour read
Blake SnyderSave the Cat: The Last Book on Screenwriting You'll Ever Need
Nonfiction | Reference/Text Book | Adult | Published in 2005A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Save the Cat by Blake Snyder is a best-selling non-fiction book that guides aspiring screenwriters on how to develop and structure their film ideas for commercial success. Snyder, a Hollywood screenwriter, introduces concepts like creating an effective logline, understanding story archetypes, and applying his "Blake Snyder Beat Sheet" to craft a script. The book emphasizes relatable characters, primal stakes, and effective pacing, offering actionable techniques to ensure the script resonates with audiences and appeals to studio executives. Snyder also touches on the business aspects of screenwriting, including the importance of networking and professional resilience.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Reviews of Blake Snyder's Save the Cat commonly praise its practical and straightforward approach to screenwriting, highlighting its valuable tips for structure and character development. Critics, however, argue it may oversimplify complex storytelling and promote formulaic writing. Overall, it is considered highly useful for beginners but possibly limiting for seasoned writers.
Who Should Read Save the Cat?
Readers who enjoy Save the Cat by Blake Snyder typically have a keen interest in screenwriting and storytelling. They will appreciate Snyder’s practical advice and structured approach. Comparable works include Joseph Campbell's The Hero with a Thousand Faces and Robert McKee’s Story, which also focus on narrative structure and writing techniques.