The books now have companion software for both computers and iOS devices, a blog that offers advice and film analysis through the StC lens, and seminars that have continued since Snyder’s death. Save the Cat! has become a sort-of brand of its own. “You’ll see – it’s great.” “It’s worth it.” “You’ll get it soon.” I started to feel like someone who was having trouble getting past the first few episodes of The Wire.

Still, multiple people whose opinions I trust had assured me StC is worthwhile. Over the years, I had sat down with the first Save the Cat! a few times, but had never managed to get past the first chapter, where Snyder repeatedly cites the brilliance of Four Christmases, which at that time was nothing more than a title and logline. You can debate the merits of those credits, but those are two credits more than most screenwriting gurus can offer. Snyder, who passed away in 2009, was an actual screenwriter, having written Blank Check and Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot. Whenever screenwriting books or gurus are mentioned on John’s site, it is with near death-or-taxes certainty someone will bring up the Save the Cat! series in the comments.īlake Snyder’s resume is offered as a counter-example to the “those that can’t do teach” complaint. While I don’t endorse any how-to gurus, it sounds like these books are better than most. For this round, he tackled the three Save the Cat! books by Blake Snyder. I don’t read how-to books on screenwriting, but Stuart does, so I occasionally ask him to write up his impressions.

Syd field save the cat