Save the Cat is the most famous storytelling structure by far. The book proved to be a massive financial success leading many to believe that Save the Cat is the default structure of all stories. Without a doubt, Save the Cat is an ideal place for a beginner and functions as a great introduction to storytelling.

Beats

Act 1:

• Opening Image: A strong thematic image to start.
• Theme Stated: At some point near the beginning, the theme of the script is stated.
• Set-Up: Plot work to set-up the rest of the story.
• Catalyst: The incident that sets the adventure in motion.
• Debate: The protagonist is reluctant to begin their journey.

Act 2A:

• Break into Two: A plot point (often a change in location) that indicates the adventure has begun.
• B Story: A secondary story begins, often a love interest.
• Fun and Games: The promise of the premise. If this is an action movie, have your best action setpiece here.
• Midpoint: A plot point that raises the stakes and changes the direction of the story.

• Bad Guys Close In: The antagonistic force applies pressure on the protagonist.
• All is Lost: The protagonist fails in a gambit and is sent spiralling.
• Dark Night of the Soul: An introspective moment where the protagonist wonders how they got to where they are.

Act 3

• Break into Three: A thematic or plot revelation spurs the protagonist forward, reinvigorating them.
• Finale: The final setpieces where the story concludes.
• Final Image: The final image of the screenplay.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Simple and clean. There’s no fluff and everything has a clear purpose in the layout.
• Offers a strong introduction to storytelling structure.
• Allows the intrepid screenwriter to rewatch films they’re familiar and better understand how their favourite stories function.

Cons

• A little too didactic. In the book, Snyder is adamant that plot points must fall on specific pages. This can lead to a lot of hamstrung screenplays.
• Lacks nuance. Unlike some other structures, Snyder has no interest in exploring why these beats are organized like this. This makes the whole idea feel arbitrary.
• Save the Cat only accounts for mainstream Hollywood movies (though, not unanimously). Try applying Save the Cat to something out of the mainstream and you’re going to have a lot of trouble.

Difficulty Level: Easy

Use Case: If you’re just starting out, writing a screenplay while using Save the Cat can help you grasp the basics and churn out a story that has a strong backbone.

A paperback version of Save the Cat by Blake Snyder book can be found on Amazon here.