Save the Cat

In memory of Blake Snyder.

In the introduction of, Save the Cat, author Blake Snyder explains the origination of the book's title. It's an old Hollywood insider term that names a screen story's essential scene, the scene in which the main character saves a cat, or acts in some other way that endears him or herself to the audience.

No matter how surly or cool or in other ways unlikeable our hero may be, the writer's first task is to build an empathetic connection with the audience. This fundamental principle must be observed. While splashy effects and sexual cool are splashy and sexy, they will NOT sustain an audience for a full-length feature. For a full-length story, we need to care enough to follow our main character anywhere for the better part of two hours.

Examples: SEA OF LOVE, RAISING ARIZONA, THE PROFESSIONAL

Welcome Screenwriters

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Next post - I'll share a useful nugget of wisdom--some would say the essential nugget--from Save the Cat by Blake Snyder.