The first Save the Cat book is subtitled The Last Book on Screenwriting You'll Ever Need by the late Blake Snyder.  In truth, you'll find yourself needing two more - also by Blake Snyder:  Save the Cat Goes to the Movies and Save the Cat Strikes Back. For the aspiring screenwriter, these books are almost mandatory to have in your library.

 

In easy conversational writing,  Mr. Snyder leads you by the hand showing you everything you need to know about writing a screenplay that is most likely to sell.  His basic message is one you've probably already figured out - the same but different - as Hollywood loves buying screenplays that are similar to already produced moneymakers.

In the first book, you'll discover what type of movie you are wanting to write, how to set up your beat sheet and how to use 'the board' to plot you story from start to finish.  The second book breaks down fifty different movies and shows how they fit his story theory and his unique genres.  The third book goes even deeper into  theory and again, shows how to fix glaring problems in your screenplay especially in the middle and end of the story you are trying to tell.

 

By filling out the beat sheet, commonly known as the BS2, you will have the fifteen major plot points (or 20 if following Save the Cat Strikes Back) that will be the spine of your story.  From there, you move onto 'the board' where you will fill in the gaps between the story points.

 

Many screenwriting gurus suggest using index cards to plot out your story.  Mr. Snyder takes this a bit farther and shows you how to use 'the board' , much like a story board, where you can see the entire story broken out into three acts.  Here you are able to move scenes around until your story is as strong as possible.  

 

Do you need all three books to learn the Save the Cat method of story telling?  No, if you can only get one I recommend the last one - Save the Cat Strikes Back.  It is more in-depth and covers more material.  But I would also recommend that you at least read the other two from the library.

 

It's a shame that Mr. Snyder passed away so very young (only 52).  He had much to tell the screenwriters and novelists of today and tomorrow.