"Save The Cat!", Blake Snyder’s Plot Structure Beat Sheet (BS2)

A list by Blake

The two Save the Cat books by Blake Snyder explore common structures in storytelling, filmic storytelling that is. With his first book, "Save The Cat!", Blake introduced a sort of template that many writers in Hollywood adopted since then, a twist on The Hero's Journey and the classic 3-act structure.

Buy the book. It’s a good read for any writer!

Tags

: screenwriting plot story structure writing narrative-science

• Opening image (p. 1)
  Sets the tone for the story and suggests the protagonist’s primary problem.
• Theme is stated (p. 5)
  A question or statement, usually made to the protagonist, indicating the story’s main thematic idea.
• Set-up (p. 1-10)
  An introduction to the main characters and setting—the background.
• Catalyst (p. 12)
  A major event that changes the protagonist’s world and sets the story in motion.
• Debate (p. 12-25)
  A question is raised about the choice now before the protagonist. Often this section lays out the stakes for the journey ahead.
• Break into Act II (pp. 25-30)
  The hero definitively leaves his old world or situation and enters a strange new one.
• B-story (p. 30)
  A secondary plotline that often fleshes out side characters—frequently a mentor or a love interest—who assist the hero on his journey.
• Fun and games (pp. 30-55)
  Snyder says this section offers “the promise of the premise.” It’s an exploration of the story’s core concept that gives the story its “trailer-friendly moments.” It’s usually lighter in tone, and it typically builds to a big victory at the
• Midpoint (p. 55)
  The A and B stories cross. The story builds to either a false victory or (less often) false defeat. New information is revealed that raises the stakes.
• Bad guys close in (pp. 55-75)
  After the victory at the midpoint, things grow steadily worse as the villains regroup and push forward.
• All is lost (p. 75)
  Mirroring the midpoint, it’s usually a false defeat. The hero’s life is in shambles. Often there’s a major death or at least the sense of death—a reference to dying or mortality somehow.
• Dark night of the soul (pp. 75-85)
  A moment of contemplation in which the hero considers how far he’s come and all he’s learned. It’s the moment in which the hero asks, “Why is all this happening?”
• Break into Act III (p. 85)
  A “Eureka!” moment that gives the hero the strength to keep going—and provides the key to success in Act III.
• Finale (pp. 85-110)
  Relying on all he has learned throughout the story, the hero solves his problems, defeats the villains, and changes the world for the better.
• Final image (p. 110)
  A mirror of the opening image that underlines the lessons learned and illustrates how the world has changed.