I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
Author Jamie Nash takes the mantle from Blake Snyder to show writers and authors how to create binge-worth content for television in the latest entry in the Save the Cat series, “Save the Cat! Writes For TV”.
The Synopsis
First, what is Save the Cat!®?
Save the Cat! provides writers the resources they need to develop their screenplays and novels based on a series of best-selling books, primarily written by Blake Snyder (1957- 2009). Blake’s method is based on 10 distinctive genres and his 15 story beats (the Blake Snyder Beat Sheet). Our books, workshops, story structure software, apps, and story coaching teach you everything you need to unlock the fundamentals and mechanics of plot and character transformation.
Blake Snyder’s Save the Cat!, the world’s top-selling story method for filmmakers and novelists, introduces The Last Book on Creating Binge-Worthy Content You’ll Ever Need.
Screenwriter Jamie Nash takes up Snyder’s torch to lay out a step-by-step approach using Blake’s principles for both new and experienced writers, including:
How to write and structure a compelling TV pilot that can launch both your series and your TV writing career
All the nuances, tricks, and techniques of pilot-writing: the Opening Pitch, the Guided Tour, the Whiff of Change, and more
The 8 Save the Cat! TV Franchise Types that will improve your story and your pitch
The not-so-secret TV Pitch Template that turns your TV series into the necessary read-over-lunch industry document
a how-to in creating layered characters who are driven by complex internal struggles
Beat sheets of the pilots of Barry, Ozark, Grey’s Anatomy, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, What We Do in the Shadows, Black-ish, The Mandalorian, This Is Us, Law and Order: SVU and more to help you crack your story.
Create your binge-worthy TV series with Save the Cat! Writes for TV.
The Review
Such a truly valuable and informative read. The author does a great job of showcasing the skills and work that goes into television writing but incorporating his own unique voice and wit into the writing to make the reader feel connected to the information they are absorbing.
However, what really stands out is the information that the author bestows upon the readers, building upon the legacy of Blake Snyder’s work with an insight into modern-day television in the age of streaming services. The breakdown of the book into four sections of television writing, and focusing on building oneself up from a member of the writer’s room to a showrunner was a great foundation to lay for this book, and the educational yet relatable way the author writes to his audience really allowed this information to be absorbed greatly. I, as a writer, definitely felt the expertise that went into this book.
The Verdict
A memorable, thoughtful, and insightful book on television writing, author Jamie Nash’s “Save the Cat! Writes for TV” is a must-have book for any aspiring and established writers out there. While the book’s primary focus on television writing is truly amazing, I feel, as an author myself, that this book can easily translate and apply to all formats of writing, especially for those hoping to craft memorable, long-last series or arcs for multiple books, something I know I could use. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Jamie Nash has written and sold almost every type of story under the sun, including the horror films Exists, V/H/S/2, The Night Watchmen, Altered, and Lovely Molly, and the family films Santa Hunters and Tiny Christmas. He has written the Middle-Grade novels Bunk! and The 44 Rules of Amateur Sleuthing and the sci-fi novel Nomad. Jamie knows what it’s like to make a living as a writer. When he s not writing and selling work, he teaches screenwriting at Johns Hopkins University and MICA and co-hosts the podcast Writers/Blockbusters. Jamie lives in Maryland with his wife, son, and a talking dog.
Join us as we celebrate the launch of another Save the Cat tour! We are featuring the newest book Save the Cat! Writes for TV. Read an interview with the author and stop by and win a copy for yourself.
Los Angeles, CA – May 27, 2021 – Save the Cat!, the world’s leading storytelling method, has teamed up with Netflix, the world’s leading streaming entertainment service, to co-produce a series of edutainment videos designed to provide tools to the next generation anime creators in helping them find and develop their stories.
Leading anime and manga connoisseur, Akidearest, talks about the Save the Cat! “Fun and Games” story beat
“Save the Cat! Goes Anime” takes the 15 story beats coined by screenwriting guru and best-selling author of Save the Cat!, Blake Snyder, to break down the most popular anime stories ever told—from The Seven Deadly Sins, A Whisker Away, and Devilman Crybaby to Beastars—all through the lens of the biggest influencer names in anime, including anime and manga connoisseur, Akidearest, side by side with Save the Cat! expert instructor, Cory Milles.
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The premier episode of “Save the Cat! Goes Anime” is now live on the Netflix Anime Youtube channel.
“We couldn’t be happier to work with Netflix! No matter if you’re a fan of anime or want to write a script of your own, everyone creating and evaluating stories can now work from the same language,” says BJ Markel, co-owner of Save the Cat! and copy editor of the Save the Cat! books.
“There is a rich tradition in anime that draws on a thousand years of Japanese storytelling and craft. We’re excited to welcome Akidearest and Cory Milles to our growing Netflix Anime Channel to help put creative tools in the hands of a new generation of storytellers to help them bring their stories to life,” states Rob Pereyda, Head of Anime, Editorial & Publishing at Netflix.
“The Netflix Anime team is at the forefront of driving innovation. We are honored to work with their team to help guide the next generation of writers and producers in creating content,” adds Jason Kolinsky, co-owner of Save the Cat!, and co-writer and producer of “Save the Cat! Goes Anime.”
Save the Cat!® is the world’s bestselling story methodology introduced by screenwriter Blake Snyder in 2005 with his first book, Save the Cat!. Snyder’s acclaimed ideas, methods, and software have provided thousands of writers with the resources they need to develop their screenplays and novels.
I received a free copy of this course in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
In a unique and exciting new chapter for my website, I am honored today to share with you my official review of the online writing course, Save the Cat! Cracking the Beat Sheet. First I will share with you a quick course outline and what you can expect, and then I will share with you my thoughts on the course overall. I want to thank the amazing team at Save the Cat!, for including me in this amazing tour. I was honored to learn and experience this course myself, and look forward to seeing what other courses you have to offer. I also would like to thank the amazing team at Women on Writing Blog Tours for always including me in their tours, and for giving me a chance to experience this amazing course for myself. Now, let’s get into what this course is all about.
First, what is Save the Cat!®?
Save the Cat! provides writers the resources they need to develop their screenplays and novels based on a series of best-selling books, primarily written by Blake Snyder (1957- 2009). Blake’s method is based on 10 distinctive genres and his 15 story beats (the Blake Snyder Beat Sheet). Our books, workshops, story structure software, apps, and story coaching teach you everything you need to unlock the fundamentals and mechanics of plot and character transformation.
About the Save the Cat! Cracking the Beat Sheet Online Course
This course is designed for writers to turn their idea into a movie or novel. This learn-at-your-own-pace online class helps you develop the 15 key “beats” or “plot points” of your story. Strung together, in the right order, these 15 beats make up the blueprint to a successful screenplay or novel.
You’ll Turn an Idea into a Story by Learning to…
• Create a solid beat sheet that will serve as the road map, and “backbone” of your story
• Identify and know the key components of your story genre • Learn the clichés of your genre so that you can break them like an artist
• Plot your hero’s journey and “transformation” • Troubleshoot your story idea for viability
• Write a compelling logline or elevator pitch
This Course Is for Those Who…
• Want to troubleshoot an existing story
• Have so many great ideas and struggle to choose “the one”
• Are ready to write but not sure how to start
• Are determined to finish a half-written story
• Want to learn
This Course Includes…
• Over 3 hours and 17 minutes of original video production
Introducing Save the Cat!®Story Cards, consisting of Save the Cat! Beat Cards and Save the Cat! Scene Cards, all designed to outline and develop your story.
Save the Cat! Beat Cards
Crack your story from the “Opening Image” to the “Final Image.” Save the Cat!® Beat Cards provide writers with the 15 key plot points to map out your script or novel. Every set contains 15 individual index cards with helpful explanations of each beat to form the foundation of your story.
Save the Cat! Scene Cards
Every scene of your story needs to communicate “place,” “basic action,” “emotional transformation,” and “outcome.” The Save the Cat!® Scene Cards help writers nail the purpose of every scene. Each set of cards contains 40 color-coded cards broken down by act, with 10 extra cards because we know you’ll need them.
This was such an engaging and powerful course for aspiring writers out there. Originally developed by Blake Snyder for screenwriters, the Save the Cat! tool has become an educational and remarkable thing for aspiring writers in all genres and formats. This latest course does a great job of highlighting the 15 beats that a writer should hit with their story. While I won’t share what each beat entails and what goes into them, writers can expect to learn about:
Opening Image
Theme Stated
Set-Up
Catalyst
Debate
Break Into Two
B Story
Fun and Games
Midpoint
Bad Guys Close In
All is Lost
Dark Night of the Soul
Break Into Three
Finale
Final Image
The course also delves into everything from loglines and titles to the various genres that can help formulate the beats one needs for their story. The course itself was not only easy to follow and educational, but course instructor Jennifer Zhang does a remarkable job of clearly lining out the steps one needs to take to capture these beats through a series of lectures that really keep those taking this course invested, making for a one of a kind learning experience.
The Verdict
A must-have course for any aspiring writers out there, Save the Cat! Cracking the Beat Sheet is a brilliant writing course that will dramatically change how you approach future writing projects. Whether you are looking for a way to help craft the perfect screenplay or perhaps are just looking for a way to outline your next great novel, this is a course that will help you gain the confidence and knowledge that your story is flowing smoothly. If you haven’t yet, be sure to sign up for this amazing course today!
Rating: 10/10
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Blog Tour Dates
February 22nd @ The Muffin
What goes better in the morning than a muffin? Grab your coffee and join us today over at our blog, where we launch another blog tour for Save the Cat! We talk about their online course and their story cards, interview the Save the Cat team, and host a special giveaway you don’t want to miss.
Guest writer, Stephanie Anne, reviews the Save the Cat! Cracking the Beat Sheet course and Save the Cat! Story Cards on Nicole’s blog World of My Imagination.
“Potentially the difference between a blockbuster and a flop, kid!” Hollywood answered, chewing on a cigar and pouring two fingers of scotch.
In all seriousness, it is unfortunately true that more than a few cinematic gems have been buried by their lackluster titles. A good title, by contrast, can get someone to click on a trailer, read a two-sentence description that can clinch the deal, or fill a theater seat on the power of the curiosity it has inspired alone.
At the very least, a good title gets a moviegoer to ask, “tell me more”… and a really good title gets a moviegoer to say, “Okay, show me.”
And this is why Blake Snyder emphasizes in Save the Cat! – his methodology that revolutionized the language of storytelling – that you are not tasked with simply coming up with a title for your movie.
You’re tasked with giving your movie a killer title.
It’s a mission so important—so absolutely paramount—that we hammer it home in great detail in the “Cracking the Beat Sheet” online course. We also offer an arsenal of tips and pointers because, after all, imagine pouring your heart and soul into writing a story for the ages, pulling every string to get it into the hands of a decision-maker (or at least an intern) at a production company or major studio, only to have them look at the title, and with a “meh,” toss it onto the “maybe later” (maybe never) pile.
Tragedy! One that would ruffle even Shakespeare’s… ruffles! So let’s prevent it!
“Legally Blond”
“The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly”
“Fight Club”
We all know a good title when we read one. But what makes a title good?
Years ago, Blake offered us an important clue to cracking that case. He pointed out that “a good title must say what it is! and yet give us a fresh, intriguing invitation to your party that gives us a hint of the type and tone of the festivities we’re about to attend. And that’s some tight writing right there.“
So as you can see—and as many of us have had the displeasure of experiencing—it’s no easy task, nor is it a small one. And to prove that it’s a task on which even the biggest films may stumble and fall, allow me to share the example we use in the Save the Cat! “Cracking the Beat Sheet” course:
In 2014, Tom Cruise starred in a movie called Edge of Tomorrow, which was phenomenal by both audience and critics’ accounts with a 90% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The premise was basically Groundhog’s Day in the middle of an alien invasion. A man with no combat experience is forced to relive the same day over and over again until he can figure out how to thwart a devastating extraterrestrial attack.
The problem was, none of the excitement of that premise was hinted at or captured with the title “Edge of Tomorrow,” slick as it sounded. And one of the most vocal lamenters of the title’s failure was Doug Liman, the film’s director. He openly blamed this title, which was forced on the film, for the movie’s disappointing box office returns.
“I ended up having to call the person (the Warner Bros. executive) and apologize for pointing out that they were wrong,” he said. “And they started titling it the title I always thought it should have, which is Live Die Repeat. But they tiptoed around it, and when we make the sequel, it’ll be permanently titled Live Die Repeat. The sequel will be Live Die Repeat and Repeat.”
Guess what? That’s a title that says what the movie is.
Hopefully, you’re now fully convinced that a title matters a great deal, and you’re mentally running the “Say What It Is” test on your current script titles.
And if you still only find yourself on the edge of inspiration, we’ve packed our online course with wisdom and tricks to tip you over.
Happy writing! Or shall we say… live, write, repeat!
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BIO:
Jennifer Zhang is a screenwriter and filmmaker who wrote, produced and sold her award-winning debut feature “The Evil Inside” shortly after working with Blake Snyder and adopting Save the Cat! storytelling principles in her screenwriting. She is the instructor featured in the “Cracking the Beat Sheet” online course, and has most recently garnered early festival buzz for her feature-length independent thriller “Charon” which has picked up multiple official selections and “Best Writer” nominations.
About Save the Cat!
Save the Cat!® is the bestselling story methodology introduced by screenwriter Blake Snyder in 2005 with his first book, Save the Cat!. Snyder’s acclaimed ideas, methods, and software have provided thousands of writers with the resources they need to develop their screenplays and novels.
Save the Cat!’s
WOW! WOMEN ON WRITING TOUROFCracking the Beat Sheet
&
Story Development Cards
Tour Begins February 22nd
First, what is Save the Cat!®?
Save the Cat! provides writers the resources they need to develop their screenplays and novels based on a series of best-selling books, primarily written by Blake Snyder (1957- 2009). Blake’s method is based on 10 distinctive genres and his 15 story beats (the Blake Snyder Beat Sheet). Our books, workshops, story structure software, apps, and story coaching teach you everything you need to unlock the fundamentals and mechanics of plot and character transformation.
About the Save the Cat! Cracking the Beat Sheet Online Course
This course is designed for writers to turn their idea into a movie or novel. This learn-at-your-own-pace online class helps you develop the 15 key “beats” or “plot points” of your story. Strung together, in the right order, these 15 beats make up the blueprint to a successful screenplay or novel.
You’ll Turn an Idea into a Story by Learning to…
• Create a solid beat sheet that will serve as the road map, and “backbone” of your story
• Identify and know the key components of your story genre • Learn the clichés of your genre so that you can break them like an artist
• Plot your hero’s journey and “transformation” • Troubleshoot your story idea for viability
• Write a compelling logline or elevator pitch
This Course Is for Those Who…
• Want to troubleshoot an existing story
• Have so many great ideas and struggle to choose “the one”
• Are ready to write but not sure how to start
• Are determined to finish a half-written story
• Want to learn
This Course Includes…
• Over 3 hours and 17 minutes of original video production
Introducing Save the Cat!®Story Cards, consisting of Save the Cat! Beat Cards and Save the Cat! Scene Cards, all designed to outline and develop your story.
Save the Cat! Beat Cards
Crack your story from the “Opening Image” to the “Final Image.” Save the Cat!® Beat Cards provide writers with the 15 key plot points to map out your script or novel. Every set contains 15 individual index cards with helpful explanations of each beat to form the foundation of your story.
Save the Cat! Scene Cards
Every scene of your story needs to communicate “place,” “basic action,” “emotional transformation,” and “outcome.” The Save the Cat!® Scene Cards help writers nail the purpose of every scene. Each set of cards contains 40 color-coded cards broken down by act, with 10 extra cards because we know you’ll need them.
What goes better in the morning than a muffin? Grab your coffee and join us today over at our blog, where we launch another blog tour for Save the Cat! We talk about their online course and their story cards, interview the Save the Cat team, and host a special giveaway you don’t want to miss.
Guest writer, Stephanie Anne, reviews the Save the Cat! Cracking the Beat Sheet course and Save the Cat! Story Cards on Nicole’s blog World of My Imagination.
Author Anthony Avina's Blog 