Save the Cat

1. Craft a compelling logline to hook your audience

"What is it?" is the name of the game. "What is it?" is the movie. A good "What is it?" is the coin of the realm.

Essence of a logline: A logline is a one or two-sentence pitch that encapsulates your entire movie. It should include:

• An intriguing concept with irony
• A compelling mental picture
• Clear audience and cost implications
• A killer title

Components of a strong logline:

• Adjectives to describe the hero and antagonist
• A clear, primal goal for the hero
• A hint at the conflict and stakes

Test your logline: Pitch it to strangers and gauge their reactions. Refine and adjust based on feedback until you have a logline that consistently grabs attention and makes people want to know more.

2. Understand and leverage genre conventions

Give me the same thing... only different!

Ten movie genres:

1. Monster in the House
2. Golden Fleece
3. Out of the Bottle
4. Dude with a Problem
5. Rites of Passage
6. Buddy Love
7. Whydunit
8. The Fool Triumphant
9. Institutionalized
10. Superhero

Importance of genre: Understanding genre conventions allows you to:

• Meet audience expectations
• Subvert tropes in fresh ways
• Structure your story effectively
• Market your screenplay to the right buyers

Research your genre: Watch and analyze successful movies in your chosen genre. Identify common elements, plot structures, and character archetypes. Use this knowledge to inform your writing while finding ways to put your unique spin on familiar elements.

3. Create a relatable hero with a primal goal

Tell me a story about a guy who...

Characteristics of a strong hero:

• Offers the most conflict in the story's situation
• Has the longest emotional journey
• Is demographically appealing to the target audience
• Has a clear, primal goal (survival, love, revenge, etc.)

Developing your hero:

• Give them a unique voice and personality
• Create a backstory that informs their actions
• Establish clear motivations and desires
• Show their flaws and room for growth

Hero's journey: Ensure your hero undergoes significant change from the beginning to the end of the story. This transformation should be central to the plot and resonate with the audience on an emotional level.

4. Structure your screenplay using the Blake Snyder Beat Sheet

Structure, structure, structure...

The Blake Snyder Beat Sheet (BS2):

1. Opening Image (1)
2. Theme Stated (5)
3. Set-up (1-10)
4. Catalyst (12)
5. Debate (12-25)
6. Break into Two (25)
7. B Story (30)
8. Fun and Games (30-55)
9. Midpoint (55)
10. Bad Guys Close In (55-75)
11. All Is Lost (75)
12. Dark Night of the Soul (75-85)
13. Break into Three (85)
14. Finale (85-110)
15. Final Image (110)

Key beats explained:

• Opening Image: Sets the tone and introduces the hero's world
• Catalyst: The inciting incident that kicks off the story
• Break into Two: Hero leaves the familiar world and enters the new, challenging world
• Midpoint: A false victory or defeat that raises the stakes
• All Is Lost: The hero's lowest point, often featuring a "whiff of death"
• Finale: Hero applies lessons learned to overcome the antagonist and resolve the story

Using the BS2: Fill out this beat sheet for your screenplay idea before writing. It will help you identify potential story problems and ensure a solid structure from the outset.

5. Use "The Board" to visualize and refine your story

The Board is perhaps the most vital piece of equipment a screenwriter needs to have at his disposal - next to paper, pen, and laptop.

Setting up The Board:

1. Divide a large board into four horizontal rows (representing Acts 1, 2A, 2B, and 3)
2. Use index cards to represent individual scenes
3. Aim for 40 cards total (about 10 per row)

Using The Board effectively:

• Write scene locations and basic actions on each card
• Color-code cards for different characters or storylines
• Identify and fill in "black holes" (gaps in the story)
• Ensure Act Three is fully developed, not just an afterthought

Refining your story:

• Look for ways to combine or eliminate redundant scenes
• Ensure each scene has an emotional change (+/-) and clear conflict (><)
• Step back and evaluate the overall flow and pacing of your story

6. Apply immutable laws of screenplay physics

The laws of physics that govern storytelling work every time, in every situation.

Key screenplay laws:

1. Save the Cat: Make your hero likable early on
2. Pope in the Pool: Creatively deliver exposition
3. Double Mumbo Jumbo: Stick to one piece of magic per movie
4. Keep the Press Out: Maintain intimacy in your story world
5. Covenant of the Arc: Ensure all characters change throughout the story

Additional screenwriting principles:

• Laying Pipe: Don't overload the audience with too much setup
• Watch Out for That Glacier: Keep the danger immediate and pressing
• Black Vet: Avoid overcomplicating your concept

Applying these laws: Use these principles as a checklist when reviewing your screenplay. They can help you identify and fix common storytelling problems, ensuring your script adheres to proven narrative techniques.

7. Revise and polish your script for maximum impact

When in doubt, do it. Odds are that if you, or your initial batch of readers, have found problems with your screenplay, everyone else will too.

Common script problems and solutions:

1. Inactive hero: Ensure your protagonist drives the action
2. Talking the plot: Show, don't tell
3. Weak antagonist: Make the bad guy badder
4. Lack of escalation: Turn, turn, turn (intensify conflicts)
5. One-note emotion: Use the full emotional color wheel
6. Flat dialogue: Give each character a unique voice
7. Forgettable supporting characters: Add "a limp and an eyepatch"

Revision process:

1. Set your script aside for a week or more
2. Read it through in one sitting, taking notes
3. Apply the "Is It Broken?" test to identify weak spots
4. Rewrite problem areas, focusing on one issue at a time
5. Get feedback from trusted readers and repeat the process

Polishing tips:

• Eliminate unnecessary words and scenes
• Ensure every line of dialogue serves a purpose
• Double-check your formatting and spelling
• Read your script aloud to catch awkward phrasing

8. Market yourself and your screenplay effectively

Every Sale Has a Story!

Building your network:

• Attend film festivals and industry events
• Join screenwriting groups (online and in-person)
• Take classes and workshops
• Consider moving to Los Angeles

Marketing strategies:

• Create a compelling personal brand
• Develop a strong online presence (website, social media)
• Perfect your pitch for both written and in-person scenarios
• Be prepared with multiple script ideas and treatments

Finding representation:

• Research potential agents and managers
• Get referrals from industry contacts
• Consider starting with a smaller agency to build your reputation

Do's and Don'ts:

• Do: Be persistent, professional, and courteous
• Do: Follow up on leads and maintain relationships
• Don't: Use gimmicks or stunts to get attention
• Don't: Rely solely on screenplay contests for exposure

Remember: Success in screenwriting often comes from a combination of talent, perseverance, and networking. Keep writing, keep improving, and keep putting yourself out there until you get your break.

Last updated: December 7, 2024