Save the Cat - Story Structure that Makes Writing Easy
Save the Cat Beat Sheet – Structure Simplified
Want to make your story gripping? Want to add intensity to your screenplay or novel? Give it structure.
Today, we’ll dive into the Save the Cat beat sheet and see why it’s become one of the most popular structure techniques in modern storytelling.
Save the Cat was written by screenwriter Blake Snyder and published in 2005. Snyder sold many spec screenplays using his acclaimed structure which he believed to be the key ingredient for a successful Hollywood movie. (Note: Spec stands for speculation. This is when a writer writes a screenplay on his or her own accord without being compensated, writing on the “speculation” that the script will be sold.) He made millions doing this and millions more creating his Save the Cat book franchise.
Part of the reason why Save the Cat is so popular is because Snyder took something as elusive and puzzling as story structure and turned into a simple 15-step beat sheet. We’ll look at these 15 steps individually and see examples of how they’ve worked in movies.
Save the Cat - All 15 Steps:
Beat #1: Opening Image
The Opening Image is crucial to enticing and intriguing your audience that this is a story they’re going to want to stick around for. In most great screenplays and novels, the opening image is a metaphor for either the theme or the character’s main story problem. It also sets the tone for the story and can even give the audience an idea of genre and what’s at stake.
Example:
In The Dark Knight the Joker and his clowns pull off a bank heist. The scene sets the tone for the film in that it’s gritty, dark, and contains elements of dramatic crime and action. Also, the robbery is a metaphor for the Joker’s grand scheme. In the same way the bank loses all its money, Gotham will soon lose everything it holds dear.
Beat #2: Theme Stated
In later videos, we’ll discuss how to embed theme into your plot to make it much more essential to your story. Blake Snyder believes that the theme should also be stated in the dialogue early in your story, foreshadowing the lesson your protagonist will learn.
Example:
In The Truman Show, the theme is subtly presented when Truman's teacher tells him, "There’s nothing out there to explore, Truman, everything has already been discovered." This line hints at the film's core theme of breaking free from imposed boundaries and seeking one's own truth.
Beat #3: Set-Up
The set-up takes the first few scenes of a story to introduce the main character’s everyday life. It also sets up their wants, needs, flaws, as well as any essential supporting characters. The Set-Up introduces the main character’s world, supporting characters, and the protagonist’s wants and flaws. This section typically ends with what Snyder refers to as a “stasis=death” moment, showing that staying the same isn’t an option.
Example:
In Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, we see Harry’s unhappy life under the stairs at the Dursleys’.
Beat #4: Catalyst
This is the inciting incident that kicks off the story and disrupts the hero’s normal world.
Example:
In Finding Nemo, the catalyst is when Nemo gets captured by divers. This is the key event that will lead Marlin on the hunt to find him.
Beat #5: Debate
The Debate section is where the hero questions if they should take on the challenge presented by the Catalyst.
Example:
In Frozen, Anna debates whether she should pursue Elsa and bring her back after their big fight at the coronation were Elsa lashed out and reveals her powers to Arendelle. Anna weighs the dangers of what the journey could hold.
Beat #6: Break Into Two
This beat marks the protagonist’s commitment to the journey and the beginning of Act Two.
Break into Two is the first major plot point in the Save the Cat structure. Understanding it’s entirely lies with looking at the beats broken into three acts. The first five beats we mentioned make up the beats of Act One with beat six establishing the cross over from into Act Two, and the character entering a whole new world. In Neo’s case, quite literally.
Example:
In The Matrix, Neo takes the red pill and wakes up in the real world.
Beat #7: B Story
The B Story introduces a subplot, often a relationship that supports the theme and emotional arc of the protagonist. This subplot helps the protagonist to discover deeper truths about his or herself and acts as a backboard to rebound any questions or doubts the protagonist may have about the road ahead.
Example:
In Back to the Future, Marty, after entering the new world of 1955, goes to find Doc Brown in search of answers because of his present situation of being stuck in 1955. This sparks a friendship between the two that will ultimately help Marty get home.
This is an interesting example because we’ve already been introduced to Doc earlier in the script, but we’ve only been introduced to this new, younger Doc just now, who, technically, is a new character.
The A Plot of the movie is Marty trying to be sure his parents fall in love. The B Story is Marty trying to get home.
Example #2:
In The Shawshank Redemption, Andy’s friendship with Red is the B story that provides emotional depth and explores the themes of hope and resilience.
Beat #8: Fun and Games
This is what Blake Snyder calls the “Promise of the Premise.” Fun and Games represents a sequence of exciting scenes, often involving humor, action, or suspense, that deliver on what the log line promises. Think of these as trailer moments.
Example:
In Jurassic Park, the fun and games include the thrilling scenes of the first encounters with the T-Rex, as well as Dennis Nedry (Ned) who cuts the island’s power and races to escape during the hurricane.
Beat #9: Midpoint
Often signified by false victory or false defeat, the Midpoint is the moment where the entire story shifts. A major obstacle is either overcome or not overcome. Sometimes referred to as the “Point of No Return,” the protagonist has no point to move further and go on with their journey.
It is widely believed that the Midpoint is the most important beat in story structure as the entire plot hinges on this one moment. Some writers even start with the Midpoint when crafting their story.
There’s also typically raised stakes, increased urgency, and the introduction of a ticking clock. The Midpoint ups the ante.
Example:
In Titanic, the midpoint is when the ship hits the iceberg, turning a romance film into a survival thriller.
We’ll dive into this more in other articles but notice how James Cameron not only shifts the story in a different direction but actually changes genres. When learning how to use Save the Cat structure for your own screenplay or novel, give special attention to the Midpoint and how you can maximize your story’s potential.
Beat #10: Bad Guys Close In
Internal and external forces close in on the protagonist. Every situation or problem the hero faces intensifies and becomes more challenging with each scene. The stakes continue to rise. The odds of the protagonist achieving their goal look worse and worse.
Example:
In Die Hard, Hans finds out who John McClane’s wife is, the roof is set to explode, the terrorists become more aggressive and get closer to cracking the safe, the police back off, John cuts his foot on broken glass, and the FBI fire shots at John thinking he’s a terrorist.
Beat #11: All is Lost
This beat is the hero’s lowest point, often marked by a significant loss or setback.
Example:
In The Pursuit of Happyness, the all is lost moment comes when Chris Gardner and his son have to sleep in a subway bathroom, symbolizing his lowest point.
Beat #12: Dark Night of the Soul
The Dark Night of the Soul is the emotional moment where the hero feels defeated and wants to give up. They reflect on the All is Lost moment and search for answers in the void. The scene usually ends with a spark of hope that’s there’s one final possibility for victory that the hero overlooked.
Example:
In Spider-Man 2, Peter Parker questions if he should abandon his role as Spider-Man.
Beat #13: Break Into Three
Another of the two major plot points that define the three act structure is plot point two or what Snyder calls Break into Three, where the story shifts again in a different direction.
The hero, inspired a revelation, departs on a new path. The path is similar but different from the original. The goal changes from what the hero wants to do to what the hero should do. The mindset alteration is the only way for the hero to win the battle against the antagonist.
Example:
In Star Wars: A New Hope, the Rebels learn that the impenetrable Death Star has only one flaw: A two-meter-wide thermal exhaust port. If a fighter fires on the port, it will trigger an explosive reaction and blow up the ship.
Beat #14: Finale
The Finale is where the hero faces their biggest test and either transforms and triumphs or fails. In sci-fi, fantasy, and action stories, an epic battle takes place where the protagonist finally squares off against the villain. In a drama, this might be where a character has a big job interview or big event they’ve been planning.
Example:
In The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, Frodo destroys the One Ring.
Beat #15: Final Image
The final beat in the Save the Cat beat sheet is the Final Image. The Final Image mirrors the Opening Image but reverses it. Something has changed in the main character’s life, and the Final Image reflects that. It’s important to note that these images don’t necessarily have to be exact representations of each other. They could simply be similar in nature yet differ thematically and tonally.
Example: The Godfather
Opening Image: The movie opens with Vito Corleone, the patriarch, in his office conducting business, showcasing the power and influence as the Godfather.
Final Image: The film ends with Vito’s son, Michael Corleone, now the head of the family, sitting in the same position of power, mirroring his father’s role but with a colder, more ruthless demeanor. This emphasizes the transformation of Michael from the reluctant son to the new, formidable Godfather.
What Does Save the Cat Mean?
You’re probably thinking. Hold on. Wait a second. What about that whole “save the cat” thing? What does that mean? How does that tie into the Blake Snyder beat sheet? Where does that come from and what’s an example of that?
Blake Snyder says that it is vital that an audience identify and empathize with the protagonist. The most basic way for a character to do that is by showing that they care about others. A protagonist must “save a cat” or perform a small good deed during the Set-Up portion of the story in order for them to win over the audience.
The Blake Snyder beat sheet is one thing, but incorporating the save the cat method for a particular character varies on a case-by-case basis.
Save the Cat Structure - Final Thoughts
The key is to practice. Go back through the beats and identify where they occur in some of your favorite movies and stories.
It’s important to note:
How strikingly accurate Snyder’s claims are to popular films.
While some films may appear to follow SOME of the specific beats that doesn’t mean they follow the 15-beat structure exactly.
