Save the Cat beat sheet

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The Save the Cat beat sheet is a popular screenwriting and storytelling framework that breaks a story into a series of specific, audience-pleasing plot beats to guide structure and pacing.

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Statements (48)

Predicate Object
instanceOf plot outlining method
screenwriting tool
story structure framework
associatedWithBook Save the Cat!: The Last Book on Screenwriting You'll Ever Need NERFINISHED
creator Blake Snyder NERFINISHED
criticizedFor formulaic storytelling
overemphasis on commercial appeal
emphasizes clear story structure
emotional payoff
marketable concepts
relatable protagonists
firstDescribedIn Save the Cat!: The Last Book on Screenwriting You'll Ever Need NERFINISHED
focusesOn audience-pleasing plot beats
commercial storytelling
hasBeat All Is Lost NERFINISHED
B Story
Bad Guys Close In
Break into Three
Break into Two
Catalyst
Dark Night of the Soul NERFINISHED
Debate
Final Image
Finale
Fun and Games NERFINISHED
Midpoint
Opening Image
Set-Up
Theme Stated NERFINISHED
implementedIn Save the Cat! software and templates
influenced contemporary Hollywood screenwriting practice
influencedBy three-act structure
medium books
online courses
workshops
partOf Save the Cat methodology NERFINISHED
popularWith aspiring screenwriters
novelists
professional screenwriters
timeSpanCovered entire narrative from opening image to final image
typicalBeatCount 15
usedFor outlining TV episodes
outlining feature films
outlining novels
pacing a story
plot structuring
screenwriting
story development

Referenced by (1)

Full triples — surface form annotated when it differs from this entity's canonical label.

Blake Snyder notableIdea Save the Cat beat sheet