Good Storytelling (Is Not an Exact Science)

By Mackenzi V.

    Save the Cat!: The Last Book on Screenwriting You'll Ever Need by the late Blake Snyder is a clever breakdown of story structure from a "show biz veteran" himself. While the book is good in that it gets the reader thinking about film in terms of structure, this veteran status at times gives Snyder a condescending rather than helpful voice. Despite this, the advice seems to be sound. Save the Cat! is a book for those inexperienced writers who aren't quite sure where to start (and maybe don't mind being talked down to).

The concept at the book's core is an interesting one: a "save the cat" scene is one which introduces a hero by having them do something heroic (like saving a cat), therefore defining them as a character and making them likeable in the eyes of the audience. This makes sense, and while Snyder has quite a few sound ideas like this, his book is based on the premise that "good storytelling" is formulaic. This concept seems flawed at times, though Snyder does teach a surprising amount about structuring three acts and the necessities of a script. While the advice is mostly useful and it's clear the writer knows what he's talking about, the belief that all good stories must meet a set of requirements seems naive.
    Save the Cat! is worth the read for a beginning screenwriter who's looking to follow certain formulas. It is probably not the book for a more experienced writer, or anyone who has an issue with having their story follow a specific set of rules. Snyder has created a useful, comprehensible guide to Hollywood storylines and the business itself. Save the Cat! is not a perfect book, but it is sure to be a valuable tool for those screenwriters who are just getting started.