Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 21-25 of 262
 Great Read, Great Reference May 11, 2009
John B. McMillion (San Diego, CA)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
The best advice for any new screenwriter always comes back to write, write, write. You learn so much by doing the story problem solving yourself. The great thing I've found after reading Save The Cat! is the author has taken everything he's learned from his years of problem solving, and illuminated all the "aha" moments he's had along the way, presenting them in everyday language you can pick up in seconds. I learned so much from reading the book, but I find I come back to it as a reference book over and over again.
I think this book is a must have, because it goes into more detail. But to really drive the points home, I learn best by example, so his second book Save the Cat! Goes to the Movies, helped me really see 1) if these beats all really exist in actual movies instead of just "writing theory", and 2) how other writers organized their stories. I think if you read the Save the Cat books, and Iglesias' book on writing for emotional impact, you'll be well on your way to writing a great story.
Saved My Writing! May 7, 2009
Joel Bryant (Los Angeles)
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
I have something to admit from the start: I hate industry books. Whether it be acting, writing, directing, craft servicing, whatever - they usually tend to be a lot of "rules" that one must "follow" for "success."
Having worked in the entertainment industry, I know there are no steadfast "rules" that one must "follow" for "success" (OK, a few, like don't punch a casting director at an audition, don't copy scripts word-for-word, etc.).
I do enjoy show business-related books that give a different perspective on how to find success in entertainment - from people that have, you know, found success.
What "Save The Cat" does is present a tried-and-true style of getting your idea to script-form that has worked a number of times for Mr. Snyder and can easily work for you. Don't believe it? No problem, as Mr. Snyder presents example after example of how it does actually work.
However, he never says it MUST be done like this or this is INDUSTRY STANDARD or DON'T DO IT ANY OTHER WAY!!
He simply states: I've done this and it's worked for me. Should work for you.
It's a brisk, entertaining read and the concept of his style of screenwriting is so basic in it's lay-out and so well-explained, there's absolutely no reason why you couldn't put the book down and hop right on Final Draft.
It's not a cure-all, and it's not going to make everybody a great writer (thank God, we don't need the competition), but it's just "a way." And it's worth trying.
As I mentioned, the book itself is so well-written in it's presentation of his method that it is flat-out entertaining as well. There are behind-the-scenes tidbits, industry analysis and educating anecdotes from a writer that's been in the game for a while.
Heck, if you're up against a wall in your career, the last chapter alone is worth the read, if for nothing else than to help you pick yourself up by your boot-straps, shake off the dust and get to work.
(Then go back and read the rest of the book to find a great method for doing just that!)
Excellent May 4, 2009
N. Egbuonye (California)
1 out of 5 found this review helpful
Got my book quite quickly and it was very clean and just as the seller described. I was very happy with my purchase and I'd use this seller again.
 no book yet! May 3, 2009
Robert J. Ray
1 out of 13 found this review helpful
i ordered save the cat
on april 2, 2009
now it's may and no book yet
what's cooking?
Absolutely, no question the #1 screenwriting book April 30, 2009
thekittens (Los Angeles, CA)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
After reading this book and the sequel, "Save The Cat! Goes to the Movies," I can say with certainty that these are BY FAR the best screenwriting books around.
As a novelist, I know that all my writing will benefit greatly from Blake Snyder's insights into structure, and I am looking forward to Blake's third book, applying his structure to novels.
Finally, I also recommend Blake's weekend screenwriting seminar; I just took one in L.A. and it's superb.
Showing reviews 21-25 of 262
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