Save the Cat | The 15 Beat Plot Sheet by Blake Snyder
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 16 มิ.ย. 2024
- You've heard of it before but you might have heard it called a lot of different things, the Blake Snyder Beat Sheet (the original name), the 15 Beat Plot Structure, Save The Cat (the book that contained the structure), and other variations of those, and now, of course, we have Save the Cat Writes a Novel.
I'm here to give you some info on the beat sheet as well as to break down each stage, including the five-beat finale (Storming the Castle). I use How To Train Your Dragon 1 and The Hunger Games (the book with visuals from the movies) as examples to help clarify every stage.
Save the Cat Calculator: beatsheetcalculator.com/
#writingAdvice #Preptober #Naniwrimo
**ALETHEIA IS NOW AVAILABLE ON AUDIBLE!**
- Audiobook Trailer: • Aletheia | Official Au...
- Link (If you're a new member you can even pick it up for free): www.audible.com/pd/B08TRJQW62...
***#Ad: Please note that all book links are Amazon affiliate links and I am an Amazon associate. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. To locate the books in an unaffiliated way, simply search the book title on Amazon.
******Books mentioned******
Save the Cat Writes a Novel by Jessica Brody (contains the five-point finale): amzn.to/2nu4SCR
Original Save the Cat by Blake Snyder: amzn.to/2nz6viP
Save the Cat Strikes Back by Blake Snyder: amzn.to/2mXPrTg
******Related Videos and Videos Mentioned******
Some more background on Save the Cat, as well as summaries of The Hero's Journey and Dan Harmon's Story Circle: • The Most Popular Story...
The Hero's Journey to Save the Cat: • The Hero's Journey to ...
Where to Start Your Story: • Where to Start Your St...
Want vs Need (which touches on theme): • How To Write Character...
How HTTYD Makes Audiences Cry: • The Hidden World of Em...
**The Page Nomad**
Channel: / @camwolfeauthor
Hero's Journey Video: • the SECRET story formula
**Support me on Patreon by joining the Kitten Coalition ( / cloudkittenchronicles)**
Special shout out and thank you to everyone in the Cloud Kitten Tier. Check them out because they’re awesome!
- Steph Arven: / steph_arven
- Michelle Winkler: / @mwinklerbooks
- Jennifer T. Jarrett: / jenntjarrett
- Courteney Levet: / @courteneylevet4539
**Aletheia is available in audiobook, hardcover, paperback, and ebook (including Kindle Unlimited)**
- Audiobook Trailer: • Aletheia | Official Au...
- Launch Trailer: • Aletheia (Official Tra...
- Amazon: bit.ly/buyaletheia
- Signed copies: www.megantennant.com/shop
- Other Retailers: megantennant.com/external-ret...
- Goodreads: bit.ly/grAletheia
***Products I love (contains affiliate links): www.amazon.com/shop/cloudkitt...
**Social Media**
- Newsletter: www.megantennant.com/mailing-...
- Website: MeganTennant.com
- Twitter: / _megan_tennant
- Bookstagram: / _megan_tennant
**TIMESTAMPS**
(Courtesy of Ashlee in the comments, THANK YOU ASHLEE!)
00:00 - Background
03:51 - First image (1)
04:56 - Theme stated (2)
06:28 - Setup (3)
07:38 - Catalyst (4)
08:24 - Debate (5)
09:14 - ACT 2
09:22 - Break into two (6
10:07 - B story (7)
11:05 - Fun and games (8)
12:22 - Midpoint (9)
13:21 - Bad guys close in (10)
14:38 - All is lost (11)
15:50 - Dark night of the soul (12)
16:45 - Break into three (13)
17:29 - Storming the castle (14A)
18:33 - High tower surprise (14C)
19:07 - Dig deep down (14D)
20:01 - Executing the new plan (14E)
20:47 - The final image (15) - บันเทิง
"So this is how you save the cat"
Throws a book in cat's face.
@@micahjoey2108 I don't care.
Examples! Examples! Yes. There are many videos that talk about this plot, but they are lack of real examples. This video make everything in perspective. Thank you for putting the work.
This was such a well-made video!! The set-up!! The intro!! It’s everything!! Instant sub ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜
Thank you so much!!
The examples make these concepts so much easier to understand-Thank you!! And thank you for feline fun!
This is AMAZING. So underrated. Thank you so much! The Hunger Games is my favorite movie/story of all time, and I'm so glad to have it used an example. Helps extremely!
Honestly, this was a fantastic analysis. I am very impressed with the quality of content and clarity. Thank you so much for the breakdown. I took some amazing notes that I will share on social media with a link to this video and hopefully get you so more views! Keep up the amazing work!
Thank you so much for the compliment and the share!!! At this size shares make all of the difference which means you're making all of the difference and I cannot thank you enough.
Most videos are just people talking, You give examples with my two favorite stories! I'm in the research phase before I actually write my book. This was extremely simple to understand. While others confuse me. Thank you, and your book based on the title looks interesting I may have to check it out!
Amazing backdrop, excellent explanation, great editing... and cat.
I’M SUBSCRIBING!!
great job breaking down the beats. You were on point with the book stages and giving examples...loved it. I am a new sub. this video helped so much with the book Save the cat...i will watch this over and over. I want to learn these beats and examples like my date of birth. Great job on presenting the info plainly and clearly. i totally got it.
This is one of the best explanations I've seen
This was Awesome. I took notes.. I didn't watch it all in one sitting. It took three times. I'm fusing this into my screenplay project.. Thanks very very much.
Awesome video, thank you for the thorough explanation! - Especially useful since you gave two examples that are so different.
You are so very welcome ❤ thank you for the comment!
This is really informative and I love your editing
You are so informative and adorable. Your cat is also adorable. I subscribed as soon as you 'saved' him. Too cute
Awww thank you ❤❤❤
Great video! I love the way you broke down those examples.
Thank you!!! I'm so happy you liked it
I always saw How To Train Your Dragon's theme (across all 3 movies) to be dealing with and overcoming loss.
I'd say that's defenitely a part of the overarching theme of the series but I wouldn't say it's the core message of the individual movies. I personally found the core messages as
First movie: to be being yourself
Second movie: this one was the foggiest, but I saw it as embracing responsibility and facing down adulthood as we saw through both Toothless and Hiccup needing to take leadership roles with their people.
Third movie: About growing apart and how it's just part of life and we need to accept it.
These movies have always been so great at aging with the audience. In my opinion with child hiccup we see a focus on confidence and trusting who you are. With new adult Hiccup we saw him struggling with responsibility and the wieght of new roles. And adult hiccup we saw the struggle that is the natural growing apart we face when we move away from home and our friends from highschool drift off and we grow less close with our family and it's just something we have to accept. It's about letting go.
But I do think loss is a thread maintained throughout the series. One of the things that makes the trilogy so great is that there are threads of theme that run through all of them, connecting them in ways many animated series don't bother with.
Sorry for the long ass message lol. This is something I'm super passionate about.
@@CloudKitten OMG this is gold!
Just watched with the whole family and everyone was glued to the screen. We are gearing up to start making some fun family entertainment and this video was very inspiring, thanks! Liked/Subscribed.
ME LITERALLY CRYING FROM THE TINY SHOWING OF THE I VOLUNTEER CLIP..... I'm an emotional wreck omg.
You really chose the best examples for opposite take on the 15 beat structure.
It's funny you say that because at the time I just wanted something animated and something live action, but when I started breaking them down I realized they had some nice fundamental differences. I'm happy you found it helpful!
Outstanding presentation. Enjoyed the editing.
Thank you for this video. I especially found your explanation of Beat 14 useful.
You're very welcome! I was so happy to find Blake Snyder's later expansion on the beat. It really helps clarify an otherwise quite daunting beat and I'm happy to be able to share it with others
Oh wow, thank you. Everything was explained so clearly. Keep up the good work!
You're very welcome! Thank you for the lovely comment!
i LOVED THIS. USING THIS FOR MY NEXT PRODUCTION THANK YOU SO MUCH!
That's awesome!!! I hope it's able to help
Beautifully explained. Thanks a lot!
Most welcome! And thank you for commenting.
I ran down the rabbit hole looking for substance and found a cat. Who doesn't love cats! I so needed this. It is perfect, thank you!
Glad it was helpful! It is, indeed, hard to go wrong with a cat.
Thank you so much for making this!
Thank you, this has been very helpful!
You're very welcome!
Thank you for breaking this down so well with two examples. I’m exploring different plotting to see which on fits more naturally with me.
You are so very welcome. I'm so happy you enjoyed it
I've been listening to the audible version of Save the Cat and it has definitely helped me build a better, well structured story. And by no means do I consider myself an expert, or an amatuer for that matter
I am awed with how amazing the editing of this video is and how well you convey your points. Your videos are always so amazing!
Also I love both The Hunger Games and How to Train Your Dragon!
Thank you for this comment ❤❤❤ it's comments like these that make all the editing worth it. Thank you! Also I'm happy we can continue to be friends lol
@@CloudKitten lol I'm glad I read and watched the right trilogies! They are great examples!
Thank you for this summary. It was really helpful.
You're very welcome!
She's very very good! I'm taking notes and I found the beat sheet calculator..
This video is so helpful, thank you!
You're so welcome!
fantastic vid, thank you so much!
You're very welcome! Thank you for the comment
This helps me so much thank you
You're so welcome!
Love Love Love Save the Cat! Good recap.
Thank you!!
Awesome video loved watching and your cat is adorable!
Excellent synopsis and you are quite entertaining!
Thank you kindly!
Hahaha! It's supposed to be "save the cat" not "throw the book at the cat"! 😂 I'm watching this just in time for prep-tober! I do have this book but now I realize what an engaging educator you are, explaining all the things I've mostly forgotten lol
Thanks so much!
Great video. I love Save the Cat, and this was a great breakdown.
Thank you!!! I'm so happy you liked it
thank you! your great!
You're welcome!
Background is super cool
You put so much work into these! ^_^
Comments like this make it all worth it
I'm currently developing a story that I want to make either as a screenplay or a novel. I'm having a hard time with certain scenes but the way you explained the different 5 stages of finale helped me tones! Also the way you explained each beat as a whole also helped me so much. Thank you :D
Thank you 🙏🏽
The tower part reminded me of The Labyrinth, when Sarah and the goblin king face each other in the end.
I haven't watched it. The puppets scare me lmao. I was that kid that couldn't watch the Muppet's Christmas Carol because it freaked me out. Also Claymation. I think it's the unnatural movement *shudders*
Thanks so much!! It was so good to see a breakdown of the beats with examples from 2 movies!!
It's so funny you posted this video today, as I just watched the first episode of Myths and Monsters on Netflix. Where Joseph Campbell's Hero's Journey is the topic.
You have peaked my interested. Is that a documentary? I am intrigued
@@CloudKitten Not really a documentary. It's kind of like Ancient Aliens in feel. It explores different myths and legends and how they fit in with the human narrative of life.
@@evelyngray9893 Well I know what I'm watching while I eat lunch now. Thank you!!
@@CloudKitten You're very welcome!
New subscriber, awesome video
Thank you and welcome!
How To Train Your Dragon has so a great story! Lovely video
I 100% agree. It's my all time favorite animated movie series and I cannot talk about it enough
Thanks for this. I completed a 1st draft of a novel recently and coupldn't figure out whay the ending landed flat. Now I know how to go back and fix it using step 14.
Stories are so complex (especially from the POV of the writer) and it can be so hard sometimes to absorb the big picture. I truly think structures like this are amazing tools for re-framing. I'm so happy to have been able to help and I wish you the best of luck in your writing!
New sub ... great video!
My main character stated the theme herself. She would have saved herself a lot of trouble if she had understood where she was falling short of her beliefs.
I love your background
I love how some people love it and than some people are driven completely crazy by the concept of having the series and authors completely split up. It's too chaotic for some to handle
I am late, I know. But I LOVE this video! I want to rewatch HTSYD and reread THG now. Great video, Megan!!
“Words, how do they work?” 🤣🤣🤣
Your Intro music is fun
Thank you! It's called Believing in You and is by Cacti. I've had to start using it less because it's so long but it hurts every time I have to leave it out of a video
So, i have been struggling with a story for years. Just now picked up the beat sheet method, and it has been benificial, but I've rewritten that thing almost 10 times now and I still have at least one more rewrite in store. Is that normal?
I don't really think there's such a thing as "normal" in creative processes. I've heard of people with that many re-writes, I've heard of people with just 2 drafts, I myself don't do counted drafts and just sort of bounce between editing and writing until I'm happy. If it works for you and leads to a product you're happy with, I think that's the most important thing, especially on your first story where you aren't constrained by deadlines.
I go through 10 drafts minimum.
@@sifugurusensei I think I was not clear. I meant different versions of the outline. I could die happy having just finished the first draft!
@@mhollis1989 whatever it takes I guess. That's what make art great. We all have different journey's. Me, I only wrote 10% of the screenplay, but I became stuck, and it's sitting in my google drive for 5 years or something crazy.
What a gorgeous cat, it looks like a Bengal, Mum & I had one each, Mystery was a pure one, my one was half Bengal, both are missed as they died.
Yeah he's part Bengal though I'm not sure how much. And thank you!! I have him and also a black cat. Got him in Michigan
Great video. I missed the step where the male lead loses a leg.
Imagine a How to train your dragon and The hunger games crossover!
I'd pay to see that in theaters
@@CloudKitten Same here.
Could you do this with Gilded by Marissa Meyer? Or if Gilded follows the Hero's Journey then break that down for us?
Sorry I've not read that one. Though Save the Cat is pretty popular so there may already be some examples online, and if not, it's always great practice to take a swing at pairing a story to the beats so you might find it helpful to give it a try yourself. Most stories won't fit every beat of any particular structure, but structures can still help you break down the narrative and give a better idea of flow and pacing.
@@CloudKitten Ok, thank you!
Hi! I study "Save the cats" sheets and I have a question about "Refuse the call" point. Is it really so important to the story? Does every story has to have it? Where is "Refuse the call" point in the "Harry Potter" series? I mean, Harry doesn't refuse to go to the Hogwart, only his uncle does. Or in "Game of thrones" (for each main character)? Or in "Invisible life of Addie LaRue"? Or maybe there are so situations or types of the novels that don't need "refuse the call" point? Thanks in advance.
I go more in depth on that in my hero's journey video I think, but I'll do a TLDR. First things first (this video is older so I apologize that it doesn't include this) narrative structures aren't set formulas or rules. Skipping or altering beats for the sake of the story is completely valid and generally encouraged. These structures are simply meant to help guide and analyze thoughts surrounding story.
But with that said, the refusal is almost always present in some form. The catch is the level of focus it gets. Because here's the thing about the call to adventure, it is taking a character in a place of familiarity and stasis and hurling or dragging them towards something completely new. And humans generally react to sudden changes with anything from doubt and anxiety to utter refusal. And so in the case of characters hungry for change, the refusal may simply be a sentence or two in which they ask themselves "should I really be doing this?". It's that tiny stumble where they look back at the world they know, that second of hesitation, that flash of fear or moment of doubt. It's worth noting that refusals are rarely accepted by the plot. They are generally a fleeting state that's quickly overcome , whether internally or by the hero being picked up and carried across the threshold.
In Harry Potter it's Harry saying he isn't a wizard and not believing Hagrid without proof. He's refusing to accept that he's special because he's scared of change and of the new world. In Game of Thrones it's a bit different given how many POVs there are, but Ned Stark is played as the main character at the start, and he wants to refuse to go to King's Landing, but feels he has no choice (if I remember properly). I've not yet read The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue so I can't say for sure on that one, though it was the first book she wrote and seems to have a large flashback content, so it could be playing with conventions.
But now with all that said, there are stories that skip the refusal, and they generally contain one of the following:
- Starts en media res (IE: in the middle) and so skips the refusal entirely (sometimes shown in flashback)
- Story is whimsical and surreal and so audience immersion is more pliable and the character lacking an aversion to change doesn't break it
- Character starts in such a bad place that nothing in the extra-ordinary world could be worse (This is why Harry Potter has such a subtle refusal)
- Character has great trust in the inciting incident (whether misplaced or otherwise)
- Character is not in a mental space to doubt (unconcious, be-witched, distracted, desperate, in grave parel, etc)
- Character doesn't yet realize the extent of the change or believes they can easily return to the ordinary world. This includes characters who think they are dreaming or being pranked
- Character's main flaw is tied into them skipping the refusal (arrogance, ignorance, apathy, chaotic, etc)
- Non-linear narrative structure or non-traditional point of view
oops, that was a long TLDR. Sorry, I'm SUPER fascinated by narrative structures and love talking about them. I hope that helped. For a bit more see my video on the Hero's Journey, and the Hero's Journey in Blade Runner 2049 (if you've seen the film). I'll also be releasing a video soon that covers this a bit
@@CloudKitten Oh my gosh, thank you SO MUCH for your answer. It absolutely helped me! " Character has great trust in the inciting incident (whether misplaced or otherwise) " and "- Character's main flaw is tied into them skipping the refusal " - that is my Main character for sure. In my story my MC is a princess (let's say) and wants to learn how to fight (in simply words). Then someone attacked her so she got a permission to learn some fighting skills, so ofc she is super-happy. She doesn't realize that more important thing is that someone attacked her in the first place. Thank you!
@@lagadema16 Yep, that sounds like a solid usage! I'm more careful with disclaimers on videos like this these days, but these older ones not so much, so I do apologize for that. Always take writing videos with a grain of salt because only you know your story and in art there are no rules, only guidelines which can effectively be bent and broken. I'm glad you commented and that I was able to assist and wish you the best of luck in your story! It sounds like you are passionate about it, and that's the most important ingredient in a good story.
If you pause at 9:51 you see Megan attempt to teleport, lol
(Super Megans gonna join the gotg)
I'd join the gotg so fast you'd think I'd teleported there lol
@@CloudKitten Lol, same.
I once had a dream I joined the gotg. I had a super power and everything. It was a weird dream.
Can Save the Cat be used for writing a stage play?
I don't see why not. I think really it can be applied to any form of story to some extent. Just remember it isn't a rigid rule set and let yourself change and adapt it wherever you need to for the sake of the story or medium.
seriously, i am mostly subscribing because of your cats name.
Yes!!! I knew the name would come in handy some day
@@CloudKitten But you are really witty too, and I enjoy your expertise! Keep creating :)
What's that song at the end?
Believing in You by Cacti if I'm remembering properly.
@@CloudKitten It's a gorgeous song. Thanks for letting me know. Gonna purchase a license for if for my outros.
I like cats and yes cats should be saved.
I approve of this message
Nothing gets in my head but I been watching you talking that's all I did sorry your beautiful that's all I get from this video . Am I doing wrongly your awesome and good editing love the cuts though hm
..I like your hair is all red no?
Third time watching it's about beat sheet of Save the cat for novel I get it your good and beautiful
Thank you for the kind comment
does everyone love the roy g. biv background she's got goin' on... :)
I do see many if not most similarities to the heros journey.
But I don't see a cat, as a plot part... ?
Oh I wish the structure was based on cats. No, the name is because the structure came from a book titled "Save the Cat". It doesn't actually have anything to do with cats. Some people prefer to call it the 15 Beat Plot Sheet, or Blake Snyder's Beat Sheet.
I am using Save the Cat to outline and flesh out my current novel. It's a pretty good outlining book for folks into that sort of thing.
I'm happy to hear it's helping!
I must admit that you inspired me. My bad guy is going to kill the cat! Whahahahaaaa!
I'm just here for hiccup
Aren't we all lol
>HARDCORE FAN ALERT
We can see the necklace.
That is NOT a cat. It is huge. That is a tiger. Stay calm, move away, don't run or he will think of you as prey.
Somehow I missed this comment weeks ago but it's great because it gave me a laugh today which I needed 😂 The Funny part too is if I'm remembering right, that's Khajiit in the video, but my other cat (Echo) has since then grown to be even bigger than Khajiit. Which makes me think Khajiit is small and then I go to my dads for the holidays and his cat looks like a teacup Chihuahua to me
Waaaaiiiit a sec is your cat called Khajiit?
He sure is. And in case you were wondering, nine out of ten veterinarians need to be introduced to Elder Scrolls.
@@CloudKitten what's Khajiit mean
@@thenaillady1991 It's the awesome cat race from the Elder Scrolls video game series
@@CloudKitten ok. I know NOTHING about it lol. ima dog person 😊
I like your video a 100 times better than that Hunger Games garbage. MUCH rather watch you interacting with your cat. You guys have an awesome connection it seems. Didn't finish HTSYD. But I will prob watch the rest of it. Saw the first 15 min or so. Getting tired of that similar looking animation, personally.
The charm of HTTYD is in the story though so similar animation asside you may find enjoyment there. I think it's worth a try, but I am biased lol. I do very much love my cat. I have two of them and they are both great
Why are you calling that small jaguar a cat?
That is a very good question. I fear I've insulted him.
Extraordinary
Supernormal
Ultrablase
Treadmill
Stairmaster
Words... some people shouldn't be allowed to use them.
“Written by the late Blake Snyder”
Me: he’s dead?
“And if he didn’t see that coming it’s his fault.”
Me: Bruh, he dead. 😭
I mean, he died in 2009 which was well into the era of cats and the internet, so it doesn't excuse him not realizing that given two naming options people will always choose the name that contains "cat" lol. Not that I'm complaining since I am basic and will also always choose the name that contains the word "cat".
RIP
Formulas are boring
Narrative structures are only boring if you approach them in a boring way. I guarantee that most of your favorite stories have a common foundation at their core.
talk about the point, dont go outside the topic while you were talking, people who watching this are professionals we're not here for your homemade drame. try to keep it simple.
Thank you for your feedback, but not everyone shares your exact tastes in content delivery, even fellow professionals. I get that you're looking for dry information which is completely valid, but there are also a lot of people out there who find it easier to connect with the material when there's some humor and personality mixed as demonstrated in the comment section and like ratio. There are thousands of dry forms of this content out on the internet, I don't want to he just one more. I'd recommend that in the future when you find a content style you don't like, you look for other channels rather than posting a comment trying to change the style of a whole channel. It's a better use of your time and mine. After all, if I changed my content style for every comment like this I recieve I'd be a new channel type every week and no one would be happy.