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xtinaji's review against another edition
3.0
I've been interested in screenwriting lately, so I thought I'd pick up a quick crash course sort of book on the subject. Save the Cat gave me what I wanted: a clean, concise outline of story structure. It's a quick and easy read, and Snyder's casual tone makes it extremely approachable! He does a great job at whittling stories into a general outline, and I thought the story beats chapter was especially informative.
On the downside, I wouldn't say that Snyder is the most reputable source. He does list all of his various reason towards why and how he is credible, but the movies that he himself has put out are fairly limited in terms of scope, genre, and popularity. The examples of movies he provides are also a bit lacking in the same way, though he does offer multiple exercises at the end of each chapter to test the lessons yourself on other movies! He gives a disclaimer on Hollywood screenwriting at the beginning about the reality of Hollywood and film as a commodity, but I appreciated that he mentioned the soul-sucking, business aspect of the industry. As terrible as it is to admit that's how entertainment works, I'm nonetheless glad that Snyder reminds us to keep this business mindset in mind. It proves to me that he isn't sugarcoating or glorifying his lessons, ultimately remaining faithful to the alleged purpose of this book: help screenwriters write to sell.
Overall, I found Save the Cat to not be as insightful as I would have liked concerning storytelling itself and why such and such narrative device works, why he chose to outline movies this way. I also feel as though a lot of the book is a bit outdated now, not only in terms of the movies referenced but also in how storytelling has evolved in the last 15 years. How the industry has changed, though slowly and minimally, as well. Regardless, I thought that there were plenty of helpful nuggets of information that clarified aspects of screenwriting, and I will definitely be using some of the story beats myself as I take a film class next semester! I'd definitely recommend this book to beginners at storytelling, to youths interested in the industry, or to people who just want to gain a better understanding of the stories around them!
On the downside, I wouldn't say that Snyder is the most reputable source. He does list all of his various reason towards why and how he is credible, but the movies that he himself has put out are fairly limited in terms of scope, genre, and popularity. The examples of movies he provides are also a bit lacking in the same way, though he does offer multiple exercises at the end of each chapter to test the lessons yourself on other movies! He gives a disclaimer on Hollywood screenwriting at the beginning about the reality of Hollywood and film as a commodity, but I appreciated that he mentioned the soul-sucking, business aspect of the industry. As terrible as it is to admit that's how entertainment works, I'm nonetheless glad that Snyder reminds us to keep this business mindset in mind. It proves to me that he isn't sugarcoating or glorifying his lessons, ultimately remaining faithful to the alleged purpose of this book: help screenwriters write to sell.
Overall, I found Save the Cat to not be as insightful as I would have liked concerning storytelling itself and why such and such narrative device works, why he chose to outline movies this way. I also feel as though a lot of the book is a bit outdated now, not only in terms of the movies referenced but also in how storytelling has evolved in the last 15 years. How the industry has changed, though slowly and minimally, as well. Regardless, I thought that there were plenty of helpful nuggets of information that clarified aspects of screenwriting, and I will definitely be using some of the story beats myself as I take a film class next semester! I'd definitely recommend this book to beginners at storytelling, to youths interested in the industry, or to people who just want to gain a better understanding of the stories around them!
karenholmes's review against another edition
4.0
I tend to read (or re-read) a few books about writing every year. Sometimes I do it for fun, but most of the times I'm doing it to find some clues for something I'm writing or want to write at the moment or the near future. In this case, this is a bit of a NaNoWriMo prep... I want to be able to have a loose structure and see where everything fits, but for now it hasn't done the trick.
Anyway, it is a fun book, it's easily read and it works. As a writer you can find pieces of wisdom and you may find the clue to fix a story. It's aimed at screen writers but novelists can benefit from it too. In certain way, it also reminds me of Alexandra Sokoloff's approach to stoy.
Anyway, it is a fun book, it's easily read and it works. As a writer you can find pieces of wisdom and you may find the clue to fix a story. It's aimed at screen writers but novelists can benefit from it too. In certain way, it also reminds me of Alexandra Sokoloff's approach to stoy.
pliantweakness's review against another edition
Reading this book was my Dark Night of the Soul.
lightningmc_logyn's review against another edition
challenging
informative
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
3.5
The advice was practical for the most part and informative. However, the authors tone bothered me. It felt like he was talking down to the audience in a lighthearted way, but ultimately something I don’t like. I still got great value out of it, and it helped me as I co-wrote a film screenplay
thealtjoker's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
4.5
magfaerie's review against another edition
3.0
As recommended by my film professor, I read it. Did not love it, seemed shallow and inane, but had some most likely good advice! I like that Snyder writes in his own voice so casually. Good start to writing what is most likely base-level, corporate drivel. Structure is scientific in a way, and therefore provides a starting point. Some misogynistic ideas as well.