SAVE THE CAT! The Last Book On Screenwriting That You'll Ever Need BLAKE SNYDERwore "One of ihe most comprehensive nd insight how-to's out there Sethe Zt 9 us-read for ot the vie und the profesional ~ Todd Blk, Producer, Te Wate Mn, SWAT. Meer Enon, Aten Rer Want to know how to he eacenfil writer in Hollrwood? The vars ars hese. Blake Sayder has wien a inser ok thas Informative —and funn, too” ~ David Hoberman, Produces. The Shgy og (2005) eng Hal, Wag Tl, Bingg Dear b Howe, nk (TV) “Thisjastmay be the BEST book you'll ever need, or reds the subject of how so break ino the big seeen ig tire. Snr working, sling writer bill nos gives the reer trae nde limps into what i's Uke, ha es and what 1 eepet om the Yong reid to sereniiting stardom. Mary scvennriing how ‘omnes are writen by guys and gs who hive fu ano rel sudig ‘rei 10 th thie book you sam be are you ace geting he info lire fhom the source ofa rccetal member af he Hollywood lee "This is no doube the one bock hat wll do acre lp you shee acess and get our Wwo-brad-bound puppy thr the done han sy other [se vad farsa beloe te: ts Pe ea hem all Masse Jones, mnabehisi com fod have look fer and wide wo ind bates book to help you achieve your got, Quit simply onc othe mom practical geidorta ‘alng mateatrenn spec verison the marke.” “Seetalt Megusine ‘Blake Snyder's Sa eG! could ao be called Sete Sonne, tacunse tha'sexcly nha al doy Soe the sereenvricr ne, ae the sercenvriter Fruamion, and sive the sereenurer's sen Blake ties you behind the tenes and into the decaion sea’ fies ase explains how the Hellywood wytrs works and whet ‘rier should do and espect a ther journey thevugh the pecan taave of Helly,” Andy Cohen, Literary Mavager/Produces Presiden Grade A Bnterainmen "Shiny informatio, stunningly fancy —I wish I'd ad Ser the (at! 1 eend when Us jst darting ent. I td we seed ne, festa teen” Sun Jansen, Weter Producer, The Loe MeGure Mie: Maybe Th Time (TV), Boy Mees Wold TV Iter ome Inprevemenl OX) ‘nite Ca offer de saght ind knowledge nec owt sll screenplay in erky' compective markeplser, Fim. ech and Inlmtes Wy ge Blk!™ “Vaart, Hex of Noon re Lr Ss AVE THE c AT! Seta trie tenets ocouiens: The Last Book on Screenwriting You'll Ever Need “Cui Baumgarten, Producer, Pax Shatew Gis "Asan executive] abyys looked for «vay fiz an exiting seren- pliy, And now, a a produces, [ need a way te comeeptealine a "qulshiy ad felony as postive — and Blake Seyder’s sigh fl ook ~ Kuthuyn Sommer Parry, Producer, The Mane (2005): Development Executive, Bait er, rat pli 1 Maes, T3° Biers tse wont toppen bs sown ore more vers Wiprtuched eccrine way Bake mga? My worked TREE vod coeretaliy tego, othe elebatiotacle Beant sods icon mer Tbe ake uadervina Ge C eameling end en be ied om gumen fo Kent we siendy te mine Sa a i eae ey the ace anpige of veya ace sa oct to ‘Gaeeyou oun thnk ice peple uh tke checloch poate BLAKE SNYDERwore "One of ihe most comprehensive nd insight how-to's out there Sethe Zt 9 us-read for ot the vie und the profesional ~ Todd Blk, Producer, Te Wate Mn, SWAT. Meer Enon, Aten Rer Want to know how to he eacenfil writer in Hollrwood? The vars ars hese. Blake Sayder has wien a inser ok thas Informative —and funn, too” ~ David Hoberman, Produces. The Shgy og (2005) eng Hal, Wag Tl, Bingg Dear b Howe, nk (TV) “Thisjastmay be the BEST book you'll ever need, or reds the subject of how so break ino the big seeen ig tire. Snr working, sling writer bill nos gives the reer trae nde limps into what i's Uke, ha es and what 1 eepet om the Yong reid to sereniiting stardom. Mary scvennriing how ‘omnes are writen by guys and gs who hive fu ano rel sudig ‘rei 10 th thie book you sam be are you ace geting he info lire fhom the source ofa rccetal member af he Hollywood lee "This is no doube the one bock hat wll do acre lp you shee acess and get our Wwo-brad-bound puppy thr the done han sy other [se vad farsa beloe te: ts Pe ea hem all Masse Jones, mnabehisi com fod have look fer and wide wo ind bates book to help you achieve your got, Quit simply onc othe mom practical geidorta ‘alng mateatrenn spec verison the marke.” “Seetalt Megusine ‘Blake Snyder's Sa eG! could ao be called Sete Sonne, tacunse tha'sexcly nha al doy Soe the sereenvricr ne, ae the sercenvriter Fruamion, and sive the sereenurer's sen Blake ties you behind the tenes and into the decaion sea’ fies ase explains how the Hellywood wytrs works and whet ‘rier should do and espect a ther journey thevugh the pecan taave of Helly,” Andy Cohen, Literary Mavager/Produces Presiden Grade A Bnterainmen "Shiny informatio, stunningly fancy —I wish I'd ad Ser the (at! 1 eend when Us jst darting ent. I td we seed ne, festa teen” Sun Jansen, Weter Producer, The Loe MeGure Mie: Maybe Th Time (TV), Boy Mees Wold TV Iter ome Inprevemenl OX) ‘nite Ca offer de saght ind knowledge nec owt sll screenplay in erky' compective markeplser, Fim. ech and Inlmtes Wy ge Blk!™ “Vaart, Hex of Noon re Lr Ss AVE THE c AT! Seta trie tenets ocouiens: The Last Book on Screenwriting You'll Ever Need “Cui Baumgarten, Producer, Pax Shatew Gis "Asan executive] abyys looked for «vay fiz an exiting seren- pliy, And now, a a produces, [ need a way te comeeptealine a "qulshiy ad felony as postive — and Blake Seyder’s sigh fl ook ~ Kuthuyn Sommer Parry, Producer, The Mane (2005): Development Executive, Bait er, rat pli 1 Maes, T3° Biers tse wont toppen bs sown ore more vers Wiprtuched eccrine way Bake mga? My worked TREE vod coeretaliy tego, othe elebatiotacle Beant sods icon mer Tbe ake uadervina Ge C eameling end en be ied om gumen fo Kent we siendy te mine Sa a i eae ey the ace anpige of veya ace sa oct to ‘Gaeeyou oun thnk ice peple uh tke checloch poate BLAKE SNYDERShochingy informatie (at! te eend when Co fata teen” Sunn amsam, Wener-Prodacer, The Lie MeGune Mie, Maybe Th Time (TV), Boy Mees Wostd TV) ter, Mame ineesement OX) tuning fancy ~I wish 1d had eve the tring out Ie wold have sed tie, ‘Sn the Ca offen he raght nd knontadge ned owt el screenplays in toch compettive marketplace, Fun fied and Inlomate. Wy og. Bik” Valarie Pili. Head of Motion Picture Lieray. Daradige Agunsy Wb on of he brighnst and mon orignal hikers én sro ein oy. Hie how-to approaca is Grade“ zock-od abe. “Gonig Baumgarten, Prodcer, Ir Pon, Shed Gl Ss om executive] abye led for «vay fi on exiting ereen- play. Anal now. a4 a producer, { needa way tm comeepialine 8 [leh ae efliefendy ae pouble ond Blake Seyder's naighe fl ook ~ Katluyn Somener Pay Producer, Terie (2004); Development Executive, Paint, ea, rat 2 pln Makes 18, Stains nbst vould happen ia» tows where more writers Ayproathed sercemorting the way Blake mugger? My weekend Ferd vould deomkally iniprone. both In sllable/productble faptent andin dacevetvng new writer whe undead the crf Gf oryelingand can be bir om anigument for We we already tc hone, Sot the Ct! ike» Berit aide to tnerprting the sere langage of very atu eee aml pralcer tn town ‘Once you lara twthink ie th people he chosineck, ou'e ‘one nep clone to seen re yron the Foret! by Skil Hesakan Tipo ice Preiden, Develop a Zi Pery Enertainment Wy SAVE THE GAT ~ Ske sander Pb by Michael Wise Prodactions 200 Ventuea Ba us Stadio City, CA gt604 tel (818) 979-8799 fax (8:8) 86-3408 nwenepscom menu com Cie Designs Michacl Wiese Productions Book Layout: Gina Mansfield Walon Dred Joy Mare Pred by Sheridae Books, Ine, Chelsea, Michigan Masifaused in the United States of Amerion £©1006 Bake Snyder All eghtarerved. No part of ts hook maybe reproduced inane fern or by any means without peetition in writing feos the blisher, exept forthe inclusion of brief quaations na review. “Livny of Congres Caaloging-so-Pablieetion Dat Saydec, Blake, 1967 Bare the ett the ln ook os crcecmtiing you'll oer ed / Bake Suds per Includes Indes. ISBN 1-992907-00-9 ISBN 978-1-932907-00-1 1 Motion plete plyeTeehnique. 2. Motion pleune SAVE THE CAT! ‘The Last Book on Soreenwriting You'll Ever Need BLAKE SNYDER TABLE OF CONTENTS Dx Rewono The oie samo of approval of he Ste de Cut method ‘hom Shes Hetsher Hylr, producer ad cooper eave for ie Perry ammeer Pe ct Dr Hel X[iNReouerion XL Wirporcinerseeenersing beak = mid tkespbee wal de eoeettee bebo hela Ince ine “Sar the Gat" mean? () | SAPTER ome: aris 2] SRAPTER Two: eve me THE same THING (ONLY DIFFERENT ‘All sou genre The o genves hat every move eer made ‘ecatapectsad by Hlow genre Impsan pow a our ‘mone Plas ape pe eery movie pe AT SUMPTER Tee ABOUT A UY WHO T The subject isthe here ~ Why che bere wt seer the lias — Hor olf tu hace ale your mins ae tater "The ryt eng your more Jungian chetpes sant vy ve neal G7 SHAFTER Four: Ler's wear ourtWy SAVE THE GAT ~ Ske sander Pulsed by Michael Wise Prodactions 12400 Ventuea Bl uz Studio Cay, CA gt604 tel 61) 579-8799 fax (8:8) 986-3408 nwenepscom mn com (Gove sgn Michacl Wive Productions Wook Layouts Gina Manila aor Bret Joy Mar Pred by Sherdae Books, Ine, Chelan, Michigan Masitnetuved in the United Stor of Americ ©2006 Dake Snyder Ail right resrved No part of ths ok maybe reproduced in any form or by any means without permision in writing from the Julien, encept forthe ochaton of rit quetatiom ins teview Library of Congress Csealoging-sn-Pabiction Data Saydec, Blake, 1957 ‘Shoe the et Bake Snyder, prem eludes inden SAN 1-932907-00-9 ISBN 978-1-932907 00-1 1h, Mellon pictore ploys—Techiqs @, Me suthorehip. TT Tile 1PNI996.565 2005 fob.a'y dean the ln ook a nenemiting you' ee ad / tn plete Took on serecnarttng pour ie 11004009184 Prine on reeled mock 6 SAVE THE GAT ~ sate soy 7 guaeren eve: puLowa THe PenrEcr BEAST Pating upon the bow —Sctloning of fone heros Ter eeh vec of he owe = 40 den ene sd JO ony Thoubtehwotng hel the ly — Ho veep te LPS PLS) SUAETER se: He unurnBLE LAWS OF SCREENPLAY PHYSICS ed eperiene in the Wench of Nolirocd Sen On, Te op ts Pel Doe Mime fovta, Lsyng pe, Te Mack can =e Ma We Wes ue Tot Clare Orato ere 143 HATTER seven: wn’ wnona wrt This PICTURE? Drape seryihing yon ve writen 10 paper ade ~ Hot et back Sn tk Uy cng la doble-checeom your monk The He Le Makes Body Bd tem Tr Tarn Te Eton! Cte Ne Ma An os Pn Fae ok Sp ack ll ocd a proven 1.65 QRAPTER oH FINAL ADEN Before you sed your srpt out how cx rou amncoth the sey = Mavkecng tus for both the neve a he entelhed Dafa thew hep yo et yur serie old and made ~ Pax favienal tramps 183 cosa From AtoZ; 4 even of ey Sang ETO eapreion and illo: mskle the 0: are- code term TABLE OF CONTENTS Lx ewono AX. The eel ato ot pyro he Sree Cat thd fom Shes Hasaker Tylor, producer id celapanrt ee fr due’Peny nee Pe ed Dera le) XL iirc nnewrsing htt ~ Soe hy Sete eek ata a wer oe (D1 QUARTER Ome: war se The Imporance of the en" What a ine sabes the Seu eqaiemtnt to rating a beer one? Vat Sph conan! an yt tl velvet Te pte rr mone for fn ond prof ~ Plas fe gene ert Fe erage 2 | SHAFTER Two: c1vE ME THE SAME THING. ONLY DIFFERENT ‘seme gn = The gett iy mii he sh beeatgornd by How genre impenton 0 Jou abd eae sorte Pla mop Sehy males pe AT SHATTER TREE: 18 ABOUT A aU Wi. ite Bero = Why che ero mo serve the Men —Hlm oad the bese ta mae your mone ar went Insta Theey of emieg pone mark-—Jonpien srcheeen silat we nad om a G7 SpArTER Four: Lars gear oun Thebes ofa mew dined bythe fc “ae Skeet a Sheva ha the BSA hedepe daar of tho the iets found msc mova ound nthe ihe Mow the bt apy Mu Conger ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Cf the many people who helped make sis hook reality, woul First ofl ike to Uhank my fiend and mentor, B,J. Markel. for both ging ne wie counsel shout the entertaimect basises and oun mi a patent and tering Job inthe wding oF thc hook. ‘woul ako lite thank Ken Lee for his continuing rapport snd ‘lksiner and: Ghnw Maralch, true ellcborsie acd arta ‘And most of ai, [want to then Micheel Wiese, ho hs ested ruck 4 winning brand of backs about eeery arpect of the film Indy succes puvticioants Finally, thaaky for the encouragement | recived from the gong “in ond out of there rooms,” mpecully Marin, Melanie, Rich, Le, Lisa, Zed. Zak, Eri, abe, and Wendel Tenge onl "a ato one of ls most proactive ai SAVE THE @AT ~ state ser )7 SHAFTER ve. BUILONG THE PERFEGT BEAST ating upon te board —Sectoning ff four bereotal oy one for irk aeton of the toute te cet 4007 Troubleshooting hoe on the eyo — Hm teeny tbe Fishes pta snd kev con core nos barbell ‘D9 SuAete Tae mamuraBL LAWS SCREENPLAY PHYSICS Comm tee rue cf reemerting bined om experience nthe peice crates The foe fo the Pol, Doble limba, Leyng ge, Te Mace drone Mt Ye Wes Ou Mot Clair snl Grant f ede [of SHAPER SEVEN: wevers woe war THs PICTURE? wie terthing yom ve writes 10 page of meds — Hot get bck oak) tnng 8 Ls dokie"ecn year wen hers Ea Mase el a aT Eu Ws fo oe on Pa Te Sp Bad ~ hea ard proven fo ease 163 GIrTeR sy: mal ADE Heloreyou send Your sript out how exn you maoth the ‘ne? Mathxing ides for both tae neve andthe etblshed Dofesstona hel help you get you erie sold and ade ~ Plan Juin! eae 183 ee, nine aay dang ST span Polioeiieahe-io-oer nal wa ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Of the many people who helped make is book a reality, I would fie of ell Khe to thank my fiend and mentor, BJ. Markel, foe both ging ne wie counel shout the entertainmest busines snd ding aul x pacer and nertng jo nthe eding oF this hook. T would she lie to think Ken Lee For his eatinadng vupport end ‘thevinens tnd: Chau Manel, true cllcbomse end ert Dare sort ofl, [vant to thank Michael Niet. who hat erated suck a wlaning brend of boole about every expect of the fin industry, and is alo one of is mos pronctive and succesful ptiipusie, Finally, thas for the entesragicnent | reese from the gang “an and out of these rooms." especially Marin, Melanie, Ric, Lee, Lisa, Zed, Zak, Eric, Jske, and Wendell Trad oa FOREWORD ySheila Hanahan Tilo, Producer a Zie/Pery Botetaoment, ‘whose fils inclode the Americes Fe tog, HelBey, Ces end Du ial Desterion, final Pradacer's Program ‘Wath tha tui OF EVERY page of this book, I found mpelf using lof Blake Sryéers tools ints, an deat o double ad triples ‘hee soy own project hat are vel up wid in development a stadion ell ever tom! [love the idea that Bike ha writen a book thee moryone em wa — from the noni to the practicing produce, How often does dat happen?! 1 ao Sound myeslrying to come up ith wey Teal poli reir Sexe the Cn :0amamber of repped. produced writers whocoulé ke 1 ie goose from in actin, Imagine whl would happen incom whose mote writers approvched screenwriting the way Blake suggests? My weekend read would dramatically prose, Both im telae’prodvcenble content satin dicosering new weer: who ‘nent the crafvofworpeingand canbe bred on anno Cor es ve ava haven howe. (On second thought re you SURE you none this published, Blake? Ie might bee? up the empetion!) Ive been searching for book dat masterflly uses che kind of oceenful exampler studio herds uae (Mit Congitiy, Di Hard, Aigely Bande, Signo end peeks behind theeuriain to eelain thers fal ome genre pl racine, waleig, eng — 8SAVE THE CAT ~ Ble sayder 1m not exaggetating hen sya 7e/Perny— one of the premter hones for breaking new screenwriters tnd lounching cares —we tecommend every single one of Blake's wraegiok.. roms watching sroties i the opproprnte gence end reaking dove ll their boy lement co ashing har the postey/aho the ast sco showing how ‘ing wnilar Blas oe benches jut good storyelling. When [ptr up Sov the Cat! twas ike Blae hed been nour ofiee (se est ae years, Resting ow words apd recor Shem fn 8 raiser bible, pris hon that Klong the anid donc of weteet producer who have luséhed thle tareers sng the philosophy described on these pages! e's Jnvuuble, Thank God, Blake has taken the sre to petite down, Ione thesont sndwaty place: And joe ete good expartion, the Ieee miting here makes the instruction ad insight sea up on you Before you Koo is you're read dhe whee thing: Teaened a {ony and ore ll moped to tackle your nem project Metnuse thie bok explores he eri of essen tarting from (he Uyaem side of things, Tconaider it bk cnetl aed eval Aemary. Son the Call aber into account bth hales ofthe whole EM Sete samen ta la Vanes kre tes ets at antl commerce, nd hi Hollen! Ju ike ry eontable collection of elas, gest veri, Sone te ix book co have on the shelf right next to Sp elf ull enol av whenever I fed spel mating gulch Fefreser course on commercial rreenplay structure and Reap ‘A final word) After reading dovers of how-to books, hia the FOREWORD be Sets Hann Tn: Produtar a Zide/Perty Bota eet whose films inelode the American Pe ogy, Hel. Ces one Digs Fal Destination, final Destination 2: Associate Profesor. UCLA Prodacer's Program. ‘With the turn of EVERY page of thie hook, I found mypeelf uring all of Blake Siyders tools, int, a dew o double- and eile ‘check my ot projec thet are setup ead in developmcnt ‘aioe allover tonnt love dhe a that Bie ha writen a book thar everyone ean ue from the novieto the prarticng producer. Hw often docs tat happen?! {ako found mpselfuyingto come upwih vey T ould pote er Sexe the Ont! toa mamber of repped, produced wrens who could we le goons from i cis Imagine wht woud happen ina town. Whore more writers approached screenuriting the way lake suggests? My weekend eal would dewntelly pene, ook in feleblo'produceble cotent and im dlacovering nen wren who Nemtand the cattofwortbiingund canbe bred on agent For Nes ve steady have fn howe. (Cn econ thought are you SURE you nant his published, Blake? Ic night bee? up dhe empeitn!) Tre heen tercing forsook that maseflly wie the Ha of acral examples wad heads ine (is Cog, Die Hark Ase Bnd Sg) and pecs behind theusttnto xpla hers hl rns — penre plo, nacre, areting, aging ins Ivy tha rookien ad pro site wil undertand and hopeely pot Te mae, Sie he Gl io Bele ute to nerpreing the ee Aangunge ot ery to exe ane produre ts town: Once ou Seat think In the pepe sth the shastbock, you're ne wep Alone vo sccm INTRODUCTION Avviber book on sxeensiing!? 1m sure that's what many of you are thinking, ‘And to an extent, you're right. There are lots of good sereen ‘writing how-to's out there dkd if you sant ae where Hall began look tothe maser, Sy Field, who saried all ane taught crenbody. Taso oo sy py oot Tre mngled 1A court 100, many of hich [Ube Viki Kings book with che improbaie tide of Hou te While a Morte 1921 Das. Improbable es, but Fre done — an sold the serie Inte, to. J evo value Josep Campbells wook. Here With A Thourend Foes remains the ber hook sboat corpelling ser Apd of course 1 har of spot for Robart MeKise—for the vale {fis chan pesformunce if nothing cen McKee i like John oaveman tn The Pues Chie. and if you'ee a0 aspiring seen Iniier, you hare o tke a leat one seminar from him. e's 100 rts a plece of thoater to min. Faally for ne who's watched lots of movin and sen enoughSAVE THE CAT ~ Ble snyder 1m not exnggeating wien Tsay at Zide/Perny— one of the prea hotnes for breaking view screetnsters tnd lounching careers we tecommend every single one of Blabe's tragic. rom watching ‘movies ehe appropriate gence and breaking dow all shir key tlement ta asking wha the postr/aho the ats to showing bow ing smilar Rms ane henchman i jut good steryalling. When [pk up Sov the Ct! twa ik Blake had Beem our oficee (arse ast se year. Rearing our words apd recording thes tn 4 runner bible. Tapers shone that flowing the step in Save Phe Ce work T fan name donors of writery’producers who have Taunched th tern sing the philomphy decribed on there pagel! 1 Invnluble. Thank Cod, Blake hac taken the sme to pot all down inone effesent und wity pice. And juste good espostion. the leery mitng here mle the intrusion and osight sneak up an ou. Before yen know i, you'e asd dhe whole thing lotrel « lg te sill nrploed fo eckle yor net pmjet eins this book exponen the erat of cresting tring from ‘he buainem vide of things, Teonsidor lho suena ned eva Aomary. Soothe Cai aks into acct beth bales ofthe whale Fae We sete te evccns ti this Vion ir tebe wb Itween ar and commerce, and this bock ha done eal tha! Jus he my teva collection of clam, grea erp, Soe the Gall vx book eo have on the shells right nest to Sy els would aban revit twhenever I fr myself wanting» quick Tefreser care om commercial ereenpley structure and rag ‘final word) After renting dover of how-to ook hia the FIRST” took on seresritingthe busine tht Uve EVER wed the eo-chaira a UGLA to cotmider making required revding, Ha fue, Sure th Ga to es 4 mt-rea for atv who In ee remotely inverted In ing tn the ga SAVE THE CAT ~ Wate snyder Why now? ‘nd why ea ell you things you've never ean ampere eae that will wen dilference in your sexe? Ti begin with, shine Tener teen i in a nl aero rng tha “lbs the iy we tah.” Ava working professional fn enertinmentinduty, since Tyas sight doing vice work for ny Dad I'm wed tox carta slangy shorthand when # come Alcustng the busioen, Thent boots are all wo sender! So ser= ‘le. hoy teat dhe roves with wavaaay too much ave sed vespect hey te ust movies! and I dink thar gets in dhe way, Would tebe alee Ka bork about how torte x sreenplay ured the kind ft charshand that sceereiten ad movie emeatnen me? Secor, ond this eve light agina ayers, but Ithiok twould bh mie the guy weting the boak om how te write a eormemplay had aenally sod sorething! Den tyou think And thi te am seen ‘hers U Fel partcalnly quale. The bees wothingacfoem- ‘orier for 26 yeors and made millions of dollars doing it Ive fold oe of high concep, bidding war epacsereenplaye Ue evn had «couple made. Te gotten teript nots from Stover Spicthery, Michael Eimer, Jetlrey Kaczenberg, Paul Maslnaly. David Permut, Daud iehner. Joe Wan, "Todd Black, Craig Baumgarten, Ia Relimar, andl John Landi. And Ive resved the clletve isdorn of many others lem farnous hat spall wise — tha we ll we, and Hi ol banc creeps on ‘Thidly, weuha’e it bea Bonus fhe guy wong Uke how-to had INTRODUCTION Avviber book an nereensiing!? in sure tha’s what many of you are dinking. And to an extent, you've right. There anv lote of good sereen= Serta bool ont Une, cheed Ifyou want 1 abe where afl Degaa- look to the maser, Syd Field, who started i ell and taught reniboay “There are other realy good boels and eouries oo, many of wich Tyessmpled. [ike Viki Kings book with the improbable tie of toute Wiae 9 Movie in 22 Des. Improbable 2, but Te done t— anid old the serie Tote, te. [deo value Joneph Campbells work, Here With A Thownond Face [etree ths bes beck about tering er. ‘And of course I haves of spot far Robert McKie — forthe vale ‘of his dass pecformanee if nothing eke McKee Is ie Joho Beasenen in The Paper Chat aed i yon've an mpiting screen heier, you have to take a Leite seminae fren hime too 04 plece of theme to ms. nally: for anyone who's watched lots of movies and seen enough Jil ores to think "cam do THAT?” yo may aeeume yon don't Ibis "hey-io-wete-s-vrtenpley” book a all, He wy thi one? Wall sha'eme, te {ve ad «Jong teh second of working wih other screenwriters, ‘ve tht my method and shorieats somo the ost ees fallin the business. Poe helped sashe them better sereenriters 1's beceuse my appreach to the tsk ie praca, bad ea commen senna aed set enw ert ‘And lay, Think would be good if a sezcemwriting look told {onthe truth about your chances oF yelling. There are font of em Jaatosd derecnertng pret out there thet tera designe ta tntourage people and ideas thw should not be encouraged. on" Isic sot you, bt | Bnd this crv Advice ies "Fellow poor ear! and “Be trae to your ton” fine if you're in dena Me? I really want eo improve ey odds. Life short. I dont need to be misled taco chinking my seri bused on the Mle of St. Alone or a Tue fe rent tht happened to me camp one memes scaly har «cence iF dest So why another xereenwriting hock? Because the others Ue wen Alon? my i ike ity amd don't gre the seeder the tool to atin Ieest nthe fold. And on top ofthat, they often sere the writer tthe book more han the reer. personaly don’t want a cateer leaching seccenply writing courses Ist want to pas long whet [move And beside sll thet Tm ot che point when In ready 00 gna aay." Pe ad lot of rang Breas, Ue earned fom the miers, and now sane for me 1 tel you. alo wodertook the writing of this hook Deease ofthe lack of fmmon see Ise in rin of the movies that get made today. Wo all the knevedpe out chee, many ka Hollywood forget the6 SAVE THE GAT ~ We snyder Why no ‘And why ean tell you things you've never beard anywere eae that will maken dilference in your sexe? To bopin with, whit ve newer seem out there fa book on sereen= ring tha “lls the way we ll.” Ava working profenional i Ah entertainment industry, since Tvs igh doing vole werk for ‘ny Dad I'm usd co 4 catan elangy shorthand when comes to Alcuinng the Buses. These books are all so acne! So ster~ Ie. Thoy teat de movin with wasaay toc auch ave sad respect ry te just movies! and I dhink that gts im the way. Would tebe nice KTa hock about how to-write xserver uted the kind of ahorehard that screenwriters aod movie exeatves wie? Secondly, and dh se light sgrinat anyans, but think stwould be ale the guy wring the book ano te write a exeenplay ad acaally sold something! Der ou thik? Ad thi i an aren ‘here | fel pastealrly qualified The heen a working ecbeen Arlia S00 40:yonrx onl made eillons af dallas doing #. Tow told lous of high concept bidding war spacsereenplay. Ue even Id «couple made. ve gotien seript nots from Strvrn Spietberg, Michael Finer Jelivey Katacoberg, Paul Mealanhy, David Pernt, David Kitehner, Joe Winan, "Todd Blick, Craig Baumgaten, Irn elim ancl Job Land. An Te resived the collet witdom of many others —les Frou bat ep we ~ tha we all ase, and Why ond babe our screens on ‘Thin, woulda’ he bam i dhe guy writing the how-to hed setuallysoed this method in the trenches by tnching others ha tetully gon tll rip? se SAVE THE GAT ~ Soke vader ‘And, fork, this drives me wpa tree ‘Ast em yeiing tha hock, theres one phenomenne in porticiler thot reilly bothers me, and yet from a business pout of lew i's prety sat e'sthe Make-Sure-lt Opens-Or- Ele tind. This s here you apenclatat af money an the movie, hype the beeen ot ffl open widest 3.000+ theater, an have» hage Sit week to veeoup your ax, And who caes if your movie drops 70% Hoh in tecncondwerhendlbeerae of bud word-of- month? ‘What bogs me shou ds wend tht for all she moner they pending on sacsnlerics, special tees: dertisig, ad mare ‘ng — and don’ Serge ll thote prints i weald be beter spent tnd the moriex woul he heer hos the isoatars at pi {or oon paper and pencil and flloued th ales of bow erie pad onl "Te ship ik move Me Lave Crt 2 for example. They epont3 fortune on tht film. And everyone is still wondering what bap pened. They eat fgare out vy they did ring in the uence ff angetad man. I's not surpriting to me, What's wrong wish this ppivare? Where ci the fmmakers gory? Tome aly sry timp: {dont lik the Lam Grofit character. Why would I? She's ‘old snd uaronant. And while thats fine i he selitary word of deo pees and some, I doge't mabe meveaat to lar my home 4 go see the movie. The people who produced thie ln think they ‘a you to like herby mung er "col" This what amount to "character development” in #3 carat sovius "Sh anes aso tar. Tha'someone's den of ow a crete» winning her. Well faa, I doe eave nbout how ee his in going ‘Wall thas me, toc ve had lang track rerord of working wich other sreenarier. Tre tmght my method and shoriets o some ofthe most avec fala the business. Poe helped she them better sereenniters I's ‘beeate my approach tothe tek is praca, based on ommmnon jaro heme ee ‘And lay, Think t woul be good if w sxcensriting book told {youths truth about your chancet of sling. There are font of ern~ Jars and tereerting programs out there that soem deste £0 ‘courage peoole and idea thw should act be encouraged [don't Joven abot you, but | find thas eval: Advi Hes "Fellow pour Inert” ane "Be true to your vlan!” i ine (Fyou're in therapy. Me? [really wane 19 improve my eds. Lifes short. I don't need to be misled into thinking my seript bused on the life of St (Norse a "trmrlie mp” di nppened tome at me. soromeracially has «chance If doesn. Bonny smother erent Nook Baesnse the sikery ve st Aon? may ibs sand don’ ge the sender the tone ta stain cess nthe field. And oa wp ofthat, they often serv the writer bbe book more than the reader I personaly done wont a aseer leaching sereenplay writing eoursen Ist want to pos along whet know Andesite sll hot Tm at che point when Um ready 40 gine tayaye" Pre ad lot af emery brea, Ie learsed fox he ern, and now stave fare 1 tall you. ako wodertook the writing of tis hook Because ofthe lack of fonnmrn sense I se im rn oF the movin that get sade today, My al the hnewledge out ther, many 39 Holywood forget the Ibsen and ore wn works, sinking tha owt Beene hey have Hilo flees ad big expense accounts, cy don't need t fallow the rales anymore. Because liking the person we go on x journey with it she single smoot eepetal slatsear in deme ws ino‘ lon, Which brings orto the te ofthis book: Seve the Ct? Seve ie what? Taal tthe "Sve dhe Gxt” scene. They dost put 5 ata movies snymere. Andis asic. I's the weene vere wo moet tha hero nd (taro db woenething — Ele ming vat —that deface who be wand wakes wr, the audience, Ike him, In the driller, Seo of Love, Al Taine ie «cop. Sotne One finds Ines the miele of ting opeaion. Parole woliors have been lye by the promise of meesiag she NLY. Nankees, but when they vse W's Al and his cop buddies waiting to bust chem So Al's eo." (Be got» el a or ating any) Bato ay ut Ir ska does something rice. Al apom anoerlewreaher, who's peg Misco, cong ats tthe sing Sct Dad ih bis ‘id, A aes is badge athe war who ned in undersanding and fens ges. A ere guy 98 tho hook Hocaace he hate young fon wits him. And jas s0 you know Al hasn't gone totally sot, he ako grin tose w col line to the crooks "teh you later" Wall Flom Som about gow, but Like ALT ge acyhere he tobe rae mal you how wha lee? Tl be rooting #0 te hen wn All ion 6 two second interaction between Mand Dad wth is hall fan id, yoo imagine Mf the makers of Lare Gre 2 spent om 3 good the Cat seme intend of the $2.5 milion they spent deoping then latex body ui for Angelina Jolie? They might've done asy SAVE THE GAT ~ Soke vader ‘And, fork, this drives me patel ‘As Tam writing this book, theres one phenomenon tn particular thot reilly others me, and yet from a busines point af view i's prety wat e'sthe Mabe-Sure-It Opens Or Els tr This ‘here you spenlalor of maney onthe move, hype tse hejeer os! off, open wide a 3.000+ theater, anil have w huge i weekend to wveoup your sox, And who cies iP yeur mevie drope 70% a 20% in teancondwarhend beets of bud wond-of- month? What ing me about this tend iy sat for all she money they spending om at misting, epoca fects dvertiing, and mae ‘ng — and don’ eng ll shone prints ~ it woala he beter span ‘and the movies would be better tbo. se lamskers as id 8 for some poper end pencil and jlloned the ales of le patel “Tie hip, slick move like eve Ort 2 for exmmole. They spent fortune on thet film. And everyone is ill wondering what hep pened. Theyan't figure out uy they dd‘ brng sn the audience ‘of argeted mea. I's aot surprising to me. Wha wrong wth thi pictues? Where il the Klmmnakers go avy? To me i aly very Ssrples {dont like the Lave Croft character. Why would? She's ‘cold and huanoles. And while thats fine the tltany world af ideo games aad comic, It doce mae re aa co are my home to ge er the movie. The prople ho produced this in thick they ‘em gt you to Ike herby making her "coal" The what amu to “charter development” ta 4a carat movies: "Sh dae a co cor’ That's soincone'siden of low co iste «winning her. Wel, fos, F dont eave about how "eal 4 dh fn olny tornork. Why? ft SAVE THE CRT ~ tate onder “Thats why the same ofthis book i Sose The Out! I's emblematic ofthe ind of comman sense havc want to get aeromto ou, and out the er of phyeen tat gow cern good sorytelling. These are lessons ny writing partners and I Ihe Ienened through the real choo of Hollywood hard hnocle- {osume inthe movie basinew, ‘We: eel aptly yk, ar the taba rig ce pitch Gow wees to the majors eke a ipa, end ape to dhe biggen po thle eadictce, Ne mento it andl soquc if we ean! Why ply the game Hf you dant swing forthe (ones? And whe I Love the nde world, T want io hi tout of the patk $n the wold ofthe smajar atudion, That's why this book is primarily for thote who sant to meter che maiatreem fin marr [None of dese rule, and nome of ay experiences in seecreing were dacovered in «sean. I eorned from all my wating pactners lavham I dedicate thishook: Howed Barks, fm Hagin, Colly (Gar Mike Chee, Trey jachean, and Shaldon Bul Lak Ios rom, and ove my eacer 16. ny gents — like my beloved Hilary Wayas, my manager Andy Coben, od macy other: I ave alas thea enlighten by my seminar widen and Web iter, thove who grew up loving the Ini il world. and whe Have given me thew pesepeetires by questioning ome ix iat xaoty-aell “ude tht ony neghea! young people have. [my Seve the Cat example ha wheted your appetite learn mone wicks, then let's Logie Beeause i's eae of any tha ane basi [And they work, very tine Becnite liking the person we go en jousiey with ithe singe sos! repeat slameat in denctng ms inn'the lar Which brings vate the te ofthis book: Sane the Cat! Son te what? 1 allt the "Save dhe Gat” reene. They dost put 5 nta movies smymere. Andie asi, [Cathe wena uhore we mact the hero and the hero dors something ~ We saving +c — that defines who he inand shen ws, the audience, ike his. Inthe tiller, Sea af Lae, Al Taeina Sex cop. Scene One finds ‘han in the msde of sting operaion. Parole violators have been lsc by the promve of meeting she NY. Nemes, but when ther rive its Aland it oop buddies wating #0 Bust these So Al's a.” (He's gots cle for ang snyey.) Baton is way out Ihe tlio docs someting nie. Al spots anctherIevbreker, whe’ Teng his wom, coming late tothe sing. Seeing the Dad wah his Aid Al laches hic badge seh wan who neds im understanding ee feta quick. Al Te this guy off the hook Incase he ha is young fon yt him And js 30 you know Al hasn't gone totally sot he lio gets tery acon ine to the erook "Crteh you ter" Well ‘Hilon kom about sos, bt ike ALT go anywhere he cakes rae and you hnow whet le? Tbe sing to ae hen win. All ‘oh s wo sacond interaction betwaen Aland « Dad wih hia jase fa i, Yo gle hs cher of Lab Croft open tad (he Cat seme ited of the $2.5 lion they spent cowiaping Ihe Itex body ait for Angeli Jolie? They might done 4 joa beers We've all bad this perience Ws Saray night. You und your fiends have decide to see « movi. ‘One of yo phe to rad the choices fom the newspeer spb te others listen eed dete, And ify are an apiing ‘pee sereensrter, you ne shout to learn 4 ery Important Siass. you've ever hd the honor, if youtve ever ben the one lected to veo the Fm choice fora group of ganord ‘ends, congratulations, you hace now had the experience ‘of pitching” a monie— jut like de pron. Anal ua ike the Prot, you have been fcad withthe wane problem. Yen the ‘lm stam George Cloameys eure, x got ansaing special ‘elf: of course, Ebert and Roeper gives thumbs wp BAL eho oho?ft SAVE THE ERT ~ tate secon “Thats why the same ofthis book i Sose The Cut! I's emblematic ofthe ind af comman sense hares want tage nero to you, and ‘a some inthe morse busine bout the Les of phys hat gon rn good sortelling. Thee are lemons my writing pertoery and I Inoe Jetted through the real wool of Hellvwood hard hoc, We, abd hopefully you. are inthe busines of tying pitch our wart the majors make abigale, and eal to dhe biggest por hla audience. Ne sant shit and a sql sf we cat Why pay the game Hf you don't swing forthe fence? And while love the die world, T want to hi tout of the patk Sn che wold ofthe major mudion. That's why this book is primarily For thove who santo mater che maiatresm fil mac None ofthe rut nd nome of ay experienc in sercrmitng, seer dacowaro ip assim, | ebrned from all my weting preter {owhom I dedicate this hook: Howard Borkons. fm Hagin, Cally Gar, Mike Cheda, Trey Jel, and Shek Bal. 2g learned from, and ove my career 10, my ents Like my beloved Hilery Wayne, my managar Andy Cohen, and many others ave alas ben enlightened by my seminar nudent and Web writers, thow imho grew up loving the Indic fils world, and wh Mave give thew pecepecties by questioning mein thet tmotiy- hell “he that my nsghtFa! young peop hve. ny Sa the Ca enample hes wted your appetie learn more tries, then let's begin. Beene som of many that ave ‘Ad they work. oar time snd ae and eve break ‘Theyre the ral hope you wil ‘And hopoflly when your movie comes wal, ad saying and a it~ you ea pans on your rls to others, 9 SAVE THE CAT ~ flake ander telling your Srends xemthing shout the movie shat ie wt. What you heard. What Ycpls Magaime aid. Some coclapedwe-aling of the plat that the sar revealed on Letermes. And odd are that heen of tha saber Feble explanation. our eins il ay wht leaanlepsrenywors Fees "What ln pling” ‘AM beta yu eda ani ape utc: "Wht" “Wha 2" i the nme ofthe game, “What tt?” the movi, ‘A good "What i isthe coin ofthe reat, Lat CUT TO. Monday monning in Hollywood. ‘The rela are tf the weekend, The burning wreckage ofthe big ben-olfice dismier is mcking oa the front page of Variety. The makers ofthe rurprte hit that ranned everybody ar sil sworting the phones eying: “I knew it Cold you al” And for every elie the process sari ll over again seni exeouie's ee A produces ad writer an i shout to pick thetr"ig ie.” > Am agent ron the phone ceerbing the aript her sient wrote {hit the rade the wecbend en eel > Aa enesuve in merting with the o's mashing tem ying 0 ‘igure out va the poster should look lke For dete wpeoming Frere, oll aro toks im « pasion to buy o in dhe effort sal tying te wo thee bain roar te ome ion yout We've al had this eperione Ws Sanedap night You snd your fiends have decided to saa x moxie. ‘One of yo i phe Wo read he choices om the netapeper tebe he other tented dete, Ad yer an ping foe ferent 0 et ar ey prt AF you've ever had the honor, sf youve mer boon hs on cecied 0 vex the film choice for group ef gathered ‘ends; congrtastions, you hare now had the experience of pllching” a movie jut lke he prot. Ad jut like the pros. you have heen fica nth the same pre Ye, the film sia George Clooney: sure, it's got amazing speci ‘lec of course, Ebert and Roepe give it two cham up But aha’ oho? {you ean anuver tht question, you snow ie pry qui what the now about neon from sh poster and Ah thle hatte yeu going to tay to deere kP Unaly ‘Vln you'e Lol wiih, standing there, mevapaper in ands wont as 119 [fy think thin von cold, if you en belive tht Hollpmoed dowrnt care aboot “tory or thesttistieriton of the fouakes, true me. i's only going to get worse fs because Jas Hike you wth your newspaper tying 0 pitch your Fen their movle fhoices the competition fer our atention spans as gotten ere "There ve movies, TV, adi, she Teternet. and music. There ate {300 shannole of cable; there are magssinen) and there ars sport Ts truth, on any given weekend, sven a8 rid mavkegoer nly has about Yo seeonds xo decide what o ee. And whet sbout Ahate moviegoers who exex't 20 avd? How are you going €0 cat through al the tac ha’ composing for their steno snd feommuniene vil ten? "There are jst 200 many choice ‘Sate waite to make emt choose. Thay they prodace “40 tay sequels ne remakes. Thy ell hem “pre-sod eanchiss” tnd fet ready to sev lot more of them _pre-toli franchise i snecing that a goodly chunk ofthe Isalendy “sold” en. Keats may down om dhe "What is “fslor beenace most people lrendy kind of know. Some feampler chide Story ad Hate, The Hulk ned Rexdnt Ind ons TVshow,acoiiebook, and a video game respec [leech with bul fan bane, There's aio a plage of Shr Spider-Man 2, Minion: Inponble gy Oster Ws not tha Hollywood ixreaselybokrup: the deck on pt don! think tat you ut dere wah your semper Baunday rly, deep downy wont to try anything nev. WySAVE THE CAT ~ flake under telling your frends xemthing shout the movi shat swt. What you heard, What Prt Magavine sid. Some cockagedwe-tling af the plot tht the sor revealed on Letermes, And odd are tht ihe end of he aber Fecbleerplanation, pou elena wildy whit fibaaabopcneryvhace Gar ots “Wht lane loping?” ‘All betauie you coulda’ ananes sample queaton: "What i?" What ei” tthe name ofthe game, "What ie ie? the mone ‘Asgood "Wht it" the coin ofthe real, Lats CUT TO: Monday manning in Halrenod, ‘Thebes nt fn the end: The bang ota othe tig Hew-olfes diewaes is emcing om the font page of Voi. “The makers of the suprise hie tat stunned everybody ae el veorktg the phones ying: “new i Fold you so!” And for ‘rervone cle the proces is senting ll ores aguas > A producer and wetter are in some mente executes oer ‘bout o plc the "big iden.” > An agent inom the phone dearhing the acript her sient wrote ‘Mac the read ever the weekend and loves! > Am amcinve wasting with tha o's marating tam ning a ‘igure et vas the poster should look ithe For det pease see fea Eretone, all cro town, tw 4 postion to buy the fort sel, a tg to wrap thelr bra aod! the tame question your fiend were ooking om Saturday night "What in ie?™ And dey son they ve tos SAVE THE CAT ~ Hate ‘And imaybe they’ right you ca camever "What it?” why tne schemes? ‘he probe fr the pee sercenwriters of the wor iat we dorit ove ny of there pre-and Franchiven nor are wel toe We're the goysand ple witha Isptop computer and » dream. How are we going to come up with something om good ot Lawrence of Arabi tt wil sal ike Spy Fis ¢-D? Wall, there away. Bu 2 fay, [went you to do something daring. [want you to Senge all shout your steeply for now. the cool stenes thet ae bursting forth in your imagizatioa, the soundurack, and. she stars you KNOW would be iaerete in being init Forge all dat, ‘And concencate on writing one vemtenes, One tne ‘Because you can letrh how toll ae "What ei" biter, te, ‘nd wilh te cen you'l nw tater And tide tally by doing so before you stat writing your script. you'll make themory beter, t90 ‘THE LOGLINE FROM HELL Talk te lots of sereanwriters, Te been pitched by experts and amatects, and my question nhen they prematurely dit ito th ‘ory of thee mode aay the enmes "Whats the one-line?” ‘Odi, this i offen the lst hing serozawaters chink about when writing nacript, Believe me Le been there. You'rs so involved in Your tenes, you'e a amet about bing abe to i that symm Salle mou rom The Odes, you'se | you forget one ple "You ean gi othe heat of the non in lew an £0 mes wont as 119 [fy think this sonnde cold, if you can't belive tht Hollpmoed oven tate aboot “story the setiie vitor ofthe filoueakers, wus me, i's only going to get worse 1's because Jus le you wth your newspaper tying 10 pitch your fiends their mole Shoiers the competition fer our atention spans has gotten fierce "There are movies, TV; radio, she Internet and music. There ah {$00 shannele of cable) there are magssineny and these are sport Ta truth, on any given weekend, even an arid movlegoer nly laabout Go seconds decide what o sec: And what sbout Ahate moviegoers who srex' 20 md? How are you going €0 eat through al the rae tha’ competing for their ateniion ond ‘communicate vi then? "There ste jot r90 many chosen he wai ry to make teat choose, That why they produce “40 mip sequels ae emake Tho ell hem poe-rd ranchiss” Bilin foro toteen Bac nere of them. _pre-told Granchioe i smashing thet a goodly chunk ofthe lente ie sleay “vold em. ete may down on the “What ie “fstor because most people already kind of knew. Some fxnmplen include Stary and Hatch, The Hal, and esdent Tien s TVahow a comishoak and avideo pune tsp y= sd each vith built-in fn bate, There's alto a plague of ‘Sivek 2, Spider-Man 2, Minion: Inponible $, Oct Ws not tha Hellywood inrentbelybirupt the debs jut dont eink that you ou tere wth your newspaper FBaunday rely deep dawn want 0 try anyihing ew. Why your 10 buehs om yomething you're not sure of versus You ney know’? swat is 17? ‘And I personally ref to ten es beeawse Fhnow ihe erter hom! hough through Noe eal fps Bees, 4 geod aceererhes, cecil inyome Ree pec, hos to ti about svepone all doves the Hae, foc the tient 1 the producer o the std head tthe publi. You won't Ihe theres "et the mood," 90 how are you going to get trangers tited? And geting the excited i Job One, So | eat wrter off AU heir FADE DMs beemue | tno everyone eee wall tom I you. {anit tll me about it in one quick line, well, buddy tm on to someting else, Ui you have you pic and it grabs se, don't other with the sor. ‘In Metlywood pertance is elle! «Tagline oF w one-tine, And ‘he iflerence beween a good one anda bad ome insicaple, When ple up the tren and read tne logline of a apee or pieh tha’ AO el my Firat ention "Why did't Fehink ofthat?!” Wel gol one. AL random Tm gong caseeet few recem sles fy Web rouree: nt Laluasditale cn) that made jealous, te ny goer eommedy, But hat we can Learn orn mm ceomts comedy. rama, whatever. Bach of thete was» ig. apes sale tn the ae-to-seven igure range: ‘newly married couple wutt spend Chrvstas Day ett Four divorced parent's horner— 4 Chimes ines 0 dong eh aa vo laying to BI Ra The Mato saverve teacher plans om maseying his dresn gal but “ist wecorpany hi overprotective ature brother in-4 SAVE THE CAT ~ tte ‘And imaybe they’ right f you ca ¢amever "What ait?” wy tne chine? ‘he problem fr us, the pec sercessritrs of the word iat we dasit owe any of these pre-and Granehier nor re ms lie tox We've te yoysand ls wil s lncop computer and drram. How te we going to eine up with something en good ox Lawrence of ratio tnt wil ell ike Spy Fis 9-D? Wall, there ia way. Ba 2 fay Tom you te de something daring. Tein you to fonge all stat your sreenplay for now, the cool scenes that ae burning forth in your imagination, the soundtzeck, and the stars you KNOW woul be terete in being init Forge al dat, And concentrate writing one sentence. One line Because you camer how t ell me "What it?" bate, ft and with more creetiviy, you'll keep ne laters And inciden” tally by doing se before you star: wring your scrip, you'll whe theory beter, (20. THE LOGLINE FROM HELL Tal to lots of sereenwritars Te been pitched by expert and smateuts, and my question nben they prematurely dit into the tory of their movie i alvays the sume: "Whats the one ine ‘Ody, thi often the la thing areeraitere think sheet when iting» seri. Believe mee been there. You's involed in Joe tea Yat at cal Ung AG to a fn ak babi motif rom The Odjney yox've got itll ve sapped out that you forget one imple ching, You east tell me what i's abou ‘You cat gt to the bere of the ory tn lew than 10 mint. Shree 6 SAVE THE CAT ~ bloke sader me things in ch comin fous ation it or oly ich of thee logtines emmon, Along wih snevering “What isi? emponents dat wk i ie. What ar the font components? ‘Welle nvestgnte. th glo from bel sw iT oMic? ‘The nurber one thing »yood Logline most hive, the age moe Jmportat element, is roay. My good fri wl former wring partner, the funny and Seat yping Colby Carry potted thie ot to me one ime no he's 100% erect And Uae gout fr wher Waa comedy o + drama, ‘Aceon tA 08 wie Tolling ie eaken oer by terrorica— Die Hard ‘A busnoseman fills in Lvewiehaboukerhie ives te beh dae fe the nectand = Pitty Women 1 don’ bnow about you, but T think beth of there lgline. one from deams, ene from s omantic comedy, fainly reek irony ‘And \rony ges my attention. Ie x what wo who irugle with lo lines lke wo eal the hook, because sha’ what st docs. It hos your itera. ‘What intriguing sbout each of the spe ales Ive hed ane I thea thy, too, eve thet seme iene ouch. A holidy season of supposed family joy is turned on ie cynical bead in the 4 ‘And I personaly refute to tte {es bezawse know the writer best chought it dhrouga Not real tps Bese 9 goed somererhes, pecially inyone elt yas, fn to think about everyone all down the ine, from gent to the producer othe sto head to Une publi. You won't Tethers to “ret the med," 90 hom are you gong to gt soangert gece? Ad geting them titted is Job Ore, Bol cot writers oF Tir ADE TN becmuse {know eveyone see wll tan. Wyo dat tell me about it ia ane guideline, well. buddy fra on to someting che, Util you have your pic and it grabs mc, dome other ith the ory ‘ip Hollywood parlance is called » ogline oF « one-line, And ‘he erence botwaan a good onvand a bad ome issiple, When pk up the eaden dem I's going alec» fw recent sles ny Web etree nalts) that ade me jealous te ony gee, fray eommedy, but what we ea Tear far Mh eeoues comedy. drata, whatever, Each of these was» big, pe sale ithe wt seven gure anges uch ‘newly married couple mast spend Christina Day [Wher foe dived parent’ hornes—4 Chrisinnes hired ernployes goes on a company weekend and room, omens tying to Ll hie The Retreat iva rie slong From ell ~ Ride Along (leo Anthro hell 1 always comedy pax) war 16 127 The Re-vat? What Colby idee i the far thee «good loging ‘must be emotionally integeing, bt an ich you hoe fo serach, ‘Alogline iit the cover of «book: a good one makes you vant ta ‘pen ity right nom to Bad oxt whats inide, In identi the fon clements af pour ory and patting ther inca «Togline, you nip dscover that you don't bine hat. Wal, if you don't chen these may not onl be something wrong with your logline —maybe our sory of, #93. And maya ie tome ogo beck and rethink Thc Tasting on irony Sn your legline 8 good ples to find oot ‘ns musing, Maybe you don't havea good movie yet -ACOMIPELLING MENTAL PICTURE “The ecoxd mow important clement that «good lgline ba in that. these to ee a wha novi, Lik Prous’ edi (ood logine, cree mid, blosome sm your Bran. You ate the tat Test the potential foe aid vhe ment eyes i llr the promise of mare. One of ny personal avorite it David Ret’ lich for Bind Dat “Shas the pote unt eee nde.” I don't knew abo yo bat U1 0» ewifalyet and a dave yone bed and a guy who wants Hlaentess she's the one! Theres a lot gotng'on inthe Tar more than i Uh seta pers, but tha cferent “The point that» good login, tation Taft fer te promise of moc. samples For new ype erp ats; we van ne ware hae ond, dost we? Alchongh Thien’ send moe inte for Pile Alon, Fthink this wove wil probably |v ight ike Ate Hours, Tat eal goes or each© SAVE THE CAT ~ lotesader Botton oF noly ick of thee logines temnmon, Alang with sneering “What ii? ‘components dat make i a sale. eh comin fou ‘What ar thove owt components? rate te lpi fom ll sw IT oMie? The auaber one thing a good Logline mst hav, the sage mos ‘important element, iss rony. My good Inte and former writing parener, the funny and fet-yping Colby Care, potted this oa! fo meone time and he's 100% contest. Atd that foe for whether Was comedy or» dremn. ‘cop comes 10 LA. to wise his estranged wife end her offer balling is taken over by cers ~ Die Hard ‘Abuainetman fillsn lous with hooker hire e beh dite Foc the meckend Preity Wenan 1Lon'e tnow about you, byt think beth of there lglines, one from s drama, ene from a romante ccm, fry reek irony ‘And irony gots atension. Is what we who sruggle with ly lines Ike to eal the hook, bacaute thi’ what st doce our tose ‘What i sntejguig sows ens of tebe fee dled aon le thar they, too, ave that szme foie toueh, A holy seston of supposed funily joy 4s rwrned on fe epail head im the 4 ‘Cruimase example. What could be mote unexpected. Canaiher vay to aty "ironic" For a mew employee, inatend of being wel comed ta» company, 40 be faced th honat on hi ie during SAVE THE CAT ~ take ser In addition, the Ride Alerg example fers an Cliious comic confer se opposites faceoff over + coramon gock. Iwill ihe a rave; scaredy-eat eather and throw him into the erime-riddon orl of hs brtheer-in-lew. the cop. This is why “Bich-out-of “sate” stores aero populor: You ca ee the pote fireworks fone pe af person being tres ato «world tse his hen, [a {hat one se-up Tie a whole sory blooms with ponte, Does your lagine offer this? Does giving ene dhe set-up of your ‘comedy or dram mathe mp imagination ran wild nth whose T think the story wil go? Ife davan' en hover’ got the legline yet ‘And 1 ey i aguas If yeu dor hove He lglins mes ou shuld tethrk your bole movi AUDIENCE AND COST [Another thing # good loglie hay has important i atecting studio buyers, builtin conse of who it's for and what i's going Ler tikeg Chnimae for example. bet they've going afer the seme audience hat Mee The Perens and sequal Me! he Fhe found. Both of thee are medium-com. four-quadrant pictures that ae to steraethe brondov posible audio, Frn de lems ace inherent inthe § Chrismasr pitch, ir what the writers ate ying for, They're going o get no twensy-semething wast pl fn the core ange young people and they re going to unt cat ‘the paren’ role wt tars the cle ere les Can we ge och for Robin or Dustin? Wel. mare! Look how well De Nive di in Meet The Presi Tt tn i otc war 16 1727 The Beta? Wht Colby ido i the fer that «good loging ‘must be emotionally intriguing, ike an ich you hase to serach, ‘Aoglins iit the cover of «book; a good one makes you vant ta ‘open ity right nom, to Bind ont whats Sneds, In ionising the Joni slements af our tory and patting ther: ko logline you snip discover that you doalt howe dat. Wel, if you dott then ‘here may not only be something wrong with your lagkine —mayse ow sary cof 50. And mayo etme o go back and rethink Ih Tnsiing om tony fa your logine «good place we Gad out ns ing, Maye you don't have «good movie yt “ACOMIPELLING MENTAL PICTURE “The second mow important slement thet «good Logline ba i thot. “yo wut he able o sce awhole orien Like Prous alee, good logline, once mid, blowoms in your bran. You see the sot at Iciat the potential Fae it and the mental mages st lor the promi of mane. Ona of my personal orient cee Dave Perm itch for Blind Dates “She's the perfee unl she has @dsni* Ldoa't know about you. bat Tee Ne « Wowie gisl and a date gone bed and a guy who want Yilatensini she's te one! Then a lox gorgion in that Tar more than i dh seal mene, but tha’ diferent together: The point i thaw good gle, in ation to Ti It aller te promi of mace ‘amples for new mec verpt mes, we ven sce where aden, dant we? Althoagh haven ead more fontline for Rae Alon, think this enone wil probably oe nigh, lke Ate Hevrs That cally goes or each, "taumplen AIL Shree loglines clenly demarcate time takes page, Cheb Day, the weekend rid te ease af Ride Along single night war 16 87 9) (ales pce... om the back. There are few “sormpany move were fat aad crow have to trl, Hee cheap. If Um am acca whe Joohing fora general audience. medium hudge: epending om the fins) Christmas perenne this sound jst about perfect for my Inte. Unow shot Tn dealing within terms of memes end cot, Bnd over! “hed sorneone cbviouly dd. ‘whole le to sk feom one Touy ne of desertion, don't he? Bas i's ight theres your logline contin tha: Kid of information? RTMTLE what sign sou good logne must cade thee Togline are in it the one-two punch, and go combo to lmock ie ou, Like dhe irony n'a good Jolin, x great lhe Loy und el the tle. One ofthe est tis af cont lone Hill marvel ats Lege Blonde, Wea | eink th bad esi cull have been — Barbie Gne To aver Bec, Arh Apparent to coms wp with ove thet ale without being 80 on the none date pe am art “Ap jeans ofthat ites A good sgn! Ind te ve, Jat to gi yo 4m Hea of at doee't Is lor Loe or Maney. There’ been Four menier with Thnow of onesaring Michiel. Fos. and Teall tony of them. You could probably al every movie1 SAVE THE CAT ~ slake yer In addition, the Bide Alsrg example fers an elivious come oafliet as appases Thee off over 4 soramon goel. Ill he 4 naive; scaredy-at eather and throw him inte the erime-riddon vor of his bythrsin-law she eop. This is wh “fch-out-of “nate” soriee ae co popular, You ea ee the pote fireworks fone pe of person being treat oto werlel outside his hem, [a ‘hat one set-up Tie a whole sory blooms with possibilities, Does your logine offer thie? Doce giving en the set-up of your ‘comedy or drama make mp smagination ran wild with whore 1 think he story vil go? If it doen't you hier got the legline yet ‘And Tsay agus Uf yee dent have He lglins mee you should rethink yo bole msi AUDIENCE AND cost Anctter thing 2 good loghine his, hae importan i atrcting ‘eadio bayer, ia bull-in seme of mo i's for and what i's going Lets take 4 Crime for example. bet they te going after she same udience dat Meet The Parent and is nequel Mee! he Poker found. Both ofthe are medium-com, faur-quadrant pictures Aaa seek tata the bose pile aio, Fra the eres {ee inherent inthe § Chrismas pith, ie what the writers ate ‘eying for. Tay ve going to got mo tveny- soemthing wars to pl inthe core nge— young prople and thoy re going te sunt cut the pacens roles wth stars he older crowd ies, Meet The Parenti abso aw From the loging tha expensive Sure there may bw ae ehate or tno and Chuigmas te fine (en evening) but biel We «Black comedy ~ no called heen to. SAVE THE GAT ~ Uke sper ne ofthe key ingredient in» good tile, however that t mas bee the headline sf the ory. Agua I ote f Chviemases at an example, While ts nota world-beater snot bad. But docs the one thing dat 4 good tile must do, and LU highlight i becouse i's ial that you get this agg what “They could have ale 4 Christmas something more vogue, how shout Toltic? That ape "Chestmas." right? Buti doesn't pin~ Doin what this pardcular Chrismas move is about. fe docacs sp thai, vhidh ive morie about one couple pending four di event Christneas with fw diffnent str of Fath 9 the sme ‘Ghrirrine day 16 does’ pa she Say Whit Tes Test. you dnt thave your tle. And you den’ have he one-two puch chat ake aigratlogling adi ha offen T hve eoane up wih hele Rat nd made she ‘ory watch. Tha’ how [thought wp sept Twent 2 t0c0 write tn ell alled Nascar Foy. At fr all had was the tile, then Teame up with the ioe tt nated of nue o5n“Fther: ‘mother, and ehilren" the wy the sma lsmeant vy not nuckon tin “adicetine:” The lope became: "A dyafunetional family foce camping om « nuclenr dumpeita snd water up the neat rorning with super powers Wik thekelp of my wilting ut her. the quikewited and jt-aecing Jin Fagin, we Deseo ‘ha story snd sold de erp in a bidding war co Steven Spielberg {for $1 million. Our tle al loghine mat all he eters ced above irony, prombe of mor, audience and coat (four-qaaiean, wih spell eer, not sar, ad ene at deftly ad what i war 16 87 9) ahs pce. om the back ‘There are few sbrmpany move were fast un eve have 10 wave. Is cheap. fm am emnaene uae Joking fora general audienes. medina budget (Jepending ox the fas) Christmas perennil this counda jut about pefect for my pees. Unow shat Fn dealing within term of ence and cat Bnd over! The enc 8 Aerhlelo to mk rom one lou ie of dentin: don't Mh Bash here your loyline conten that Lied of information? TITLE “white intiguing abouts good logine must incu the ile, gli are in it, the ane-tuo paneh, anda god combo to lnack me ou. Like de ony i good logline, x gest Inne ony el the le. One ofthe best ties af cent tnd one Lill marvel a Legal Blonde, When | think the bad les could have been — Berks Ges To Harsord, wel Aihed Apgrent—to coms wp with ore tht nals witout being 40 on the nope dat e's stupid wast ‘Th jes of that tle. A god gal Ini te rer, justo give 7044 Hes of va doesn't tr Mont: Thsesve been Foor movie with "ow, and Ica tll fotany of them. You eld probably cll very movie Lee» Non) aod be vight technically, Kast shows Tugemerie le em beard how romething age ke Dniers In pring $10 tome rar is 7? xe YOU AND YOUR “WHAT IS 17?" All goo sereensmitens ae bullheads. There Laid Dc} mean sia rice way! Because if here’ anyone wo under the oceans aroyancs of the scrmereritr, ema, The ererwriter i to deal wih at ongoing tag of war between aking wmegelorsnni end inwccurty a deep it oe ear of st be able to my “Tim miter” at loud, This ape ron the spec scuenveng ero | ike to hang wth Pe up with our movie dens, we at to “rene,” we SEE it pi tha often bythe time we're writing that sacker i's too tee back. We're going 4 bullae ur way through thir “Ho mater what anyone sys. But Fara sugestng th yo a ‘Wall hat Tm propestog tht before you had off ino IRIN) you think long and bed about the loping, che the power. lo some ont marketing ING EXAMPLE she posal ha you hol of on writing roursript Fb login al ile. Ehaow this patel. Ba Wp off Uh jut bees working with 4 sereen iid othe his logline, He dd havea good iden at of one — but the logtine was vag, Hdd. Inj bck othe dreaded Page One or limos tealto SAVE THE GAT ~ Uke sper One ofthe key ingredient ina good tile, however that tm bee the headline sf the sory. Agua Tete f Ghistmases a8 example. While fs not aworld-beater, t's noe bad. Buk docs the one thing det » good title must do, and UU highlight i Ibecoue ir ial that you et thi Baga what) thing tore vague, he ‘ight? Buti Joc’ pi [ola what tit patcular Christmas maui is about edocs sy ‘hati which v's movie about one couple spending four di Jeveot Chvicimeas with four diferent stsof files the sare ‘Ghrisras day. 1 does prs the Say What Io Test, you dent hhsre your tle, And you dent hae the one-two punch that mals sgratlogiine 1 adi ha fen Tv come up wih the tile Rrat and mad he ‘ory etch That how Lthought op sept went 10 co-wrie td ell alled Naseor Foy At fr all Hd waste tile, then Tare up'with the ionic it Instead of uct a8 im “ther, mother, aad children’ the way the term is meant, why not nucle thin “radicective." The logins became “A dyefunctional family oer camping on a nuclear dumpsite and wakes up the nest ‘Morning with super powers." With thehelp of writing putt nee the quick-vited and jet-antting fm Hagin, we Haha out {tha story aa ald the erp in a bidding wart» Steven Spielberg or $1 milion. ure an logline met ll the eters ced a inoay, prombe of nore sndience amd cont Four quadeant, wih specie, not was), an one that definitly sd what i Ws movie Lait want vo ees i'anyone's litening SAVE THE CAT lake rycen He pat svay bis sexy and al he vv scenes an the reeureieg ‘motifs and taried writing lglines— an ef soulcening chore He tried to come wp with ones that wer ill his ry, bat hil met the enters. What he dvcoveed, afer many fled ate vas hat he had to sare fledging bi logne to gett hve no studience and cant «clear sense of what the atone promised, and 1 Lille tile, And when he Snally let go of his preconceived ‘tions of what his story ws vill Tha logline changed. Soon, he started geting better response from people be pitched ‘to, and suddenly, voll #2 ~ hie tory vaste to change te math ‘he Logline, and voila! #4 —the wry go beter! The irony of whet Ine vet of ad was brought ito beter Form And hemi wat ut ‘to pithy Logline form she confi ere brought into shar foews too. Thay hed 101 Or ele the logline wouldat work, The chaoucers became more distin, the tary hecame more eleaty defined, and the oginewliately made te aru iting easier, “The best thing about what tha termites disconetd is thot he wwe eversbody all down the line, a whole lt of manay aul ou bes Can you imine yng to do chese hinds a logon Fees ur ‘ng poxproduction? Ita Lil ae by then. Before anyone spent 4 dime, using only paper. gene. and hi orn ite, he dd every ‘sjob for them. He not oaly male ease forthe py with he revapape to pitch to his fiends bat he ge them + beer fence they gotta the movie theater, All boca he he ive bit rojecea beer What ‘The other great part shout road-teting your loge is tha you have the experience of all-weather piiching. pitch to anyone whe will sand ail. T doin tine at Stastuele awh fen rar is 7? xe YOU AND YOUR “WHAT 1s 172° All yoo sereensritens are bulihend There, Haid. ‘Dat ean sina rice wy! Because if ther’ anyone who ander the occasional arogaaceof the serrenwrler, ml, To be ‘ereewriter i to deal with an ongoing tag of war between ihaking gators end Sneccurty ae deep it che art of oe abe able to ay "Vm writer” outloud, Thi i eape= Dis wmong the spec srwenwriting crowd I ike to hang wih PR up with our movie ideas, west to erene,” we SEE it tha often bythe tire we're writing that sucker, it's to ‘rn back, We're going to bullaead our way through this LH mace vt anyone ay. But Fam augesting thet you 7 ‘wall that. I'm propentng tha before you head off ina NE IN) you think long and hard abou the loging, che the power lo me tat mashening. you a? ING EXAMPLE OMe pots you hold off om meting your sexi 4 ile ogline ane ie. U know thi patel. Bat Ain off Love jut ben working wits a sereen iid tbwvehis logline, He dd hare god idea fist of oe — bt the Logline wae vague i dide’t nn bck the dreaded! Page One an atmos tos nd moxned, but he didi, '. You find out more about your movie by ulking to people pono thin hei them red ‘Thies what I mean by “est marketiog. Fae, Cah to “liens” [talk to them and Fook ia their sys ‘nim taking. When they tar to dif, when they lol ava, Fve How them. Ana 1 enow my pitch hat probs. So [make sue that hen | pte wo my meet ete, Te cormeied whatever low spa sopfising clement T oerlooked the fis tae out: Aad est of Wevealy fan tod. fps scenario goes ike eh corres erat Axo ten aear — SeNSET PLAEA — DAE ye of starlets, weekend Well's Acgsisy and fsoobe eip double moana Exappce. Blake eyes the crow. ie approacten the person who Vena iike1y to nie pia. : mans sueoeR Wk, courd you heap mez (aubiove iW 137 1 neve a Pilates o1ae “von minuven. + thin wild only take ©SAVE THE caT ke rer He pat svay is sexy ad all the vv scenes andthe eeureing ‘motifs and taried writing gli — an awful. oul-eating chore He tried to come wp wih ones that wer ill his ory, bat hil ‘met the criteria. What he deavered afer many Fsed tera tne thet he a wo stare fedging his lepine to get 1 hie oy, sdience and cat» clear sense af what the mene protnieds and Akal ile. And whem he finally let go af hie preconceived ‘notions of what his story ws vill The legline changed Soon, he started guting better response From people he pitch ‘oy and suddenly, voila #2 ~ estar varied to change ts match the Logline, and voila! #4 ~ the sory go beter! The rany of whet Ine ert of had was brought ito beter Focus And when Iwas at thy loglne form, che conics mers brought into shu focus too. They had t0! Or ele the lagline would’ werk. The chacacters became more dict, the tary besame more cleat defined, and he logins ulinately rade dhe stu iting eater, “The bea thing sbout what dis sereenniter dicoveed 1 thot ho seve everybody all down the ine, anhole Jt of rane sl 0 ble. Can you magine eying todo these kinds of loglne fines du ing pouprodetion? Isa lite Ite by then. Before sayane ype 4 dime, vsing only paper. gen, a his own wy he di every job for them. He not galy made cris forthe gay with he newspaper to pith to hi end, but he gue thea» beter ny they got to the movletheaeer. All because he ha give Projects better What sie?” ‘The other great part about road-testing yo login tha you have the experience of all-weather ping. pitch to anyone whe vil sand ll doin Line ot Starbucks tthe ae rangers Lalvays spill my gate when comes to dicing oh Tn wording on, bones 1h nn fr tha anor sl tea ny ie Ga any nh ‘hae hat faa ama and ‘SAVE THE CAT ~ Slee suder |sntLing, Looks at waten) okays. “This 10 me, she pefeet set-up ancl ane that Lope wth ll groups, in all kinds of situations all over Southern Clifornis ‘bat expect with the eget eudience of whitever Una working "This kind of tex marheting is aot only a grest warts mest prope, i's the only way to know what you've gots And 1 “pitches” who thinking sbout being aomewbere leis he perfect oubjet Hye can get hi stenson. you se tape tention, and fhe wns fo hnaw more abou the sry you're talllg, you've really got 4 seed moni idea. “What youll sks find by geting out from Behind rou computer and telling 1 people & how that rue-Iie expesence thai ‘ened te ou im smmer camp in 1972, che try that you ae b ing your entre serenplay om that means o much Lo you met t nothing to sanger. To ger and keep that stranger’ itenion you're going to have to gure out a way to preent 3 compelling "What 517" tha does sia something to hin. Or you'r going ta ba wasting your time. There ace slot more arangert than Iveads buying ichets to moves. No mater who i eneouraping yon on the lend aide of your fe, i's dhe tenigors you reilly ‘ed tty ‘What beuer war to find out what you's gr than osetia go 04 and ask? wane is 172 3 1. You find out more about your morte by ling wo people one-on-one than hing them read ‘This swat I macnn by “ent marketing ‘When Tam shout to go pitch # tudo, shes Tam working on. nee lle for « movie, or when Tear decide which of four or ive Hen Js, tall to “erions.” [talk to them and [Took ia thea os ‘nm ebing. Whon they tar to dif, when they Lol ava, Foe Hit them, Ad Tkaow my pitch has robler, So mabe sure that ve | pitch co my nest vie, Te correcied whatever slow spot ‘or eoofising elomient I overleoked te is time out, Aad oat of| Weed fan todo, ype scenario goes Whe ths je Of starlets, vockend Well'e Angela, and sh snobs Lp couple nocna rrappes. stake eyes the crovd. le approaches the person who ‘Vonat ickoly to. RS him. . axe soon Mk, eoure you nesp ner oman ‘anbiousy te Is? T hove a Pilates cles / Y9n ninate ARS sunvoeR th VALI only take» tm working on a mvie idea Tented to know what you thinks waar is 177 5 “Tothom i mean justvhat we've bea dieu here — soaking he mode eter set-—and they carne up witha long ran of ecw High concept mevics. All you had to do wou lock se the eneraheet (Gor name or the pater and yu hrc "What? fox Rathi Prope, Outrageous Fortune, and Doun end Out in ever His Like mont fubonable terms snow out to a your project igh con= epi. The death of high concept bas been prodatned nary times Iu ie a lot of what I'm going to ican througout this book, | fan les about what tu extent and more about what works and ‘eh eine common seme. fay option; thinking “high concept” kinking shout "Wha x pit good neuer, common courte Hfyou wll: Rea way yourtefin dhe shoes ofthe camomer, the person who's pay tone! money. eluding parking ands Uabyaler, to come and your Bins Avd dow’ bid youre, av beiliant an those wo esate, Michiel Eisner and Joey Kateenberg dnt Tigh concept Ws een around from the begining. bout very Preston Senger movie hit frown the 19404 — In ly, Hel th Conyaning Her. Lay Ee even Salon's all high concept hla shat drew people Inve theatwes the logline nd poster. every Alfed (Iacheack Uheler ever made — Rear ih by Northwest, Yorn and Peto hen i tt ee esos he pte andthe ty And checkout those ies. A of dem, ers etal my vt mam they dv ia wr tha no “oF pall, Pag potently Ire, but eeM4 SAVE THE CAT ~ ate sandr |sntLing, 100%s at waten) okays. "This, tome, the perfet set-up and one that epee ith all ge group, in all kinds of situations all over Southern Celifornia ‘but expec with the eget cudieneeofwhiteer Ui working 0 "This hind of te mazhetng is aot only great way meet people, Werte only wey to know whet youve got: And a "pteee” who thinking sout being somewhere olin he perfect eubjet. yeu can gets sttenion.sFyou ean heap ie tention, ane hese te know more about the story you've tall, you've sell got 4 eed moni dea. “What you'd find by ge ou from behind rou computer snd telling to people & Bow tha true Ie expeicice that hop ‘ened to ou im sme camp 1972, he ony tht you ae b Ing your entzeserenplay om that means a mc to yo, nothing to suanger, To get end beep thet stranger's steion owe going t have to gue out a yar to prewot «compelling "hse 1?" tha dows sian something to him. Or you'r gong te be wasting your tne. There are sot more ssungers than fiends buying Gchets to movies. No mater who ( encouraping yon on the ftend side of your ie, As the rangers you relly heed to impress Whe better wy to find ut what you've got than te mt go ont and ek? ‘THE “DEATH” OF HIGH CONCEPT ‘Alla the shove dacs oround tera tht many people Hllpoe ae: high ceneept The erm wanna fou elloy Kerley ‘nd Micha! loner i thelr hday young ura rwoniog Dino 6 SAVE THE CAT » Bate soe roseating «better "What is 7° cox poten audience — mo faster who thoy are oF what position they eecupy i the chain — eer goes out of feshion. defy howe who think thie game for salesen and not ibumekers te come ap with «heter tile than Lagely Blonde, And as we wil cei dhe next chapter, we're nly at the beginning of finding vay te put yourself inthe hes of Che ‘moregoer, ‘And that i'vhat we shoul ll be doing mone of. SUMMARY So are your gnoptc eating 1 mie? Ave the proving pains 199 neh? Wal whether thie ld ewe or new neve the’"What i" ‘sui only place bein this ask of our, Theo ofthe seenaaster, specially ene wring on pee ust ncade consideration fee ery ‘oneal slang the ay rom agent a producer tothe sudo ears who decides hat ges made: And hat job warts wth that quenton, "What Along witha good "What it?” a maeia sit have ales sense of a 9 aboat and who 1's for. Tis tone, potential, the dilemma fin chareterss andthe typeof eharactersthey are should be ay {to wrdersand noe compelling In order to hater create good "Whit it?” the spec secveneter snoat be able to tll x good ane-ine or ogline —a one~ or two sentoncegeabbor tht tll ut everything, Tt ant stl fou bane ements tobe effective 1 Irony It must bei some wey rome and emotionally invaing waar is 17 5 “Tothom st meant just what we've boon discus here —saabing dhe moe eter see—and they corn up witha long run of exces High conse mvc. All you hed to do was lok a the one-sheet (Gncter name or the ester and yeu hrc "What?" for Ruthless Poole, Outrageous Hortane, ad Den nd Os n Bevel Hin Like en fbcabie terms now out yy peojec high on ep. The death of high concept Ins boon prodained many times I bbe a lot of what Tm going to can throughout this back, 1 far lr show what extent and mare about what works and ‘wha is simple common seme. Tiny opinion, thinking “high ooncep:” thinking sont Wass iy ‘jt goo mers, common ensriey Hyon ll. Res» way Pili goireein the show of te cmiorner the perme nh’ pey- tee money eluding parking and «babpeter, to come and "your film. Ard don't Kel youre? a bein a¢ these two es are, Michael Eisner and JeTiey Katzenberg dida't Bagh eoctept, ts oon esol roa te beginning. bout very Preston Stoge movie hie from the 194 Tnfsby il the Congarting Hero Ly Ee, even Sa | all hig soncept ideas that crew people into theetroe the lgline and poster Jahn emay Aled chook tile ev made — Rear pork by Nort, Yonge ana Fock. hee movies toate fan vokes he pics andthe foih sory. And check out thove ules. All f them, aeroae ‘erinly wy what st and they Bsa way thas noe fara (ol, Pyche is potenuly lane but wel ex yooh om that one's Hitcheock, afterall ly thas AF someone gives you mae ubout your high Wn, Jost mnie wn nc tho sary and creatively sna 19 7? 2. A compelling mental pictur, It must Moom In your mind when you hear it. A whole movie mat be implied, often Socladng ste frame. 3 Avdienee and coe. Ie maust demarcare the wone, the sarge audience and Uae sem of est, 20 buyers wl bow if i ea tshe «pri 4. A Biller ile, The one-two punch of « good Topline mast Include wrestle, one Hat "age what it” and does in lover ony “This iv all prt of what called “high concept,” term that came sotto veri wave at ee ent to ace I fae high comeept ismens imperent thon eer below, especialy since mews rm be wold internationally, too. Domestic box office wsed 0 account Tor 60% of « movie's averall profit, bs that Bgure it down to 40%. That means movies oust tel and be waderstood eeuhort eve hall of your market is now outde the U.S, Se whl high ‘concept te. term that» not fublonable. es a ype of mone all, Hollywood is ectvely looking for, You jut hare to figare out «| ‘wicker, licker way to provide high concept dew. ically, this all bout Sergaing the mince, v0 «ed wey to toad fest an ides i to get out hows behind your compurer ane pitch te Pitch your mavie ta anyone who wall Laven and adja econdingy. You never know wh alurbe informacion yeu can learn Crom a stranger nth Bank exprenion6 SAVE THE CAT » bate soe rosenting + better ‘What isi?” cox potential audience — ‘ater who thoy are or what position they eeeupy i the chain ever goes out of echo. defy those wha think this game for esmen and oot flemekers come up wich beter tile than gel Blonde, And ws we wile the neat chepte, we' only at the beginning of finding wap to put yours inthe hace of the Ae tar te what we shoal be ng more of. summary Some your snp ening tine? Aretha proving ua oo such? Wal heer thin inl se or new no the Woe i ‘thon pce bein thin sk ery, The ofthe een expecially ne wing on tes mut inde comer for car neallalong the ay, om age to prodacer othe suai eho cides ge ne, Ard tht jo wrth ch ueton “Wha ‘Along with good "What st” a meoniemuthaye eae sense of ‘whats about und who i's for. Ts fone, penta, thedilermms fimeharaeers, andthe typa ef eharaterthey ate, oul be csp to understand ant compelling good "What st” the spec screenmrher goo one-line or Iogline ee or be sentence grabber that tells uk everything. I ant sty fs hase ‘lament to be effective 1 Irony. Iomest bei some way Sromie an emotion invaving a dramatic situation tha ikea ch you have co are il SAVE THE AT ~ Wake snyder 1. Pick up she newpaper and pte this wek'« more choicer to fiend. Can you think of way e improve the movie's loglioe apse! 2. Ifyou are sadly working ons sreenliy, i you hn eer jn your ie, wet the loglines fr exch and prec theme ranger. Hp picking in thir way, de you find the Logline changing? Does rake you think of things you shoul have ‘ied in your seript? Does the sory have to chase to the pick 4 Grob a TVGuide and ved the loglines fom the mavie sen ees the logline and tile of a movie sy what K &? Do wage loglines quate with a ravi’ false in your mind? Wie al fof good What i #7" responce in ay may fo hat ile? 4 UE you don’t ave an iden for w aescenply yey these (ve omen te jump art your move iden sills GAME fa: Funny — Pick» drama, thriller, o horror film end turn int a comedy. Example, Pury Cristie ~The haunted drew cars teenige hoy tha rune hale row beet cy wher the ear state giving dating advice. b. GAME bs Serio itewie. pick comedy and mae W Into Aura, Seri Anil Huse — Draw about ceaing sandal «wall tunsority end in Feu Good Menke sono sna 19 7? 2, A compelling mental picture. Ie musi bloom I your mind hen you hear it. A whole movie mst be implied, often cling atime frame. 15 Audience and con. Te ant demarcate the tones the sarge eudience, and Uhe seme of eo, 20 buyars wl ow if i ear Sake» prose 4. A Iiller dle. The one-two punch of « good lepine mut Inchade egress tle, ome that “age what 3 and does so in lover ony ‘This all port of what a called "high comeept,” «tren that sume shout ta describe money hat ae ny toon I fat, high coneept {emote imporent than ever before, especialy sce moves mm be sold internationally, toe. Demeate box office wed 2 account or 60% of « movies verall profit, bus that igure se down to 40%. That mesne movie ust mel and bewndertond eeeuher over hl of your market is now outside the U.S, So while high oncept is term that’ not finale, 9 spe of mie all Hollywood is ectvey looking for, You Jos hare to figure ou a aqweten, sicker way to prove high concept ea. Filly, this ie all shoot intriguing the audience, 10 good way to red lst am ides i to get out fren behind your compucer ard pitch t. Pich your mae ca acyone who wll Listen and adjust ecotdingly- You never Inw what valuable iformation yea ean sronger ith « bank expresion Toaen Ee la GAME, FDI out of water This work for comedy o¥ rama, Name five pcos that FL agent im the movies hat never hen xen to solve crime. Erample: "Stop or (Il Base!" Slob FAL spent is pent undereover to Provence Goobing Behodl 4, GAME #5. Schoct ‘Works for drama and comedy. Name five easnple ef an anunual type of school, exmp, of elastroom. ample: "Wie School"; Women rent by their rich hus bande woon rebel fe GAME *4: VERSUS! rams or comedy. Name seeal pris panple tn boon opposite sides of x burning issue, Examples A hooker and preacher al bn Jove wea cx sommes per dite We reidents of «all own, £ GAME #5: My_ 1s Serial Killer ‘Drama or comedy. Nae ot aaa person, ental, oF ‘hing that » paranoid ean euspecr of being + murderer. earple: "My Bou fA Seva] Kile.” Guy ets promoted Inert «dead bly arn up atthe corporation — ie the racer hin employer? 4 cone up with a ely good Jogline fora fami comed: “eomall sess innder264aoel can. Td be happy 19 fone you the you've gor16 SAVE THE CAT ~ bate snyder 1. Pick up he newspaper and pte this week's more chotces to friend. Can you think of ways lmprone the mone loglioe ornate? 8, Wide cedy wae shoei, So cl ‘nour Hs, wete the loglines fr each and preort theme ranger Bp pitching im thie way, de you find the loglne changing? Does it rake you dink of things yu shoul! bane tried in your script? Das dhe sary ave #9 change tof the pick? 8: Grab a TV Gude and read the loglines from the mavie section, isa the logline and tile of « movie sy what &2 Do wie logliner uate witha ane’ faiene i your mind? Weebl ‘ofa good “What is?" sesponsble ie any may for that file? {UF you dwt aww am iden For a eseemply yl, ey tt Se games to jorap-uee your movi Ken set 4: CAME tay Fanay. Picks drama, thle, 9 horror film end torn int a comedy. Example: Fanny Clritine ~The haunted. rent ‘ar of Leennge bry tht rus hse now becomes com> ‘ly her the ea tas giving cating advo 1b. GAME Mb: Serio [ikenie plea comedy ad ite at «drama, Seri Anveal Have — Drama shout cheating scandal 4 wal ‘aniersity end hn A Few Good Menke shoncown war ig 172 99 GAME FDI out of water “This works for comedy o” drama, Name five placer that FL agent im the movies hae never heen sent to solve cme, Example: "op or (1 Bae!" Slob FBI agent is pent undercover to Provence Cooking Sehedl |. GAME 4: School ‘Wook for bots diana and comedy. Nao five casoplen sf an unonual type of tthoch exmp, of elattroom ample: "Wie School”; Women rent hy their rick hus bands oon rebel, erie Dram ar comely, Neme several pairs of people to be on. opposite sides of « burning ivuc. Example A hoaher and ll love nen 2 new mastage Felon divides ‘he tesidene f x aval own, {GAME #5. My_ A Sera Killer ‘Drama oF comedy. Name an watsual person, animal, oF hing Hat a prank ean suspees of being + murderer. “eunple, "Ny Bon I A Serta) Kier.” Guy ges promoted ‘rer te «Seed body rarnsup ate corporation — i the aver hivempleyer? one wp wil relly good logline fora lanly comedy, eomall address inydr26 4a com. Va be happy t0 fone. you think you've poe GIVE ME THE SAME THING... oaths ‘an run ight upto ane oi Bott the last secon you must turn oe. “You mas pve ia es Iisiting on thone wins defying that inner voice chat *Oh, well no one wil novi," ie a unter! rage 004 sontellers have been Fighting Forever. nthe slo secutive who frat blared out thie vale am Goldwyn-lite, curing 1 destopment mesting Ine the mone thing. only diferent!" poly tle hee. saps oration — From thei th tya2 SAVE THE CAT ~ Wate soyler 1s A fll-Nedged hnowledge of hundreds uf movie, and epetal- Iy those which your movie Like, i neguied. “Yecsurprsing ait seems for penplewhe rr intereved tn parsing ‘ eareee in mendes am shoo ~ ahcled! — 10 ind how many upand-comen in not even quote from movies sn their vm genre, moc le movies gemarlly. Tarte, alo bg geen Listen 10 Spielneg or Scorsese tlk shout moves. They cw nnd ‘am quote from handeeds. Ard I don't mean quote as tn “eck lines from," I ean quote ax in “capleia how each movie wor" Movies ae incesnly ede emotion sechines. They ate Swat watches of preci gears and spinning wheels that make them ik ‘You hive t be ale to take thers apart and put chem bck ops aio. In the dash. In your sleep. And your lnewledge of» fev ‘ewer you ite ¢ not enough Ite sles mot enough to knowl he snendes of che pant fre year. "You be a go bck. ace the nea cf many types of movies, know what movie begat what ithe line ‘of recession, and how the art wat edvenced by ssh Which Jeads mero dhe wuhjecr of gre. ta em You area (on, he nest sep of writing screenplay snd that i the categorising of your mene ew Ba so think My se ena? ICs ike nothing ver sen bi! Fai Teper int a cotgen! Sorry. Too Inte GIVE ME THE SAME THING... LY DIFFERENT! Ms sersswrite’s dally conundrum i how ovoid lich, ‘You car be sear the dich, you can dance around #, yt [tan run righ up oc and amon embrace ‘oto he ts second you must turn ey Yon man give it ovis Instn on those wists, defying that inner voice dt "Oh, well. no one wil notice." is «universal sruggle 004 sartallers have been Fighting Forever. nthe na executive who rt blurted out this rl Goldmyn-like, during 3 development meting Ine the mre thing. only aifeent” Fa plein p44 eration — from the iden, tothe way chee th othe scenes themiehes ~ puting frech apm lever i") i what we do every dy. Bat to haw Pyidd the dich, 1o know what taliton you ace Toruand, boyine with hnvntng what tha tradition the clichés to gv athe sn thing. only afferent, you we to vow vhat genre your movie is part of, and bow io trent Ue i Hslhwoed,slzeady docs th, So vy nor wba hey nn? Whar is Ir... MOST LiKE? spew youve xo: your loline, We falowed my adic, you've gone out and tet pitched your or a0 “victim” you've gon tir reponies and djusted land pow your one-liner Is just shining there so Flew koneyou'tegot jeune wines, ready to ype FADE IN —syhu? you ack because before you stare wet E want you fh llitle bie shout the question eer "What is?” — and elma ite” to dhe example of you and your frends on Saturday se piched them sheir move chatcer, ead these les And now they vans to enow more abou what they see whe they plank dowa thle $10. Olay 0's hat Mi? 4 wy you ear ap many al moni pchor sn ee the ones, Lod thet se used shorthanda2 SAVE THE CAT ~ aie snyder 1s A fll-Neged nowledge of hundreds uf movie, and epetal- Iy chow which your movie Ith, i eed. ‘Yer nrprising ait eems for people whose intereed in pursuing ‘career in mover, om shoe hed ~ sched! — to ind how ment up-and-comers can hot ever quote from mouet on thelr On ‘genre, much les movies generally “Tras me, all oh big gs cam Listen o Spielberg or Scorsese tlk shout moves. They knew std ‘am quote fram hundreds. Arad I don't mean quote 40 in “eck ines from,” I san quote as in “eplaia how each movie wor Movies are sntristely made eration machines. They ste Swe watches of precise gers and spinning was that make chem ck “You have t be als to take thar apt and put them bck og agio. In the dash. In your sleep: And your Imewledge of few rovies you lie ot enough. Tt malo not enough wo know ll he sneriat of the pant fre years. You have co go back, ae the inca ff many pee f movie, tow what movie begat what ithe Lin ‘of succession, end how the are wa advanced by ech Which leads mato the suhject of grees ‘You are about co embark on he nest wep of writing » succefl screenplay end that is the categorising of your mane ew 4! yon think Alp mone new 1s ke nothing er con be! 1 Tepat into weetgen! Sorry. Tao Ite You con't tell me aay ea tha in ike exe oF dens fo the movie canon. Trust mie, your mori all Ant «cargos Aid tha category her rales that yc noo a hn Brea eile 24 SAVE THE GAT ~ biate sider {sbi eI” Tees th cote ein tiate speci ikeone: You at there, eying 0. isgine ow "Wa Leothers meets MASH really work What ie that? Spailed teenage girs Join the Army? A medical eam i ile toa igh school to ste Kis who ae shooting eech ee? What? And ads teal the pitcher in doing i grabbing vo hit mater and hoping ‘here's ome eens in ere tht voce il (PLEASE NOTE: You newer use bom to desaibe thee eal doctor experiment Weneces “Mar meats Howard the Duk an cample which elt you ney how tl ecg thi i) Andyetss Ladmit do i ‘The seston estegortaing your movie isa good des Icha! Ae Amportani for you, the screenwriter, 0 know nbst ‘pe of morle you'rewiting. OF the many vay tego lor while inthe mide of Sang a secenplay, these the mort commen, When Lt wh fs rmove, when Sten Spherg i weing x mene, referencing ‘ther movies, looking for clues of plotdng and character wii the gears is commonplaet- And than, oh yo ar atoek in our ‘ory or when you're preparing to write, you wil “even” det vmovies hat ae like dhe one you're wonking onto get cues aut ny certain plo clement are import, why they work oF dn sted nhere you can ehange the lich in something fre, ‘There are x0 movie gente that have proven toe good place start thi procen, Thats they ar, «place costart~ voll yt how to move past dem ne ‘Aa Larch for mcs in thin ge of eave gin rum ~ de Lh he clichés, to ge ws the sume ting. only different, you hweto Inoow vhat genre your movie is part of and bow to trent the wi (hat sotd pat alamonta IF you cam do that” you have beta hance toxell. And, bythe way, everyone, ard Tmesn cern #9 Hellyroed, already docs this. Bo wy not know mba they know? WHat is Ir. MOST LiKe? soew youve got your loline: followed my advice. you've gone out end test iced your ‘or 46 "ect," you've got thelr espoases and adjusted aly, snd ow your one-liner i jus shining there #0 Pie ine you'ee po youre a winaes ready to ype FADEIN, — sigh? ip ack Wee wie Wek you nt wit A litle bi shout she uation afor “What i te met ie 1o the example of you and your friend on Saturday se piched them their move chotces. and they've And new they vas to know more ou what they eewhen they plunk down thie $10, Olay ao i's oh bt? 49 hy you ear 0 miny al mone pikes in joe he ones, Tact, tht Ive used oe thorthand flats aod dts mise you tie. Thee wre the espe mabe far of — and igh s,s X-Mer Aunt" the ervous picker wl nay, Cr" Die Hard GONE ME THE SAME THING... ONLY olFERENT! 25, tnude. You can makeup your ove xtgorie, you cas ad others Ho thi lint, bt U hope you mon'e eed to: Mow wll also me Dat ovkere sn this lat do I have siendaed gente types such at “emansie Comedy. Epic. 9» Blography ~ because those names {scaly tell re anything abot what the ator i. And cha's Tresd to hao. 410 tpt of movie Ihave categorie here ae ee fn the Haane — Of which Jews, Tomer Alon, The tt Foal Aectie, al Poe Reem ate example, Plezce— Thin isthe enegory of movie hes cxempliied by Mir, The Ward of Oxy Planes, ilar and Autonet, Auch To recand moat “heist mewen” ‘the Bole —Tais incorporates fil ike Lian, Lin, Bruce nue Baie #9, feat Frid, Hudson, ane evan ny own ike form Disney, Blok Chet Is Phoblena —"This rs gore tht ragitnvls to A aubstsnce from Eratdeun anc Die Hard to Titanic ~ Rrery changs-of ie story From 10 to Oriiery 4) Wine a Rees be thi tego "This gente ls shout more than the buddy wore pm Ks ep beds plsurer, Dish & Dumber, wad Rain rer owe sry ever nade