Save the Cat Structure

Created: 2023-01-30
Status: #soil
Foundation: #lifefoundations/becomingagreatwriter
Project:
Topic: writing story structure plot

What is the Save the Cat Story Structure?

The Save the Cat story structure is a three-act structure that was developed by Blake Snyder, author of the popular book "Save the Cat: The Last Book on Screenwriting You'll Ever Need." It is based on the traditional three-act story structure, but with a few additional elements. The structure consists of:

  1. The Opening Image: This is an image that sets up the world of the story and introduces us to the protagonist.
  2. Theme Stated: This is where we clearly state what the central theme of the story will be.
  3. Set-up: This is where we introduce our characters and their backgrounds and set up their relationships.
  4. Catalyst: This is the event that throws our protagonist into action and sets them on their journey.
  5. Debate: Here, our protagonist must decide whether or not they will take action in response to their catalyst event.
  6. Break into Two: Our protagonist makes a decision here and embarks upon their journey, or fails to do so and remains in stasis within their current situation.
  7. B Story: Here, we introduce our second plot line which will run parallel to our primary plot line for most of our story until it intersects at a crucial moment near the end of Act Two or beginning of Act Three.
  8. Fun and Games/Promise of the Premise (Act One): Here, we explore our main plot line as our protagonist embarks upon their journey with obstacles along the way until they reach…
  9. a) Midpoint (Act Two): Here, they reach a pivotal moment in which they must make a decision that will determine how things will turn out for them at the climax (the end).
  10. b) Bad Guys Close In (Act Two): As they continue on their journey, they will face increasing opposition from external sources until…
  1. All Is Lost (Act Three): They are forced to confront an obstacle too powerful for them to overcome and all seems lost until…
  2. Dark Night of Soul (Act Three): They have a moment of despair in which all hope seems lost until…
  3. Break into Three (Act Three): They find an inner strength within themselves or are given one from outside sources that allows them to overcome all obstacles before them until…
  4. Finale (Act Three): They finally face off against their biggest challenge yet and triumph over it with some sort of resolution/closure satisfying both them and us as readers/viewers until…
  5. Final Image: We are left with a final image that wraps up our theme stated at point two at the beginning of our story in some way or another