Save the Cat: The Last Book on Screenwriting You'll Ever Need

Do an online search for articles critical of Save the Cat! What common issues do they raise about the book? Write a response to the overall criticism and where you stand on the issue. Provide your own examples of contemporary movies as evidence in your response.

Find sections of Save the Cat! where the author positions himself in the movie industry. Does his experience lend credence to the ideas he promotes, in your opinion? Explain why or why not.

What biases do you find in this book? How might those biases affect the type of screenplay one writes?

Select one of the movies that Snyder either pans or praises. Watch that movie and write about whether you agree or disagree with Snyder’s opinion.

Compare and contrast the BS2 with Joseph Campbell’s and/or Christopher Vogler’s hero’s journey. How does Snyder’s version better serve the medium of film?

Of all the terms Snyder uses in this book, why do you think he chose “Save the Cat” for the title? What other titles do you think would be suitable? Support your answer with textual evidence.

In your opinion, how has the production and consumption of movies changed since the publication of Save the Cat! in 2005? Would that change any advice in this book? What parts would you update, if any?

Consider the risks of prioritizing box office success. What benefits might there be to making an “artsy” film that Snyder does not mention? Reflect on the different reasons why people write scripts, and identify how you align with or are distinct from Snyder’s target audience.