Blake Snyder

Blake Snyder is an American author who is best known for his book Save the Cat! The Last Book on Screenwriting You'll Ever Need. He is a celebrated international speaker, author, lecturer and consultant in the film, television and video game industries.

Snyder was born in 1951 in Baltimore, Maryland. He grew up in Baltimore and graduated in 1972 from Goucher College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in theater directing. He then attended the University of Iowa Writers Workshop, graduating with a Master of Fine Arts degree in Playwriting in 1976. After graduation, Snyder wrote two feature films and performed creative services on over a dozen productions.

In the late '80s, Snyder became a television writer and producer. He wrote for shows such as Newhart and Empty Nest, and even acted as the executive producer for shows like Mad About You and The Muppet Babies. He also worked with teams on Collateral Damage, an Arnold Schwarzenegger film.

In 2005, Snyder self-published Save the Cat! The Last Book on Screenwriting You'll Ever Need. The book was an instant bestseller and has since been translated into over a dozen languages. It was also made into a software program that allows writers to utilize Snyder’s storytelling techniques.

In the book, Snyder offers a comprehensive guide to story structure in the form of a 15-beat story grid. He explains the foundations of story beats with simple and digestible language, which makes it easier for writers of all backgrounds and ages to understand the messaging. Additionally, he provides examples from films like Finding Nemo and The Godfather in order to ensure that readers understand the concept.

In Save the Cat!, Snyder also offers advice on how to build characters, plot out story points, create a villain, write convincing dialogue and more. His goal with the book was to provide writers with all the knowledge necessary to develop a compelling screenplay with professional quality.

Snyder further expanded his teachings in 2009, releasing the sequel Save the Cat! Goes to the Movies. The book takes Snyder’s teachings to the next level by focusing on classic films and their structure – and how writers could replicate their success.

In his own life, Snyder is a contributing editor of the world renowned Creative Screenwriting magazine. Additionally, he teaches classes at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts and consults writers, executives and producers throughout the world.

Blake Snyder is an accomplished writer and one of the top experts on story structure. His knowledge is respected and sought after in the film, television and video game industries, and his books have become essential reading for anyone looking to write a solid screenplay. Save the Cat! The Last Book on Screenwriting You'll Ever Need is a must-have for anyone wanting to learn about the process of writing for film and television, and it is likely that Snyder's authority in the industry will continue to grow for years to come.