Save The Cat! The Last Book on Screenwriting You'll Ever Need by Blake Snyder

In 2005, renowned Hollywood producer and screenwriter Blake Snyder released a book called "Save The Cat! The Last Book on Screenwriting You'll Ever Need". Intended for people who write either for the big screen or for television, "Save The Cat!" is a highly-regarded, comprehensive guide that offers readers practical advice and tips for developing an effective screenwriting strategy. With more than two decades of experience in the industry, Snyder draws on the successes and failures of Hollywood movie-makers to craft the book's insightful advice.

The main focus in "Save The Cat!" is on "beats", the individual units of action or dialogue that make up a screenplay. Snyder instructs his readers on how to successfully construct a good "beat sheet" – a sequence of individual beats that progress from the beginning of the story to its climax.

The book does not simply provide technical instruction in the form of beat sheets; there is also an emphasis on the personal aspects of screenwriting. Snyder advises readers on topics such as structure, theme, and the stylistic tools available in screenwriting. Topics such as the role of improvisation in writing and outlines for directors are also discussed. There are also chapters dedicated to essential topics such as genre, pitching, and copyrighting.

In addition, Snyder provides readers with a host of creative exercises to help generate ideas, such as "stealing elements", collaging storyboards, and brain-storming. In addition, the book provides information on the filmmaking process, including fundraising tactics, casting advice, and professionalism.

The book features themed chapters, beginning with "The Cat: What It Is, Why It Matters". This section introduces the concept of the "cat", the main character in Snyder's framework, which he calls a "rescuer". The Cat, who often appears first in the story, saves the protagonist from a difficult situation and helps him or her to understand the problem.

Snyder breaks down each element of screenwriting, from the concept to the characters, and serves up his trademark advice for writing strong, effective stories, with examples from films that illustrate good and bad approaches.

All in all, "Save The Cat!" is considered to be one of the best screenwriting books in the business. It provides step-by-step guidance on how to write successful scripts and offers readers insight into the film-making process from the professional perspective of a screenwriter and producer. If you are aspiring to write for the big screen and the small screen, read this book and you won't regret it.