So, I read Blake Synder's Save the Cat (STC). A friend of mine who is talking Screen Writing at UCLA recommended it.  

Keeping in mind that I am a rookie here -  I don't know - it kind of violated my sensibilities. Yes - there are obvious things that I think any screen writing book or guru would tell you (e.g., you need a theme, a catalyst for action, etc.). But the rigidity of this beat goes on page 10 and this beat goes on page 15, etc. just seemed to me to be overly rigid and sophomoric.  It also struck me that there were lots of movies that I loved that didn't follow this structure and lots of ones that I hated that did. In other words, I guess I'm not sold on the STC approach.  

I was interested in views from some of you more experienced screen writers. Is STC a good approach to story development - writing?

It's complete horseshit as far as I'm concerned and leads to the never ending cycle of clone scripts, where you know exactly what will happen and exactly when it will happen.

I think there's validity in some of what's contained in STC, but that can be said of many of the must read screenwriting books... they all have something in them that's useful of worthwhile.

What's dangerous is assuming that any single book has some sort of magic formula, they don't and as Geoff said it just leads to loads of clone scripts.

So read some more screenwriting books if you like, read more scripts, and keep writing - you'll figure out what works for you along the way.

I haven't read Save the Cat, probably would take pass on reading it

However I have purchased and read both "The Screenwrier's Bible" by David Trottier and "Writing a Great Movie: Key Tools for Successful Screenwriting" by Jeff Kitchen. Both I enjoyed.

What I enjoy the most about Jeff Kitchen's book is that creates a screenplay based on the books steps.

All - thanks for the feedback. The different takes are interesting.

In the imortal words of a soccer player ...

....This seems like déjà vu, all over again....

I have read it.

Is is too prescriptive...yes

Does it challenge you to focus your script....yes

Does it offer some good tips...well yes

Should you only write to its orders...no

Can it be helpful in dealing with producers...yes

Is it worth knowing ...yes

Is it a religion...no

Take what you find useful, discard the rest.

Like most books, I supoose.

Cheers

Quoted from Reef Dreamer In the imortal words of a soccer player ... ....This seems like déjà vu, all over again.... I have read it. Is is too prescriptive...yes Does it challenge you to focus your script....yes Does it offer some good tips...well yes Should you only write to its orders...no Can it be helpful in dealing with producers...yes Is it worth knowing ...yes Is it a religion...no Take what you find useful, discard the rest. Like most books, I supoose. Cheers

Gracias - sound advice

STC was the first book on screenwriting I read, years ago when it first came out. As a beginner, it helped me immensely. Mostly with structure. As I matured as a writer, I began to stray from that "paint by numbers" format. I highly recommend it for people just starting out, but for writers with some experience, I think it would set them back. Your writing skills are beyond STC Eldave. If you're looking for helpful material to take you to the next level, I recommend John Truby books/workshops. They're awesome. Really help with depth of story and character.

I think Blake Snyder analyzed and realized that a lot of films shared certain things when it comes to structure and such. I don't think he meant that you have to write in this paint by numbers way. He's merely analyzing movies and try to help writers, especially new writers figure this structure/theme/goals things out. I don't think he ever said, do this and this and don't do it any other way. I have one of his books and the writing software. I've tried using his way, but it doesn't work for me. IMO, each writer has to figure out their own way of writing. STC might work for some, but not for everyone.

One person's "way" isn't another person's "rule".  

If there were any advice you'd take it's that the only person who can write your script is you.  Never let someone else take the pen from your hand.  The minute you start following someone's logic as a rule is the second you lose what belongs to you.

Blake has his way.  I have my way.  Find your way.

Simple as that.

Save the Cat was one of two books that I bought. The other was Screenplay by Syd Field. I didn't need any of them though, I needed only come here and share my work.

Oh God.  Here we go again.  

Well, it's a legitimate question.  My five cents (which have already been echoed by other posters here.)

The good:
Save the Cat (like a million other screenwriting books and sites since) does bring up a few good points re: pacing, arcs, etc.  One does need to understand structure to grow and hone their screenwriting abilities.  Syd Field's books are great for that, as well.  And - as Reef so properly put it - it helps to be able to reference STS when chatting with producers (if the issue comes up.)

The bad.  (And oh yes, there is lots and lots of bad.)
Save the Cat is a straight jacket that Hollywood has sadly taken to heart.  It's a large factor in why movies are so formulaic these days - especially when mixed with the financial need of studios to stick with "safe bets".  The insistence of Save the Cat and its beat sheet is a huge detriment to organic and intelligent, meaningful screenwriting, IMO.  Yes, structure is necessary.  But rules for the sake of cookie cutter rules is not.

Yes, Snyder sold tons of scripts.  But 1) he was at the right place at the right time - ie: when the spec market was booming.  2) His family was in the industry.  3) Only two of his features were ever produced: Blank Check and Stop Or My Mom Will Shoot. (Supposedly, Stallone once commented about this film that "a flatworm could write a better script".)

Seriously. Stop or My Mom Will Shoot.

Enough said.  

--Janet (W)

I agree with Jeff - I think that if you approach a project with good story and believable characters, your script will almost sort of reverse engineer itself into this "format". Which Aristotle formulated, btw...

I think screenwriting books are good to learn the basics - mostly formatting, structure, style, pacing, etc.

Expecting STC or other books to make you a "great" screenwriter is akin to taking singing lessons in order to become Michael Jackson.  Can a book, or lessons, focus you? Absolutely. But you have to be working with something innately great first.

From some of the comments - I see this subject probably had been discussed before here - so, apologies for the re-tread if that's the case. Lots of good comments and references to other resources in the posts - great stuff and thanks.

Quoted from Dreamscale It's complete horseshit as far as I'm concerned and leads to the never ending cycle of clone scripts, where you know exactly what will happen and exactly when it will happen.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGpHbIOg6V4

Quoted from Demento https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGpHbIOg6V4

Interesting video. However, I didn't buy his - "you got to have at least three major reversals." Struck me as odd that I guy railing against a formula basically advertised one. IMO anyway.

Quoted from eldave1 However, I didn't buy his - "you got to have at least three major reversals." Struck me as odd that I guy railing against a formula basically advertised one.

I agree.

Only posted the video because I saw it a while back and this conversation reminded me of it.

I'll tell you the truth...most peeps don't really know what story is vs. plot.  Both are key, but plot is where a script/movie will shine or sink like dead carp.

Story can be as simple as you want, but there needs to be plot and plot points that keep readers/viewers glued to their seats.

I love cats, but in this regard, I say, "fuck the cat".

I read the book, and thought it was quite interesting.

I don't agree with everything he says, but the beat-breakdown was an interesting chapter and has some merit. I've watched a number of movies since and he's very accurate with the plot points.

I was not impressed with his ego... he kinda boasts about the films he made as if they were any good. That's a negative. But he's a decent narrator and quite fun.

It's well worth a read.

Quoted from mmmarnie STC was the first book on screenwriting I read, years ago when it first came out. As a beginner, it helped me immensely. Mostly with structure. As I matured as a writer, I began to stray from that "paint by numbers" format. I highly recommend it for people just starting out, but for writers with some experience, I think it would set them back. Your writing skills are beyond STC Eldave. If you're looking for helpful material to take you to the next level, I recommend John Truby books/workshops. They're awesome. Really help with depth of story and character.

I couldn't say it better myself. It's a great book for beginners because it is a nice formula for writing a script that is easy to comprehend and has some validity to it. But as you develop your craft you'll find yourself straying from it as you stretch your creative wings. It's one of the first books I read in pieces at my local Barnes and Noble and helped me early on by validating a lot of what I was already working on.

That said, the book is usually frowned upon by "screenwriters" as childish or a as an overly simplified set of instructions for writing a script. I wouldn't brag to anybody you've read it as you'll get nasty looks and snarky remarks from those who "know" better.

Quoted from CameronD I wouldn't brag to anybody you've read it as you'll get nasty looks and snarky remarks from those who "know" better.

By people who 'know' better, do you mean amateurs that have never sold a script themselves?

No, I was talking about self righteous people who turn their noses down at everything that isn't them. Writing snobs I guess you could say.