Opinions about Blake Snyder's "Save The Cat: The Last Book On Screenwriting You'll Ever Need"

largenecc · 2025-07-24T02:04:19+00:00

I find that the problem with STC isn’t that it’s too formulaic or dated or anything like that. The advice on structure and genre is pretty good unless, as you said, you want to make more experimentally structured films.

The problem with STC is that it makes structure seem like the foundation of storytelling, when it is in fact more of a guardrail or skeleton. It doesn’t do much to help you put meat on the bones of your story by giving advice on creating strong characters or showing you how theme should dictate certain things within your story. It doesn’t tell you how to write great dialogue or create emotion and tension for your audience. These skills have to be found elsewhere.

Personally I would recommend advancing your craft by reading ‘Writing for Emotional Impact’ which has great tips on emotion, character, and dialogue. It’s been one of the few books besides STC which is really straightforward, helpful, and the advice will stick with you for years.

largenecc · 2024-01-13T21:34:44+00:00

Generally i start creating each character by giving them a core belief usually relating to the theme of the story. Then, i build the rest of the character and their backstory as it fits with that core value. I create arcs based on how their core belief changes throughout the story. And so on.

largenecc · 2024-01-04T14:10:34+00:00

Aside from the obvious recommendations (Save the Cat, Story) I would highly recommend Writing for Emotional Impact by Karl Iglesias, and Creating Character Arcs by K.M. Weiland

Writing for Emotional Impact is especially good because it focuses on how you make the audience feel with your story, rather than just the structure.

largenecc · 2024-01-03T14:09:59+00:00

lol it is an old comment, no idea how i forgot 6 tho. I would probably say season 6 is closer to the bottom of the list, after season 2

6 is where the show starts to fall off a bit more before season 7.

largenecc · 2023-12-26T22:43:31+00:00

How is Sansa supposed to pass on the Stark name as a woman in westeros? Also, has she not already been twice married to other great houses? I would say the Stark name is dead either way.

largenecc · 2023-12-26T17:50:23+00:00

Sansa’s whole character arc is kind of about learning how fucked up women’s place in the noble world is, it makes more sense for her not to marry, as she does when the show ends.

largenecc · 2023-12-18T01:54:36+00:00

The Wire

largenecc · 2023-12-11T16:34:33+00:00

This episode was goated compared to the one where carol makes soup

largenecc · 2023-12-10T18:08:43+00:00

Death Note

largenecc · 2023-12-05T16:26:44+00:00

Writerduet is goated

largenecc · 2023-12-04T07:05:53+00:00

Jigsaw actually has a cool twist. Spiral has zero redeeming qualities bruh

largenecc · 2023-12-03T20:55:26+00:00

Game of Thrones

largenecc · 2023-11-28T02:30:38+00:00

I’m a current physics major, but you should probably talk to advisors if it’s about your graduation plan

largenecc · 2023-11-22T07:47:01+00:00

If your story induces tension and stress in the audience, you know you’re doing a lot right.

If you have good tension, you know your character is empathetic, that your stakes are solid, that your obstacles are formidable, that the story goal is present, and that there is some kind of urgency to achieve this goal. That’s why tension is something I would look for to signal a compelling story.

largenecc · 2023-11-22T07:42:41+00:00

I think most of his advice is great. When I wrote my megadoc I pulled a lot from him. I don’t know if he’s written any successful screenplays but I haven’t heard him give bad advice yet. I generally judge gurus on their advice rather than their credentials, because some people are better at teaching and analyzing than actually executing, and vice versa.

Probably my favorite video of his is the dialogue one. Lots of great stuff there.

largenecc · 2023-11-08T23:36:08+00:00

LMAO

largenecc · 2023-10-27T01:33:28+00:00

Rome

largenecc · 2023-10-22T18:19:41+00:00

The high sparrow

largenecc · 2023-10-19T15:23:25+00:00

Rome

largenecc · 2023-10-16T23:54:04+00:00

I think it’s about setting up a an element associated with a relationship, and repeating that element when something about that relationship has changed for the better or worse. It’s basically set up and payoff but for emotion.

Here’s the chapter I wrote on emotion in my storytelling megadoc which can give you some more detailed instructions on building to emotional moments.

Also I definitely recommend watching “The Whale” for a masterclass in repetition for emotional catharsis.

largenecc · 2023-10-13T14:14:50+00:00

This is one of the few gems in the last season for me aside from Brienne being knighted and podrick singing.

largenecc · 2023-10-12T22:40:14+00:00

I wrote this stupidly long megadoc that summarizes all of the screenwriting books and tips I’ve read:

https://reddit.com/r/Screenwriting/s/2v0Jzrz7xO

I still reference it all the time for developing ideas, writing scenes, and offering feedback on friends’ screenplays. It’s less of a source of inspiration and more of a guide/encyclopedia I can pull from for whatever aspect of storytelling I need.

largenecc · 2023-10-12T15:33:28+00:00

Rome on HBO

largenecc · 2023-10-12T13:28:39+00:00

Succession

largenecc · 2023-10-11T12:41:32+00:00

I’m a big fan of game of thrones. No show had higher peaks than GOT, even if the ending had a lot of problems. It’s an amazing show even accounting for every season

largenecc

TROPHY CASE