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The Top 5 Moments That Define Unforgettable Characters


How do you define an unforgettable character? Why, with a defining moment that you (and they) can't forget, of course! From "life-changing discovery" to "healing or growth," Christopher and Kathy Riley—authors of The Defining Moment: How Writers and Actors Build Characters—have contributed an impactful piece to our blog that offers up 5 categories of "defining moments" to ensure that your characters make a lasting impression.
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JUST ANNOUNCED: AUGUST 20-29 WORKSHOP
 

ONLY 7 SEATS REMAINING!


Save the Cat!® Live Storytelling Workshop

 

Start with an idea and finish with the 15 beats of your story, across 4 LIVE 2.5-hour sessions on Zoom with Master Cat John Yearley.

A MAXIMUM OF 8 STUDENTS MEANS YOU WILL BE GUIDED BY THE INSTRUCTOR STEP-BY-STEP, BEAT-BY-BEAT.

You'll...

  • Find your story according to Blake’s four elements of every successful logline.

  • Learn to “beat out” your story using the Blake Snyder Beat Sheet (the BS2).

  • Pitch your story to the class using the 15 key beats every successful story must have.

  • Pitch your pillar beats: Opening Image, Catalyst, Break into 2, Midpoint, Break into 3, Final Image.

  • Discover the five steps that make a great finale.

  • Pitch your entire beat sheet.

ENROLL NOW »

Presenting Save the Cat!® Hats!


Want the world to know that storytelling's not just your hobby... it's your lifestyle? Well *meow* you can.

Sport your love of story in style with our hat, now available in the new "swag" section of our site! Available in two colors!
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Now Available: Autographed Copies of Save the Cat!® Writes for TV


Create your binge-worthy TV series with Save the Cat! Writes for TV – and own an autographed copy of this bestseller by Jamie Nash!
GET YOUR COPY »

IN THIS ISSUE

Top 5 Defining Moments
Beat Sheet Workshop
STC! Swag Shop
STC! Writes for TV
STC! Story Cards
Online Beat Sheet Course
STC! Software

Cracking the Beat Sheet Online Course

 

Start with an idea for a novel or film and leave with the 15 key beats that will become the backbone of your story.

With over 3.25 hours of exclusive, original video production, it's our proud new offering to help you discover and/or hone your ability to turn an idea into a compelling story that's set up for Hollywood or publishing success!

 
What are you waiting for? Get crackin'!
ENROLL NOW

Save the Cat! Software 4.0 unlocks the Fundamentals and Mechanics of Plot and Character Transformation with the Best-Selling Save the Cat! Story-Structure Methodology!

BUY IT »

Save the Cat!® Story Cards

 
NEW: Videos - Unboxing the Beat Cards and Unboxing the Scene Cards! Watch Now!

The Board (with a capital B!) is the most vital piece of equipment a serious writer needs to have at their disposal—next to paper and pen. Now Save the Cat!® makes it easier and more satisfying to fill your Board, with our brand new Story Cards!

Grab a stack, and get ready to map out the beats of your story and identify the meaning of every scene!

LEARN MORE »

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