beat sheet adapted from save the cat by lizwrites

Sheet1The Blake Snyder Beat Sheet (from SAVE THE CAT)PROJECT TITLEBook TitleLOGLINEKeep it simple: 'poisonous snakes run rampant on an airplane' will sufficeWORD COUNT (update this and the rest will auto-calculate)50,000PAGE COUNT182#POINTDESCRIPTIONPAGEWORD COUNTCHAPTER1Opening ImageSets the tone, mood, type, and scope of the project. A "before" snapshot.1215002Theme StatedSecondary character poses question or statement to MC that is theme of the movie.822753Set-upIntroduce or hint at every character in A story; plant character tics to be addressed later on.117145504CatalystLife-changing event that knocks down house of cards.2054605DebatePoint of no return; character makes a choice20415460113756Act IIA strong, definite change of playing field. Do not ease into Act II.41113757B-StoryOften the "love" story; gives us a break from the tension of the A story; carries theme of movie; often uses new "funhouse" version of characters.50136508Fun & Games"The promise of the premise" / the heart of the movie / all about having fun509113650250259Midpointthreshold between 1st half and 2nd half; can be false peak or false collapse; stakes are raised; fun and games over912502510Bad Guys Close InBad guys regroup and send heavy artillery ; hero's team begins to unravel91124250253412511All is Lostopposite of midpoint (peak/collapse); whiff of death - old way of thinking dies/give up moment/runaway moment; false defeat; no hope1243412512Black momentdarkest point; MC has lost everything124141341253867513Act IIIA story and B story combine and reveal solution1413867514FinaleWrap-up; dispatch all bad guys in ascending order, working way up to the boss141180386754955015Final Imageopposite of opening image; show how much change has occurred1801824955050,000

&CBy Elizabeth Davislizwritesbooks.com