Storytelling often takes a back seat in movies today, probably because of the burgeoning emphasis on special effects. Fortunately, author Blake Snyder is on a mission to correct this deplorable situation. In his SAVE THE CAT! GOES TO THE MOVIES: The Screenwriter’s Guide to Every Story Ever Told, Snyder says, “While many studios greenlight a script based on a point system of star, director and the last hit like it, in fact the success of any film is based on two more important factors -- a story that surpasses our expectations for the familiar genre it is, and the most crucial element: structure.”   

According to Snyder, who is a screenwriter himself, whether the movie is a comedy, drama or action film, it’s the story that counts. Classifying films into 10 genres he considers the most successful, Snyder then describes how various films fall into each category, insisting they are “essentially the same tale” told in a way to grab the audience. With the aid of a Cheat Sheet also included in this book, a budding screenwriter can check his/her script for the required structural “beats” to involve viewers. 

Here are Snyder’s 10 genres plus examples of films in each category:

Monster in the House -- Frankenstein, Fatal Attraction, Scream, The Ring, Saw

The Golden Fleece -- Saving Private Ryan, Bad News Bears, Jason and the Argonauts, Ocean’s Eleven, Maria Full of Grace

Out of the Bottle -- Freaky Friday, Cocoon, The Nutty Professor, What Women Want, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

Dude with a Problem -- Three Days of the Condor, Die Hard, Sleeping with the Enemy, Deep Impact, Open Water

Rites of Passage -- Kramer vs. Kramer, Ordinary People, 28 Days, Napoleon Dynamite

Buddy Love -- The Black Stallion, When Harry Met Sally, Brokeback Mountain, Lethal Weapon, Titanic

Whydunit? -- All the President’s Men, Blade Runner, Mystic River, Brick

Fool Triumphant -- Being There, Tootsie, Forest Gump, Legally Blonde, The 40-Year-Old Virgin

Institutionalized (man versus the herd) -- Do the Right Thing, Office Space, Training Day, Crash

Superhero -- Raging Bull, The Lion King, The Matrix, Gladiator, Spider-Man 2

Although I’ve never thought of movie genres in the same way as Snyder explains them, I think he’s onto something. And just look at those terrific films he mentions! As a highly successful spec screenwriter, Snyder certainly knows what he’s talking about. He's sold many original scripts to such major Hollywood players as Steven Spielberg and Disney. He also teaches seminars on the subject. 

On behalf of movie fans everywhere, I’d like to thank Snyder for his splendid screenwriting books (yes, this one is a sequel). Using a witty writing style plus his extensive personal knowledge, Snyder stands an excellent chance of convincing wannabe screenwriters to concentrate on the important aspects of a story -- while helping them write more intriguing scripts. More power to him!

(Save the Cat! Goes to the Movies: The Screenwriter’s Guide to Every Story Ever Told, published by Michael Wiese Productions, is available at Amazon.com by clicking here.)