Save the Cat!

Naomi for David
Originally uploaded by beatmania.

I read somewhere that screenplay books are like cookbooks. You buy them and keep them as an reference to 'cook' up your screenplay. Or you just need another excuse to stay away from actually writing one, like I'm doing right now. (Sigh.)

And I heard of this writer who regularly sell screenplays to production companies but never had one produced. I was told that this guy makes good money, but I can't help but wonder what's the fuss if your work is purchased by a studio to be locked away? How come he doesn't put his money (if not his passion) into producing one of his screenplay into a film for all audience? Maybe I'm preaching to wrong crowd, but as a writer, I would like my work to be widely distributed as possible, spark ideas and passion, and make living out of it.

Anyhow, screenplay writer Blake Snyder reminded me of above issues as I read his bold statement: The Last Book on Screenwriting You'll Ever Need. Although I haven't seen one of his produced films, but he accounts many Hollywood names as his clients/pals in his book to prop up his book and buttress his approach to screenwriting. The book reads like his title: bold, straight-to-the-point, no bullshit, etc. If you hate so-called Hollywood formulaic screenplays, you won't like this book either. But if you are interested in pursuing a career within Hollywood system, this book will provide some good, if not definitive, answers to your screenplay needs. But I doubt this book will help your screenplays get produced, as even Mr. Blake Snyder can't seem to shake it fully despite his talent and connections. Indeed, you will need talent, network, and some luck to get your screenplays made into Hollywood, even if you managed to save the cat, which belongs to certain individual named Spielberg.