Save the Cat!® Writes for TV

The Last Book on Creating Binge-Worthy Content You'll Ever Need

By: Jamie Nash

Narrated by: Jamie Nash

Length: 9 hrs and 18 mins

Publisher's summary

Blake Snyder's Save the Cat!, the world's top-selling story method for filmmakers and novelists, introduces The Last Book on Creating Binge-Worthy Content You'll Ever Need.

Screenwriter Jamie Nash takes up Snyder's torch to lay out a step-by-step approach using Blake's principles for both new and experienced writers, including:

• How to write and structure a compelling TV pilot that can launch both your series and your TV writing career
• All the nuances, tricks, and techniques of pilot-writing: the opening pitch, the guided tour, the whiff of change, and more
• The eight Save the Cat! TV franchise types that will improve your story and your pitch
• The not-so-secret TV pitch template that turns your TV series into the necessary read-over-lunch industry document
• A how-to in creating layered characters who are driven by complex internal struggles

Beat sheets of the pilots of Barry, Ozark, Grey's Anatomy, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, What We Do in the Shadows, Black-ish, The Mandalorian, This Is Us, Law and Order: SVU, and more to help you crack your story.

Create your binge-worthy TV series with Save the Cat! Writes for TV.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2021 Blake Snyder Enterprises, LLC (P)2021 Blake Snyder Enterprises, LLC

Critic reviews

"Blake Snyder would be so proud of Save the Cat! Writes for TV because like all his books, it cuts straight to the truth: No matter where you are in your TV writing career, a newbie or a 25+ year veteran (me), you need to write a fresh, new pilot. Author Jamie Nash uses Blake s life-changing beat sheet and adjusts it for TV s wonkiness. Whether you re writing a comedy or drama for network, cable, or streaming, this book with its thought-provoking exercises, sage advice, and beat sheets from successful TV shows will definitely get you closer to FADE OUT...and quite possibly your own TV show!" (Kriss Turner Towner, Executive Producer, Greenleaf; Consulting Producer, Black Monday, The Soul Man; Co-Executive Producer, The Romanoffs, Everybody Loves Chris, The Bernie Mac Show)

"While I wish it were called Save the Dog!, I believe Save the Cat! can open eyes and demystify some of the biggest challenges TV writers face on that daunting blank page." (Steven Levitan, Co-Creator, Modern Family)

"There's joy in TV Land! As a longtime user and fan of Save the Cat!, I've found Jamie Nash has shifted the focus (without losing the principles) of Blake Snyder s groundbreaking work, creating a whole new way to look at developing television series that's filled with insight, ingenuity, and a generous sprinkling of humor. A new must-read for newcomers to the field and veterans looking to shake up their process." (Paris Barclay, Director/Producer/Writer, Sons of Anarchy, Glee, House, The Good Wife, In Treatment, Scandal, Empire, CSI, Lost, The West Wing, ER, NYPD Blue)

Indeed! The Last Book on Creating Binge-Worthy Content You'll Ever Need

This is my favorite book on TV / screen writing ever!!! I have listened to the book while reading it as well on my kindle.
First of all, the fact that the author Jamie Nash, read his own book is just cool, it sounds like a convo with him and it gives the book a lively feel.
Now let’s talk about the most important: the content of the book itself: it is a TREASURY. It is for me THE BIBLE of tv writing and indeed the last book you’ll ever need. I’ve read multiple books on screenwriting, especially for TV, although there are good ones with good pilots analysis out there, Jamie Nash’s book and insights are by far the ones that excited me the most. Jamie Nash clarified the whole 5-act thing (actually act outs like he said), broke down the TV franchises with the Save the Cat genres, the beat cheats, the beat board and every thing in such a clear and engaging way. I love how he always illustrates it with great examples. Why would you need anything else?
The only thing missing is a more detailed summary (ie: the pilot beat sheets, I would have loved to have them listed as sub chapters by pilot title in the summary so i could go ahead and watch / read them ahead of time - but not a big deal, I did it myself ;) This is THE BOOK. I have to say I am grateful especially because it helped me, in a way no one else did, getting a better direction on my own pilot. The franchise types gave me my first breakthrough, as well as the exercises (not only at the end of each chapter but inside each chapter). Huge thanks to the author (and of course Black Snider at the origins of Save the Cat) for this inspiring book!!!!

So good I own both print and audio

I'm a longtime fan of Blake Snyder's Save The Cat techniques, using it originally for novels. I plot fiction deeply and the STC beat sheet structure works for me in the planning stages. Now, as I study screenwriting for feature-length film, Snyder's body of work is even more insightful.

I looked forward to Jamie Nash's take on applying STC techniques to television writing and the book did not disappoint. I learned a LOT about the world of writing 30 and 60 minute scripts, with series-long arcs. The delightful surprise was that Nash's work also gave me a new and deeper understanding of the fifteen 15 beats. (Which I thought I already knew quite well.) And just as I use aspects of Snyder's work in novel writing, I will also be applying some of Nash's explanations to my novel planning.

I listened to the audiobook, but also purchased the print version so I can revisit the material in depth. A great addition to my craft library. I highly recommend.

Would recommend!

Its simplistic intelligence is very encouraging! The material is up to date with the current writing atmosphere. Good read as well.

Enjoyed this and it is very helpful.

I enjoyed this for a few reasons, Jamie seems like a great and interesting guy who welcomes you the the fold and encourages you, while explaining how to take one step at a time to get SOMEWHERE to produce SOMETHING in this challenging pursuit. He breaks down the beat sheets for some of the greatest TV shows around now. That was cool and helped ground it. This book made me want to go and watch every pilot ever created. In fact I did go and watch a pilot today and thought about the acts. I actually plan to hire Jamie to walk me through this process because he knows his stuff and is generous with his knowledge.
Thanks Jamie!

Do the work

As a companion book to the other STC BOOKS, Jamie skillfully explains what it takes to create and pitch a TV series. I highly recommend this as a study guide for those creative writers who have a great story to tell.

Great info, but I rather have the book

The book answers a lot of questions that have been spinning around in my head, very thorough and a lot of great info. My big problem is when I'm running or driving, I can't hold my focus. He's a great writer, not a great reader, his delivery is off. I'm going to buy the book instead.

must read

great information! a couple of the jokes were corny but I liked this book.

Go Jamie!

First audiobook I’ve finished in one week. I loved Jamie’s care for the craft as well as the listener. It was comprehensive, clever and helpful. Bought the physical copy as I finished it!

Very usefull

I liked how the book applied the save the cat beat sheet to Series and shows.

Yes please

It gives the same, but only different.. *had to* .... Highly recommended book five