The Nutshell Technique Versus Save The Cat - Jill Chamberlain

[@FilmCourage2]

Have you read either book?

[@TheAFGFilms]

I have! I've even taken her class. She's brilliant. I've also read Save the Cat. They both have really good things going for them and I try to combine them like this: I use Save the Cat for the PLOT, as in the events that happen from scene to scene. I use the Nutshell Technique for STORY, which is the emotional arc/journey for my protagonist.

[@daniloribeiro3526]

Combining different books is the best way to find your own rhythm and style.

[@CasperLCat]

The only movies I have truly admired, past the age of about 16, are the ones that truly surprise me. At 61, I’ve found that few do. Not just the ending, but how the whole thing unfolds. I sure hope every movie DOESN’T have the same number of “beats”.

[@ccwoodlands1565]

Jill is absolutely correct...you can combine different screenwriting books. You should actually! To me, Jill's technique focuses on more of the emotional arc of the story. Whereas, Save the Cat's Beat Sheet is like a structure for your emotional story. Jill provides an emotional map. I use Save the Cat, Nutshell Technique and Alan Watt's tips as well.

[@fleetwoodmacandcheese]

Alan watts?

[@dustyhills8911]

I love this idea for the 2nd act but I do feel that the midpoint should have some kind of major event or decision happening to shift the story to a different gear

[@JudiChristopher]

"Save the Cat"... is in my TRASH... Not one time in that book did they SHOW what a Script or Screenplay looks like. "Show Don't Tell".... I love all book... I am a writer... and I have only thrown 2 books in the TRASH and "Save the Cat" is one of them... Very Disappointed in it.