Tuesday, October 30, 2007

I'll Get You Blakey

Save The Cat Spectacular
Blake Snyder's Screenwriting Weekend
Saturday/Sunday 24/25 November
Greetings!

Blake Snyder, author of Save The Cat! - the most innovative screenwriting book in years - comes to Raindance the weekend of Saturday/Sunday 24/25 November.

Read on:

Cat An adventure into storytelling at the movies!

Whether you're a screenwriter, producer, director, executive or movie fan, two-time #1 bestselling author Blake Snyder (Save the Cat! and Save the Cat! Goes to the Movies) will show you - from concept to structure to execution of specific scenes - how the magic of story comes alive. Discover the tried and true techniques storytellers have known for centuries. Blake has mastered the art of writing and selling scripts to Hollywood, and now teaches others.

Learn the tips and tactics that will turn your idea into a screenplay as introduced in Save the Cat!, Blake Snyder's #1 selling book,

First time in Europe!

Saturday/Sunday 24/25 November 9:30 - 6pm
Central London
£250 + VAT (There are special discounts - see below)
Call 0207 287 3833 to register or Book Online Here


Save The Cat
"Blake. What do you mean, Save The Cat?"

"The "Save the Cat!" scene is that moment when the hero does something that makes us like him.

There's a classic "Save the Cat!" in Aladdin, the Disney movie, when Aladdin hands over the pita he just stole to two starving kids in an alley, and one in Sea of Love with Al Pacino, when Al lets a parole violator go because he's with his young son.

It's usually right up front, right when we meet the hero. And it's in all movies that work, or where the screenwriters know what they're doing (it's even in Pulp Fiction).

Get the audience in sync with the plight of the guy or gal onscreen, and you are off to a good start. Fail and perish. And even if a movie "does well," i.e. my pet peeve, Lara Croft, the absence of a good "Save the Cat!" makes me say: Why care?"

- Blake Snyder

PansLabyrinth Day One: Sat 24 Nov 9:30 - 6

Move from concept to structure as Blake demonstrates the techniques used to write scripts that sell and stories that resonate, including:

- The concept of "primal" and why primal stories work best
- Why all stories are about transformation - and how knowing what your story is "about" is vital
- The four elements of every winning logline
- The seven immutable laws of screenplay physics
- The 10 genres that every movie ever made can be categorized by - and why they're important to your script
- Mastering the 15 Beats of every good story - with screening of film scenes as examples
Common Complaint of Film Producers
Most film producers complain about finding quality scripts, not finding money.

Doesn't it make sense to learn how to write a great script?

The Godfather Day Two: Sunday 25 November 9:30 - 6

Continue from structure to the execution of specific scenes as Blake reveals more of his storytelling approach, including:

- Creating the "Perfect Beast" by using The Board to map 40 scenes with conflict and emotional change.
- The tricks of the trade (with filmed examples): Save the Cat!, Pope in the Pool, Kill the Cat, The Eye of the Storm, the "Brando" and more!
- The Three Worlds of a script: Thesis, Anti-Thesis, and Synthesis
- How to get back on track with proven rules for script repair
- How to leap past the studio reader with ideas that demand attention
- Beyond "Arc" - How to make your characters and dialogue "pop"
- Why Blake's method is the "secret weapon" for major Hollywood agencies.
Meet Blake Snyder
Blake Snyder will be at Foyles in London, on Weds November 21 at 6.30pm to introduce his new book: Save The Cat! Goes To The Movies. As well as being available to sign your copy of the book, he will deliver key breakdowns of the 50 most instructional movies of the last 30 years.

Tickets are free; email events@foyles.co.uk to reserve your place.

Free Event
Interview with Blake
Get a feel for the man and his vision.

Read his article: Moment Of Clarity

Raindance offers the following discounts

- students/OAPs/UB40 - 10%
- members of any film organisation - 10%
- members of Raindance - 15%
- call 0207 287 3833 for details of group booking discounts
- call 0207 287 3833 for our 10% out-of-town

Call 0207 287 3833 or
Book Online Here

Good storytellers and screenwriters are in high demand. Learn the skill and craft of screenwriting from Blake Snyder, blend in your own creative mix, and position your self and your scripts for success.
Happy writing,

Will Pearce
Raindance Festivals Limited
Blake SnyderAbout Blake Snyder
Save The Cat
Save The Cat Goes To The Movies

Blake Snyder, who lives in Los Angeles, has sold dozens of scripts, including co-writing Blank Check that became a hit for Disney and Nuclear Family for Steven Spielberg -- both million-dollar sales.

"At times the universe seems divided into two groups: those who want to write a movie script, and those who write books and articles telling how.

Blake Snyder, the experienced author of SAVE THE CAT!, falls into both groups -- he's a produced screenwriter, and he's written a nothing-held-back, insider's point-of-view, fabulously funny book about screenwriting.

Using examples of popular movies, Snyder offers sensible advice about creativity, story development using your brain and index cards, how to make the characters do their jobs, and -- best of all, what screenwriters want to know before they even write their screenplays -- how to market your masterpiece.

Every screenwriting instructor (and I don't play one on TV, I am one) should add SAVE THE CAT! to the students' required reading list, without hesitation. This will be the book they actually read and follow.

Snyder's writing style is smoother than the sprint to the stage to accept the Academy Award for best original screenplay. Buy this book. Take this class.

Elliot Grove

Read his complete bio:


What They Are Saying
"Want to know how to be a successful writer in Hollywood? The answers are here. Blake Snyder has written an insider's book that's informative - and funny, too."

David Hoberman, Producer, Raising Helen, Walking Tall, Bringing Down the House


"An invaluable resource for anyone serious about having a career as a screenwriter or producer in Hollywood."

Andy Cohen, Literary Manager/Producer; President, Grade A Entertainment


"Save the Cat! is like a Berlitz guide to interpreting the secret language of every studio exec and producer in town. Once you learn to think like the people with the checkbook, you're one step closer to success."

Sheila Hanahan Taylor, Vice President, Development at Zide/Perry Entertainment, whose films include American Pie, Cats and Dogs and Final Destination


"This just may be the BEST book you'll ever need, or read, on the subject of how to break into the big screen big time as a writer of tall tales. Snyder is a working, selling writer himself, so that gives the reader a true inside glimpse into what it's like, what it takes, and what to expect on the long road to screenwriting stardom. Many screenwriting how-to tomes are written by guys and gals who have few or no real studio credits, so with this book you can be sure you are getting the info direct from the source of a successful member of the Hollywood elite. This is no doubt the one book that will do more to help you achieve success and get your two-brad-bound puppy through the door than any other I've read so far. And believe me, folks, I've read them all."

Marie Jones, Book Review, www.absolutewrite.com


"You'd have to look far and wide to find a better book to help you achieve your goals. Quite simply one of the most practical guides to writing mainstream spec scripts on the market. "

Screentalk Magazine


"Snyder provides the reader with a humorous guide on how to be a successful writer in Hollywood. Topics discussed in the book include the four elements of every winning logline, why your hero must serve your ideas, and the seven immutable laws of screenplay physics."
Script Magazine

"My bookshelves groan with Screenwriting books. I can't resist them. I just wish I'd read Save The Cat first. I've a background in advertising and I can confidently predict that STC will be an instant classic that sets the standard for years to come. Why? Well, for a start, it successfully achieves that most difficult balance of being simple without being basic. It's also entertaining. Even things like giving odd names to screenwriting techniques - Pope in the Pool anyone? - clarify ideas so much more vividly than using chapters of description. Most of all, STC is instantly USEFUL. I used the techniques in the book to build from the logline up a screenplay I'd been picking at for months. It was as if a giant light bulb had gone off and made everything so much clearer. I wish the book was my little secret but unfortunately the word is already out there - hence the review. Final word? Stop what you're doing. Read this book. Then start again properly."
Francesco Perillo


The Raindance Guarantee

If you decide to attend and find that any Raindance course is overhyped, unsuitable or simply does not meet or exceed your expectations, let a member of Raindance know by noon on the first day for an instant, no-questions-asked refund.

THE FINE PRINT:
If you find a course is not for you, let Raindance staff know by lunch-time on the first day (weekend course) of at the first break on an evening course for a full no-questions-asked refund.

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