Preproduction: Save the Cat Beat Sheet

 Save The Cat Beat Sheet Introduction

What is save the cat beat sheet? The save the cat beat sheet is a storytelling structure used by screenwriters to outline and organize their scripts. Blake Snyder is a renowned screenwriter and author known for his book "Save the Cat!" who has developed the save the cat beat sheet. Why it was developed was to provide a clear and effective framework for screenwriters to structure their scripts. The save the cat beat sheet supports a film opening with its 4 beats that consist of the Opening image - The first visual and auditory impression the viewers experience, it sets the initial tone, mood, and visual style of the movie. Introduction - Is the part that presents the main characters, their world, and the initial setting of the story, it serves to familiarize the audience with the key players and their circumstances. Statement of Theme - In a film is the explicit or implicit message, moral, or underlying idea that the story conveys, provides depth to the story, offering insights into human experiences, values, or societal issues. And the final beat is Catalyst - Refers to an event character, or situation that trigger or incites significant change or action in the narrative.

 Planning: Save the Cat Beat Sheet 

 

Student names: Quiana Lanier, Leila Bonhomme, Jaliyah Washington, Danielle Stephens  Class period: 1st		Date: 27 January 2025
Each student's responsibility should be documented below as individual and group efforts.
Team-mate 1: Lelia Bonhomme – Film director and Camera director  Team-mate 2: Dainelle Stephens – The main character (Grace)  Team-mate 3 Jaliyah Washington – Secondary Character (Bree)  Team-mate 4: Quiana Lanier – Associate producer		Group Efforts: Working and communicating with each other to produce an organic film opening.
What is the Save the Cat Beat and how did you use it?
To help directors craft well- paced, engaging narratives with satisfying character arcs.
Title of the Film:	Fear of Redemption	Genre: teen thriller.
Production company	Jack – O - Hallow
Theme:	Mystery, Slasher, Teenage thriller
Define continuity:   A continuous sequence or flow without interruption occurs.
Description or Synapsis of Film
A girl named Grace out for revenge once her ex-best friend Bree friend betrays and begins to bully her.
Conventions of a Film Opening and Narrative Structure
Film Opening Conventions: Document the conventions of a film opening. E.g., Production company, titles, etc.
What is Exposition and list techniques used to establish the world of a film?
Exposition introduces background info. Techniques to establish the films world include establish the films world include establishing shots, production, design, character introductions, dialogue.
List examples of Exposition in the Film Opening
…The film's opening scene uses visual, environmental, and showcases all characters to introduce the uprising problem, and transition to the main bully Bree, isolating Bree with Grace, later her new friends come to check on her.
The Save the Cat Beat Structure and the narrative continuity of the opening.
Beat I: The Opening Image	A visual image that represents the central struggle & tone of the story.   A voice over of the main characters viewpoint.  It sets the tone, mood, genre, and setting of the movie.
Document the setting, location (inside-outside), genre, theme, tone, the mood of the film. It includes narrative devices such as text, voice-over, etc.	List 3 adjectives to describe the setting of the film. Intimidating, Shocking, Creepy    List 2 feelings that you would want your audience to film.  2 feelings I want my audience to feel is suspense and hooked until the end. And entertained and surprised.    What is the setting of the opening image? The setting of   the opening image is at the school.  In the opening image, the setting location is at school outside of building 500.    The time of day is Morning, mid day, afternoon.  Indoor and outdoor.    List five strong mise en scene elements you will use to illustrate and support the genre and feelings. We’ll use props, costume, symbolic items, abandoned place and Setting and Location to create are film  1. somewhere desert where nobody would be/ abandoned  2. props such as a baseball bat  3. costume like a mask  4. symbolic items such as a notebook/letter  5. Setting and Location  List narrative devices you will use to expose audiences to the back story/exposition of the film.  A voice over of the main character giving the audience information about herself and the condition she is in.    ( Note: you can add the setup into the opening image also. For example, introduce the main character immediately in the film.)
Beat II: Theme Stated	It is the central theme or premise of the film. The message, the truth you want to reveal by the end of your screenplay.   A secondary character makes the main character act out in a haunting way.  What is your story about in a larger sense or the big picture? A betrayed friend taking a drastic route.  What is the purpose or reason for the movie? To give a little thrill and for people to enjoy. And to express that karma goes both ways.  What is the problem the main character is faced with? A hurt girl who is seeking for redemption from the person she thought were friends for life.  What does the main character have to accomplish? Find anyway to feel whole again.
Describe Beat II	(Long answer) By the end of the screenplay what will be accomplish is the main character will execute her plan on ending her ex-best friend's life for redemption from how she treated her.
Beat III: The Set-Up	Introduction of the main characters in the film and an expansion of the opening image.   Present the main character's world as it is, and what is missing in their life revealed. Good friends.
Describe Beat III	What is the name of your main character? Grace (Played by Danielle Stephens)  List 3 adjectives to describe who they are. (Hurt, disoriented, introvert.)   Who do they represent? Social group (teens/ high school girls.)  List two moral viewpoints they believe in. Consequentialism and Realism.  List two interests of your main character and list 2 ways you will illustrate them. Writing in her diary and being reserved to herself.
Beat IV: Catalyst/ Hook	A life-changing event that causes a significant change in the main character's life.  • A moment where the main character goes deep into dark thought  • Plans out another human being's death  The reason you watch the rest of the movie is the sound, characters' actions, eye-catching props, and mise en scene, which symbolize meaning and support the genre.
Describe Beat IV	(Long answer)  A life changing event occurs when the main character Grace decides to end the life another human being out of anger.
Planning in Film Activity II: Sound in Film Analysis      What is the purpose of sound in the film?  The purpose is to enhance the storytelling by creating atmosphere, evoking emotions, establishing setting, developing characters, and adding realism to the visuals.  The Components of Sound  Define Dialogue  Conversation between two or more people or characters.  Define Sound Effects  Audio elements enhancing realism or emotion in different medias or performances  Define Music  the use of musical elements to convey meaning, engage audiences, and enhance storytelling.  Define diegetic sounds  Sounds originating from the story’s world, heard by characters.  List the diegetic sounds in the movie and give two or more examples.    - characters voices, talking and interacting with each other  - doors closing (hallway door)  -distant wail of police sirens    Define non-diegetic sounds  sound that is added to a film after filming, and that the characters in the film cannot hear.  List the non-diegetic sounds in the movie and give two or more examples.    -Narration (Voice Over)  - creep background music  -Soundtracks  -Footsteps    Sound Techniques  Define Synchronous Sound  audio that matches the action on screen.  List 3 examples of synchronous sound    -Stab Sound  -Footsteps  -Scream Sound    Define Asynchronous  Sound  Asynchronous sound is an audio that doesn’t that doesn’t match up with whats happening on screen.  List 3 examples of asynchronous sound  Hearing unseen automobile traffic  Hearing the sound of the next scene or shot  Hearing a phone ring while the phone is in the other  Define parallel sound  sound techniques in film, sound design, and music production.  Define contrapuntal sound  music with multiple independent melodies or sound effects that don't match the visuals.  Describe the soundscape in the film's opening and use examples. Is the sound parallel or contrapuntal? Use the Sound in Film Lesson pdf to see essential vocabulary.    1. Diegetic Sounds:  - The sound of the character's sneakers on the school hallway floor.  - Papers rustling as the character touches the missing posters.  - A distant school bell ringing.  2. Non-Diegetic Sounds:  - A creepy, low-pitched music score playing softly in the background.  - A quiet, rhythmic heartbeat sound to build tension.  In this scene, the sound is parallel because it matches the visual mood of suspense and mystery.    How does sound establish the opening image, the theme stated, set-up, and the catalyst?  Ask questions such as: Is the sound melodic, discordant, or crescendo? How is the rhythm illustrating the pace of the film? (fast, slow, irregular)      1. Opening Image:     - Sound Type: upbeat at first but eventually turns eerie     - Rhythm: fast then slow.     - Purpose: The film starting with an upbeat music is to give an ironic moment of a piece of bliss but in reality, it the total opposite. The music comes toa stop to have a clear moment to hear the dialogue between the main character and secondary characters. But once one of the secondary character goes into an isolated place the music become an unsettling rhythm that foreshadows something bed is going to happen. The music again dies down to hear the dialogue of the secondary character.    2. Theme Stated:     - Sound Type: Jolly to haunting.     - Rhythm: Steady, with a slight build-up.     - Purpose: The jolly music at the beginning gives an ironic touch and so the audience is witnessing how the dark thoughts of the main character developed with the music.    3. Set-Up:     - Sound Type: Ambient school noises such as the conversation of the secondary characters in the background.     - Rhythm: Irregular, reflecting the unpredictability of the situation.     - Purpose: The combination of ambient sounds with a suspenseful score sets up the normalcy of a high school environment while also hinting at the danger and mystery. The irregular rhythm keeps the audience on edge, mirroring the uncertainty faced by the characters.    4. Catalyst:     - Sound Type: Crescendo of tense music.     - Rhythm: Quickening pace.     - Purpose: As the catalyst moment approaches (When the secondary character is confronted by a mask killer who is the bullied main character), the music crescendos and the rhythm quicken. This heightens the tension and signals to the audience that a significant turning point is about to occur.        Are the sounds best suited for the film?  Yes/No and why?    Yes, these sounds help contribute to the horror genre of our film. They heighten the sense of tension, fear, and suspense.        Sound Editing in film  Define L Cut  An L cut is a film editing technique in which the audio from a preceding scene carries over the image of the following scene.  Document Example    The camera man switches the focus and shot amongst the three characters as they go through their dialog.