SFRB Recommends #63: Save the Cat! by Blake Snyder

This ultimate insider's guide reveals the secrets that none dare admit, told by a show biz veteran who's proven that you can sell your script if you can save the cat!

The full title's Save the Cat! The Last Book on Screenwriting You'll Ever Need. I don't write screenplays, and there's plenty of Hollywood material here I didn't find useful, but I've found it an approachable, casual explication of the three-act structure and how it and 'beats' work for most stories. The book's other useful features are demonstrating the saving of said cat by the hero (thus making us care about the hero) and the importance of being able to explain your story in an efficient manner: good for blurbs and queries.

Related sites: Save the Snyder!: A beat sheet outline | Plotting with the Save the Cat Beat Sheet Structure | Save the Cat! Official Website

Recommendation by Lee Koven.

My Top Ten "Comfort Movies" are all Sci-Fi + Giveaway

Before school ended for my children, I was talking with one of the other parents at the bus stop about movies we like to watch when we're having a bad day, or when the world is having a bad day, and watching the news makes us incredibly sad. They're movies we watch over and over, and never get tired of watching. He called them "comfort movies", and his #1 pick was Ferris Bueller's Day Off. While I've seen that movie many times, it has never been a comfort movie for me. But, the idea made me think about my own comfort movies. And the only ones I came up with were all science fiction.

Here's my list of Top Ten Comfort Movies:

1. Independence Day - I know this may seem strange as a comfort movie, with aliens attacking the Earth, but in the end, the world came together to fight the aliens and bring them down. It's that unity in the end that gives me hope for our real world.

2. Contact - Once again, the world has to come together to send Eleanor Arroway on a mission to make contact with alien life. In this movie, the aliens are peaceful, which is what I hope for when first contact is made.

3. Avatar - Even with all the weapons one could imagine, it is love and what is right that wins.

4. Super 8 - An alien is stuck on Earth, and it only wants to get back home. Sometimes it takes a bunch of children to help us realize the truth.

5. The Host - Aliens come to Earth, and believe they have made the planet a better place to live. But, it's the human spirit they did not expect that wins in the end, our desire to live.

6. Home - This is such a fun movie about aliens again learning about the human spirit.

7. The Martian - While this is a newer movie, I have watched it many times already. Once again, the world comes together for a purpose. This time, to bring Mark Watney home.

8. Any Jurassic Park movie - While some in the series are better than others, I love watching these movies about genetically engineered dinosaurs.

9. Any Star Wars movie - Once again, there are some I love better than others, I will watch any of these space adventure movies.

10. The new Star Trek movies - I do love some of the older Star Trek movies, but it is the new ones I will pop into the DVD player. I love all of the interpersonal relationships involved in these movies, and I've become attached to the characters. I admit, I wasn't around when the original series was on television, so the actors playing the characters now are the ones I've become accustomed to.

Please share with me your comfort movies. Are any of them sci-fi?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Jessica E. Subject is the author of science fiction romance, mostly alien romances, ranging from sweet to super hot. Sometimes she dabbles in paranormal and contemporary as well, bringing to life a wide variety of characters. In her stories, you could not only meet a sexy alien or two, but also clones and androids. You may be transported to a dystopian world where rebels are fighting to live and love, or to another planet for a romantic rendezvous. Check out her new release, BRYCE:

A dedicated Defender…

Bryce fell in love once, but after Lalia was ripped away from him, he locked his heart from feeling anything for anyone else. Instead, he devotes his life to the Galactic Alliance, killing every bloodthirsty Erebus he comes across.

A shunned princess…

Lalia Comosova fell in love with the wrong man. When her parents learned of her transgressions, they sent her to Earth to hide her error in judgment from the rest of the kingdom.

A second chance?

When these lovers are reunited after many years apart, they have a chance to find happiness together. But fate steps in and threatens to rip them apart as it did years ago.

For more information about Jessica and her books, visit her website: http://jessicasubject.com

Not only is Jessica E. Subject celebrating the release of BRYCE, the first book in her Galactic Defenders series, she is also celebrating FIVE years published. And she is offering three fabulous prize packages. Contests are open as stated, except where prohibited by law. Must be 18 or older to enter. Contest will close July 24, and winners will be notified by email. Good luck!

RTC Giveaway (Canada/US only) includes:

3013: Renegade by Susan Hayes (signed)

Reader Abduction by Eve Langlais (signed)

As Cold As Ice by Mandy Rosko (signed)

Alien Next Door: The Complete Series by Jessica E. Subject (signed)

Cosmic Desires by Jessica E. Subject (signed)

other goodies from some of the authors who attended Romancing the Capital

My Favorite Things Giveaway (Canada/US only) includes:

The Host by Stephanie Meyer

The Martian by Andy Weir

Alien Next Door: The Complete Series by Jessica E. Subject (signed)

Cosmic Desires by Jessica E. Subject (signed)

Bryce by Jessica E. Subject (signed)

International Only Giveaway includes:

Alien Next Door: The Complete Series by Jessica E. Subject (signed)

Cosmic Desires by Jessica E. Subject (signed)

Bryce by Jessica E. Subject (signed)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

"Metropolis" – A Love Affair

A long time ago (the 1980's) in a land far, far away (Toronto, Canada) I was walking up Yonge Street, enjoying the posters glued to every possible empty spot and spotted one for "Metropolis". It wasn't for an official showing; it was for a local set of second-run movie houses that specialized in showing offbeat movies. But it was there and reminded me that I'd yet to see a good copy of the poor beloved beastie.

For those of you not in the know – "Metropolis" was first made in 1927 and detailed the classic science fiction romance story between a rich man's son and a poor girl who toiled in the deep, dark underground that kept the rich man's paradise going. Boy finds girl, boy wants girl, evil scientist builds evil robot, the usual trappings of a good story. To me, one of the first and best science fiction romances, with robots, technology run amok, airships and deep, deep secrets.

But what a movie! The scenery, the buildings – not that impressive by today's standards, but in 1927 it was a startling accomplishment. A silent movie as well, it was the most expensive movie made at the time. But, unfortunately, also one of the longest. Sitting at 153 minutes, it was just too long and complicated for audiences.

Thus began a horrible series of editing and deletions, mangling the original movie over time to the point that it became almost a parody of itself. The prints I remember seeing briefly in a Toronto theater were so faded and washed out as to almost be useless, and the story jumped around so much that you had no idea what was going on.

In 1984 a new version premiered in theaters, adding on some restored footage and a rock music soundtrack. And yes, I liked it. Not loved it, liked it because at least now you could experience more of the original film on the big screen, restored as best as it could be with today's technology.

And now…

Kino International has now added back in 25 minutes of found footage, bringing "Metropolis" back as close to the original as it could be and is releasing it this summer! Check out the offical site and trailer here!

(Youtube here for those who don't get it to work for them!)

Am I thrilled?

You bet! One of the first ebooks I purchased for my Nook was the book, written by Thea von Harbou. I have one early paperback copy that I dare not paw over too much, lest it fall to pieces in my hands.

Let me encourage you to see this new, restored copy of a science fiction classic when it comes to your town, or make a point of renting/buying it when it comes out on DVD. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised and thrilled to see "Metropolis" as it was meant to be. And maybe just a little encouraged to see what people thought the future would be and how it's turned out.

Aliens Before Us

Well, I finally got to watch INDIANA JONES AND THE KINGDOM OF THE CRYSTAL SKULL.  I'd heard so many negative reviews that I expected to be disappointed.  Dang it all, I like it!  I've always been fascinated by stories of *ancient aliens,* the kind which might've helped out the Egyptians and stuff.  So, this one was right up my alley.  Plus, George Lucus didn't try to make Harrison Ford be an old guy trying to be young, which would've been silly.  He embraced the maturing Indy who was convincing as a father of a twentysomething year old.
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Unlike Brendon Frasure in THE MUMMY TOMB OF THE DRAGON EMPEROR who was just too young to pull it off, which ought to be a compliment for him!  It's all about movie-going demographics.  The powers-that-be thought maybe Brendon Frasure was getting too old to pull off the action hero thing all by himself anymore and they gotta snag the male 18-39 crowd.  Well, they were wrong and it didn't work.
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I think the difference is George Lucus really is an older guy and he seems to be okay with that.  Say what you will about the STAR WARS prequels, but the guy didn't get to be a mulit-billionaire from being stupid.
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I loved the part at the end of the movie when Indy's son picks up Indy's hat and almost puts it on, but Indy snatches it away and puts it back on his own head.  Very cool.
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What has this got to do with Science Fiction Romance?  Indy reunites with his true love, Marian (spelled right?), which was wonderful because two beloved characters got their HEA.