BLAKE SNYDER 1957-2009 URGENT! URGENT! PLEASE READ!!!!!!!

Deano · Cat Joined: 27 Jul 2009 Posts: 11

Wow... I have never felt such a loss for someone I have never met. I have only known OF Blake for 3 weeks but his teaching has and will continue to have a huge impact on me.
But probably more than that, his giving and encouraging nature, his generosity with the small people will be an inspiration to me no matter which path my life takes.
I am so glad I got the chance to thank Blake for his work by email before he passed. And he replied of course!
My prayers are with his friends and family.

J Rinaldo · Posted: Wed Aug 05, 2009 9:01 am Post subject:

Hey Kev. belated Buon Compleann...hope you've been great.

Blake's passing is quite shocking and sad.
I had the pleasure of meeting him at Screenwriting Expo in LA in 07, and while we spoke for maybe ten minutes, I liked him instantly. I could tell he cared about the craft and the quality put forth by other writers.

and, like most of the other cats, he always responded to any e-mails or questions that I had faster than I expected.

I do regret passing up the chance to possibly meet him for coffee when I was in CA for a wedding last year. Thought I would have another chance.

He will be missed.

JR

_________________
"I hate it when villains quote Shakespeare"
- J. Crichton

Mack Guffin · Posted: Wed Aug 05, 2009 10:12 am Post subject:

First of all I just want to offer my condolences to Blake's family, friends and even those of you employed by him. (We all know how hard it to find a job nowadays. I hope that everyone will be ok).

I know it sounds silly, but I feel like I lost a friend. When I discovered "Save the Cat" it was an epiphany. Here was an author whose insights, humour and straightforward style of talking cut right to the core, but hell, forget all of that.

Blake responded to my emails!!

Wow, how many times can you tell me that you bought a book and the author listed his email right there in the text (and it was legit)?!!

Immediately after reading STC I fired off a quick note just to see if he walked the walk (so to speak) and I felt like a giddy school boy when I received a response the next day in my inbox. Another time I wrote on his blog that I'd like to see him analyzing a "bad film" so that we could see where these stories had failed and I was shocked when I received another email from him saying "Great idea Jamie!!"

I guess what I'm trying to say is, without ever having the pleasure of meeting him I could sense a warm and generous personality. Here was a man who wasn't writing a book to make money, he really wanted to help us with our dreams.

I haven't felt such a loss since Joe Strummer passed away. To me, Blake was just as much of a rock star and I will miss him.

James Harbinson
Ottawa, Canada

banditcameraman · Posted: Wed Aug 05, 2009 10:46 am Post subject:

Happy Birthday, Kevan! I'm sure Blake would want you to have a great one Very Happy

My deepest condolences to Blake's family, friends, colleagues and associates. You feel his loss more keenly than we ever could.

Totally devastated here. Never had a chance to meet Blake in person but after getting up the nerve to email him that first time found him so warm and supportive that I took him up on his offer to keep in touch. He always answered back and hearing from him always made my day.

May flights of angels sing thee to thy rest, Prince of Cats. You are already sorely missed. Our lives are richer for having been touched by your boundless generosity and the world is a little less bright without you.

Best,
Jaime

Rachel T. · Ocelot Joined: 15 Jan 2008 Posts: 768 Location: Michigan

I'm in shock - I don't know what to say. I'm crying right here at the library. I never met him. I think I emailed him once about something, and he was very nice about it. I always got the impression he would be very open to debating anything story-related without taking it personally if you disagreed with him. I don't know what else to say. Crying or Very sad

Happy Birthday, Kevan.

_________________
Don't be afraid to admit that inside you is a seething, fiery core of ambition and lust for success that would appall Napoleon.
-Russell Galen

Russell Bolding · Posted: Wed Aug 05, 2009 12:21 pm Post subject:

Might sound odd but now, I can't even look at my own cats without thinking of Blake.

Jake Randolph · Leopard Joined: 10 Apr 2009 Posts: 45 Location: Michigan

I'm stunned. I've been very busy with work and writing and haven't been on the forum for some time. Blake personally responded to every email I sent him, answered every question, and fired up my imagination with his books, his wisdom, and his selfless guidance.

Few lights shine brightly and equally on all. They are rare. They are gifts. Blake Snyder was a light for us all, and his legacy will shine on through our own works.

Jake

Meyerk · Kitten Joined: 04 Nov 2007 Posts: 1

If it weren't for Blake, I wouldn't be meeting my friends Doug, Mike and John for writing dinners - we met at Blake's NYC seminar in November of 2007. If it weren't for Blake, I wouldn't still have hope that some day I might be a writer. He was beyond generous - a kind, decent, caring and honorable man. I once tried to figure out the "cat" moment in "American Gangster." I got it wrong, but Blake had such a nice and helpful way of explaining it to me. I could feel his enthusiasm even in that brief email exchange. And he wrote everyone back!! I carry his books on every trip
I take. His love of writers fueled his passion. What a huge loss.

macmike · Leopard Joined: 05 Jan 2008 Posts: 40

Logged on to Triggerstreet tonight and saw the incredibly sad news. Had to head back to the Cat community where my life as a screenwriter really began.

I read Blake's book two years ago and it was an incredible eye opener. Had been trying to write a decent screenplay for years but never seemed to develop the full package.

After reading his books and using the STC software, ideas flowed as usual but they finally flowed in a coherent direction. Finished the first screenplay I'm truly proud of and I owe it all to him. Was looking forward to one day taking his class in NYC. Very sad that time will never come.

My condolences to his family.

R.I.P.
Sad

_________________
Just once I'd like my "Interest" and "Occupation" to switch places, though I think my wife would not be amused.

ugotsol · Kitten Joined: 07 Aug 2009 Posts: 1 Location: miami, fl

It pains me a great deal to have my very first post to be in response to this thread.

As a very green aspiring screenwriter, being able to attend Blakes seminar in Burbank at the recent Pitchfest was awe inspiring.

I wasn't sure at the time whether it was my overwhelming naivete or Blakes overwhelming positive energy and giving spirit that contributed the most to my feelings of awe and inspiration. After reading some of the posts on this site, I realize that it was more of the latter.

While I couldnt muster the brass to press send on the email that I drafted and redrafted, my girlfriend was able to and did on a few occassions click send. His immediate and genuine responses to her were, as aforementioned by many, greatly unexpected, wildly encouraging and extremely insightful.

May the gods smile upon each of us and Blake most of all.

Gary Shunk · Kitten Joined: 12 Jan 2009 Posts: 3 Location: Chicago

Still in a state of disbelief. So young, so generous, so gifted. God must have had something important for him. I know he would want us to keep on BEATING, writing and communing about good story - all with a light heart and sense of humor.

_________________
Gary Shunk
gary@wealth-psychology.com

Mike Rinaldi · Liger Joined: 19 Nov 2007 Posts: 1810 Location: California

Kevan · Liger Joined: 02 Jan 2008 Posts: 843

Thanks for all you folks kind and heartfelt comments..

I left a comment reply on my friend scriptshadow's blog here:
http://scriptshadow.blogspot.com/2009/08/blake-snyder-died-today.html?showComment=1249718832827#c2419779638219700396

I've decided to repost it here where it truely belongs on Blake Snyder's Save the Cat forum with his cats!

Blake Snyder was a genius and the reason I say this is because of his personal approach, he was accessible and his ideas worked. He employed common terms and common ideas which are easily grasped, understood and assimilated by millions of people who wanted to learn about the craft of screenwriting. He had passion and a love of storytelling but equally, Blake used these talents to communicate to and inspire others to follow their dreams. His enthusiasm and creative energy knew no bounds and his encouragement and commitment to helping others is legendary by the many stories people tell of Blake replying to their email enquiries.. He apparently answered every one.

Some consider his book, ”Save the Cat! The Last Book On Screenwriting You'll Ever Need”, and the ideas in that book, are his legacy and some may be right. More and more Hollywood agents, writers, animators, directors, producers and executives are reading his book to gain an insight into how to produce a good solidly structured screenplay and this is after millions of ordinary folk around world helped to make his book a best seller on the Amazon top ten lists. His second book, "Save the Cat! Goes To The Movies: The Screenwriter's Guide To Every Story Ever Told", repeated the success of the first and even gave away Blake's secrets in how he analyzes movies using his famous BS2 beat sheet method.. He was no fool. He gave more than he received. More than a lot of other so-called screenwriting gurus and I have the impression his legacy will live on and become the defacto method for writing screenplays because his approach was "democratic" and no-nonsense in nature in its approach. It gave the impression, that armed with the knowledge he gave about structure, using his 15 beat method, the 40 index card system on the cork board, his definitions of genre, the importance of a decent logline and a poster moment have all gone and defined a path in the 21st Century for all who would like to take that step to become a storyteller in the craft of screenwriting. His concepts and ideas are not only restricted to movies and animation, as attested by thousands of writers who have used his ideas to assist them writing their screenplays but so too has his ideas inspired folk writing their novels, short stories, newspaper articles and even computer games.. How many screenwriter gurus can say that? I can only think of a single one and his name was Blake Synder..

I recently completed a 110 page screenplay, a page one rewrite using Blake's STC 15 beat sheet method to re-structure a script which had no proper structure to begin with and which fell apart in ACT II. Upon completion of the screenplay, which now worked because I used Blake’s 15 beats to fix the structure, I discovered Blake Snyder, my mentor, had passed away at roughly the same time I wrote FADE OUT: and it is for this reason I dedicate my script to him. To a great and loving man, a teacher and mentor who inspired millions to follow their dreams..

Blake Snyder's work, ideas and teachings will stay with me when I write my own scripts because they help to light the way in the dark and I think so too for millions of others. His life and work touched millions of people; there's no bigger and better epitaph one can ask for than that and this will be his legacy…

Blake Snyder 1957-2009 - R.I.P.

Russell Bolding · Posted: Sat Aug 08, 2009 8:40 pm Post subject: Not Coping So Well

Hey y'all,

This is most likely going to be very long so please bare with me, okay?

I know we've all had a really crap week with the passing of our friend, Blake Snyder. I know it's been hard on me. I've spent all week reading article after depressing article and sad comment after sad comment and it's really done a number on me. And, please y'all, don't think of me as a selfish ass as I write this. I'm coping with all of this the best that I can, just as you all are.

I didn't know Blake personally. I think it would have been groovy, far out and out of sight to have been as close to him as I'm sure a lot of you were. I never met him in person - I recently started up this thing, long story, but I was going to start up a virtual tip jar to get me a LEGAL copy of Final Draft 8 (you didn't read that part, okay? ;) ), hopefully a brand spankin' new Apple MacBook Pro and a seat at one of Blake's BS2 Workshops (if only I knew he would have traveled to the Midwest... most likely not). Anyway, I would love to have been able to shake his hand and have him sit with me, if only for a few minutes, and help me figure out where I'm going with my script(s) and my BS2.

I was so tempted to try to get his phone number and talk to him, not about my script but just in general, about all things. Life, happiness, how to be the snazzy dresser he was... ;) But I never asked. I knew it'd be wrong and I knew I'd never be able to. Like me writing to Steven Spielberg, sending him my phone number and saying...,"Call me."

I probably e-mailed Blake 10-15 times over the course of the past three years, maybe more. I'd always wonder why he hadn't gotten back to me and knowing he was busy, I never expected much of a response. But he DID respond. "Yeah! I think you got this! Great job!!" or "State positive goal and put it on that new computer. No negativity allowed! Go get 'em!!" There he goes, abusing that exclamation point again. Or,"Thanks Russ!!! Keep writin'!! Way to go!!"

Always positive and helpful. He sent me a response to an e-mail I sent once and frustratingly, I can't find that e-mail anywhere! I do remember the subject being "Stasis=Death" and I basically did what I always do when I'm down and that's whine about everything. To him, I think he thought I was at this point where if I don't sell a script, I was going to kill myself, which couldn't have been farther from the truth. But it as Blake's longest message to me and he told me to look to God when I felt the way I did and that He was the only way. And I know he's right. Just his kind, heartfelt, loving soul always made things seem better.

Last week, while the wife and I were watching Chef Gordon Ramsey rip a few, unfortunate cub chefs new arseholes, she needed to take a potty break so I paused the DVR and went online on my iPod. I checked my Facebook and saw Terri Zinner's comment on giving respect to Blake and what he'd done for the screenwriting community and all I could say was,"No... no... no, no, no, no, no no no NO NO!!!" My eyes immediately welled up and tears streamed down my face. I sobbed for a few minutes and then my wife entered. She asked,"What's wrong with you?" (my wife's typical response to human emotion), and I had trouble getting out the words,"Blake's dead." She asked,"Who?" And fumbling for more words,"The guy that wrote Save the Cat!" Of course, she was slightly supportive and said,"Aww..."

I dried my eyes and kept reading on, trying to find any sliver of news, only to find the same thing everywhere -- Blake Snyder dies. For days now, I've looked at my cats and thought of Blake. Seems odd but that's how my mind rolls. I've looked at my outline in SCT and keep coming back to the same problems every day. But, knowing he's gone and wondering if I asked for his advice one more time or trying to see if I could nudge one more thought out of him, if it'd help me further along. I can't sign onto my IM apps without seeing his name at the top of the list, still online, still staring me down.

I feel so weird, "grieving" over a friend I never knew IRL. I guess if you put him in with MJ or Farrah or Cronkite, it'd seem weird that someone would grieve over a celebrity they'd never met. But Blake was more than that to us all. And maybe that's why I'm having a hard time coping.

Today, I went to work, felt alright, acted as goofy as I always do, worked on my outline on my iPod, and then the frustrations I deal with everyday kicked in. I became Gopher Man again, buying groceries, getting lunch, anything but writing. I got home, looked at my outline and just... didn't feel like dealing with it. Checked my e-mail... and the number 307, which is how many pieces of mail I have waiting for me, most of which are for surveys (I try to make spending money by filling out surveys but get squat cos I never qualify for any one of them), never changed.

I've felt irritable, depressed, annoyed. I tried to work on several little projects I have going on on the side (switching podcasts to a new site, figuring out how to make a YouTube video that wouldn't need my ugly mug flashed up on the screen) but I just couldn't think or even wanted to move.

I come here seeking solace in my otherwise f-ed up world. You guys are my extended family and I love each and every one of you just the same! I don't really talk to too many people very often, probably all part of my depression or just that fear that a bill collector is going to call or some unsavory person is going to knock on my door I don't want to talk to. I'm not schizo yet so don't worry about me. There are people on this planet with WAY bigger problems than I have. I know this. And you all don't need to be reading about me whining and bitching about feeling down because a fellow writer has passed on to the Great Beyond.

What does all of THAT ↑ have to do with my coping with Blake's passing? I just needed to get it all out of my system. I'm sure there's more in me that needs to come out. I just feel... lost. When Obi Wan died on the Death Star, his Force spirit still lingered. Blake can't do that... (that I know of). Luke may have been alone in that X-Wing but he still had Ben's help with blowing up the DS, even if Han did come in and lend a helping Millennium Falcon.

When Dumbledore took that Nestle plunge from the Astronomy Tower, he knew he was dying... Blake didn't. But he wanted Snape to take his life - I'm sure Blake would have wanted to be here around with us all to watch us succeed with flying colors.

When Gandalf also took the Nestle plunge from that rock with that icky beast (not a Tolkien fan so shoot me!), he returned in a bright, shiny glowing white gown and white hair. Looked almost like a white haired Jesus.

My point is, I feel like there's a void in my writing now. Yes, I mean no disrespect to any of you who have been here to help me all this time. It's been you all who have really given me the push(es) I've needed to find my story and plot and theme and to help fill out my BS2 and trudge on. Sadly, I hear in the back of my mind."What's the point? Why go on?" I even hear myself saying,"I'm never gong to finish this thing and I know it'll never get sold." Again here I go with the whining. Thing is, I will carry on. Blake is here in my heart and always will be. He's not staring down at us from a cloud or any of that. He's home and in much better spirits than I am. He's happy and most content. And I know he'd want me to press on and get this thing written and out there where the masses could read it and love it as well. He believed in all of us. I suppose I can keep trying. I love you all and if you ever want to talk to me about anything... ANYTHING... writing, Blake, STC, pornos, masochistic death, I'm your man. Brotherstove@gmail.com is where I am. Please forgive me for ranting on and on here. I'm shutting up now. Thanks for reading this.

KyMalairn · Kitten Joined: 30 Jun 2009 Posts: 4

This is shocking. I had the pleasure of being in one of Mr. Snyder's seminars at the 2008 screenwriting Expo. He was engaging and informative like no one else at that entire convention. The room was wall to wall. They didn't anticipate the following he had, I suppose. He put on a great show. Just listening to him empowered you and made you feel like a better writer instantly.

I went up and shook his hand afterwards. He greeted me with a smile and enthusiasm like we were old friends and asked me to email him with any questions. I did finally email him about a logline just a few weeks ago. He wrote back the next day with praise and encouragement. He was a rarity. Someone who succeeded in the film business and used that accomplishment to help others do the same.

I wanted to hit his NY workshop this month but had made other plans. I made a note to be available for next year's. This is such a punch to the gut. I met the man once, said maybe 3 sentences to him and am tearing up at his loss. My condolences to his family & friends and to those of you who were touched by his words and felt your dreams were a little closer because of it.

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