DESCRIPTION
The “Save the Cat! 3-Beats Core Structure” (original name) is a strongly reduced version of the larger 15-beat version into three essential narrative moments: a beginning (setup of the world and hero/problem), a middle (change, turning point, decision) and an end (resolution, transformation, outcome). Simplicity and clarity, especially helpful in business storytelling when time is limited and you need to communicate transformation quickly and cleanly.
By focusing on three beats you ensure your audience understands: (1) the status-quo + challenge, (2) the key shift or action taken, (3) the result + learning. This method is especially useful for one-page case studies, pitch decks, internal change communications, or external brand narratives where brevity plus impact matters.
ORIGIN
Developed by Blake Snyder as part of his book Save the Cat! (originally for screenwriting) which outlines a full 15-beat structure, “Save the Cat!®”, the “3-Beats” isn’t formally a separate method by Snyder, but emerges as a core simplification used by storytellers applying his approach in condensed formats.
USED BY
Storytellers, especially screenwriters…
Approximately needed time
- Step 1: 1 hour
- Step 2: 1 hour
- Step 3: 1 hour
- TOTAL: 3 hours
METHOD
STEPS
SETUP
Establish context, hero & problem. The audience needs to understand who is involved, what the current situation is, and why something needs to change. Without that, the story lacks meaning or relevance.
Describe the “ordinary world” of your protagonist (person, team, organisation). Explain the challenge or gap that exists. Introduce stakes. Keep the beat concise, focused.
Example: “Company X has been leading market for 10 years but faced declining customer satisfaction and rising competition. The customer support team is under-resourced and morale is low.”
CHANGE
This is the heart of the story: the moment when action is taken, risk is accepted, and momentum changes. It gives the story its forward drive.
Identify the decisive action or change in thinking or strategy. Show the leap or commitment made. This beat should feel like a shift.
Example: “Leadership decides to restructure the support team, introduce AI-assisted tools, and launch a customer-first training program, even though budget is tight and staff were sceptic.”
RESOLUTION
Audiences want to see what changed, what was learned and why it matters. This beat provides closure, payoff, and often inspiration.
Show the result (quantitative or qualitative), highlight how the world is different and what the protagonist learned or what next steps are.
Example: “Six months later, customer satisfaction scores improved by 30%, churn fell by 15%, staff turnover halved. The team adopted a culture of proactive support and continuous improvement.”.
The original steps are:
1. Opening image
A visual snapshot of the hero’s world before change. Establishes tone, setting, and emotional context.
2. Theme stated
A character hints at the central life lesson. Plants the story’s moral question or deeper “why.”
3. Set-up
Introduce the hero, their flaws, and everyday world. Shows what’s missing or broken before transformation.
4. Catalyst
An event disrupts the ordinary world. The “inciting incident” that forces the hero to face change.
5. Debate
The hero hesitates — to act or not to act? Creates tension and reveals internal conflict.
6. Break into 2
The hero chooses to step into a new reality. Marks the transition from comfort zone to challenge.
7. B story
A secondary plot or relationship adds heart and contrast. Provides emotional depth and supports the main theme.
8. Fun and games
The core experience of the story world. Delivers on the premise — the “promise of the pitch.”
9. Midpoint
A major twist, victory, or defeat changes everything. Raises the stakes and shifts momentum toward climax.
10. Bad guys close in
Pressure mounts, enemies, doubts, and problems intensify. The hero’s gains start to crumble.
11. All is lost
The hero hits rock bottom. A symbolic or literal loss leaves no hope.
12. Dark night of the soul
Reflection and despair before rebirth. The hero realises what must truly change within.
13. Break into 3
A new idea or strength emerges from the ashes. Combines lessons from both plots to spark resolution.
14. Finale
The hero confronts the challenge and triumphs through growth. The transformation is proven through decisive action.
15. Final image
A mirror of the opening image now transformed. Shows the world (and hero) forever changed.
While this 3-Beats version is very condensed, it is derived from the more detailed 15-beat “Save the Cat!” structure.
For longer or more complex narratives (e.g., full brand stories, documentaries), reverting to the full 15-beat structure may provide richer depth.
The simplicity of three beats helps business audiences stay engaged and remember the narrative. Less is more in many executive or stakeholder contexts.
Be careful not to oversimplify: each beat needs enough substance to feel real, not just a hollow placeholder.
ANECDOTES:
Writers often say that when they first learn the full 15-beat “Save the Cat!” sheet it can feel overwhelming, so they return to a “three beats” variant for short stories or even elevator-pitches.
While creating a dedicated slide deck: “I used the three beats version of Save the Cat! to design a 2-page pitch deck for a startup. It forced me to boil the story down to the essence and the investors stayed engaged.”
