[Save the Cat!](http://www.amazon.com/dp/1932907009/?tag=johnaugustcom-20) is a popular screenwriting book (and [book series](http://www.amazon.com/dp/1932907351/?tag=johnaugustcom-20)) by Blake Snyder, which breaks down screenplays into 15 beats (and further into 40) that all screenplays should contain. The title comes from the idea that a film’s hero should do something nice the first time we meet him — ie save a cat […]
Who is Syd Field?
Syd Field was a screenwriting guru, most famous for his articulation of the typical three-act structure. He is the author of [Screenplay (1979)](http://www.amazon.com/dp/0385339038/?tag=johnaugustcom-20), among other books on screenwriting. In Field’s structure, the first act, which takes approximately one quarter of the film’s runtime, sets up the conflict. A plot point thrusts the main character into […]
How many acts are in a Broadway musical?
Typically, Broadway musicals have two acts. These acts are more distinct and defined than film acts, since musicals often have an act break between the two. ### More from johnaugust.com * [Big Fish, the musical](http://johnaugust.com/2011/big-fish-the-musical “Big Fish, the musical”) * [Two things I liked about Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark](http://johnaugust.com/2011/watch-out-websinger “Two things I liked about […]
Are there any free screenwriting applications?
Yes. [Celtx](http://celtx.com/) contains a screenwriting component, as does [Five Sprockets](http://www.fivesprockets.com/fs-portal/). In addition, some pay programs offer free demo versions with limitations, like a limited trial period or watermarked printing, for example. ### More from johnaugust.com * [Celtx screenwriting application shows promise](http://johnaugust.com/2005/celtx-screenwriting-application-shows-promise “Celtx screenwriting application shows promise”) * [Screenwriting software survey results are in](http://johnaugust.com/2004/screenwriting-software-survey-results-are-in “Screenwriting software […]
What is the difference between .fdx and .fdr?
Both .fdr and .fdx files are types of [Final Draft](http://www.finaldraft.com/) documents. Files with the .fdx extension come from Final Draft 8, while .fdr documents are from earlier versions of Final Draft. Final Draft 8 can open and save .fdr files, but older versions of Final Draft cannot open .fdx files. The .fdx format is based […]
What is Movie Magic Screenwriter?
[Movie Magic Screenwriter](http://www.screenplay.com/p-29-movie-magic-screenwriter-6.aspx) is a popular scriptwriting word processor, like [Highland](http://quoteunquoteapps.com/highland/), [Final Draft](http://www.finaldraft.com/) or [Celtx](http://celtx.com/). It is available for both Macintosh and Windows. Online, you may see the application referred to as: * “Movie Magic Screenwriter” * “Screenwriter” * “Movie Magic” * “MMS” * “MMSW” It is comparable in price and features to Final Draft. […]