Save the Cat rankings

A Million Miles Away script analysis

A Million Miles Away script - Save the Cat beat sheet analysis

A Million Miles Away follows Jose Hernandez’s journey from a migrant farmworker boy in Mexico to becoming a NASA astronaut. Early scenes establish his family’s sacrifices and his fascination with space, leading to personal and professional challenges at Livermore Labs. The midpoint marks his first scientific breakthrough, but career and family pressures bring him to an emotional low, prompting a final rally that culminates in his astronaut selection and Space Shuttle launch.

45 Save the Cat fit score 12% analysis confidence / 176 parsed scenes

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1

Opening Image

Scene 1 / Page 1 / 1% target

10%

Title page and launch control VO set a tone of space ambition from the outset.

2

Theme Stated

Scene 2 / Pages 1-2 / 5% target

10%

Young Jose imagines corn as a rocket, suggesting the theme of dreams transcending circumstance.

3

Set-Up

Scenes 3-5 / Pages 2-5 / 10% target

11%

Family’s move to California, Jose’s struggles in school and the fields establish his world and stakes.

4

Catalyst

Scene 9 / Page 6 / 12% target

10%

First moon landing deeply captivates Jose, igniting his aspiration to join NASA.

5

Debate

Scenes 12-14 / Pages 7-8 / 20% target

11%

Miss Young and Salvador debate value of education vs. farm work, reflecting Jose’s inner conflict.

6

Break into Two

Scenes 16-17 / Page 9 / 25% target

11%

College graduation marks Jose’s passage into the adult world and professional life.

7

B Story

Scenes 18-20 / Pages 9-10 / 30% target

10%

Romantic subplot with Adela begins when Jose meets her at the car dealership.

8

Fun and Games

Scenes 21-27 / Pages 10-12 / 40% target

11%

Jose’s humorous and frustrating early experiences at Livermore Labs illustrate “promise” of career.

9

Midpoint

Scene 43 / Page 18 / 50% target

10%

Jose secretly runs simulations and convinces Logan to verify his findings—a false victory that raises the stakes.

10

Bad Guys Close In

Scenes 61-62 / Page 21 / 65% target

10%

Repeated NASA rejections and lab politics mount pressure, threatening Jose’s dream.

11

All Is Lost

Scene 52 / Page 17 / 75% target

11%

Adela discovers Jose’s hidden NASA applications; personal trust is broken.

12

Dark Night of the Soul

Scenes 54-55 / Page 18 / 80% target

11%

Jose stands staring at diapers, then Adela encourages him to open up—he grapples with self-worth.

13

Break into Three

Scene 78 / Page 23 / 85% target

11%

Jose personally delivers his application to CJ Sturckow, marking renewed proactive commitment.

14

Finale

Scene 126 / Page 28 / 95% target

11%

Jose is offered a Shuttle mission spot, overcomes emotional hurdle and prepares to launch.

15

Final Image

Scene 176 / Page 45 / 99% target

12%

Jose in space sees his young self and Earth—a full circle of his journey.