Save the Cat rankings

Air script analysis

Air script - Save the Cat beat sheet analysis

Nike marketing executive Sonny Vaccaro fights internal skepticism and industry competition to sign rookie Michael Jordan to an unprecedented shoe deal. Against doubts from colleagues and rival bids from Adidas and Converse, Sonny’s persistence leads to the creation of the Air Jordan line, redefining sports marketing.

85 Save the Cat fit score 42% analysis confidence / 74 parsed scenes

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1

Opening Image

Scene 1 / Page 1 / 1% target

60%

Opens with a nostalgic Converse commercial featuring NBA legends to contrast Nike’s underdog status.

MAGIC JOHNSON The Converse Weapon - that's the shoe that let Magic do what he was born to...
2

Theme Stated

Scene 2 / Page 1 / 5% target

55%

Strasser’s V.O. remarks on ’1984’s been a tough year’ hint at the film’s theme of overcoming adversity.

STRASSER (V.O.) Well... Orwell was right. 1984's been a tough year.
3

Set-Up

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

50%

Introduces Nike’s struggling basketball division and Sonny’s radical scouting approach in meetings with Strasser and Phil Knight.

STRASSER Sales down. Growth down. Ratings down. But I know I'm not worried.
4

Catalyst

Scene 11 / Page 10 / 12% target

65%

Sonny watches footage of Jordan and experiences a transformative realization about Jordan’s potential.

Sonny sits in his armchair, his two TV's the only light in
5

Debate

Scene 14 / Page 13 / 20% target

60%

Sonny’s failed pitch to David Falk over Jordan’s existing Adidas commitment underlines his dilemma on how to break in.

DAVID FALK Sonny, Sonny, Sonny. Here comes the Sonny.
6

Break into Two

Scene 18 / Page 17 / 25% target

70%

Sonny persuades Phil Knight in Phil’s office, committing Nike to pursue Jordan despite risk.

PHIL KNIGHT Before we get into things, let me just say this: no.
7

B Story

Scene 16 / Page 15 / 30% target

58%

Sonny’s meeting with Coach Pop Herring deepens his personal understanding of Jordan, paralleling the main deal storyline.

POP HERRING I know why you're here.
8

Fun and Games

Scene 49 / Page 45 / 40% target

62%

In the shoe lab Sonny and designers brainstorm wildly, introducing Tinker Hatfield and innovative design concepts.

SONNY It has to be individual. Think of it like this - Converse are plain shoes, right? Nothing...
9

Midpoint

Scene 57 / Page 52 / 50% target

68%

The unveiling of the Air Jordan 1 signifies a tonal shift, raising stakes and confirming the dream is real.

STRASSER Yes. And don't ask the next question.
10

Bad Guys Close In

Scene 60 / Page 55 / 65% target

65%

Adidas executives attempt their own pitch to Jordan, representing external rival pressure.

HORST DASSLER Michael, you're the next generation. You don't want to be grouped in with Magic and Bird....
11

All Is Lost

Scene 67 / Page 61 / 75% target

66%

Sonny learns of a contract clause that could void the deal, threatening everything.

DAVID FALK What the fuck is this? You're trying to pull a fast one over us?
12

Dark Night of the Soul

Scene 68 / Page 62 / 80% target

60%

Sonny confronts Phil about rewriting the contract, reflecting his lowest emotional point.

PHIL KNIGHT Sonny... There's nothing unreasonable in there.
13

Break into Three

Scene 69 / Page 63 / 85% target

63%

Sonny directly calls Deloris Jordan to resolve the contract crisis, marking his final plan.

DELORIS JORDAN Hello?
14

Finale

Scene 71 / Page 65 / 95% target

67%

Sonny and Falk finalize the deal securing percentage of sales, resolving the primary conflict.

DAVID FALK At the buzzer. Always at the buzzer.
15

Final Image

Scene 73 / Page 67 / 99% target

64%

Sonny sees Jordan on a Wheaties box, symbolizing triumph and legacy fulfilled.

A BOX OF WHEATIES....