Save the Cat rankings

BlackBerry script analysis

BlackBerry script - Save the Cat beat sheet analysis

BlackBerry charts the real-life rise of RIM founders Mike Lazaridis and Jim Balsillie as they pitch their wireless pager concept, overcome technical and business hurdles, and confront the seismic threat of Apple's iPhone and an SEC investigation. The narrative follows their initial struggle, breakthrough successes, internal conflicts, and ultimate crisis leading to a hard-won resolution.

75 Save the Cat fit score 70% analysis confidence / 67 parsed scenes

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1

Opening Image

Scene 1 / Page 1 / 1% target

70%

Introduces Mike and Doug fumbling their gear and sets a tone of scrappy startup struggle.

I know but, I am going to throw up.
2

Theme Stated

Scene 2 / Page 1 / 5% target

65%

Jim’s indifferent entrance hints at ambition versus collaboration as the story’s core conflict.

3

Set-Up

Scenes 3-6 / Pages 1-5 / 10% target

75%

We meet the founders, see their buzzing intercom obsession, and Jim’s negotiation game clarifying stakes.

I'm going to fix it.
4

Catalyst

Scene 6 / Page 5 / 12% target

80%

Jim offers to join as CEO for equity, forcing Mike and Doug to reconsider their plan.

Here's the deal. I will leave my job at Sutherland-Schultz if you make me CEO of Research in...
5

Debate

Scenes 7-10 / Pages 5-10 / 20% target

70%

They scramble to prove the business model, worrying over defective hardware and perfecting their pitch.

So. We'd like to offer you 33% of our company for $125,000 and you and I would be...
6

Break into Two

Scenes 11-12 / Pages 10-12 / 25% target

75%

The deal is struck: Jim joins, marking their entry into Act II and the real startup grind.

7

B Story

Scenes 13-14 / Pages 12-15 / 30% target

65%

Jim’s first day at RIM and his discovery of financial peril introduce internal corporate dynamics.

Where'd you get one-point-six million dollars?
8

Fun and Games

Scenes 19-23 / Pages 16-20 / 40% target

70%

Building and delivering the first prototype, culminating in the airport flight to secure their first big client.

9

Midpoint

Scene 28 / Page 21 / 50% target

80%

The successful Bell Atlantic pitch represents a midpoint victory and raises the stakes.

So we are going to build, a giant computer, that will act as a sort of massive client,...
10

Bad Guys Close In

Scene 47 / Page 33 / 65% target

85%

Steve Jobs’ iPhone announcement shatters their confidence and threatens their core product.

Why would anybody want a phone without a keyboard?
11

All Is Lost

Scene 62 / Page 40 / 75% target

80%

An abrupt SEC raid on RIM marks the lowest point and a legal crisis.

12

Dark Night of the Soul

Scene 64 / Page 41 / 80% target

75%

Mike faces intense SEC interrogation, reflecting on the cost of their ambition.

Do you know what the sentence is for multi-million dollar stock fraud?
13

Break into Three

Scene 66 / Page 42 / 85% target

70%

Mike negotiates a deal with the SEC to save the company, forging a path forward.

14

Finale

Scene 67 / Page 43 / 95% target

75%

They implement the SEC agreement and secure RIM’s survival, demonstrating perseverance.

I made a deal. The SEC gets you, your board seat, and our full cooperation in the criminal...
15

Final Image

Scene 67 / Page 43 / 99% target

70%

Ends on a note of cautious triumph as the founders emerge from crisis stronger.