Save the Cat rankings

JOY script analysis

JOY script - Save the Cat beat sheet analysis

Joy juggles family life and a failing marriage while secretly inventing a revolutionary self-wringing mop. Betrayed by her husband and mocked by her peers, she perseveres through repeated rejections, learns crucial lessons about persistence and self-worth, and ultimately triumphs with a live HSN demo and courtroom victory. The story closes on Joy as a confident entrepreneur inspired for her next invention.

85 Save the Cat fit score 78% analysis confidence / 65 parsed scenes

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1

Opening Image

Scene 1 / Page 1 / 1% target

80%

A festive wedding reception introduces Joy’s optimistic world before her later struggles.

Ooh, I don’t know where my husband is. I’ve already lost him and we’ve only been married twenty...
2

Theme Stated

Scene 3 / 5% target

70%

Tony’s failed interview hints that perseverance and self-belief will be central.

Must have been some job interview.
3

Set-Up

Scenes 2-6 / 10% target

82%

We see Joy’s chaotic home life, a cheating spouse, and her breaking point in the diner.

4

Catalyst

Scene 5 / 12% target

85%

Joy discovers Tony’s infidelity at the motel, shattering her personal life.

5

Debate

Scenes 6-12 / 20% target

80%

Exhausted and despondent, Joy questions her worth and whether to pursue her invention.

6

Break into Two

Scene 13 / 25% target

78%

Joy commits to building a working prototype in her basement.

7

B Story

Scene 4 / 30% target

75%

Her bond with her father Rudy and his new relationship provides emotional support and contrast.

Joy, this is Viv. She’s my new office manager and uh...we’re together. She’s a model.
8

Fun and Games

Scenes 15-24 / 40% target

83%

Joy and Ronnie demo the mop in various stores, experiencing both comic failures and small victories.

9

Midpoint

Scene 27 / 50% target

88%

They finally make a sale at K-Mart, marking a false victory and raising stakes.

10

Bad Guys Close In

Scenes 35-46 / 65% target

80%

Manufacturing costs, HSN mishap, and Tony’s absence tighten pressure on Joy’s dream.

But the mop was marketed completely wrong. It was sold as a shop mop. Everything was wrong.
11

All Is Lost

Scene 46 / 75% target

84%

Joy learns her HSN debut was botched and her product was misbranded.

But the mop was marketed completely wrong. It was sold as a shop mop. Everything was wrong.
12

Dark Night of the Soul

Scene 50 / 80% target

82%

Humiliated at HSN’s offices, she wonders if she can recover.

Yes. I’m here to see Doug Briggs. You botched my demo.
13

Break into Three

Scene 55 / 85% target

85%

Ronnie’s impromptu call inspires Joy to rejoin the HSN segment and reclaim her pitch.

I just bought one. Listen, I have a story for Joy I just had to share.
14

Finale

Scenes 56-64 / 95% target

87%

Joy sells out on live TV, battles mob-backed rivals, and wins her patent back in court.

15

Final Image

Scene 65 / 99% target

80%

One year later, Joy is a successful inventor, ready for her next challenge.