Save the Cat rankings

The Rosetta Stone script analysis

The Rosetta Stone script - Save the Cat beat sheet analysis

Air Force investigator Paul VanOwen debunks small–town UFO sightings before experiencing a genuine encounter that shakes his scientific skepticism. Recruited for Project Grief, he confronts both extraterrestrial phenomena and personal demons, forging a new path with colleague Judy Nicholas. In a climactic excavation he appears to die investigating a saucer, only to transcend into a cosmic final image.

80 Save the Cat fit score 20% analysis confidence / 66 parsed scenes

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1

Opening Image

Scene 1 / Page 1 / 1% target

10%

Introduces VanOwen at the police station, establishing procedure and tone

Can I borrow Officer Lawson here for the day? It'll make things easier.
2

Theme Stated

Scene 6 / 5% target

15%

Debate over reporting UFOs hints at faith vs. skepticism theme

Now is this any way to run a paper? Three-fourths of this stuff is hearsay and the rest...
3

Set-Up

Scenes 1-3 / Page 1 / 10% target

15%

We meet VanOwen, his team, and the UFO-obsessed town

4

Catalyst

Scene 9 / 12% target

20%

Unexpected blue lights appear during the public lecture

5

Debate

Scene 6 / 20% target

15%

VanOwen questions the credibility of local reports and his role

Now is this any way to run a paper? Three-fourths of this stuff is hearsay and the rest...
6

Break into Two

Scene 19 / 25% target

20%

VanOwen experiences a real UFO, shifting him into Act II

7

B Story

Scenes 47-48 / 30% target

15%

Connection deepens between VanOwen and Judy Nicholas

Paul. Come on in. Sit down.
8

Fun and Games

Scenes 30-42 / 40% target

20%

Project Grief labs, procedures, and the Rosetta Stone concept unfold

9

Midpoint

Scene 62 / 50% target

25%

The saucer rises from the ground, a major reveal

10

Bad Guys Close In

Scene 58 / 65% target

15%

Reporters stake out the base, escalating outside pressure

11

All Is Lost

Scene 63 / 75% target

20%

VanOwen’s vitals fail in the trench, suggesting death

12

Dark Night of the Soul

Scene 64 / 80% target

15%

Citizens return; VanOwen’s fate is mourned

13

Break into Three

Scene 66 / 85% target

20%

Cosmic light and Pilgrim welcome indicate transcendence

Weary pilgrim, welcome home.
14

Finale

Scene 65 / 95% target

15%

Reporters investigate the now-covered trench, wrapping up plot threads

15

Final Image

Scene 66 / 99% target

20%

Eternal light traveling through space mirrors Opening Image’s tone

Weary pilgrim, welcome home.