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THE SOCIAL NETWORK script analysis

THE SOCIAL NETWORK script - Save the Cat beat sheet analysis

The Social Network follows Mark Zuckerberg’s journey from a tense breakup to creating Facebook, facing legal battles with the Winklevoss twins and a fallout with co-founder Eduardo. Along the way, he navigates social rejection, entrepreneurial triumphs, and personal betrayals. The climax unfolds in deposition rooms, reflecting on friendship and ambition.

45 Save the Cat fit score 12% analysis confidence / 89 parsed scenes

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1

Opening Image

Scene 1 / Page 1 / 1% target

10%

Introduces Mark and Erica’s tense relationship at the campus bar, establishing Mark’s outsider status.

What would account for that?
2

Theme Stated

Scene 1 / Page 1 / 5% target

10%

Erica’s questioning of Mark’s social obsessions hints at the cost of ambition and relationships.

Did you know there are more people with genius IQ's living in China than there are people of...
3

Set-Up

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

15%

Establishes Mark’s breakup, initial hacking project Facemash, and his later deposition framing device.

4

Catalyst

Scene 11 / 12% target

15%

The Winklevoss twins first approach Mark with the HarvardConnection idea, setting the main conflict in motion.

5

Debate

Scene 2 / 20% target

12%

Mark wrestles with his recent breakup by creating Facemash and debating morality of ranking students.

We're ranking girls.
6

Break into Two

Scene 14 / 25% target

10%

Mark pitches the idea of 'theFacebook' to Eduardo, committing to the new venture.

We'll split it 70-30. 70 for me and 30 for you for putting up a thousand dollars and...
7

B Story

Scene 23 / 30% target

10%

Eduardo’s involvement deepens as he negotiates server funding, grounding the friendship subplot.

I need a dedicated Linux box running Apache webserver with a mySQL backend. It's gonna cost a little...
8

Fun and Games

Scenes 15-16 / 40% target

12%

Montage of Mark coding theFacebook highlights early successes and playful exploration of the site’s growth.

9

Midpoint

Scene 35 / 50% target

10%

Dustin’s interruption about Stephanie shifts Mark’s focus, raising stakes with real interpersonal connection.

There's a girl in the art history class that you take. Her name is Stephanie Attic, Do you...
10

Bad Guys Close In

Scene 38 / 65% target

12%

Divya discovers theFacebook, alerting the Winklevoss twins who realize Mark stole their idea.

11

All Is Lost

Scene 48 / 75% target

12%

Eduardo confronts Mark about monetization and the cease-and-desist, signaling personal and professional betrayal.

I think it's called a cease and desist letter. What were their names?
12

Dark Night of the Soul

Scene 79 / 80% target

12%

Eduardo freezes the company bank account, leaving Mark isolated and desperate.

13

Break into Three

Scene 80 / 85% target

12%

Mark and Sean secure Peter Thiel’s investment, providing the means to push forward.

14

Finale

Scene 89 / 95% target

10%

Deposition scenes resolve the legal battles and reflect on friendship and ambition’s cost.

Who would you rather be? My lawyer or their lawyer?
15

Final Image

Scene 89 / 99% target

10%

Mark’s final deposition moment bookends with reflection on who he’s become, echoing the opening.