Person
Every book David Gelb recommended on podcasts
David Gelb appeared on podcasts to discuss filmmaking and storytelling structures. During his interview on How I Write, he recommended Blake Snyder's Save the Cat!, praising the book for providing a clear structural framework and specific page numbers to help writers outline narratives. Gelb defended the text against critics who view it as overly simplistic, emphasizing his appreciation for having a reliable skeleton to follow when breaking down major films. Additionally, he referenced Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland to draw comparisons regarding outsider dynamics in storytelling.
Books recommended by David Gelb
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Save the cat!
Save the Cat! by Blake Snyder is a foundational screenwriting guide that breaks down storytelling into clear structural frameworks, beats, and specific page-number milestones.
Recommended“I I love the book um Save the Cat by Blake Snider, which just lays it out in the most clear way and where literally he has I mean he even has page numbers of when these things should happen.”
Where to get it
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Alice in Wonderland
Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll is a classic literary masterpiece following a young girl who falls down a rabbit hole into a fantastical, nonsensical underground realm populated by peculiar creatures.
Discussed“and I think that that's true for like Alice and Alice in Wonderland, you know, which is sort of like I feel like this is kind of a new version of that in a lot of ways.”
Where to get it
Appearances
| Episode | Podcast | Date | Books |
|---|---|---|---|
| David Gelb: How to Write Cinematically | How I Write | How I Write | 2026-04-15 | 3 |