Save the Cat Breakdown Series - Catalyst

In the previous article, we explored the Save the Cat story beat of the Theme and how it conveys what the whole story is about and the journey the protagonist is on. In this article, we will delve into the Catalyst.

What is the Catalyst?

The Catalyst is a single scene in your story which propels the protagonist out of their normal comfortable world and into the world of the story. It is the event that changes everything for them and makes it so that it’s impossible to go back to the way things were, even if they wanted to (and they often want to).

It occurs at around the 10% mark, or at 8,000 words in a typical 80,000 word novel. However, as it is only one scene, its location can vary a little. In film, it usually occurs pretty much at that point, but remember novels have more leeway, so if your Catalyst occurs a bit earlier or a bit later, that’s okay too. The main thing is, that it’s at the end of the Setup and is the big event that changes everything for your protagonist.

Another way to look at the Catalyst is the plot acting upon the character (as opposed to the character acting upon the plot, which occurs in the Break into Two story beat further on). In Star Wars: A New Hope, the Catalyst occurs when Luke accidentally activates the holo message from Princess Leia and hears the famous line “Help me, Obi-Wan Kenobi. You’re my only hope.” This acts as a siren call to Luke, pulling him out of his normal world and reminding him that there’s a big wide universe out there beyond the horizon of Tatooine. He wants to find out more, to find Obi-Wan Kenobi, even if his uncle tries to dissuade him from the idea.

The Catalyst in Disney’s Mulan

In Mulan the Catalyst is literally announced with the beating of a drum. The royal chancellor arrives with a proclamation from the Imperial City that every family must provide one male to serve in the army against the invading Huns. For Mulan, that can only be her father, as he is the only male in their family, despite his heavy limp and that he requires a cane to walk normally. Mulan tries to argue against this, but is told that she is bringing dishonour upon her family, so is forced to relent.

This is where the outside plot — that of the imperial proclamation — is acted upon the protagonist. Mulan’s world shifts when this occurs; there is no going back to the way things were. Her life has irrevocably changed.

After accepting the orders, the scene shows her father limping alone through the gates to their home. This view from behind emphasises Mulan losing her father; her father is willingly walking away from the women in his life to preserve the family’s honour. This image is particularly powerful, showing one possible outcome of the future should Mulan do nothing.

The Catalyst in Flewelling’s Luck in the Shadows

After travelling together for a few days, Seregil makes Alec an offer.

“The other night I joked about an apprenticeship for you,” he said over his shoulder as he adjusted his saddle girth. “What do you think of the idea?”

This is the Catalyst for Alec, or the plot acting upon him. Seregil has come along, rescued him, and over the course of two days, taught him slight-of-hand tricks, secret hand signals, and hinted at a big wide world out there just waiting to be explored. Then, with this offer, Alec gets the chance for this encounter to be more than just a passing acquaintance.

In this instance, the Catalyst begins at approximately 7% of the story as opposed to the guideline of 10%. This flexibility in the timing is fine, however, especially since the Setup before this had a lot of world building and was fairly slow in pace by comparison. This one line, a little earlier than 10%, thrusts the new world in front of Alec, teasing him with the possibilities and enticing him to take the leap.

Final Thoughts

The Catalyst is a pivotal moment that launches your protagonist into their journey, forever altering their world. Whether it's Luke discovering Princess Leia's message, Mulan witnessing her father's suffering, or Alec receiving Seregil's apprenticeship offer, this beat marks the threshold between the protagonist's ordinary world and the adventure ahead. The Catalyst serves as that unmistakable moment when the plot acts upon your character, propelling them forward despite their hesitations.

As you craft your own story, identify this crucial turning point — the event that makes it impossible for your protagonist to remain in their comfort zone and forces them to take those first reluctant steps into the unknown.

Look for that pivotal moment when your protagonist's world changes irrevocably. Is it clear? Is it compelling? Does it truly make it impossible for them to return to their normal life? Share your Catalyst scenes below and let’s help each other make them as strong as they can be.