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Robert McKee

Story : Substance, Structure, Style and the Principles of Screenwriting Paperback – Import, January 1, 2005

by Robert McKee (Author)

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Robert McKee's screenwriting workshops have earned him an international reputation for inspiring novices, refining works in progress and putting major screenwriting careers back on track. Quincy Jones, Diane Keaton, Gloria Steinem, Julia Roberts, John Cleese and David Bowie are just a few of his celebrity alumni. Writers, producers, development executives and agents all flock to his lecture series, praising it as a mesmerizing and intense learning experience. In Story, McKee expands on the concepts he teaches in his $450 seminars (considered a must by industry insiders), providing readers with the most comprehensive, integrated explanation of the craft of writing for the screen. No one better understands how all the elements of a screenplay fit together, and no one is better qualified to explain the "magic" of story construction and the relationship between structure and character than Robert McKee.

Language

English
Publisher

Methuen
Publication date

January 1, 2005
Dimensions

5.35 x 1.5 x 8.54 inches
ISBN-10

0413715604
ISBN-13

978-0413715609
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Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Methuen; 32687th edition (January 1, 2005)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0413715604
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0413715609
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.28 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.35 x 1.5 x 8.54 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #485,765 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #387 in Screenwriting (Books)
- #1,050 in Movie History & Criticism
- #31,628 in Crafts, Hobbies & Home (Books)

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2,702 ratings

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Robert McKee

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Robert McKee, a Fulbright Scholar, is the most sought-after story authority in the world. The best-selling author of STORY, DIALOGUE: The Art of Verbal Action for Page, Stage and Screen, and soon to be published STORYNOMICS, McKee occupies a unique place in modern media storytelling. His teachings have spread beyond the screen, stage and page and his influence in corporate storytelling has become a global phenomenon. Writers of fiction and non fiction, producers, directors, media professionals, and business leaders from the world over read McKee's books and attend his sold-out international seminars (http://mckeestory.com) for an exclusive deep dive into the mastery of the story arts.

McKee’s former students include over 65 Academy Award Winners, 250 Emmy Award Winners, 2,000 Emmy Award Nominees, 150 WGA (Writers Guild of America) Award Winners, 250 WGA Award Nominees, 50 DGA (Directors Guild of America) Award Winners, and 100 DGA Award Nominees.

McKee continues to be a project consultant to major film and television production companies such as 20th Century Fox, Disney, Paramount, & MTV. In addition, Pixar, ABC, BBC, Disney, Miramax, PBS, Nickelodeon, Paramount, GLOBOSAT, MNET and other international TV and film companies regularly send their entire creative and writing team to his lectures.

In the corporate world, McKee consulted his STORYNOMICS to companies such as Microsoft, Intel, BOLDT, Marriott International, Arm and Hammer, and Deutsche Telecom/T-Systems to name a few.

Since 1984, more than 100,000 students have taken McKee’s courses in various cities around the world.

Customer reviews

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2,702 global ratings

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Eduardo Jáuregui

Wisdom from the professionals

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on February 16, 2023

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The author manages to explain the basis of good storytelling, using as assistance the examples of films of past and present! The language is clear but nonetheless professional and rigorous, and the occasional inclusion of ilustrations and other visual tools can further help in the understanding of tougher concepts.

Though mostly recommended for scriptwriters, the ideas presented on the book can mostly work on other story-related mediums, such as literature (my area in particular). So, if you are an aspiring novelist, playwright, or anything similar, rest assured, you can get your money's worth from this book!

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on March 21, 2023

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One of the seminal craft books on story. Easy to follow. Recommended addition to any writer or storyteller’s reference library.

Helpful

Fred Reeves

Great Book Helpful Insights

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on March 20, 2023

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I needed this book to help me focus my thoughts. Thanks Mr. Mckee for writing this

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Madeline James

Such a good structure breakdown

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on February 16, 2023

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I've read a lot of story craft books, from save the cat to story genius to the anatomy of story. I think Story really gets into the how of different levels of arcs for scenes and sequences and acts in a way I haven't seen done as well elsewhere. I'm so I'm love with this book!

One person found this helpful

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D. R. Martz

Excellent, but

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on December 1, 2022

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Just wanted to emphasize what some other reviewers have noted. The book is masterful, but does not address story ideas or inspiration. It is about technical execution of screenplays, in particular the proven methods for creating, maintaining, and advancing suspense, character, and backstory. Inspiration itself may be inhibited by concentration on method. For example, he recommends NOT writing any dialogue or presumably poetic exposition to set a mood; whereas in practice a paragraph or two of description or an intense dialogue constructed in advance of any other writing might be the gem at the heart of the creation, the bridge between idea and story. Or perhaps it is a sense of the culminating revelation of the climax that does the trick. The Muse needs to take hold in some way if your creation is going to be art, and be completed. The other aspect of the book's technical description that is present, but overshadowed, is how the interactions between story and audience relate to interactions between characters in the story. Both subjects are discussed, but it seems like a more integrated view would prove useful. Finally, I think there are some very good (award winning and not 'artsy') films that exceed the boundaries of the box McKee constructs, so if a budding writer has a brilliant idea, he /she should not let adherence to methods ruin it.

7 people found this helpful

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Alem

Great Book

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on February 26, 2023

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One of the books that I will recommend for screen writers it tells you all what you need to know on how to write screen plays and I love it

One person found this helpful

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Janice Jones

Great Reference for Writers

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on February 13, 2023

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I used this book in my Master's program and found it invaluable for new writers. I didn't know that this book would reenter my life after I decided to become a screenwriter. Excellent examples and very straightforward; well written.

2 people found this helpful

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bbky

BEST BOOK ON HOW TO CREATE STORIES 100% hands down

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on April 7, 2021

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Sorry I don’t have time to write a succinctly profound review but if you’re even barely considering buying this book, JUST DO IT. I honestly can’t believe the price is 25$.
If you have an ounce of raw story telling talent, or if u consider yourself professional, this book is for you. Or if you appreciate the art of storytelling; or if u work in the industry and get scripts across your desk, this book is for you.
I do not write scripts and have no plans to; I was introduced to this book years ago when reviewing a script someone was interested in getting funded and felt appropriate to educate myself on what makes a script great... Bc we all know when a script isn’t, but not necessarily Why. Robert blew my mind w this one; the depth, the clarity, the profundity and the genius simplification of one of the most complex art forms - telling stories about the human experience.
The essence of the art form is principled out in the book. I’ve been raving about this book since I first read it in 2017, lent my hand-me-down copy, and bought my own last week to do a little book club w my gf. We enjoy watching episodics and movies and have a great time articulating why we think stories are great. I’m super excited diving back into this book again especially w a partner.
In my over simplified, outsider opinion, this book is THE formula, the “bible” so to say, of the who what where when and most importantly WHY of scripting for screen.
Just buy it. Buy two copies and gift one to your writing buddy or a director u work with. Heck, buy 3 copies and keep on in the car or at the office. Again, ~25$ - wow.
If u want to get your script funded - this is the next place for you to go. Scripts are picked up bc they will sell, and in order to sell they have resonate universally. This book explains the essence, the principles of the art form of script writing. If you really think you have what it takes to be an all star writer then digesting this book should 100% fun for you.
Just my 3 cents... again I have no plans of writing and I’m not a writer. But I enjoy the art form and I respect the mastery of technical and creative that blend as genius and excellence. For me, having this knowledge has made stories on screen that much more enjoyable as I watch the principles outlined in this book play themselves out like clockwork.
I hope I’ve made it clear how magnificent and remarkable this book is in both knowledge and presentation. The hugest shoutout to Robert McKee and his wife who apparently edited this. And shoutout to all the other people behind the scenes on making this book happen. It’s brought me tons of joy, entertainment, knowledge and invigoration. And quite honestly had widened my perspective of the human condition and life itself.
Just buy it, and read it. Take notes. Study it. Use it. Capitalize on it if script writing and story telling is in your cards.
And if u love this book as much as I do let’s start a club lol.

7 people found this helpful

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Top reviews from other countries

The Reader

Great book

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on July 8, 2018

Verified Purchase

Really interesting book that goes into great depth on the art of writing stories. The focus is film but the info easily relates to novels / TV / theatre.
The book is well written and gives so much insight into the process. It has made watching films / TV shows very different for me now as I feel like I understand story much better

10 people found this helpful

Ewan Ashford

Authoritative, not for the faint-hearted!

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on June 24, 2013

Verified Purchase

This book is a confidence builder. It's about as complete a text as possible on what it means to be a writer, and what demands that makes of the individual.

There's no doubting the author's credentials, he is one of the heavyweights of Hollywood. He pulls no punches in pointing out the many (in his eyes) flaws in modern screenwriting. Some of the concepts are a bit hard to follow, but hey it's a book you can always re-read when it comes to preparing your masterworks.

My only niggle with the book is he does cite the French New Wave - Brunuel, Godard as well as Ingmar Bergman an awful lot. The only American writer who gets a look in is Robert Towne. Perhaps McKee doesn't rate any of the Scorseses or Spielbergs but it would have been good to at least get his take on their (immensley successful) approaches to story.

Despite all the self-analysis, smashing of preconceptions, and an awful lot of honest (are you sure you can do this?) talk, McKee has crafted a text that spurs the budding writer on. It builds confidence by presenting the tools, saying 'Look, this works' and then setting you free. His parting message is to be courageous. Something that I have learned and will be putting into practice today, and everyday from now on.

18 people found this helpful

A. Perry

Still #1 on Subject

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on August 31, 2021

Verified Purchase

Well written and structured, this is deservedly very well respected. First section is about story structures, content, characters, characterisations, etc. Much of this you may feel you knew, but here it is rendered clear, citing many examples from popular films. It then examines the detail, again with examples. I read it steadily rather than quickly, to give each section due attention. It is an excellent choice if you are interested in the subject and want to achieve a better understanding.

Robin

Forget the rest

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on June 10, 2017

Verified Purchase

Simply, numero uno... for screenplay writers, stage dramatists, and novelists, too - even though this is not aimed at novelists. This book offers no easy solutions; but it tells it how it is, and in full. It's honest, profound, pragmatic, and the real deal. Forget every other 'how to' book. This is the one you need if you want to learn the craft.

9 people found this helpful

Lauren

Read This Book!

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on April 10, 2021

Verified Purchase

If I could give six stars, I would. This book absolutely delivers.
I was bogged down, struggling to write when I realized that I did not have any knowledge or tools for the job, and I needed to learn about writing. So I bought this book.
Robert McKee beautifully and succinctly gives you everything you need to create a good story.
A must read for screenwriters, but certainly a recommended read for directors, playwrights, actors, novelists, and anyone who endeavors to be a storyteller.

3 people found this helpful

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