Robert McKee's Story Seminar - Story Design

[ranshviro]

on November 2, 2006 McKee was quoted as saying in front of a Tel Aviv audience that Israelis have a rough sense of humor, completely different from the known worldwide Jewish one, since Israelis are living in a harsh reality which leads them to lose their sense of humor.

[cheesybuttocks]

I love the way he repeats "House of Fools" to his drooling audience.

[villeppi]

All of this is in the book. Why do people pay for these seminars?

[Tones4me1]

@villeppi He has been giving seminars before there were home computers. I took classes with him in LA in the 80's. One thing about a book...you can't ask it questions and get advice, this is where spending the money on classes is invaluable. And you learn from the other student questions. I will warn you, he doesn't suffer fools easily! So beware of the question you ask. LOL The money you spend will be worth every dime.

[Tones4me1]

@NeoTRP For the same reason that schools are full of teachers...they prefer to teach than to do. And you are only seeing him show the technical side of writing here. The question & answer portion of the class is worth every dime you spend. He won't tell you what to write but he shows you an aspect of why it either works or does not work. Writers get stuck all the time and they need help.

[Tones4me1]

@NeoTRP So call up your favorite writer and tell him you are coming over for a lesson in writing...

[Tones4me1]

@NeoTRP Exactly. It doesn't mean a person doesn't know how to do something, it just means they are better at teaching others. Plus, they are willing to make money in a different way. He keeps busy with seminars and books and when I was in his class he had the backing of one of the big studios, which was nice. As a writer you have to write, then shop it around and hope someone sees the value of your story. If not...it's just a pile of paper and won't pay the rent.

[NeoTRP]

You have a point there, I guess. We DO need people like McKee and Field because writers are busy writing, I am thinking of buying McKee's book--but each time I read the reviews, people keep saying that it's chore to get through because of his prolix style? Would you reccomend the book? Who is better, Syd Field or Robert McKee? And what do you think about Blake Snyder?

[Tones4me1]

@NeoTRP I don't know Snyder. Field is easier to read but McKee goes into greater detail. I say read all of them, until the time comes that you need none of them. Then stop reading and start writing. Because at the end of the day only your writing style matters.  Know what gift you have to share. Some people are very technical but can't write in a way that makes you care about the people. Others have great characters but the dialogs don't ring true. You need all of the elements to be complete

[NeoTRP]

Thanks for the advice.

[Tones4me1]

@villeppi Because when the class is over Robert holds a question & answer session and won't tell you what to write but walks you through the reasoning of what you are writing. I've been in his class and learned as much about writing from the questions the other writers asked and the answers he gave as I did from the class.

[focusmidia]

QUE COCÔ É ISSO?

[Fapsamup]

In what way is Alien an Anti Structure? It has a distinguishable beginning, middle and an end and it has a first, second and third act...

Plus, House of Fools, I just saw the trailer, this looks like a mediocre shooted melo drama... I'm sure the story is excellent but the way it is shooted, edited, the composition, the audio and the "mise-en-scène" is thought just lacks any artistically approach.

[Fapsamup]

McKee said that a bad script gives a bad movie, a good script gives a good or bad movie, but a bad script never gives a good movie. Even if a story is exellent the lack of artistically approaches can ruin a movie.

[Lesia44]

If you think the book's good, go see the seminar. He's an inspirational speaker.

[Mambisa50]

"Story" is the best book I've ever read on screenwriting.

[Fapsamup]

Me too, Story from McKee and Screenplay from Syd Field where my two first books on story telling :)

[RestiveBob]

I read his material on the inciting incident and then read Lonesome Dove (and watched it on DVD). It plays perfectly. McKee may seem guru-ish at times, but he does know his stuff. Easily the most helpful book for any creative writer.

[Alexsy82]

this and Lajos Egri's "The Art of Dramatic Writing" are probably the Bibles of drama.

[Stairc]

One of the only truly useful books no writing in existance.

Fun thing to try: Open the book at random and place your finger on a paragraph. Read said paragraph. It will contain a priceless fragment of genius and insight that will improve your writing instantly.

Seriously, try it. Its uncanny.

[curmudgeon99]

I just completed his monumental book "Story" and feel that I should--along with planning my next novel--start over and read it again from the beginning.

[zeena79]

It is quite a complex read. Not finished it yet but I seem to have wasted my time on a Masters Degree compared to this book. good luck with the novel. London here I come!

[Adrian101882]

So you'd suggest his book over a Master's?

Damn! It's that good?

I need to get me a copy soon.

[ZachClooney]

@Adrian101882 Yes. Don't waste money on a Masters, unlesss you have the money to burn and like having an extra educational qualification. May be it would be useful if you want to teach. But if you want to write great screenplays, buy McKee's 'Story'. And read and reread and apply those tools and strategies.

[Tones4me1]

@Adrian101882 Pick up Syd Field's book too. Both are invaluable.

[islanderboi89]

@curmudgeon99 I thought I was the only one who felt that exact same way LOL good to know it's a normal feeling LOL but yeah dftnly I'm readin again.