Robert McKee's 'Story: Substance, Structure, Style, and the Principles of Screenwriting' delves deep into the art of storytelling, offering a comprehensive guide to crafting engaging narratives. McKee's writing style is informative and insightful, providing readers with a thorough understanding of story and character development. The book covers various aspects of storytelling, from narrative structure to character arcs, using examples from classic films to illustrate key concepts.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style varies among readers, with some finding it dense and dense, while others appreciate its clarity and philosophical depth.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot primarily centers on technical execution within screenwriting, particularly in the context of Hollywood blockbusters, illuminating how these stories engage audiences.

Setting:

The setting is primarily within Hollywood cinema, using classical film examples while offering universally applicable insights into storytelling.

Pacing:

Pacing varies, with initial slow sections often marked by dense theory before transitioning into more practical insights.

Imagine, in one global day, the pages of prose turned, plays performed, films screened, the unending stream of television comedy and drama, twenty-four-hour print and broadcast news, bedtime tales tol...

Genres:

Topics:

story structure

character development

visual storytelling

screenplay techniques

Notes:

Robert McKee's book focuses on screenwriting but has valuable insights for any type of storytelling.

Many readers find the book dense with useful information, prompting them to rethink their understanding of story.

McKee emphasizes the importance of understanding Hollywood's storytelling conventions, especially for aspiring writers.

While the book provides technical insights, some critics feel it lacks inspiration for story ideas.

McKee's writing style can be seen as dogmatic and at times overly strong in his opinions about film quality.

Readers note that the book offers a detailed breakdown of story structure that can benefit screenwriters and novelists alike.

McKee advocates for the principle of showing rather than telling in storytelling.

Although aimed at screenwriters, many concepts in the book apply universally to other narrative forms.

Some readers found the early parts tedious, but the later sections offered profound insights into writing.

Critics note that while McKee has helped many writers, not everyone agrees with his teachings or finds them applicable.

From The Publisher:

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.

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About the Author:

Robert McKee teaches his 3Story Structure2 class annually to sold out auditoriums in Los Angeles, New York, London and film capitals throughout the world. A Fulbright Scholar, this award-winning film and television writer has also served as project and talent development consultant to major production companies such as Tri-Star and Golden Harvest Films. He lives in Los Angeles and Cornwall, England.

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