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Story: Substance, Structure, Style and the Principles of Screenwriting (Methuen Film) [Paperback]

Robert McKee (Author)
4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (78 customer reviews)

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Product details

  • Paperback: 480 pages
  • Publisher: Methuen Publishing Ltd (16 July 1999)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0413715604
  • ISBN-13: 978-0413715609
  • Product Dimensions: 13.6 x 3.8 x 21.7 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (78 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 12,843 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Product Description

Synopsis

"Story" deciphers the guiding structural principles that animate every classical and award-winning film, ranging from "Citizen Kane" through to modern acclaimed works like "The English Patient".
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First Sentence
Imagine, in one global day, the pages of prose turned, plays per , films screened, the unending stream of television comedy and drama, twenty-four-hour print and broadcast news, bedtime tales told to children, barroom bragging, back-fence Internet gossip, humankind's insatiable appetite for stories. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews
119 of 124 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiration guaranteed, if you think you're hard enough! 7 Jan 2003
By C. Kilvington
Format:Paperback
Putting pen to paper is not as simple as putting pen to paper. And this only becomes evident when you've read a book like this.

This book's inspiring. It's to the point. And - although written primarily for screen writers - it's invaluale for anyone who thinks they have a story in them.

If you're a keen writer like me, you may have sat yourself down at a computer with an idea, started writing, scratching your head and wondering whether it's good or not. Step up Robert McKee:

"When talented writers write badly it's generally for one of two reasons: either they're blinded by an idea that they feel compelled to prove, or they're driven by an emotion they need to express. When talented people write well, it's generally for this reason: they're moved by a desire to touch an audience."

I'm not saying I'm a 'talented writer', but this statement hit home. McKee states that "story is not what you have to say, but how you say it." Writing should be 75% story design and 25% words. This is one of many revelations.....of which there are many.

By reading a book like this you can not only put a structure to the words that come out of your head, you can learn more about why people need stories, why they work and why they don't. How do you keep your audience's attention all the way through, how do you build them up to a climax, how do you make sure characters and story elements aren't cliched, and how do you appeal to a wide audience? Each is discussed in satisfying detail.

The other nice thing aout the book is that McKee talks 'forms' rather than 'formulas'. He's not saying that we should stick to rules - resulting in cliches - but just observe why things work. The 450 odd pages are also peppered with film examples too, which helps.

Put simply, this book is invaluable to you if you're writing a story, or just interested in them. Be warned though, it is dense and somethimes daunting - you need to set aside a good couple of weeks. Like others reviewing here though, I'm going back for a second read to take notes. And considering this is something I didn't even do for school exams, it gives you an idea of how much I value McKee's inspiration.

If you want to make your writing something others want to read too, BUY NOW.

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10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars A substantial, often brilliant book 1 Dec 2001
By Cormac O. Cuilleanain
Format:Hardcover
McKee analyses not just movie plots but the principles of dynamic storytelling, dramatising his general points with perceptive commentaries on individual scenes and sequences. The audio cassette is greatly condensed from the book, but adds the impact of the author's forceful, atmospheric delivery. Both versions are well worth having.
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34 of 36 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Unbelievable! 14 Jun 2000
By Mr. M. J. Mindel
Format:Hardcover
This is simply the best book available for the aspiring screenwriter (and I've read most of them).

McKee fleshes out many important concepts (including turning points, the nature of irony) in a thoroughly readable journey into the nature of story - how and why it works.

But more importantly he shows us how to construct a 'great story well told'.

If there is just one screenwriting book on your bookshelf, make this it.

Do not let this one pass you by.

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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars Essential reading for anyone wanting to write novels, screenplays or...
It's incredible. This offers so much insight. I have a masters degree in creative writing and I wish that my tutors had only read this! Read more
Published 1 month ago by MISS C R DAVIES
5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best books about storytelling out there
This book was a must buy for my Screenwriting module, but once I started reading it, all made sense and I really enjoyed the style. It is well written and informative. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Giedre
4.0 out of 5 stars Lots of essential stuff in here, but not the end all and be all Keyes...
This is a difficult read, especially the first few chapters, but I gained a lot from this book. Keyes knows his stuff and the two abiding lessons I have learned from this book is... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Eamonster
5.0 out of 5 stars The best screenwriting book out there (and I've read a lot!)
As a former creative writing student, I have read many books on the art of crafting stories. Some of them were very good, many of them were pretentious, but none were truly great. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Alan the Kaz
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Foundation.
Every aspiring writer should listen to this, no matter what their field or genre. If more aspiring writers did listen to it, there would be very few people attending writing... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Sean Mcmullen
5.0 out of 5 stars The art of the structural cliché
This is an excellent treatise on the art of writing a painfully clichéd script (as so memorably lampooned by Charlie Kaufman in the film "Adaptation"). Read more
Published 7 months ago by Wayne Redhart
5.0 out of 5 stars Best for writing
During a recent trip to LA a Hollywood Producer recommended that I read this book as it would give me a solid foundation on writing. Read more
Published 11 months ago by P. Adichie
4.0 out of 5 stars Easy read, interesting content
I wanted a quick how to as i have an interest in story telling. Parts of it are a bit 'telling off' but otherwise a compelling read that breaks down the basic principles of what... Read more
Published 15 months ago by Lucie
1.0 out of 5 stars Doesn't work in the Kindle format
I had already seen this book in paperback and it had been recommended to me. I am a Kindle fan so I was pleased to see it was available. Read more
Published 16 months ago by BridgetW
5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing Insights
This book is just amazing. Well structured, easy to read and fun and most important contains deep knowledge of a well experienced writer-tutor. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Ceasar
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