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Robert McKee
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Story: Substance, Structure, Style and the Principles of Screenwriting Hardcover – November 25, 1997

by Robert McKee (Author)
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 2,914 ratings
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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.

Previous page
  1. Print length
    480 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    ReganBooks
  4. Publication date
    November 25, 1997
  5. Dimensions
    9.4 x 6.5 x 1.6 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    9780060391683
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0060391683
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Writing for the screen is quirky business. A writer must labor meticulously over his or her prose, yet very little of that prose is ever heard by filmgoers. The few words that do reach the audience, in the form of the characters' dialogue, are, according to Robert McKee, best left to last in the writing process. ("As Alfred Hitchcock once remarked, 'When the screenplay has been written and the dialogue has been added, we're ready to shoot.' ") In Story, McKee puts into book form what he has been teaching screenwriters for years in his seminar on story structure, which is considered by many to be a prerequisite to the film biz. (The long list of film and television projects that McKee's students have written, directed, or produced includes Air Force One, The Deer Hunter, E.R., A Fish Called Wanda, Forrest Gump, NYPD Blue, and Sleepless in Seattle.) Legions of writers flock to Hollywood in search of easy money, calculating the best way to get rich quick. This book is not for them. McKee is passionate about the art of screenwriting. "No one needs yet another recipe book on how to reheat Hollywood leftovers," he writes. "We need a rediscovery of the underlying tenets of our art, the guiding principles that liberate talent." Story is a true path to just such a rediscovery. In it, McKee offers so much sound advice, drawing from sources as wide ranging as Aristotle and Casablanca, Stanislavski and Chinatown, that it is impossible not to come away feeling immeasurably better equipped to write a screenplay and infinitely more inspired to write a brilliant one.--Jane Steinberg

Review

"... stimulating, innovative, refreshingly practical." -- -- Lawrence Kasdan, Director

"...the best guide on writing you can find." -- Laurence Chollet, The Record, Northern New Jersey

"In difficult periods of writing, I often turn to Robert McKee's wonderful book for guidance" -- -- Dominick Dunne, Novelist

"McKee is the Stanislavski of writing." -- -- Dennis Dugan, Writer, NYPD Blue

"[Story is]an excellent instruction manual on the craft of storytelling." -- Austin American-Statesman

"to the people who write, direct and produce for Hollywood - or desperately wish they did - Bob McKee is a cross between E. F. Hutton and Sun Myung Moon. The man speaks, and people start to take furious notes - he is now the undisputed screenwriting king... for the legendary screenwriting boot camp that he runs. Thirty-thousand aspiring screenwriters have already taken McKee's 30-hour, three-day course..." -- Newsday

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ 0060391685
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ ReganBooks; 1st edition (November 25, 1997)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 480 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9780060391683
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0060391683
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.5 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 9.4 x 6.5 x 1.6 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 2,914 ratings

About the author

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Robert McKee

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

4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7 out of 5
2,914 global ratings
Life-Changing for Writers
5 Stars
Life-Changing for Writers
The most astounding and comprehensive book on writing you will ever need as a storyteller. From a bird's eye view to the nuts and bolts of writing, whether you are a screenwriter, a novelist, journalist or a blogger. Clear. Lively. Timeless!
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Top reviews from the United States

Chad E Taylor
5.0 out of 5 stars Packs ton of very important info.
Reviewed in the United States on March 10, 2024
Verified Purchase
Wow. I'm on my second round of the Audible version of this book. It has so much info on story making that you'll probably reference this material for the rest of your life. Talks in detail about screenwriting basics, plot points, character growth, verbiage, prose, and so much more. This is definitely a huge asset for any serious screenwriter. Worth your money.
3 people found this helpful
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Matthew J. Clark
5.0 out of 5 stars Trust the majority of reviews
Reviewed in the United States on February 28, 2024
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I always like to read the naysayers when something is rated really well. With Story, the 1 star reviews talked about its pretentiousness and unreadability.

It is fascinating.

It is pretentiousness that is causing people to one star what is nearly universally reviewed highly.

It is thorough. It is not light reading. It is also brilliant and inspiring.
One person found this helpful
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Truth Addict
5.0 out of 5 stars A Gem
Reviewed in the United States on March 21, 2024
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This book is the rarest kind of book on writing, one that isn't just renaming basic story elements and rehashing high school level story concepts. This is the closest thing to a college level textbook on story design on the market. It defines concepts, moves to application and provides numerous examples. Instead of constraining rules, the concepts and principles provide options for identifying and overcoming creative sticking points and story weaknesses. It doesn't cover genre beats, so read ANATOMY OF GENRES by Jon Truby next any you will have a pretty extensive writing tool kit.
2 people found this helpful
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A. Campbell
4.0 out of 5 stars Profound, Poetic
Reviewed in the United States on May 31, 2013
Verified Purchase
This material moves fast. I had to listen to it several times, but that's OK, too :-) McKee is a great primer and that's what I used this for. I love to listen to material in my car - this is my most prolific setting for listening/learning - and I needed a good primer on screenwriting as I'm new to it, have bought a bunch of books, but realize its hard to know who's "right." McKee has the fruit on the tree with regard to his reputation, but I saw him listed as Story Consultant as recently as BRAVE, so his know how is apparently worth some dough. For 20 bucks, I simply put listened to this all the way through, absorbed as much as I could, and then went back and listened to each disc multiple times. Its amazing the depth of his insight, and easy to miss on first, second, and even third listen. These CD's really can be studied. What I've come to realize after going through some of the other books I purchased is that, no one is "right" when it comes to the craft of Story. Certainly, some are way more right than others, but because Story is paradoxically personal and impersonal, and the essence of good story writing so hard to capture in prose, then an author/teacher becomes very valuable by becoming poetic, enlightening, and inspirational amidst the more technical explanations. McKee is good at this. His "attitude" during his reading of the material doesn't seem particularly passionate, but it does seem personal. He has a great vocabulary and depth of reading/watching which makes for an enjoyable "no-pandering zone," intellectually, which, more and more, becomes a welcome respite in the Idiocracy. If you want to be a writer, and aren't sure where to start - but particularly, if you're an avid audio learner, you can't go wrong with this purchase for twenty bones.
3 people found this helpful
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bbky
5.0 out of 5 stars BEST BOOK ON HOW TO CREATE STORIES 100% hands down
Reviewed in the United States on April 7, 2021
Verified Purchase
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.
16 people found this helpful
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Anna K
5.0 out of 5 stars Best scriptwriting book.
Reviewed in the United States on March 2, 2024
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I first was introduced to this book by looking up the textbooks required for calarts animation in 2015ish. My favourite piece of wisdom is in the beginning where it says that if you have writers block it’s because you need to research more about what the lives of the characters would be like etc because you can’t say anything if you have nothing to say. I’m paraphrasing of course.
One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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Rafael de Oliveira
5.0 out of 5 stars Ótima leitura
Reviewed in Brazil on March 28, 2024
Verified Purchase
O livro chegou antes do prazo.
Já havia lido a versão em Português, mas queria fazer a leitura em Inglês. O livro é perfeito para quem gosta de histórias. Valeu muito a leitura.
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Rafael de Oliveira
5.0 out of 5 stars Ótima leitura
Reviewed in Brazil on March 28, 2024
O livro chegou antes do prazo.
Já havia lido a versão em Português, mas queria fazer a leitura em Inglês. O livro é perfeito para quem gosta de histórias. Valeu muito a leitura.
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Carlos Ortega
5.0 out of 5 stars Extraordinary - better than i expected
Reviewed in Mexico on June 29, 2023
Verified Purchase
One of the best books ive ever read not only about writing but also about making art in general.

It covers every topic imaginable, much more than i expected - dialogue, story structure, character, conveying information visually but including it in the script, genres, budgets, criticism, plot types, what is dimension in a character, even how to write without a story , how to frame the story for maximum effect, how to prototype your script and steps to making it and perfecting it, word choice - everything

Note that it is not a manual for screenwriting - its very focused only on the narrative stuff which is what i was looking for but my expectations were exceeded in how thorough the book was - its also a legitimatelly entertaining read dropping huge new information, concepts and examples

He uses for reference a lot of movies that arent modern (pre 2000s) but that are great films - so you might want to watch them as he discussed the ideas to enrich the reading. you can tell the author is a master of the craft and very passionate and practical in how he teaches the subject.

Just great. A gem for anyone interested in any story medium.
One person found this helpful
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Mother of Dragons
5.0 out of 5 stars Essential for Writers
Reviewed in Canada on December 6, 2022
Verified Purchase
I ordered this book after my creative writing professor recommended it and I will say Robert McKee is brilliant. This is already an invaluable tool and is a book I will refer to often. I purchased a ‘Used-Very Good’ copy and book arrived in excellent condition consistent with description by the seller.
One person found this helpful
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Ladyrattles
5.0 out of 5 stars Really good book
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 17, 2023
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This is a core textbook for my creative writing masters. It’s great for screenwriting or writing novels. The material is very easy to understand.
6 people found this helpful
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Pratyush Sinha
5.0 out of 5 stars Must buy (if you wish to write a screenplay)
Reviewed in India on February 1, 2022
Verified Purchase
Great book for anyone who wishes to learn about screenwriting for films. Story by Robet McKee is the Bible of screenplay writing.
One person found this helpful
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