Many thanks to Lesley, who has boiled down Robert McKee’s STORY for us into ten handy bitesize chunks to help us write our screenplays AND novels! Enjoy …
McKee on world building in your story
“If the story you’re telling, is the story you’re telling, you’re in deep shit.” Robert McKee
The above quote sounds quite controversial, doesn’t it? But then, Robert McKee IS controversial. Many people call him a screenwriting guru, but why is he so popular?We can’t name anything extraordinary at once: he is a writing instructor, he travels a lot with his Story workshop, he teaches authors to write and he tells directors how to make movies.
“There are too many so-called gurus!” you might say. And you are right! However, McKee is a man who teaches Hollywood. They say the only celebrity who has never attended McKee’s seminar is Steven Spielberg … And all the others were either his followers or enemies!
But McKee is a writing expert worth your attention, if you dream of winning an Oscar for “Best Original Screenplay”. McKee will not teach you any mechanical aspects of writing (though they are important for every author to remember). This man will reveal secrets on making every aspect of your story hit the target, no matter what you write – a movie script, OR a novel:
1. Protagonist
There is one very important thing for you to remember and keep in mind while writing: the protagonist of your story should have A GOAL, as all the events that happen to him will influence the ways he chooses to achieve this goal. One event should be present in every scene of your script; do not write any additional scenes to tell a biography of your character, because it will make the audience bored. They should learn the protagonist from the events he takes part in. MORE: 9 Ways To Write Great Characters
2. Antagonist
Together with a protagonist, your antagonist plays a very important role in the story, and you should never underestimate him! The stronger and craftier your protagonist is, the more interesting it will be for your audience to observe his confrontation and struggle with the protagonist. MORE: Beyond “Goodies Vs. Baddies”
3. Obstacles
A protagonist should always overcome different obstacles to achieve his GOAL; so, if you do not have them in your story – create them! But remember: these obstacles must be clear and understandable for the audience, they should see how the protagonist risks and sacrifices something very important to reach his goal, plus how he demonstrates his will and spirit. MORE: Yves Lavandier’s Notion Of Climbing Walls, “Each Bigger Than The Last”
4. Turning point
Never write a scene where nothing important is gonna happen! Illustrate a protagonist’s deeds and actions in every scene of your story, make these actions a turning point of the story, let them demonstrate the protagonist’s motivation without creating any separate scenes for it. MORE: 20 Killer Errors In Scenes
5. Dialogue
As we know, actions can provide much more information than words; that is why you should not write dialogue when you have an opportunity to illustrate something with characters’ actions instead. Dialogue should be clever, witty, and clear for the audience to understand and take enough information from them. Learn to say much with minimum words. MORE: Daniel Martin Eckhart, “An Ounce Of Behavior Is Worth A Pound Of Words”
6. Monologues
No one is interested in didactic stories where speech is similar to some kind of a sermon. Do not write long monologues to teach obvious things to the audience: they will understand the moral of your story without all those monotonous homilies we all hated to hear in school! MORE: 6 Reasons Dialogue Is Your Enemy
7. Your research
Being a writer, you clearly understand what a writer’s block is: it’s that unpleasant moment when you have no idea what to write about. The ugly truth is such a block usually appears because of a lack of information (not inspiration. So, read books and make your own research to use this information together with your imagination and personal experience. Often, imagination is not enough for a really epic scene’s creation. MORE: The Importance Of Research
8. Words you use
Scriptwriting differs a bit from writing a novel. When a person (an actor, a producer, a director) reads your script, they should have a clear picture of every scene; so, think carefully of the words you use. Try to name objects and describe actions clearly, using vivid words. MORE: Film Doctor, Tighten Your Writing
9. Your fears
90% of your writings is trash. It’s sad… but true. It could be years before you succeed; so, get ready for a long and difficult road to success. Do not be afraid of failure; it is a natural part of achievement! If at least 10% of your writing ends up good, you may consider yourself a lucky guy already. MORE: Self Belief: Can Do Attitude
10. Your beliefs
Your readers are not idiots, and they will never believe the concept of your story if you do not believe it yourself. Remember, your story is your own vision of this life; so, be honest with your audience and write about your own beliefs to make others believe you. MORE: All About Your Writer’s “Voice”
What do you think of these tips from Robert McKee? Share your thoughts in comments!
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BIO: Lesley J. Vos is a novice writer. She works as a private educator of French language and a blog writer of Bid4Papers company. Lesley gets ready to publish her first e-book this year and you are always welcome to contact her via Google Plus.
Once, when McKee was brought over to London by the BBC he was given what he assumed to be a spec script of a new show. He tore it apart, saying it didn’t work and needed something like a Satanism subplot. The show was The Vicar of Dibley.
LOL, wondered when the McKee-bashing would start 😉
Don’t get me wrong – I really like his ideas.
Plus he shouted at me when I was faced with the dilemma of hearing his closing speech or going for a pee. I didn’t want to wet myself so took the tongue-lashing. However, his wife felt sorry for me and we shared a bottle of wine in the green room, so good things came of it.
Yes he is quite scary, though I too would take the shouting over peeing myself in public, any day! haha
The quote is wrong at the start. McKee says: If the scene you’re writing is the scene you’re writing then you’re in deep shit” he ascribes it to being an old Hollywood axiom. Basically it means load your scene with subtext.
“Basically it means load your scene with subtext.”
Yes. That’s what I took the quote to mean, TBH.
I am a journalist for the U.S. Army and have been for the past six-years. I pondered the idea that I could create and tell a story as a writer does. Most people I’ve encountered, recent and in my past, advised me to find an interest in writing a book as my life, from what I’m told captures others, from the obstacle’s I’ve endured and how enlightened I make others feel. So, I enjoyed this brief synopsis on sequencing your thoughts towards writing and I see more vivid the basic structure to write a piece and I would like to learn so much more.
What is with all the male pronouns?
Not sure why it matters, but do note how often female pronouns are used instead on this blog, plus the pictures etc overwhelmingly depict female writers/hands/chartacters etc.