About
Robert McKee occupies a unique crossroads in modern media storytelling, a position…
Articles by Robert
Activity
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"Is All Subtext Manipulative?" In this week's video lesson, McKee explains the purpose of subtext, and the difference between manipulation and…
"Is All Subtext Manipulative?" In this week's video lesson, McKee explains the purpose of subtext, and the difference between manipulation and…
Shared by Robert McKee
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"Has There Been a Rise in Formulaic Storytelling?" In this week's video lesson, Robert McKee discusses the difficulties of producing truly excellent…
"Has There Been a Rise in Formulaic Storytelling?" In this week's video lesson, Robert McKee discusses the difficulties of producing truly excellent…
Shared by Robert McKee
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"Understanding Your Genre" In this week's video lesson, McKee explains how to learn, and sometimes break, the conventions of your chosen…
"Understanding Your Genre" In this week's video lesson, McKee explains how to learn, and sometimes break, the conventions of your chosen…
Shared by Robert McKee
Experience
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McKee STORY Seminars
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Education
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During his University of Michigan studies, McKee won the Best Directing Award and went on to direct over 60 plays for both University of Michigan and for professional companies such as Toledo Repertory Company, Ann Arbor Civic Theater, and Aaron Deroy Theater in Detroit.
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Attended on Full Evans Scholarship.
Studied Shakespeare under famed teacher Kenneth Rowe.
Publications
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STORY: Substance, Structure, Style, and the Principles of Screenwriting
Harper Collins
- Currently in its 21st printing.
- Still in top 1% of Amazon
- Translated into 25 languages
[From the Book Jacket]
Unlike other popular approaches to screenwriting, STORY is about form, not formula. Employing examples from more than one hundred films, McKee imparts a philosophy that reaches beyond rigid rules to identify the more elusive components that distinguish quality stories from the rest of the pack.
Beginning with basic definitions (What is a beat? A scene?…- Currently in its 21st printing.
- Still in top 1% of Amazon
- Translated into 25 languages
[From the Book Jacket]
Unlike other popular approaches to screenwriting, STORY is about form, not formula. Employing examples from more than one hundred films, McKee imparts a philosophy that reaches beyond rigid rules to identify the more elusive components that distinguish quality stories from the rest of the pack.
Beginning with basic definitions (What is a beat? A scene? A scene sequence? An act climax? A film climax?), McKee not only brilliantly unravels the mysteries of standard three-act dramatic structures but also demystifies atypical structures such as two-act, seven-act, and even eight-act films, exposing the limitations of each genre; spotlighting the importance of theme, setting, and atmosphere; and highlighting the importance of character versus characterization.
But this book goes well beyond the essential mechanics of screenwriting. From concept through final manuscript, STORY elevates writing from an intellectual exercise to an emotional one, transforming the craft of screenwriting into an art form by carefully exploring the subtler considerations at work in film, such as the nature of irony and the symbolic power of image systems. Packed with examples from such films as CASABLANCA and CHINATOWN, McKee expertly dissects classic scenes, guiding us step-by-step as only he can to reveal not only how a scene works but why it works, getting beyond the fundamentals of composition to the enduring values and conflicts that separate the classics from the cliches.
This insightful, practical book has become the gospel for screenwriters everywhere. Hollywood studios don't buy great ideas-- they buy great stories that can capture an audience's imagination. And no one has helped more writers turn great ideas into great stories than Robert McKee.
Projects
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Upcoming Storynomics Seminars
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Los Angeles, 19th May 2015
New York, 16 April 2015
Killarney, 22 May 2015
Amsterdam, 26 May 2015
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Upcoming STORY Seminars
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Los Angeles, 20-22 March 2015
New York, 17-19 April 2015
London May 2015 (TBC)
Honors & Awards
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Cine Eagle Award
Cine Eagle
Won for his short film DAY OFF.
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Artist in Residence
National Theatre in London
Studied Shakespearean production at the Old Vic.
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Short Film Award
Brussels Film Festival
Won for his short film DAY OFF.
Languages
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English
Native or bilingual proficiency
Recommendations received
10 people have recommended Robert
Join now to viewMore activity by Robert
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"Nothing Moves Forward Except Through Conflict" In this week's video lesson, McKee explains why conflict is the heart of story. FULL VIDEO:…
"Nothing Moves Forward Except Through Conflict" In this week's video lesson, McKee explains why conflict is the heart of story. FULL VIDEO:…
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"How Do You Find a Character’s Inner Flaw?" In this week's video lesson, McKee teaches how writers can use the principle of character dimensions to…
"How Do You Find a Character’s Inner Flaw?" In this week's video lesson, McKee teaches how writers can use the principle of character dimensions to…
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"Personal Style Vs. Cliché" In this week's video lesson, McKee explains whether there is a difference between developing a personal writing style…
"Personal Style Vs. Cliché" In this week's video lesson, McKee explains whether there is a difference between developing a personal writing style…
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"How to Engage the Emotions of Your Audience" In this week's video lesson, McKee teaches the importance of creating empathy in order to make your…
"How to Engage the Emotions of Your Audience" In this week's video lesson, McKee teaches the importance of creating empathy in order to make your…
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"Do You Understand Your Protagonist’s Desires?" In this week's video lesson, Robert McKee teaches the importance of knowing your character’s Object…
"Do You Understand Your Protagonist’s Desires?" In this week's video lesson, Robert McKee teaches the importance of knowing your character’s Object…
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"Do Artists Create Culture, Or Does Culture Create Artists?" In this week's video lesson, McKee teaches why it takes time for artists to express…
"Do Artists Create Culture, Or Does Culture Create Artists?" In this week's video lesson, McKee teaches why it takes time for artists to express…
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"Do Your Characters Think for Themselves?" In this week's video lesson, McKee dispels the romantic notion of characters thinking for themselves and…
"Do Your Characters Think for Themselves?" In this week's video lesson, McKee dispels the romantic notion of characters thinking for themselves and…
Shared by Robert McKee
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"Are there Any Good Exercises for Character Creation?" In this week's video lesson, McKee shares some valuable techniques for creating compelling…
"Are there Any Good Exercises for Character Creation?" In this week's video lesson, McKee shares some valuable techniques for creating compelling…
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"How Do You Take the Value of Life/Death to the End of the Line?" In this week's video lesson, McKee teaches the points a story must reach when the…
"How Do You Take the Value of Life/Death to the End of the Line?" In this week's video lesson, McKee teaches the points a story must reach when the…
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"Does a Story Always Need to be Believable?" In this week's video lesson, McKee teaches how impossible stories aren’t necessarily…
"Does a Story Always Need to be Believable?" In this week's video lesson, McKee teaches how impossible stories aren’t necessarily…
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"What Is the Truth of Your Story?" In this week's video lesson, McKee teaches the definition of “truth” in story, and the importance of expressing…
"What Is the Truth of Your Story?" In this week's video lesson, McKee teaches the definition of “truth” in story, and the importance of expressing…
Shared by Robert McKee
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McKee’s Horror and Imagery in Fiction Webinar Series are now both available for a limited time On Demand. If you missed the live lectures, you can…
McKee’s Horror and Imagery in Fiction Webinar Series are now both available for a limited time On Demand. If you missed the live lectures, you can…
Shared by Robert McKee
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"What Is the Essence of Talent?" In this week's video lesson, Robert McKee teaches the nature of talent, and how it is meaningless without…
"What Is the Essence of Talent?" In this week's video lesson, Robert McKee teaches the nature of talent, and how it is meaningless without…
Shared by Robert McKee
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"Do Screenwriters Supply the Film’s Image System?" In this clip from the Q&A portion of Robert McKee’s “Imagery in Media” webinar, Robert teaches…
"Do Screenwriters Supply the Film’s Image System?" In this clip from the Q&A portion of Robert McKee’s “Imagery in Media” webinar, Robert teaches…
Shared by Robert McKee
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"Keeping Your Image System Subconscious" In this clip from the Q&A portion of McKee’s “Sources of Imagery” webinar, Robert teaches the importance of…
"Keeping Your Image System Subconscious" In this clip from the Q&A portion of McKee’s “Sources of Imagery” webinar, Robert teaches the importance of…
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"Whether a story’s content is beautiful or grotesque, spiritual or profane, epic or intimate, it requires full expression." In his brand-new webinar…
"Whether a story’s content is beautiful or grotesque, spiritual or profane, epic or intimate, it requires full expression." In his brand-new webinar…
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Robert McKee concludes his fall program this month with three brand-new masterclasses on how to create images for the eye versus the ear, the art of…
Robert McKee concludes his fall program this month with three brand-new masterclasses on how to create images for the eye versus the ear, the art of…
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