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carodonahue's review against another edition
4.0
as a newbie (and a scared newbie at that_ screenwriter, i thought i would give this a go before diving into script frenzy. i am very excited to approach this new challenge. the rules he presents you with are very reasuring to those of us who have little experience, but long-term writers may find them restrictive. either way, there is sure to be something thought-provoking in this book for the writer of any sort. at the very least i have to love someone who comes out and takes a stand in favor of story over silly effects for no good reason. that puts me on his side right away. i'll have to see if it translates into any kind of coherent script next month...
maatersi's review against another edition
5.0
A really good book for the understanding of the structure of storytelling. It's more directed to a screenplay, but I found it useful for other media.
anillak's review against another edition
4.0
I didn't have the intention to remember all of the cool things from this book, so I didn't make notes, I listened to the audio book while on the beach. In this setting I really liked it. I recommend it to people who like cinema and are interested in screenwriting at least a little bit.
karenrubio's review against another edition
5.0
This book is absolutely fantastic. For those that want to be great writers should read this. This book will make you a better writer, a better reader and a better critic.
salman_israr's review against another edition
5.0
Best book I have read on storytelling yet!
Must read for all storytellers out there who are into long format of storytelling (documentary films, feature films, novels, and other types of story books)
Must read for all storytellers out there who are into long format of storytelling (documentary films, feature films, novels, and other types of story books)
brockf15's review against another edition
4.0
Like many, my experience with McKee was mostly my impression from Adaptation, and it’s apparent Charlie Kaufman read this work and only did hum dirty in the most entertaining of ways. Nobody preaching on process will do so without conviction, and neither will their process match yours entirely, it’s merely guidance for the young and studious(like myself) to compile with all the other methods we’ve been taught from all our other mentors.
With that said, go watch the Clouzot masterpiece Diabolique before reading, as McKee unashamedly spoils it!!!
With that said, go watch the Clouzot masterpiece Diabolique before reading, as McKee unashamedly spoils it!!!
larrys's review against another edition
4.0
Before reading this book I'd highly recommend watching a lot of old films -- the ones listed at the end. Someone has kindly put that list on the Internet (along with the disclaimer that the list contains a lot of shit, but I suspect McKee's thoughts on watching shit match up with Stephen King's thoughts on reading shit -- you have to do it if you want to learn about story.) Anyway, here's that list:
http://letterboxd.com/watchinpreacher/list/robert-mckees-story-filmography/
Chinatown, Casablanca, Kramer vs. Kramer and Ordinary People and the films of Bergman get a lot of ink, so definitely watch those ones, or his examples won't make as much sense.
After a single read, I have to admit a lot of the diagrams are as clear as mud. These are concepts designed to be studied. Except for one: the diagram on page 45 about classical design was enlightening. Someone put it online:
http://www.zeldadungeon.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/articleGaroZeldaandtheSilverScreen2.jpg
In that chapter, there's also a sister graph which gives examples of films at each part of the triangle. If you'd seen those films, that'd make it crystal clear.
Tonally, this book reads a bit like the rantings of a grumpy old man. After a long career in Hollywood, this is probably justified. But the most annoying thing for me is McKee's way of using the masculine pronoun for everyone except dancers, mothers and victims, which assumes, of course, that the writer is always male. This, too, is probably not a wholly unrealistic assumption about the people who tend to get jobs as film writers.
I read this book not because I'm interested in writing a script for film but because I'm interested in picturebooks, and I'd highly recommend this book to anyone who does any kind of storytelling at all, especially if you like watching movies. Storytelling is a dark art and an ongoing study.
http://letterboxd.com/watchinpreacher/list/robert-mckees-story-filmography/
Chinatown, Casablanca, Kramer vs. Kramer and Ordinary People and the films of Bergman get a lot of ink, so definitely watch those ones, or his examples won't make as much sense.
After a single read, I have to admit a lot of the diagrams are as clear as mud. These are concepts designed to be studied. Except for one: the diagram on page 45 about classical design was enlightening. Someone put it online:
http://www.zeldadungeon.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/articleGaroZeldaandtheSilverScreen2.jpg
In that chapter, there's also a sister graph which gives examples of films at each part of the triangle. If you'd seen those films, that'd make it crystal clear.
Tonally, this book reads a bit like the rantings of a grumpy old man. After a long career in Hollywood, this is probably justified. But the most annoying thing for me is McKee's way of using the masculine pronoun for everyone except dancers, mothers and victims, which assumes, of course, that the writer is always male. This, too, is probably not a wholly unrealistic assumption about the people who tend to get jobs as film writers.
I read this book not because I'm interested in writing a script for film but because I'm interested in picturebooks, and I'd highly recommend this book to anyone who does any kind of storytelling at all, especially if you like watching movies. Storytelling is a dark art and an ongoing study.