Robert McKee's Blog, page 2

How Can I Develop My Character Quickly?

When asked how to accelerate the development of characters, Robert McKee explains how every turning point, even those without a character in them, can reveal something about a character.   Quote of the Week: “Stories are not made of words. Stories are not made of pictures necessarily. They’re not made of music. Stories are made […]

EDGE OF TOMORROW: A Short Film Review by Robert McKee

Tom Cruise gives a wonderful performance in EDGE OF TOMORROW, with a combination of heroism and “are you kidding me?” We know that a time travel film is a convention of absurdity so there’s often a comic, tongue-in-cheek sense of “look, you and I know this is rather ridiculous but let’s agree that it’s not for […]

What Is a Testing Plot?

In this two-part Q&A, Robert McKee discusses the inciting incident and struggle of this somewhat rare story. In Part 1, McKee explains the nature of a testing plot. If you’re considering using a testing plot,  recall that these can often be mixed with other plots, as in the examples McKee provides in Part 2.   Quote of […]

How Do I Write the Opposite Sex?

Can a female author write a convincing male character, or vice versa? What would a man do in this situation? What would a woman do? Robert McKee explains what either one would do and how a great writer can capture the truth authentically.     Quote of the Week: “If he is indeed wise he does […]

What’s the Difference Between Exposition and Set-Up?

Robert McKee explains how setting and exposition can be set-ups for future scenes.     Featured Video “Assassinating Rommel” – THE DESERT FOX (1951) This week’s featured clip is an example of how to combine exposition, resolution, action, and a set-up.  

What? You Want to Tell Them the Ending First?

Can a film still be enjoyable if the audience knows how it will end? Sometimes the audience wants to know what will happen. Sometimes it already knows but still gets something out of the film. Robert McKee explains the difference.   Quotes of the Week: “Surely all art is the result of one’s having been in danger, […]

Should Comic Characters be Soulless?

It seems that it could be hard to laugh at a character’s misfortune if you empathize too much. Robert McKee explains what distinguishes a comic character from a dramatic character.      Quotes of the Week: “The analysis of character is the highest human entertainment.” - Isaac Bashevis Singer   “Nothing in man is more serious […]

Could My Story Have Two Inciting Incidents?

When it comes to starting a story, is less more, or is more more? Robert McKee explains why any writing question that starts with “Could I?” has the same answer, then provides insight into inciting incidents.      Quotes of the Week: “When you start to write you get all the kick and the reader gets […]

How Do I Use Story in a Keynote Address?

Robert McKee explains why, how, when, and where Story is best used in public speaking.     Quotes of the Week: “People don’t have 30 seconds to be interrupted, but they always have 30 minutes to hear a good story.” - Jon Thomas   “Why was Solomon recognized as the wisest man in the world? Because he […]

How Does Myth Convey Truth?

Robert McKee uses a question about truth in PAN’S LABYRINTH to explore the relationship between truth, myth, and story, and to encourage writers to find their own truths and, even, their own myths.     Quotes of the Week: “First, we must ask, does it have to be a whale? While this is a rather delightful, […]