Robert McKee's Blog, page 4

Where does ‘truth’ in story come from, if not from suffering?

And what constitutes ‘truth’ in story? Robert McKee explores how stories make meaning.   Quote of the Week: “Suffering is no more drama than Happiness is. Happiness and Suffering  are the static states of emotion experience in which nothing changes. And if nothing changes nothing happens. And if nothing happens, there is no story.” - Robert McKee […]

How Do I Pitch a New Venture Using Story?

Everyone loves an underdog. Robert McKee explains the problem with traditional business pitches, and the advantages of demonstrating the challenges you face.     Quotes of the Week:  “Business is a combination of war and sport.” - Andre Maurois “Once upon a time you went to war with products and services. Today, the stories we […]

How to Create a Great Short Work

Telling a Story in One Act Short films, advertisements, and water cooler stories all require a quick entry, a turn, and an exit. Robert McKee explains what makes them work well. For the list of Oscar-nominated short films mentioned in the video, please click here.

Do You Understand Your Protagonist’s Desires?

Conscious vs. Unconscious Desire A protagonist may want something and not know it, or may want something and know it. Things are different for the writer. Robert McKee explains why.

Is Suffering the Root of Good Writing and Art?

Robert McKee explains what is at the root of writing a great story or creating great art, and why it may or may not come from a history of suffering and pain.

What Makes a Story Uniquely Told?

In story design, what matters most? Action or reaction? “In story, as in life, the number of different events that can happen to a human being is limited. You win or lose; you fall in love or out; you suffer injustice or get revenge; you become a better person or worse, you live or you […]

How Can I Write a Timeless Story?

Robert McKee responds to a question about consciously trying to write a classic, and discusses whether approaching your writing in that way is worthwhile. A few suggestions about how to write from other writers: Every good storyteller nowadays starts with the end, and then goes on to the beginning and concludes with the middle. - Oscar […]

Do Your Scenes Turn?

Changing the Positive and Negative Charges of a Value to Create Truly Effective Scenes. From Robert McKee’s bestseller, Story: Substance, Structure, Style, and the Principles of Screenwriting (also available as an audio book): “A SCENE is an action through conflict in more or less continuous time and space that turns the value-charged condition of a […]

Are Video Games Art?

Robert McKee discusses the storytelling potential of video games, and helps to frame the “Game vs. Art” debate by delineating the key difference in the experience each aims to provide: the required activity or passivity of the audience.   Bassim El-Wakil on the debate: The “Are Games Art?” debate is something that has been talked […]