Ink Spots: Collected Writings on Story Structure, Filmmaking and Craftsmanship

by Brian McDonald

Ink Spots is a collection of brief but powerful essays on writing, story structure and filmmaking by award-winning writer/director/producer Brian McDonald. With inspiring wit and wisdom, he will not only teach you how to be a better writer, but a more observant person and a better student in any field. You'll find yourself uncontrollably thinking deeply and analytically about writing, film or anything else you are passionate about in life.

Genres: Writing, Nonfiction, Audiobook, Art

148 pages, Paperback

First published November 14, 2012

About the author

Brian McDonald has taught his story seminar at PIXAR, DISNEY FEATURE ANIMATIION and George Lucas' ILM. His award-winning short film WHITE FACE has run on HBO and Cinemax and is used in corporations nation-wide as a diversity-training tool.

Reviews

[Natalie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found Brian McDonald's approach to storytelling to be outdated, and I wish that he had woven his blog posts together into a more cohesive whole rather than just copying and pasting. There are some good tidbits, but mostly, he just raves about how movies aren't good anymore, but he doesn't actually do a proper story examination of any current films.

[Laura Reinhardt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good information but since this is a compilation of blog posts there’s a bit of repetition.

[Lukas Damgaard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though a bit repetitive, this book is worth multiple readings for all of its nuggets of pure story wisdom.

[Taylor Clogston · Rating 4 out of 5]

As an addendum to Invisible Ink: A Practical Guide to Building Stories That Resonate and The Golden Theme: How to Make Your Writing Appeal to the Highest Common Denominator, it's not bad. It's a collection of blog posts which variously say "modern cinema is terrible because everyone relies on special effects and intellectualism instead of craftsmanship and heart, a great artist is humble and always looking to become the best they can be, and dogged study of your art's classics is a richly rewarding endeavor which young and impatient artists think they don't have time for." He says it in a much more interesting way than I do, of course.

Certain anecdotes and examples are repeated a few times as a consequence of the blog collection format. Editing the posts into a coherent book would have addressed this, but it didn't happen.

Despite my hand-wavey summary, I think the content is worth four stars, if not any money. Thankfully, it's all available on McDonald's blog so you don't have to pay for it.

[Stan Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating, and not just for film buffs


This was my first exposure to McDonald's work, but I really liked what he has to say. He really puts his finger on what's wrong with today's movies: too many of them don't bother to tell a story. Again and again, he makes the case for STORY, but somehow he never gets strident or preachy. In short essays (excuse me, blog posts), he shows what we get with the great films and don't get with the CGI-heavy blockbusters: a story with a beginning, a middle, and an end. I never understood the three-act structure before, but he makes it crystal clear.

There's also a terrific life lesson in stories he tells: if you want to be good at something, learn everything you can from the people who came before you. That's not just screenwriting, obviously.

My own rating system assigns 4 stars to a book that I'll want to read again, and this one qualifies. McDonald's style is clear and engaging, he says what he has to say without wasting words, and what he has to say is worth hearing.

[Jeremy Reed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brian McDonald has brilliant insight into the world of screenwriting, and more importantly the world of storytelling. No matter what your passion, if you are an artist, this book needs reading. McDonald offers some incredible advice to help every aspiring artist to create the best work possible.

[Cherie Kephart · Rating 5 out of 5]

McDonald's books are valuable assets for all authors, especially those writing screenplays. Succinct, and informative, I am a big fan.

[Frank Peak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome.

Brian McDonald is a genius. I enjoy reading anything by him because he breaks it down better than anyone in a manner you can easily see.