22 Responses to “Robert McKee — Worth Watching”

1. Karel on Saturday: 24 April 2010|2021

   You go see McKee for entertainment. Even if you’ve read the book, it’s like going to a rock concert. Same songs, just more exciting.

   That said, I find him great on the particularities of Scene Design (beats, dialogue, style) but rather poor on story structure. Big irony, given the title of the book.

   And I keep asking people to clearly explain to me how you can actually USE his definition of ‘Controlling Idea’. I don’t think you can. It’s nice for analysts but a waste of time for writers.

   In the late eighties, early nineties he introduced a season of classic movies on BBC2 and I was wondering if anyone would have the transcripts of those intros. They were EXCELLENT.

   I still have THE ASPHALT JUNGLE somewhere on VHS… Riveting stuff.

2. Christian H. on Saturday: 24 April 2010|2024

   McKee does have a firm opinion and some knowledge. As I said in the previous post – well hey I’m only the 25th post – I believe that exposure to disparate techniques and opinions can further your internal discourse. Some people call that voice. I tend to think of screenwriting like any other science – it has rules. Some can be bent some can’t.

   I’m beginning to think that people are taking it too seriously – perhaps reflected in the “personality” aspect you mentioned.

   WAIT’LL THEY GET A LOAD A ME.

   I feel though that McKee injects too much of his own personality. Interesting guy if you’ve got a couple grand burning a hole in your pocket – unless UNK tells you you can save some dough and buy an audio.

   He does have some notable “attendees.”

   The key to screenwriting is letting go of your opinion and thinking about entertainment value – even if you’re the only person you entertain. You can write another script.

   What may be my first credit is far from where I thought I would be but it does get me more hand-on experience filming – I may bid for the services of your RED especially if you upgraded to M-X.

   By hook or by crook, I will make my move to LA worth it. I already got a job in my day-job field.

3. Unk on Saturday: 24 April 2010|2047

   Christian,

   I know a guy with a RED that needs work badly and has CHOPPED his fee to the BONE.

   And he’s OUTSTANDING.

   Just let me know.

   Unk

4. Tweets that mention Robert McKee — Worth Watching | -- Topsy.com on Saturday: 24 April 2010|2208

   [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Karel Segers and dave saw, Mike Palma. Mike Palma said: #indiefilm #film RT @ozzywood: ONE HOUR video of McKee: http://bit.ly/9ilSUj (UNK on fire!) #scriptchat #screenwri… http://bit.ly/aQPave [...]

5. Christian H. on Saturday: 24 April 2010|2242

   UNK:
   :-) to be continued…

   I listened to the whole interview and he was more comfortable rather than reactive – a better scenario. I took some notes and have a few new posts from it. He says that he hopes that he gives writers “something to think about.” The key to advancement is discourse…even if you talk to the video.

   Again, we have our disagreements but the constructive view allows for expansion of theory and perhaps more “marketable” stories and writing.

   I’m glad he expounded on his TV vs. Cinema successes. Quite the insight – something to consider – perhaps indicative of the theorist vs. the marketer.

   His biggest hurdle with me is “known curriculum accreditation” though the climb would be easier if his publishers participated in Amazon’s “LOOK INSIDE” feature – a screening process I use.

   My purchased literature is important because I am currently relying on the Internet more than the library – don’t have time to enjoy the chairs.

6. Christian H. on Saturday: 24 April 2010|2249

   Off topic, sort of. Maybe you can understand this rant.

   HOO- motherfucking, leg swabby, wit the gear, piece of weak-kneed shit – YAH!!

   You only think I’m surrounded.

7. MaryAn Batchellor on Saturday: 24 April 2010|2308

   Before I watch, will it fuel my insecurities?

8. Unk on Saturday: 24 April 2010|2321

   MaryAnita…

   Insecurities?

   You?

   Never.

   Unk

9. Robert on Sunday: 25 April 2010|1420

   “M. Knight Sugarman” LOL!

   “Great technique with nothing to say.”

   “Film school guys are retro-garde not avant-garde when they try to pass off the mind-fuck story as some sort of original work.”

   “I don’t want to be loved”

   Such a wonderful interview… thanks for sharing.
   How to embed?

10. mark kassab on Monday: 26 April 2010|0321

    I attend his talk in Sydney, Australia and he was great, no bullshit, he swears like a trooper and does not apologies. He’s hardcore about screen writing and said something I remember everyday your name is your currency and when you write a great script it will be made. Just write a great story simple! :)

11. Lenny on Monday: 26 April 2010|0937

    Thanks for a great post Unk.

    McKee is brilliant. His idea of content getting worse is a matter of opinion. For him, Casablanca may be rich in content, and The Matrix – bullshit. Me, I couldn’t give a fuck about a gloomy bartender moping around ’cause his girl left him, and I think The Matrix is awesome.

    Hollywood is in the business of making popcorn movies, not solving the world’s problems. The most a screenwriter can hope for is that their work sheds light on a certain aspect of the human condition, inspires and creates debate. But, stop wars, greed and poverty? I would love to know of any movie in history that made such an impact.

12. Baby Bones on Tuesday: 27 April 2010|0043

    I’ve read a few books on screenwriting, and McKee’s was the most informative and passionate. I recommended it to a screenwriter friend of mine who needed to find a good textbook for an introductory screenwriting course that he would be teaching. After the course had finished, he told me that it really helped his students learn the basics, and they all performed above his expectations. That was probably the best plug I’ve ever heard for Story.

13. Chris on Wednesday: 28 April 2010|0714

    Good video, thanks for the Link Unk.

    I gained some perspective on the idea of having specific events on a specific page too. I’ve had that “rule” ground into my head from screenwriting classes to web and book resources and even from other screenwriters. Though to be fair, as a beginner the only screenwriters I have easy access too is other beginners.

    It just clicked for me when he said that he thought it was bad advice. It’s always felt uncomfortable to me. I just don’t think I know enough about screenwriting to determine what guidance I could safely manipulate to fit my writing. I’ve just been trying to force my writing to fit those beats.

    I suppose knowing what not to do is probably a common problem area for beginners. I try to gobble up every bit of advice or instruction I can, but I don’t have the experience or tools to filter it. So everything gets through, good, bad or completely useless.

    That’s one of the reason I prefer reading bad scripts to good scripts when it comes to learning. They are much more helpful at my level of understanding (or lack thereof).

14. Unk on Wednesday: 28 April 2010|1805

    Chris,

    Understandable but the reality of Hollywood and selling a spec is that you really do need to be AWARE of these structural elements. That’s what I call ‘em.

    I won’t sit here and tell anyone to hit certain elements on certain pages because it just doesn’t work that way with every story and screenplay but those are good place cards to be AWARE OF.

    WHY?

    Because invariably you’re going to be rewriting that first, second, and successive draft — AS WELL YOU SHOULD until you get right.

    Structural elements — even knowing the approximate lengths of scenes, where the inciting incident should be, etc. are all good things to know when it comes to tweaking and polishing that final draft.

    I would never tell anyone to follow something specifically because again, story and screenplay dictate where everything needs to end up but all good things to know in the back of your head when it comes to the final draft.

    Unk

15. Chris on Thursday: 29 April 2010|0842

    Unk,

    So if you and I were each building a house from completely different plans. The ’structural elements’ would be our load-bearing beams.

    In the end our houses would look completely different from one another. Even our load-bearing beams might be in different places, but as long as we use them where our respective houses need support, they won’t collapse.

    I imagine these elements work best when you can utilize them subconsciously. When it’s second nature. Thinking about them seems to take away from thinking about the story.

    Of course, I know that ability only comes with time and practice. So I’ll let you know how that goes in about ten years and a dozen scripts.

    Maybe then I’ll know enough to write one that is worth reading. :)

    Thanks for the insight. I really appreciate it.

16. Unk on Thursday: 29 April 2010|0912

    Chris,

    Exactly. We’re both building a house but we’re both building houses that, in the end will look differently but everyone will know that what they are seeing is in fact a house.

    Load-bearing beams… Headers. Fire stops… Yada yada. Every house needs them so you make sure they get put in because if you don’t the prospects looking at the house won’t want to buy it.

    Unk

17. Chris on Thursday: 29 April 2010|1149

    Unk,

    Sweet, Thanks again. Now I just need to work on the “something to say” part.

    I mean, its not hard to come up with a core message to build from. Anyone can do that. Just open a news paper, close your eyes and point.

    But do I really give a shit about X topic or Y event? Probably not.

    The hard part has been being truthful to myself and starting from a place I really care about. Without that I just foresee a huge block or ultimately, abandoning the script.

18. Bob W. on Friday: 14 May 2010|1212

    Hey, Unk…Thanks for the video. I have his Story Audio Tape and found this video to be informative.

    I did find VERY interesting his comment that there are “worse” things than DEATH! I’m going to have to ponder that notion…

    Bob

19. Andy on Saturday: 15 May 2010|0934

    HEY UNK,

    I NEVER MET ONE FILM PROFESSOR OR SCRIPT GURU
    WHO CAN WRITE A SCRIPT LIKE “UNUSUAL SUSPECT’ OR “PULP FICTION” OR “LADY IN THE WATER” OR “PLATOON” OR “SCARFACE”…

    WORST I NEVER MET A FILM SCRIPT GURU WHO CAN WRITE A NOVEL LIKE SOMETHING LIKE WHAT MARIO PUZO WROTE OR SOMETHING LIKE LEAVING LAS VEGAS…

    HONESTLY, DID I WASTE MY TIME WATCH THIS VIDEO?

    ARE SCRIPT GURU STEALING OUR MONEY?

20. Blake on Tuesday: 25 May 2010|1748

    Andy,

    CAPS LOCK – turn it off. Learn how to spell and write semi-coherently before criticizing others who spend their lives reading and writing. It’s “The Usual Suspects.” The title is based on a line from…oh forget it.
    Yes, they are stealing your money. Yes, you wasted your time watching the video. Probably should stop reading blogs about screenwriting too. Or anything at all about movies. Just write a great one! It’s so easy!

21. Eight Women Dream on Wednesday: 26 May 2010|1013

    One of our dreamers (Toni) has a screenplay she has been shopping with one of our other dreamers (Laurie) and I enjoy their stories about pitching and the like. I found your site on accident and I am going to have to send her the link – hilarious – love the swearing and your point of view.
    Catherine

22. Pit Bull on Friday: 25 June 2010|0857

    Blake,
    I AM A RAPPER AND SCREENWRITER.
    I DO WHAT I WANT. I DON’T LISTEN TO YOU.
    I DON’T LISTEN TO TEACHERS. AND ESPECIALLY DON’T LISTEN TO SCRIPT GURU. I WRITE LIKE THIS SO YOU GET THE POINT. LIVE LIFE. SCREW TEACHERS.

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