What’s the Difference Between Conscious Desire, Unconscious Desire, and Need?
Robert McKee teaches the difference between desire and need in characters, with reference to the film CARNAL KNOWLEDGE.
What Has Caused the Crisis in Storytelling Today?
Robert McKee explains the state of story today, and how writers committed to studying the craft can take advantage of this.
Your Inciting Incident | The Story of a Writer (Part 1)
Your Inciting Incident The story of any writer begins with the desire to put to page, stage or screen a universal truth of the world, a unique understanding that “life is like this.” Why Do You Write? Perhaps you’re outraged by an injustice in...MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS (2018)
The enmity between Mary and Elizabeth becomes a kind of legal argument that drags on for 40 years. Scenes are thinly disguised prosecution v defense debates over whose queenship is legitimate.
THE FAVOURITE (2018)
Robert McKee’s “Works/Doesn’t Work” Review THE FAVOURITE Written by Deborah Davis & Tony McNamara It Works. (Spoiler Alert!) THE FAVOURITE is my favorite for the Best Picture Oscar in 2019. Here’s four reasons I would love to see it...How Complex Should a Crime Thriller Protagonist Be?
Robert McKee teaches the different dimensional requirements of Crime / Thriller protagonists, with reference to SHERLOCK HOLMES and MR BROOKS.
Widows (2018)
This excellent film merges the Heist (one of the fourteen subgenres of Crime) with subplots of Social Drama, Political Drama and Domestic Drama and uses this mix of genres to revitalize tired conventions.
Has There Been a Rise in Formulaic Storytelling?
Robert McKee discusses the difficulties of producing truly excellent writing and the history of this common problem.
Does a Story Always Need to be Believable?
Robert McKee teaches how “impossible” stories aren’t necessarily “unbelievable”.
Could the Inciting Incident Be Placed In a Flashback?
Robert McKee teaches the benefits and pitfalls of delaying your Inciting Incident, with reference to KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN and THE SIXTH SENSE.
Is it Necessary to Plan Your Story?
McKee discusses the benefits of planning your story and the dangers of “the Vesuvius school of writing”.
How Do I Write Natural Dialogue?
Robert McKee explains how poorly handled exposition can lead to ineffective dialogue.