What Distinguishes Thrillers from Horror?
Robert McKee details the key difference between the Thriller and Horror genres.
Crime Story Conventions
Robert McKee teaches the principles writers need to consider when beginning a crime story, and just how complex the genre can become when plotting clues.
Refining Your Major Dramatic Question
Robert explains why it’s not unusual for writers to revise and change key elements of their stories during the writing process.
Are Character Payoffs Always Emotional?
Robert teaches how writers must choose wisely when deciding whether to make payoffs expositional, emotional, or both.
Can Clichés Ever Be Useful?
Robert McKee explains how skilled writers can draw upon a deep knowledge of storytelling tradition in order to create a unique tale.
Creating Intrigue Through Character Backstory
Robert McKee teaches how the revelation of secrets can be used to drive your story towards a powerful climax.
Does Your Antagonist Risk Upstaging Your Protagonist?
McKee teaches how the relative complexity of characters affects the audience, and the strategies a writer can use to ensure empathy is not pulled away from the protagonist.
Can Conflict Be Left Unresolved?
Robert answers an attendee’s question about whether it is acceptable to leave some of your protagonist’s struggles unresolved at climax.
How Do You Reveal a Character’s Hidden Nature?
Robert answers an attendee’s question about how to reach an understanding of the true nature of a character before revealing it to the audience.
Developing Your Characters
Robert McKee shares insight into how to develop your characters through the use of dimensions and contradictions within your cast.
Planning Your Characters
Robert teaches how character growth and the discovery of new dimensions is normal during the creative process.
Complication vs. Complexity in Story
Robert McKee teaches the different ways a writer can use conflict to either complicate the life of their protagonist, or create a truly complex story.