Story

Substance, Structure, Style, and the Principles of Screenwriting

By: Robert McKee

Narrated by: Robert McKee

Robert McKee's screenwriting workshops have earned him an international reputation for inspiring novices, refining works in progress, and putting major screenwriting careers back on track. Quincy Jones, Diane Keaton, Gloria Steinem, Julia Roberts, John Cleese, and David Bowie are just a few of his celebrity alumni. Writers, producers, development executives, and agents all flock to his lecture series, praising it as a mesmerizing and intense learning experience.

In Story, McKee expands on the concepts he teaches in his $450 seminars (considered a must by industry insiders), providing listeners with the most comprehensive, integrated explanation of the craft of writing for the screen. No one better understands how all the elements of a screenplay fit together, and no one is better qualified to explain the "magic" of story construction and the relationship between structure and character than Robert McKee.

©1997 Robert McKee (P)1997, 2005 HarperCollins Publishers, Inc.

Critic reviews

"The man speaks, and people start to take furious notes; he is now the undisputed screenwriting king." (Newsday)

Must read for anyone interested in screen writing.

The author explains screen writing concepts with clear examples. Now I know why Nollywood films bore me to death!

Updated version

My only wish is that the updated version of the book was on audible. I tried to read along and there was a large degree of difference. At the same time, this audiobook was essentially a spark notes version of the expanded version that I have and I still learned so much from it. Fantastic work.

As good as it is popular.

I’ve been meaning to take a look at this book for about a year now as it keeps popping up everywhere I go to look for information on screenwriting. I’m really very glad to have had it read to me by the author himself. The book offers some really helpful insights not only into screenwriting but storytelling as a whole. Expect to be fascinated by all the nuts and bolts that go into the construct of a good story. My favourite part of the book is the final chapter as it, in a way, sums up what good storytelling is like, and I so absolutely digg! I give it 4/5 only because I haven’t read many of the stories (or seen the movies) mentioned in the book which are then deconstructed and analysed in order to give us an example of what good plots are like and that I could not relate much. Even then this book is a must-read for anybody who has been wanting to demystify good storytelling and I’m absolutely sure you will give it 5 stars when you do!

Wow! Can't imagine a better intro to the subject.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Absolutely, and I have. You not only learn the concepts and many interesting examples that should help one to improve one's own writing, but the book also gives you the tools to better appreciate the films you see.

What other book might you compare Story to and why?

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Which character – as performed by Robert McKee – was your favorite?

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If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

"The movie they said could NEVER be made. Because there's no screenplay!"

Any additional comments?

Great book. Gotta get it.

Great book for more than just writing.

This is an insightful, intelligent book. I dont agree with all of the author's assertions (mostly on process), but it's still phenomenal. If it's not textbook for all writing programs, it should be.

Excellent insight.

By far, the most comprehensive tutorial I've found yet. Listened to it more than once just to absorb it all.

McKee knows his stuff.

Where does Story rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

For a reference book it is tops. McKee is a master screenwriting instructor and historian of the form. I wish more screenwriters would reference his book, maybe we'd get some half way decent movies produced rather than what we are suffering through now. McKee is old school and knows what a good screenplay requires to get the STORY told.

Learn to tell a story.

All the elements of the story are taught in this book. If you want to learn the craft of storytelling then this is for you. It is hard work but worth it.

One of the best books on screenwriting ever

I have read and re-read “Story.” McKee has improved my process and understanding of the craft tremendously.

My Bible for Writing

I've been reading and listening to this book since 2003 and admit to always gleaning from it.