FADE IN:
INT. WRITER'S ROOM - DAY
A clean, well-lighted place. A WRITER sits at a mahogany desk. The cursor blinks on a blank page.
WRITER
(confident)
I know exactly where this is going.
He reaches for his coffee. Takes a sip. Smiles. It is a perfect day.
Suddenly, the room SHAKES. The coffee spills. The walls begin to close in.
STORY
"Substance, Structure, Style, and the Principles of Screenwriting"
by Robert McKee
THE WRITER
The Art of Story
Story is not about formulas; it is about form. The decline of modern storytelling is not due to a lack of talent, but a lack of craft.
ENTER SCENESelect a corner to explore the spectrum
THE ELEMENTS
Structure and Character
Characterization is the mask. True Character waits behind it, revealed only through choice under pressure.
ENTER SCENEComposed
THE PRINCIPLES
The Substance of Story
A Beat is an exchange of behavior. Ideally, every scene is a Turning Point that changes the value-charged condition of a life.
ENTER SCENE"A Beat is an exchange of behavior in action/reaction. Beat by Beat these changing behaviors shape the turning of a scene."
THE PRINCIPLES
The Substance of Story
A Beat is an exchange of behavior. Ideally, every scene is a Turning Point that changes the value-charged condition of a life.
ENTER SCENE"A Beat is an exchange of behavior in action/reaction. Beat by Beat these changing behaviors shape the turning of a scene."
THE WRITER AT WORK
Text and Subtext
If a scene is about what the scene is about, you're in deep shit. The Subtext is the hidden life under the surface.
ENTER SCENE"I'm fine."
"Are you sure?"
"Just tired."
"I AM BROKEN."
"YOU'RE LYING."
"HELP ME."
Move Prism to Reveal Subtext
HOVER TO MAGNETIZE
THE CONTROLLING IDEA
Meaning and Emotion
A true theme is not a word; it is a sentence. It expresses the core meaning of the story and aligns every beat, scene, and sequence like a magnetic field.
THE SOURCE MATERIAL
The Bible of Screenwriting
For over 25 years, Robert McKee's STORY has been the definitive guide for writers, directors, and producers. Master the craft.
STORY
Robert McKee
"The bible for screenwriters." — The New York Times
FURTHER STUDIES
The Curriculum
Storytelling is a lifelong discipline. Expand your understanding of myth, structure, and character with these essential texts.
The Hero with a Thousand Faces
Joseph Campbell
Campbell reveals the universal patterns that underlie all great stories. His monomyth framework complements McKee's structural approach.
Save the Cat!
Blake Snyder
Snyder distills Hollywood's proven formulas into practical templates. Perfect for writers seeking commercial success.
The Anatomy of Story
John Truby
Truby's 22-step story structure offers an alternative to three-act paradigms. Essential for understanding character-driven narratives.