Story

About the Author: Robert McKee

Robert McKee is a legendary figure in the world of screenwriting and storytelling. With a background in theater and film, McKee has spent decades studying and teaching the art of storytelling. He first began teaching his “Story” seminar at the University of Southern California, and it quickly gained popularity. His seminar has since become a cornerstone for aspiring screenwriters, filmmakers, and writers of all kinds. McKee’s influence is profound, and his insights have shaped the way stories are written and understood in Hollywood and beyond.

McKee's work is distinguished by its deep theoretical foundation and practical application. He is known for breaking down the complex mechanisms of storytelling into digestible and actionable insights. His book, "Story: Substance, Structure, Style, and the Principles of Screenwriting", is considered a bible for screenwriters. In this book, McKee explores the elements that make stories compelling, the structure that binds them, and the creative process behind crafting them. His teachings are not limited to screenwriting; they apply to all forms of storytelling, making his work a universal guide for anyone looking to tell meaningful and engaging stories.

Main Idea

The core idea of McKee's "Story" is that storytelling is not just an art, but a craft that can be learned and mastered. McKee argues that stories have an inherent power to convey meaning and evoke emotion, and this power is rooted in the structure and principles of the story itself. He believes that by understanding the theory behind storytelling, writers can create more impactful and resonant stories. The book serves as a comprehensive guide to understanding the mechanics of storytelling, from the smallest beat to the overarching structure of a narrative. McKee's emphasis is on the importance of structure, character development, and the thematic coherence of a story.

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• The Substance of Story
• The Structure of Story
• Character Development
• Story and Emotion
• The Writing Process
• Advanced Story Techniques
• The Business of Storytelling
• Conclusion

The Substance of Story

In the first section of his book, McKee delves into what he calls the "substance" of the story. He begins by defining what makes a story "good." Contrary to popular belief, McKee argues that stories are not merely vehicles for entertainment or escapism. Instead, they fulfill a fundamental human need: the need to find meaning in life. According to McKee, we are drawn to stories because they offer us a way to understand the world and our place in it. A good story, therefore, is one that resonates with the truths of life, even if those truths are conveyed through fictional events or characters.

McKee emphasizes that for a story to be meaningful, it must be true to life. This does not mean that the events of the story must be realistic, but rather that the emotions, decisions, and consequences within the story must reflect the reality of human experience. For example, in the animated film Finding Nemo, the protagonist is a talking fish, but the story is true to life in its portrayal of a father's fear and desperation when his child goes missing. The truth of the story lies in its emotional core, not in the literal events.

To further illustrate this point, McKee contrasts stories that are true to life with those that are not. He argues that when a story departs from the truths of human experience, it loses its emotional impact and becomes hollow. For instance, if a character in a story were to react to a tragic event with inappropriate levity, the story would lose its credibility and its ability to resonate with the audience. In this way, McKee stresses the importance of maintaining the integrity of the story's emotional truth.

McKee's exploration of the substance of the story is rooted in the idea that stories are a reflection of life. This reflection can take many forms, from the literal to the metaphorical, but it must always be grounded in the human experience. McKee argues that stories are powerful because they allow us to see ourselves and our lives in a new light. They provide us with a framework for understanding our emotions, our decisions, and the consequences of those decisions.

For example, consider the story of The Lord of the Rings. On the surface, it is a fantasy tale about a group of heroes on a quest to destroy a powerful ring. But beneath the surface, it is a story about the struggle between good and evil, the corrupting influence of power, and the importance of friendship and loyalty. These themes resonate with audiences because they reflect real-life struggles and truths.

• In Finding Nemo, Marlin's journey to find his son is not just a physical journey, but an emotional one as well. It reflects the fears and anxieties that all parents face when trying to protect their children.
• In The Great Gatsby, the story of Jay Gatsby's rise and fall is a reflection of the American Dream and the hollowness of materialism.
• In To Kill a Mockingbird, the story of Atticus Finch defending a black man in the segregated South is a reflection of the themes of justice, racism, and moral courage.

"A story must be true to life, even if it is not realistic. It must resonate with the truths of human experience." - Robert McKee

The Structure of Story

The next section of McKee's book focuses on the structure of the story. McKee argues that structure is the backbone of any good story. It is what holds the story together and gives it shape. Without a strong structure, a story can become disjointed and lose its impact. McKee defines structure as the sequence of events that make up the story, each event leading logically and inevitably to the next. He emphasizes that a well-structured story is one that feels natural and inevitable, where each event is a consequence of the actions and decisions of the characters.