Book Details

Story: Material, Structure, Style, and the Principles of Screenwriting

Story: Material, Structure, Style, and the Principles of Screenwriting

Robert McKee / Tianjin People's Publishing House /January 1, 2016

"Story" is Robert McKee's classic work, which explores all aspects of the art of narrative in depth. This book not only provides valuable guidance for screenwriters, but also provides storytelling techniques and strategies for people in different fields such as novelists, advertising copywriters and business communication experts. Starting from the principles of material, structure, style and screenplay, McKee analyzes the universal principles and techniques of storytelling, emphasizing the deep connection between emotions and human nature. In the book, McKee proposes that stories are metaphors for life and a way for audiences to experience complex emotions and explore human nature. He emphasizes the importance of story structure, such as three-act structure and character development, and how to enhance the appeal of stories through conflicts and twists. At the same time, McKee also explores story style, including elements such as dialogue, description and scene setting, and how to shape a unique narrative voice through these elements. "Story" not only provides practical techniques and methods, but also encourages creators to dig deep into the universal themes of human experience to create works that can touch people's hearts. This book is a must-read guide for anyone who hopes to improve their narrative ability. It helps readers understand the power of stories and provides tools and insights to achieve this goal.


Outline Notes

Summary of "Story"Chapter 1: The Nature of Stories1.1 The Universality of Stories - Key Point: - Stories are universal across cultures and history. - Humans use stories to express emotions and understand the world. 1.2 Stories as Narrative Structures - Key Point: - Stories consist of a series of events that are interrelated and drive the plot forward. - An effective story should have a clear beginning, middle, and end. Chapter 2: Elements That Make Up Stories2.1 Material (Source) - Key Point: - Sources come from life and are artistically processed to become the "raw materials" of stories. - The choice of source materials is crucial and affects the authenticity and depth of the story. 2.2 Structure - Key Point: - Structure is the layout and arrangement of the elements in a story. - The three-act structure is the most widely used story structure. 2.3 Style - Key Point: - Style is the unique language and techniques used by the author in narration. - The diversity and uniqueness of style are important marks that distinguish different authors and stories. Chapter 3: Principles of Screenwriting3.1 The Peculiarities of Screenwriting - Key Point: - Movies and television screens are distinguished from other media by their unique visual and auditory characteristics. - The script is the blueprint for filmmaking, and needs to consider visual expression and rhythm control. 3.2 Characters and Plot - Key Point: - Characters are the main drivers of the plot. - The development of the plot should be driven by the characters&39; actions and choices. 3.3 Dialogue and Scene Description - Key Point: - Dialogue should reveal the inner world of the characters and drive the plot forward. - Scene descriptions should be specific enough to guide the director&39;s visual imagination. Book Summary "Story" explores the central position of story in literary and artistic creation, and analyzes in detail all aspects of story construction, including the selection of materials, the construction of structure, the shaping of style, and the techniques of presentation on the screen. Robert McKee provides readers with a comprehensive guide to narrative creation by combining theory and practice.


Catchy Sentences

The following are the most wonderful sentences or paragraphs I have selected for the book "Story: Material, Structure, Style, and the Principles of Screenwriting" by Robert McKee. They are numbered and output as required. Some of these sentences or paragraphs are profound, some have unique perspectives, some are beautifully written, some are full of wisdom, and some are creative, aiming to show readers the professionalism and value of the book. 1. "Stories are metaphors for life." - This sentence profoundly summarizes the connection between stories and real life, and the enlightenment that stories can bring us. 2. "Structure is the selection of a series of events in the life story of a character, which combines events into a strategic sequence to stimulate specific and specific emotions and express a specific and specific outlook on life." - McKee accurately defines what structure is and reveals its importance in the story. 3. "The fusion of background, characters, and events forms a unity with dynamic tension, which we call a story." - This sentence beautifully depicts the components of a story and the interaction between them. 4. "The real conflict is not between characters, but in the desires and fears that exist simultaneously in the characters' hearts." - It wisely points out the real source of the conflict in the story. 5. "The best stories never teach people anything new. Instead, they fit what we already know deep down in our hearts, giving us a sense of homecoming." - A unique perspective on the commonality of excellent stories. 6. "The task of a story designer is to find that moment in life that can compress the most dramatic value into its unique and expressive form." - Reflects the author's creativity and pursuit in story creation. 7. "The world of the story is not your world, nor is it my world, but a world we imagine together." - A profound and poetic description of the fictionality and shared experience of the story. 8. "Every story, no matter how long or complex it is, must follow an unchanging principle: events must be connected according to causal logic." - Emphasizes the indispensability of causal logic in story structure. 9. "The depth of a character is not determined by those isolated personality traits, but is revealed by the choices made by the character under pressure." - Insightfully points out the key to character creation. 10. "A well-told story can reveal the truth, and the truth is the same in the possibilities of our world as in the possibilities of its story." - Full of wisdom, it explores the relationship between stories, reality and truth. 11. "The conflict in a story is not the contest between good and evil, but the conflict between good and good." - It proposes a deeper understanding of the conflict in a story from a unique perspective. 12. "The charm of a story is that it allows us to see our own lives, but in a way we have never experienced before." - It beautifully expresses the appeal and value of a story. 13. "The plot is the author's design of events to express his view of life." - It concisely and profoundly summarizes the role and significance of the plot in a story. 14. "A great story can always find a balance within it, that is, between the known and the unknown, between the familiar and the strange, between the simple and the complex." - It reflects the author's unique insights into the elements that constitute a great story. 15. "The ultimate purpose of a story is to let us see ourselves, our potential and possibilities." - It profoundly points out the important role of stories in personal growth and self-cognition. 16. "In stories, we see the light and darkness of human nature, our hopes and fears." - Emotionally depicts the various aspects of human nature revealed by the story. 17. "A good story is like a good song, it can echo in our hearts for a long time." - A beautiful metaphor for the lasting charm and influence of good stories. 18. "The wisdom of stories lies in how they teach us to face the complexity and uncertainty of life." - Emphasizes the value of stories in providing life wisdom and coping strategies. 19. "A good story can not only immerse us in it, but also enable us to gain enlightenment and strength from it." - Summarizes the dual functions and benefits of good stories. 20. "At the end of the story, we see not only an ending, but also a new beginning." - Philosophically points out the continuity and openness of the story at the end.


Author Introduction

Robert McKee is an internationally renowned screenwriting instructor and writer, known for his expertise and influence in the field of storytelling.

The following is a detailed introduction to Robert McKee: 1.

Personal basic information: Robert McKee was born in the United States and has a rich educational background and professional experience.< 2.

Education and professional background: McKee received professional education in the fields of drama and film and has served as a lecturer at many universities.< His career mainly revolves around screenwriting, teaching and writing.

3.

Writing career: Robert McKee's writing career began in the 1970s, and his works mainly focus on screenwriting theory and practice.

His representative work "Story: Substance, Structure, Style and the Principles of Screenwriting" has become a classic textbook in the field of screenwriting since its publication in 1997.< 4.

Work style and theme: McKee's works explain screenwriting techniques in an easy-to-understand way and emphasize the importance of story structure.

He advocates the "story triangle" theory, that is, a story should contain three elements: plot, character and theme.< In addition, he also pays attention to the emotional depth of the story and the resonance of the audience.

5.

Personal life: There is little public information about Robert McKee's personal life.< He devotes most of his time and energy to screenwriting education and writing.

6.

Social influence: Robert McKee's screenwriting courses are widely popular around the world, and many well-known screenwriters and directors have attended his courses.< His ideas have had a profound impact on the creation of contemporary films and TV series.

7.

Quotes and evaluations: The New York Times once described McKee's course as "the Harvard of the screenwriting world", while the Los Angeles Times called him "Hollywood's most popular screenwriting mentor.< " Many Oscar-winning screenwriters, such as Peter Jackson and Paul Haggis, have publicly stated that they were inspired by McKee.

8.

Latest developments: Robert McKee continues to hold screenwriting seminars around the world to teach his screenwriting ideas.< In addition, he also interacts with fans on social media to share his screenwriting experience.

As an authority in the field of screenwriting, Robert McKee's works and teachings have had a positive impact on countless screenwriters.

His book "Story: The Principles of Material, Structure, Style, and Screenwriting" is a must-read classic for screenwriting enthusiasts and professionals.


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