Robert McKee Answers Your Questions
Wish I would have found this earlier, but I’ve been across the country this past week.
I just popped in to check in on the latest from unk, a writer blogging about screenwriting, bullshit, screenwriting bullshit, and bullshit screenwriting — really a great grip of insightful content posting every few days or so, and saw this interview with Robert McKee posted.
As you know, Robert McKee is the man when it comes to story knowledge and all around story guru-ness.
His book, Story, is one of the cornerstones the industry references on a daily basis, his seminar has been known to change people’s approach to screenwriting for the better, and his eyebrows are rumored to be distant cousins of Martin Scorsese’s.
Check out the video. Buy the book — it’s one of the most influential screenwriting books I’ve ever read.
The video below is roughly one hour long, so throw it on and relax as one of the greatest teachers answers some of the most common questions novice screenwriters have on the mind.
Hi, First of all let me thank you guys for the time you have taken to answer our queries. Scriptxray is doing a great job for fellow screenwriters.
1. If I need to adapt a screenplay from a novel. DO I need the author or the publisher’s permission, and what does it involve? If the author is dead. example: William Shakespeare, what could be done in that case
2. I am told, every screenwriter is supposed to go through Robert Mckee’s workshop. I live in India, and would like to know how I could attend his workshop
3. How does a screenwriter know that his log-line sounds good? and he can take it from there?
Hey, thanks for reading!
You don’t need permission if it’s in the public domain — Romeo and Juliet for example.
I’ve heard great things about the seminar, but ie also heard McKee pretty much reads the book to the crowd — I’d just get the book.
To see if your concept is solid, try pitching it to friends andfamily. If they sound excited to learn more or find put what happens then you know you’re off to a great start. If they don’t get it or go glazy eyes on you, tweak it until you get the reaction you want.
One that’s helped me is to write the concept over and over — slightly different every time — until you find one that you like.
Robert McKee’s India Story Seminar: 9th-12th Feb 2012 at Ramoji Film City, Hyderabad.
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