Writing about a guy who writes about writing

November 12th, 2009 at 04:14pm Will Pfeifer

Jason Zinoman of VANITY FAIR spends the day at one of screenwriting guru Robert McKee’s day-long seminars and lives to tell about it. What’s more, he remains unimpressed with the man who proclaims ““You can’t work in this business without reading my book.” Read about Zinoman’s experience here, in a piece tellingly called “Robert McKee’s Unconvincing Story.”

And if you haven’t read McKee’s book (titled STORY, by the way), but you feel like you’ve heard of the guy, it’s probably from Brian Cox’s wonderful portrayal of a storytelling guru in Spike Jonze’s movie, ADAPTATION.

Here’s a clip to refresh your memory. (Warning — the language is pretty salty, so consider yourself warned).

By the way, the fictional McKee (mirroring the real-life McKee) is dead wrong about voiceovers. Here’s a partial list of great movies that use them: SUNSET BLVD., THE APARTMENT, A CLOCKWORK ORANGE, FULL METAL JACKET, TAXI DRIVER, GOODFELLAS, FIGHT CLUB, THE ROYAL TENENBAUMS, DOUBLE INDEMNITY…

Entry Filed under: Screenplays, Uncategorized