Robert McKee

Story

1. IDEA 1

   Stories follow principles

   McKee, a famous screenwriting teacher, argues that great stories follow deep principles rather than formulas. He teaches how story structure works in films and other forms. In his view, a well-built story comes from understanding human choices and conflict.

2. IDEA 2

   Every scene changes something

   McKee argues that each scene should turn a value in a character's life, such as from hope to despair. A scene where nothing changes, he says, is not doing its job.

3. IDEA 3

   An incident sets the story going

   McKee describes the inciting incident, the event that upsets the balance of the protagonist's life and launches the story. In his view, a strong inciting event forces the character to take action, because the old way of living no longer works.

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