"Story: Style, Structure, Substance, and the Principles of Screenwriting", Robert McKee

Robert McKee is an author, lecturer and story consultant. He gives seminars around the world on the principles of screenwriting and the conventions of different genres (comedy, thriller…). His book Story: Style, Structure, Substance, and the Principles of Screenwriting is considered one of the greatest references for screenwriters. In it, McKee exposes each kind of plot, the structure of a story, how a scene should develop in moments of action / reaction (beats), how to give dimension to the characters, the symbolism that objects can have and how they can contribute to the filmic form,  among many other aspects while from acclaimed and world famous films as references. Also, the book discusses the proper language to use in a screenplay without forgetting the axiom: show, don’t tell. Either for a film, a novel or a play, McKee has created a universal book that reminds the reader about the pleasure of telling a good story.

Excerpts:

Characteristics of each plot design.


"Dimension means contradiction: either within deep character (guilt-ridden ambition) or between characterization and deep character (a charming thief). (...)
Consider Hamlet, the most complex character ever written. Hamlet isn't three-dimensional , but ten, twelve, virtually uncountably dimensional. He seems spiritual until he's blasphemous. To Ophelia he's first loving and tender, then callous, even sadistic. He's courageous, then cowardly. At times he's cool and cautious, then impulsive and rash, as he stabs someone hiding behind a courtain without knowing who's there. Hamlet is ruthless and compassionate, proud and self-pitying, witty and sad, weary and dynamic, lucid and confused, sane and mad. His is an innocent worldliness, a worldly innocence, a living contradiction of almost any human qualities we can imagine."


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