Robert McKee Story Seminar?

[Randall_Oelerich]

Anybody attended it? Worth it? Waste of time and money if one has studied his and many other books and DVDs on screenwriting? I figure with the cost of the seminar $800 and hotel and all it would be $1500, that is a lot of coin. But if it is worth it I would consider it.

 

[lambert]

That's a lot of cash. I was working with an actor/producer who attended it and he felt it was absolutely worth it, but that was before "Story" came out and it was much much cheaper as I recall.

 

[Gary Huff]

I think the vast majority of those books/seminars/conferences/ect. are a waste of money.

I did enjoy McKee's book however.

Your best teacher is to write, write, and write some more. You've seen movies, break one down and find out how it ticks.

At least, that's what I do.

 

[Barry_Green]

Attended the Story seminar many years ago (10 years ago maybe?) It was fantastic. Magnificent. Extremely helpful. Now, I'd already read every screenwriting book I could get my hands on, and had read Story twice. The seminar is largely a "live" version of the book (like a concert is the live version of a record). If that helps you, then yeah, it's worth it. If you've learned everything you can from a book and seeing it live doesn't help, then don't spend the money.

However, far and away the most useful thing was when he deconstructed Casablanca with us. Extraordinarily insightful.

 

[dmc]

Extraordinary insight into the craft of screenwriting! I've been twice - once to his 3 day "story seminar" based on the book, and another that was a genre weekend (comedy and horror).

Easily the best money on the subject I've ever spent - huge value. He's a firecracker alright but a GREAT teacher of dramatic structure.

I just got back from a pitch meeting at Pixar (interactive game stuff) and one of the fellows there was repeating, nearly verbatim, much of McKee's mantra as it related to the inportance that story structure plays.

Honestly, it's well worth both your time and your money if you're at all serious about writing.


"No one works until the writer works."
"the screenwriter is the only original artist on a film - everyone else is interpretive."


: )

dmc

 

[klas]

The Story Seminar is essentially the book, read out loud by Robert McKee. So in that respect the audiobook is a cheaper alternative. Is it worth it? In my opinion yeah. The inspiration boost alone justifies the cost. There is something about going to a weekend seminar and just engulf in a given subject. You'll always leave with good insights, even if you have read the book several times.
But if you feel that the cost diggs too large a hole in your pocket, just buy the audiobook. It's perfect for your iPod when running, riding the bus, mowing the lawn or whatever. In fact, I think audiobooks are the writer's best friend. The time you spend with a book is time you could spend writing instead. Listening to an audiobook on the other hand is something you can do while occupied with other stuff.


Oh, and the last day of the seminar he does the Casablanca analysis which is quite good.

 

[No Handle]

I don't know about the seminar, but I came across this blog post earlier today that seems on point... the video embedded in that post is an hour's worth of McKee discussing writing, storytelling, media, and whatever else. It is also here: http://bigthink.com/robertmckee

Enjoyable and informative. Clearly, Mckee don't brook no BS...

 

[Brickhouse Media]

I just got back from a conference with everybody from Lawrence Kasdan to Scott Frank. The general consensus was if you want to get good you need to write. I heard a really good podcast with Scott Frank a while back and he said it's helpful if you read good literature as opposed to watching crappy movies. However, another writer did mention that the guys that wrote THE HANGOVER got inspired watching DUDE, WHERE'S MY CAR. Not because it was so swesome but because they figured they could do better.

 

[Kess]

Our screenwriting group invited Scott Frank to one of our meetings and this is what he said about his writing process. He spends 4-6 hours per day writing...and it usually takes him a full year to crank out a worthy script. So to sum it up...you have to put in the time. Most people think they can write a script in 3 months working a couple of hours per week...and after one draft it is ready to submit. I'm sure there are a few people on this planet that can crank one out in a month working full time, but for most of us it will take us more than a year working part time.

I recommend reading books, going to seminars, etc. to study the craft and speed up your writing process....but look at all the gurus viewpoints, don't stick with one. Pick points from all of them to use.

...and then write your butt off for the rest of your life.