Prodigi Pictures
Carbonite Member
I agree with Amulet Man.
To suggest this is a skill that can't be taught also implies it can't be learned. That it is a talent rather than a craft.
I personally don't believe in talent...certainly not how we use the word today.
Lord Byron began the myth that storytelling, writing, poetry and art in general are supernatural gifts given to rare individuals who need no training to create masterworks.
This "philosophy" took a life of its own and now permeates all aspects of culture. It's a load of crap.
Everything a human does can be learned. The results may vary based on the intelligence and dilligence of the teacher and student. However, a poor teacher or student doesn't prove that everything a human does is a learnable skill.
Writing screenplays is no exception. And while many workshops are a waste of time, some (McKee in particular) are incredibly valuable. I wish McKee had written "Story" when I first began screenwriting. It would have saved me years of frustration. I did exactly what your suggesting...I struck out on my own, wrote short scripts, made short movies and had to learn the hard way that there is a form to this craft. Right about the time my writing skills matured McKee came out with his book "Story." As I read it I was thrilled to see we'd reached the same conclusions.
I also realized that what took me 10 years to learn could have been mastered in a far shorter period of time if I'd listened to masters like McKee. Theoretically, I could have gotten to the same skill level in two years instead of ten.
I'd encourage anyone to avoid my path. Not all teachers are frauds. Not all workshops are crutches for failures. Many are valuable. Some are amazingly useful.
And this is a learnable/teachable skill.
To suggest this is a skill that can't be taught also implies it can't be learned. That it is a talent rather than a craft.
I personally don't believe in talent...certainly not how we use the word today.
Lord Byron began the myth that storytelling, writing, poetry and art in general are supernatural gifts given to rare individuals who need no training to create masterworks.
This "philosophy" took a life of its own and now permeates all aspects of culture. It's a load of crap.
Everything a human does can be learned. The results may vary based on the intelligence and dilligence of the teacher and student. However, a poor teacher or student doesn't prove that everything a human does is a learnable skill.
Writing screenplays is no exception. And while many workshops are a waste of time, some (McKee in particular) are incredibly valuable. I wish McKee had written "Story" when I first began screenwriting. It would have saved me years of frustration. I did exactly what your suggesting...I struck out on my own, wrote short scripts, made short movies and had to learn the hard way that there is a form to this craft. Right about the time my writing skills matured McKee came out with his book "Story." As I read it I was thrilled to see we'd reached the same conclusions.
I also realized that what took me 10 years to learn could have been mastered in a far shorter period of time if I'd listened to masters like McKee. Theoretically, I could have gotten to the same skill level in two years instead of ten.
I'd encourage anyone to avoid my path. Not all teachers are frauds. Not all workshops are crutches for failures. Many are valuable. Some are amazingly useful.
And this is a learnable/teachable skill.