Robert McKee

Robert McKee is one of the most influential and well-respected screenwriting teachers and authors in the world. He has written several books on the topic, and his teachings have helped to shape the development of the modern film and television industry.

McKee was born in Detroit, Michigan in 1944. He attended the University of Michigan, and received a Bachelor of Science in English with honor in 1965. He began writing soon after, and his first play, "Korea is not far from here," premiered in 1969.

McKee later taught at the university, as well as various other colleges and universities throughout the country. His course, "Storytelling for Screen, Stage and Politics" premiered at the University of Southern California in 1983, and it quickly gained a reputation as one of the most comprehensive and influential screenwriting classes of all time.

McKee’s teachings lead to the publication of his first book, “Story: Substance, Structure, Style and the Principles of Screenwriting” in 1997. The book took the industry by storm, as it provided a comprehensive guide to the craft of screenwriting. The book quickly became a must-read for any aspiring screenwriter, and it is now regarded as one of the most important books ever written on the subject.

In addition to his book, McKee has also developed powerful and engaging workshops, seminars and lectures around the world. These events offer invaluable insight into the craft of storytelling, and McKee’s approach has gained him an international following. He has taught the likes of Peter Jackson, Diane Keaton, J.J. Abrams, and countless other industry professionals.

McKee has become known for his emphasis on the importance of story structure, character development and genre conventions. His teachings stress the importance of writing stories that are emotionally powerful, yet adhere to the conventions of the particular genre. McKee views storytelling as both an art and a science, and he has developed a valuable approach to combining both elements into a successful film or television script.

These days, McKee continues to run his workshops and lectures around the world. He has also published two additional books on the craft of screenwriting – “Dialogue: Writing Outstanding Dialogue in Film and Television” was released in 2000 and “Storynomics: Story-driven Marketing in the Post-Advertising World” was published in 2018.

Robert McKee has served as a major influence on countless screenwriters and filmmakers. His teachings and books have served as invaluable resources for anyone looking to create meaningful and powerful stories for the screen. He will undoubtedly continue to be a major source of inspiration for aspiring storytellers for many years to come.