Hey Karel,
As they say all sweeping statements are false ;)

I must rephrase that yes there is much to be learnt from those that know how to teach. But there are very few that can teach – as in give “instruction” on screen writing.

I believe it is a matter of coaching out the best in people, rather than indoctrinating them – which is what most of these “gurus” are doing.

In terms of getting paid for writing. Well there are so many ways to get paid, and if you are willing to to do any old writing you can pull in a buck. BUT to get a spec script made or to be commissioned for a film script, well then it boils down to your political savvy as well – and most script writers never leans how to play the political game unfortunately.

Maybe an idea for a future post? “How to schmooze your way in” LOL

Take care,
David

Karel, i’ve been on the mckee seminar and also read Story. It’s the best teacher, best book i have ever had. Of course there are small mistakes. But you cant compare any other book to his.
Tell you other thing, he is also script doctour in hollywood and have worked on lots of movies. He have also helped the script of Adaptation, resolving the last act.

I would like to see more articles about the problems on mckee theory, its a good way do evolve.

Comparing screenwriting with a technical defect is a way far fetched in my opinion. It’s like comparing arts to scienes.

I have already learned a lot about the craft and thus I do not believe in everything being told from teachers who apply their own methods; e.g. when considering German screenwriting, as there is for example no 100% valid format to stick to; but it’s a good way to keep the study alive.

What I’m looking for in those books is motivation rather than the perfect answer to all of my prayers, because eventually I have to figure out the story myself.

Thanks for your comment, Billy.
I think McKee’s contribution primarily lies in the fact that he inspires screenwriters and forces them to think about the craft rather than offering them practical tools. Ironically his forte is NOT in story, contrary to what his entire marketing profile might suggest.

Hey David, it’s also ironic that both Billy and I are teachers with a loyal following of people who believe we have been able to teach them something of value.

Many of my clients are successful filmmakers (and by successful, I mean someone who gets paid to write – AND WHOSE WORK REACHES AN AUDIENCE THAT PAYS TO SEE WHAT THEY’VE WRITTEN) who keep coming back because they find I help them improve their work. Yet I haven’t sold a single script myself.

It’s true that many teachers can’t write but I dare say that even more writers can’t teach. They’re different skills altogether. And different students like different approaches.

I also agree that if you want to stand out from the crowd, you won’t find the answer in the books. You’ll need to find out what your own strengths and weaknesses are. This, you may only figure out through working directly with a co-writer – or us, ‘so called experts’ – LOL.

I think you’re right in that people tend to put Mr McKee on a pedestal undeservedly. In my view, other teachers deserve a lot more credit in terms of helping writers grow towards a profitable career.

And ultimately, the key decisions are not handed over by the gurus. It’s the writers themselves that will need to take responsibility and decide when to stick to the rules and when to break them, when to leave their jobs to take up writing full-time, when to leave their home town and settle in L.A…

Honestly the best way to learn to is to hook up with a successful writer (and by successful, I mean someone who gets paid to write) and learn from them. Don’t waste your money on courses or books on any of these so called experts…

“What do you think?”

You’ve only just worked that out??? Stay tuned for the next episode.