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Summary of Story 

4.7 . 2431 reviews

Short summary

Do you get those goosebumps when you watch the opening scene of your favorite movie? Your heart beats faster even when someone simply mentions its title. What makes us love fictional stories as if they happened to us? Why do we cry bitterly or laugh aloud when we watch a movie? The secret lies in a good script. Renowned screenwriter and author Robert McKee has worked in the film industry for a long time and knows how to create script magic. Story is a tabletop work for those who want to start their screenplays or novels but do not know how to make them compelling and exciting. The summary will also be interesting to those who want to explore Hollywood masterpieces behind the scenes. Attention! The summary contains movie spoilers. ”I've written Story to empower your command of the craft, to free you to express an original vision of life, to lift your talent beyond convention to create films of distinctive substance, structure, and style.” ~ Robert McKee

Table of content

  • Summary of Story
  • About the author
  • What is Story about?
  • Who should read Story
  • Topics in Story
first key point

Story is not only an idea and an experience — it is painstaking work and mastery of the word

Listen the first key point
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People cannot exist without stories. When we find a story, we hope it will be good, emotional, and unforgettable. But what's a good story?

First of all, it is the ability to handle rules and principles. The insecure author follows the rules, the poorly educated one breaks them, and only an absolute master brings the form to perfection. Secondly, a good screenwriter avoids clichés but respects archetypes.

Also, a skilled author knows that the text is not about speed writing and volume but scrupulousness and brevity. They also know how to understand the viewer and interact with their emotions. The ever-astute audience is more intelligent than many films, so it determines the process of creating the script. This summary will help you understand how to evoke a grateful and positive reaction from viewers.
A story is not only the content that you want to share but also the shape you give it.
In our reality, the world of stories is chaotic. Films, novels, and TV shows that are massively produced tirelessly inspire people, help them deal with their problems, and make them laugh and think. However, film distributors are often motivated by money. Therefore, there are many trivial stories, and only a tiny number of scripts are truly flawless. Novice screenwriters often overestimate their experience and believe that their life and background are enough for an independent story. But not every story is worth telling. Your task is to find the ones that are.

After reading the summary, you will recall and improve the principles for creating high-quality stories and scripts that will excite and delight viewers and remain in demand for many years. You will learn how to develop and embody timeless ideas. We admire Stanley Kubrick, Quentin Tarantino, and Spike Lee because they create exciting stories and their styles are recognizable and unique. Of course, there is an exception to each rule, and you can experiment with shapes and plots. But before you tackle handling writing perfectly, learn the basic rules of good storytelling.
second key point

The script is a puzzle: without the slightest detail, its structure collapses

Scriptwriter Robert McKee believes there are two kinds of bad scripts. The first is “personal story” — a detailed description of a fragment of life; in other words, a simple everyday story without morality. The second type is a scenario that guarantees commercial success, replete with explosions, chases, and coincidences that have nothing to do with real life.
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third key point

Setting and genre: where does the story begin

fourth key point

Character and characterization: how to develop a convincing protagonist

fifth key point

Emotions and conflicts are the heart of the story

sixth key point

How to make the audience interested from the very beginning

seventh key point

Crisis, climax, and other components that viewers fall in love with

eighth key point

The protagonist and the antagonist: what are their strengths and importance

ninth key point

Conclusion

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What is Story about?

Who should read Story

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Do you find yourself staring at your computer for long minutes, unaware of time slipping by? Do you enter a room and suddenly cannot remember why you stepped in the first place? Is it a herculean task for you to sit through ten pages of a book without reaching for your phone? If yes, your focus needs some work and fast.

Actually, yours is not a unique situation. Many adults like you have issues concentrating on a given task. However, in this fast-paced world of ours, you can’t afford to be not focused at all times. Thankfully, this article comes to your rescue! With the tips and tricks from Hyperfocus by Chris Bailey, you will get in the top percent of folks who have mastered the art of concentration.