MovieChat Forums > Abraham Discussion > Robert McKee: genius?

Robert McKee: genius?

posted 20 years ago by tezby
4 replies | jump to latest

Here's a guy who has made a career from telling people how to write scripts and he's had TWO of his own made into films. A brilliant career by any measure.

[–] mattguy2k 18 years ago

To be completely technical, he's had NONE. The only two credits on his page are for TV: one TV movie and a TV show.

[–] 18 years ago

[deleted]

[–] willpalma 17 years ago

He still may be a great screenwriting teacher. If he did sell scripts he probably wouldn't have time to teach screenwriting. I personally felt the title of his book (Story) is the key to his theory. The book does not focus so much on technical as much as the actual story that you want to create. Of course, if you have a great story than overall your script will probably be better than a poor one (regardless of formatting), but I don't believe he is the "end-all-be-all" to writing. David Howard (professor at USC) also has a good book and he has written some films that were produced. Is Robert Mckee a genius? Eh, but if someone who takes his class or reads his book becomes successful or at least can tell a good yarn then what is the problem?

[–] gbsbrain 17 years ago

The sleeve of his book reads: "McKee has written numerous television and feature films." Nothing is said about getting them made. He is apparently held to -- or holds himself to -- different standards than the rest of us; which, is perfectly in keeping with the overall tone of his tome: He's right and everyone else... isn't.