Cover image for
Title:
Dialogue : the art of verbal action for page, stage, screen / Robert McKee.
Author:
McKee, Robert, 1941- author.
Publication Information:
New York : Twelve, 2016.

©2016
Call Number:
PN1551 .M46 2016
Abstract:
"The long-awaited follow-up to the perennially bestselling writers' guide Story, from the most sought-after expert in the art of storytelling. Robert McKee's popular writing workshops have earned him an international reputation. The list of alumni with Oscars runs off the page. The cornerstone of his program is his singular book, Story, which has defined how we talk about the art of story creation. Now, in Dialogue, McKee offers the same in-depth analysis for how characters speak on the screen, on the stage, and on the page in believable and engaging ways. From Macbeth to Breaking Bad, McKee deconstructs key scenes to illustrate the strategies and techniques of dialogue. Dialogue applies a framework of incisive thinking to instruct the prospective writer on how to craft artful, impactful speech. Famous McKee alumni include Peter Jackson, Jane Campion, Geoffrey Rush, Paul Haggis, the writing team for Pixar, and many others,"--Amazon.com.

McKee offers in-depth analysis for how characters speak on the screen, on the stage, and on the page in believable and engaging ways. From Macbeth to Breaking Bad, McKee deconstructs key scenes to illustrate the strategies and techniques of dialogue, applying a framework of incisive thinking to instruct the prospective writer on how to craft artful, impactful speech.
Edition:
First edition.
ISBN:
9781455591916
Physical Description:
xviii, 312 pages ; 24 cm
Contents:
Preface: In praise of dialogue -- Part one: The art of dialogue. The full definition of dialogue ; The three functions of dialogue ; Expressivity I: content ; Expressivity II: form ; Expressivity III: technique -- Part two: Flaws and fixes. Introduction: six dialogue tasks ; Credibility flaws ; Language flaws ; Content flaws ; Design flaws -- Part three: Creating dialogue. Character-specific dialogue ; Four case studies -- Part four: Dialogue design. Story/scene/dialogue ; Balanced conflict ; Comic conflict ; Asymmetric conflict ; Indirect conflict ; Reflexive conflict ; Minimal conflict ; Mastering the craft.

Preface: In praise of dialogue -- Introduction -- The art of dialogue. The full definition of dialogue ; The functions of dialogue ; Expressivity I: content ; Expressivity II: form ; Expressivity III: technique -- Flaws and fixes. Introduction: Six dialogue tasks ; Credibility flaws ; Language flaws ; Content flaws ; Design flaws -- Creating dialogue. Character-specific dialogue ; Four case studies -- Dialogue design. Story/scene/dialogue ; Balanced conflict (The Sopranos) ; Comic conflict (Frasier) ; Asymmetric conflict (A raisin in the sun) ; Indirect conflict (The great Gatsby) ; Reflexive conflict (Fräulein Else, and, The Museum of Innocence) ; Minimal conflict (Lost in translation) ; Mastering the craft.
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