Me and Bobby McKee

Well, I just finished the 4 day intensive course (or is it coarse) with Robert McKee, arguably the best known lecturer on Story and Screenplay.
Mckee, for reasons I cannot fathom, ran his course in Malaga, only an hour away. I attended and thought I'd write up my thoughts on the experience.

It was remarkable that there were about 200 people in attendance - not just because I didn't think there were 200 writers in the area who'd be interested (there aren't - more on that later) but that 200 people could fit into the auditorium given the amount of space McKee's ego takes up.

I am a big fan of McKee's book - it is definitely near the top of the list of books all screenwriters (or writers in general) should read. But in personal he is somewhat abrasive and for my taste there was just too much of his political and social commentary in the course. I didn't really pay to listen to this American explain Europe to me. Incorrectly, I might add. I don't think McKee truly understands the Spanish film situation though he would argue - violently - otherwise.

But, it was a good way to get a refresher on the material about writing. I've read his book a couple of times and I do give it credit to helping me become a better writer. But like all books and lectures of this type it cannot be followed alone. I think McKee misses out some vital steps that all the writers I know use. I also think he skips over some structural elements that would help writers.

But for the most part his theories on story are valid. But who am I to say? Certainly McKee doesn't give a rat's ass whether I agree with him or not. He knows he is right.

I can't whole heartedly recommend this seminar. It is expensive and I think if you have discipline you will get as much from reading the book as attending the seminar.

Now, about all these people who attended. It seems that the majority of them work in ad agencies in Madrid and Barcelona. Or are casual writers. I spoke to a Spanish journalist who had spoken to a lot of the attendees and she said she had not spoken to one person who was a screenwriter or actually in the film business as a writer.

My hopes that McKee's idea of story would be taken up by the rather dreadful Spanish film industry look to be unrealistic, at least for now.