Robert McKee Talking Character With the Master of Storytelling

Pop Literacy

His books and lectures on storytelling are so iconic that he was portrayed by Brian Cox in the Oscar-winning film Adaptation, and guest starred as himself in an episode of The Simpsons. This week we’re thrilled to chat with Robert McKee about his newest book, Character: The Art of Role and Cast Design for Page, Stage, and Screen.

Joining his classics the bestselling Story and Dialogue, this third entry in his trilogy on writing fiction finds McKee sharing his thoughts on how to create compelling characters, from keeping the well-worn antihero fresh to understanding that we can learn things from characters that we may not recognize in real humans.

Expanding on the examples of success he presents in Character – from Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice to Vince Gilligan’s Breaking Bad – Bob also tells us some of his current favorite TV viewing and leaves both Jennifer and Kim thinking about those novel ideas they’ve been kicking around for years. Prepare to be inspired yourself by this very fun and informative chat with a true legend.

Read more about it:

• Character: The Art of Role and Cast Design for Page, Stage, and Screen
• Dialogue: The Art of Verbal Action for Page, Stage, and Screen Dialogue
• Story: Substance, Structure, Style, and the Principles of Screenwriting
• Robert McKee Seminars