Description

Book Synopsis

From the master of Story, Dialogue, and Character, ACTION offers writers the keys to propulsive storytelling.  

ACTION explores the ways that a modern-day writer can successfully tell an action story that not only stands apart, but wins the war on clichés. Teaming up with the former co-host of The Story Toolkit, Bassim El-Wakil, legendary story lecturer Robert McKee guides writers to award-winning originality by deconstructing the action genre, illuminating the challenges, and, more importantly, demonstrating how to master the demands of plot with surprising beats of innovation and ingenuity.

Topics include: 

  • Understanding the Four Core Elements of Action
  • Creating the Action Cast
  • Hook, Hold, Pay Off: Design in Action
  • The Action Macguffin
  • Action Set Pieces
  • The Sixteen Action Subgenres

A must-add to the McKee storytelling library, ACTION illustrates the principles of narrative drive with precision and clarity by referencing the most popular action movies of our time including: Die Hard, The Star Wars SagaDark KnightThe Matrix, and Avengers: Endgame.

Action: The Art of Excitement for Screen, Page,

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    RRP £22.99 – you save £2.30 (10%)

    Order before 4pm today for delivery by Fri 26 Jun 2026.

    A Hardback by Robert McKee, Bassim El-Wakil

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      View other formats and editions of Action: The Art of Excitement for Screen, Page, by Robert McKee

      Publisher: Twelve
      Publication Date: 06/09/2022
      ISBN13: 9781538726914, 978-1538726914
      ISBN10: 1538726912

      Description

      Book Synopsis

      From the master of Story, Dialogue, and Character, ACTION offers writers the keys to propulsive storytelling.  

      ACTION explores the ways that a modern-day writer can successfully tell an action story that not only stands apart, but wins the war on clichés. Teaming up with the former co-host of The Story Toolkit, Bassim El-Wakil, legendary story lecturer Robert McKee guides writers to award-winning originality by deconstructing the action genre, illuminating the challenges, and, more importantly, demonstrating how to master the demands of plot with surprising beats of innovation and ingenuity.

      Topics include: 

      • Understanding the Four Core Elements of Action
      • Creating the Action Cast
      • Hook, Hold, Pay Off: Design in Action
      • The Action Macguffin
      • Action Set Pieces
      • The Sixteen Action Subgenres

      A must-add to the McKee storytelling library, ACTION illustrates the principles of narrative drive with precision and clarity by referencing the most popular action movies of our time including: Die Hard, The Star Wars SagaDark KnightThe Matrix, and Avengers: Endgame.

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