- 309 pages
- English
- ePUB (mobile friendly)
- Available on iOS & Android
eBook - ePub
About this book
An analysis of the fundamental narrative structure, why it works, the meanings of stories, and why we tell them in the first place.
The idea of Into the Woods is not to supplant works by Aristotle, Lajos Egri, Robert McKee, David Mamet, or any other writers of guides for screenwriters and playwrights, but to pick up on their cues and take the reader on a historical, philosophical, scientific, and psychological journey to the heart of all storytelling.
In this exciting and wholly original book, John Yorke not only shows that there is truly a unifying shape to narrativeāone that echoes the great fairytale journey into the woods, and one, like any great art, that comes from deep withināhe explains why, too. With examples ranging from The Godfather to True Detective, Mad Men to Macbeth, and fairy tales to Forbrydelsen ( The Killing), Yorke utilizes Shakespearean five-act structure as a key to analyzing all storytelling in all narrative forms, from film and television to theatre and novel-writingāa big step from the usual three-act approach.
Into the Woods: A Five-Act Journey into Story is destined to sit alongside David Mamet's Three Uses of the Knife, Robert McKee's Story, Syd Field's Screenplay, and Lajos Egri's The Art of Dramatic Writing as one of the most original, useful, and inspiring books ever on dramatic writing.
Praise for Into the Woods
"Love storytelling? You need this inspiring book. John Yorke dissects the structure of stories with a joyous enthusiasm allied to precise, encyclopedic knowledge. Guaranteed to send you back to your writing desk with newfound excitement and drive." āChris Chibnall, creator/writer,Ā BroadchurchĀ andĀ Gracepoint
"Outrageously good and by far and away the best book of its kind I've ever read. I recognized so much truth in it. But more than that, I learned a great deal. Time and again, Yorke articulates things I've always felt but have never been able to describe.Ā .Ā .Ā . This is a love story to storyāerudite, witty and full of practical magic. I struggle to think of the writer who wouldn't benefit from reading itāeven if they don't notice because they're too busy enjoying every page." āNeil Cross, creator/writer,Ā LutherĀ andĀ Crossbones
"Part 'how-to' manual, part 'why-to' celebration,Ā Into the WoodsĀ is a wide-reaching and infectiously passionate exploration of storytelling in all its guises Ā .Ā .Ā . exciting and thought-provoking." āEmma Frost, screenwriter,Ā The White QueenĀ andĀ Shameless
The idea of Into the Woods is not to supplant works by Aristotle, Lajos Egri, Robert McKee, David Mamet, or any other writers of guides for screenwriters and playwrights, but to pick up on their cues and take the reader on a historical, philosophical, scientific, and psychological journey to the heart of all storytelling.
In this exciting and wholly original book, John Yorke not only shows that there is truly a unifying shape to narrativeāone that echoes the great fairytale journey into the woods, and one, like any great art, that comes from deep withināhe explains why, too. With examples ranging from The Godfather to True Detective, Mad Men to Macbeth, and fairy tales to Forbrydelsen ( The Killing), Yorke utilizes Shakespearean five-act structure as a key to analyzing all storytelling in all narrative forms, from film and television to theatre and novel-writingāa big step from the usual three-act approach.
Into the Woods: A Five-Act Journey into Story is destined to sit alongside David Mamet's Three Uses of the Knife, Robert McKee's Story, Syd Field's Screenplay, and Lajos Egri's The Art of Dramatic Writing as one of the most original, useful, and inspiring books ever on dramatic writing.
Praise for Into the Woods
"Love storytelling? You need this inspiring book. John Yorke dissects the structure of stories with a joyous enthusiasm allied to precise, encyclopedic knowledge. Guaranteed to send you back to your writing desk with newfound excitement and drive." āChris Chibnall, creator/writer,Ā BroadchurchĀ andĀ Gracepoint
"Outrageously good and by far and away the best book of its kind I've ever read. I recognized so much truth in it. But more than that, I learned a great deal. Time and again, Yorke articulates things I've always felt but have never been able to describe.Ā .Ā .Ā . This is a love story to storyāerudite, witty and full of practical magic. I struggle to think of the writer who wouldn't benefit from reading itāeven if they don't notice because they're too busy enjoying every page." āNeil Cross, creator/writer,Ā LutherĀ andĀ Crossbones
"Part 'how-to' manual, part 'why-to' celebration,Ā Into the WoodsĀ is a wide-reaching and infectiously passionate exploration of storytelling in all its guises Ā .Ā .Ā . exciting and thought-provoking." āEmma Frost, screenwriter,Ā The White QueenĀ andĀ Shameless
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Please note we cannot support devices running on iOS 13 and Android 7 or earlier. Learn more about using the app.
Yes, you can access Into the Woods by John Yorke in PDF and/or ePUB format, as well as other popular books in Media & Performing Arts & Authorship. We have over one million books available in our catalogue for you to explore.
Information
Table of contents
- Cover
- Praise for Into the Woods: A Five-Act Journey Into Story
- Copyright
- Epigraph
- Contents
- Preface
- Introduction
- Act I: Home
- Act II: Woodland, Day
- Act III: The Forest
- Act IV: The Road Back, Night
- Act V: Home Again, Changed
- Appendices
- Notes
- Bibliography
- Acknowledgements
- Credits
- Index
- About Into the Woods