Recently I reread the scene chapters in the book Story by Robert McKee. In one of the chapters, he breaks down a scene from Casablanca which this video does based on the book. (scene breakdown starts at about 5 mins in but first 5 mins gives a good pretext)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5dX64cBuPbw
In the book, McKee gives a scene charge theory which says a value-charged condition of a character's life at the start of a scene should be different by the end of the scene. Such as in the scene above it opens on love(+) and ends on love(-), based off a value condition of Rick's life. The idea is if a scene start-value-charge isn't changed by the end then the scene is flat and probably just there for exposition purposes. If this is the case he says disciplined writers will find ways to move this scene's information to a scene that has a change of charge. You can read more on the theory here:
https://mckeestory.com/do-your-scenes-turn/
In the book, he also says a scene can go from a negative to a worse negative. Like the protagonist figures out their cat died at the beginning of a scene and at the end of it they figure out their partner died, which is far worse.
What do you think of this scene charge theory?
General comments welcome as well.
Great video, thanks for sharing. I've reread that scene breakdown of Casablanca in McKee's book a dozen times. It's been a tremendous influence on my writing. Can't recommend it enough.
“Story” is my textbook for screenwriting. I’m surprised when I hear people shit on McKee and opt instead for Snyder or Syd Field. McKee’s methods are hard to do and stay disciplined at. I think that’s why most writers abandon or don’t follow his ideas.
Hmmm...looking at the breakdown of the scene, it was interesting seeing the concept of scene charge theory at play. It definitely added to the particular scene being deconstructed. Thanks for sharing this Frankie Gaddo Glad I took the time to digest this vid
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In the days when I applied for my screenwriting learner's permit, Casablanca was the Holy Grail and I think it remains so today. I studied it frame by frame. There were many strong runner-up films; The Wizard of Oz, Gone With the Wind, Vertigo, Out of Africa... But I seriously doubt that Casablanca would/could be made in today's market. I think today's beginning screenwriters are better served by studying more contemporary fare such as The Hurt Locker, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Schindler's List... Hopefully this avenger, superhero & transformer phase will burn out soon so that we can get back to the real art & craft of story showing. Hope springs eternal.