Into the Woods: A Five-Act Journey Into Story
John Yorke
(Author)
21,000+ Reviews
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Description
In the exciting and wholly original Into the Woods: A Five-Act Journey Into Story, John Yorke not only shows that there is truly a unifying shape to narrative--one that echoes the great fairytale journey into the woods, and one, like any great art, that comes from deep within--he explains why, too. "A marvelous analysis of screenwriting and, with any luck, should help a great many people achieve their dreams." --Julian Fellowes, creator of Downton Abbey With examples ranging from The Godfather to True Detective, Mad Men to Macbeth, and fairy tales to Forbrydelsen (The Killing), John 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-writing--a big step from the usual three-act approach. Chapters here include: - Three-Act Structure
- Five-Act Structure
- The Importance of Change
- How We Tell Stories
- The Inciting Incident
- Putting It All Together
- Character and Characterization
- Exposition
- Subtext
- And much more!
Product Details
Price
$19.00
$17.67
Publisher
Abrams Press
Publish Date
October 20, 2015
Pages
336
Dimensions
5.9 X 8.9 X 0.9 inches | 0.8 pounds
Language
English
Type
Paperback
EAN/UPC
9781468310948
BISAC Categories:
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About the Author
John Yorke is Managing Director of Company Pictures, the UK drama independent behind "Shameless," "The White Queen," and "Wolf Hall." A former Head of BBC Drama Production, he championed some of the defining works of British television including "Life On Mars," "The Street," "Shameless," and "Waterloo Road." In 2005 he created the BBC Writers Academy. John Yorke is Visiting Professor of English Language and Literature at the University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne and lives and works in London.
Reviews
All script writers will want to read it.--Caitlin Moran, bestselling author of How to Be a Woman
Into the Woods by John Yorke is brilliant on story structure.--Ken Follett, bestselling author of Pillars of the Earth
There is no end of books that instruct us on how to write the perfect screenplay, but few that delve more deeply into the art of storytelling than this erudite volume.
Of all the books I've read about story construction and the art of fiction, this one is the most comprehensive and concise.--John Colle, Writer of Master and Commander, Happy Feet, Creation, Walking with Dinosaurs
Excellent--Peter Straughan, writer of Tinker Tailor Solider Spy, Wolf Hall, Frank
Yorke's book, in telling scores of stories in such a fresh, enlightening and accessible manner, is a gripping read from beginning to end.
Terrifyingly Clever... Packed with intelligent argument.
Terrific...It's a great read, wise and cogent, and a must for all screenwriters--David Eldrige, writer Festen, In Basildon
It's a great read. It makes me smile and say 'Yes!' aloud. Only this and PG Wodehouse do that.--Lucy Gannon, writer/creator Soldier Soldier, Peak Practice, Frankie, The Best Of Men
A mind-blower ... an incredibly dense but very readable tome about the art of storytelling ... Really worth a read
Highly recommended reading
One of the most interesting books on screenwriting does not emerge from another Los Angeles screenwriting guru but rather from a London film director, not from another Los Angeles publisher of screenwriting books but a New York publisher called The Overlook Press... Yorke brings forth a tremendous amount of supporting evidence in one of the more erudite books ever written on screenwriting
A fine book--Mark Lawson, The Tablet
A comprehensive breakdown of the mysteries and function of drama, and a must-read--Alec Worley, Author of 2000 AD
Part 'how-to' manual, part 'why-to' celebration, Into the Woods is a wide-reaching and infectiously passionate exploration of storytelling in all its guises . . . exciting and thought-provoking.--Emma Frost, screenwriter, The White Queen and Shameless
I absolutely love this book. It's incredible and so well written. I keep trying to find fault but so far no joy - It's so good--Matt Charman, writer Bridge of Spies; Black Work
Its strength is Yorke's acute perception of the wellsprings of universal narrative structures relevant to all artistic activities
A mightily impressive opus, both hugely informative and highly educational. I love the way it's populated with so many examples - the many combinations of both mass market and the slightly more esoteric giving a something-for-everyone feeling. A brilliant work--Peter James, author of the Roy Grace series
A profound and unconventional look at the art of storytelling... Yorke is smart. This isn't a how-to book... It's kind of liberating: we can delve into why good stories are so compelling without feeling we need to suddenly start obeying rules numbered one through ten. Whatever aspect of story he confronts, he does so with humor and flexibility."
Probably, in the hackneyed phrase, "the last book on screenwriting you'll ever need." He is very good at debunking the claims of some screenwriting gurus, all of whom are busy trying to sell you their own particular brand of snake oil. It's truly excellent.
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 . . . This is a love story to story--erudite, witty and full of practical magic. I struggle to think of the writer who wouldn't benefit from reading it--even if they don't notice because they're too busy enjoying every page.--Neil Cross, creator/writer, Luther and Crossbones
Another book on screenwriting! Oh, how I wanted to hate it! I didn't. I loved it. Much of it was fresh to me. And always interesting, always intelligent and, for a writer, always rewarding'--Jimmy McGovern, creator/writer of Cracker; The Street; The Accused
In an industry full of so called script gurus and snake oil salesmen, at last there's a book about story that treats writers like grown ups. This isn't about providing us with an ABC of story or telling us how to write a script by numbers. It's an intelligent evaluation into the very nature of storytelling and is the best book on the subject I've read. Quite brilliant--Tony Jordan, creator/writer of Life on Mars
Books on story structure are ten a penny but Yorke's is the real deal--Kathryn Flett
This is the ancient template for storytelling, and this, the best book on the subject...Yorke's analysis is superb.
Into the Woods is brilliant. One of the best books on script writing out there...I loved the book. Inspiring.--Dominic Mitchell, creator of In the Flesh
Into The Woods is an amazing achievement. It has a real depth and understanding about story, a fantastically broad frame of reference and it's interesting and absorbing throughout. Full of incredibly useful insights, every TV writer should read the first chapter alone--Simon Ashdown, former Lead writer and series consultant of Eastenders
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.--Chris Chibnall, Creator of Broadchurch
Into the Woods by John Yorke is brilliant on story structure.--Ken Follett, bestselling author of Pillars of the Earth
There is no end of books that instruct us on how to write the perfect screenplay, but few that delve more deeply into the art of storytelling than this erudite volume.
Of all the books I've read about story construction and the art of fiction, this one is the most comprehensive and concise.--John Colle, Writer of Master and Commander, Happy Feet, Creation, Walking with Dinosaurs
Excellent--Peter Straughan, writer of Tinker Tailor Solider Spy, Wolf Hall, Frank
Yorke's book, in telling scores of stories in such a fresh, enlightening and accessible manner, is a gripping read from beginning to end.
Terrifyingly Clever... Packed with intelligent argument.
Terrific...It's a great read, wise and cogent, and a must for all screenwriters--David Eldrige, writer Festen, In Basildon
It's a great read. It makes me smile and say 'Yes!' aloud. Only this and PG Wodehouse do that.--Lucy Gannon, writer/creator Soldier Soldier, Peak Practice, Frankie, The Best Of Men
A mind-blower ... an incredibly dense but very readable tome about the art of storytelling ... Really worth a read
Highly recommended reading
One of the most interesting books on screenwriting does not emerge from another Los Angeles screenwriting guru but rather from a London film director, not from another Los Angeles publisher of screenwriting books but a New York publisher called The Overlook Press... Yorke brings forth a tremendous amount of supporting evidence in one of the more erudite books ever written on screenwriting
A fine book--Mark Lawson, The Tablet
A comprehensive breakdown of the mysteries and function of drama, and a must-read--Alec Worley, Author of 2000 AD
Part 'how-to' manual, part 'why-to' celebration, Into the Woods is a wide-reaching and infectiously passionate exploration of storytelling in all its guises . . . exciting and thought-provoking.--Emma Frost, screenwriter, The White Queen and Shameless
I absolutely love this book. It's incredible and so well written. I keep trying to find fault but so far no joy - It's so good--Matt Charman, writer Bridge of Spies; Black Work
Its strength is Yorke's acute perception of the wellsprings of universal narrative structures relevant to all artistic activities
A mightily impressive opus, both hugely informative and highly educational. I love the way it's populated with so many examples - the many combinations of both mass market and the slightly more esoteric giving a something-for-everyone feeling. A brilliant work--Peter James, author of the Roy Grace series
A profound and unconventional look at the art of storytelling... Yorke is smart. This isn't a how-to book... It's kind of liberating: we can delve into why good stories are so compelling without feeling we need to suddenly start obeying rules numbered one through ten. Whatever aspect of story he confronts, he does so with humor and flexibility."
Probably, in the hackneyed phrase, "the last book on screenwriting you'll ever need." He is very good at debunking the claims of some screenwriting gurus, all of whom are busy trying to sell you their own particular brand of snake oil. It's truly excellent.
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 . . . This is a love story to story--erudite, witty and full of practical magic. I struggle to think of the writer who wouldn't benefit from reading it--even if they don't notice because they're too busy enjoying every page.--Neil Cross, creator/writer, Luther and Crossbones
Another book on screenwriting! Oh, how I wanted to hate it! I didn't. I loved it. Much of it was fresh to me. And always interesting, always intelligent and, for a writer, always rewarding'--Jimmy McGovern, creator/writer of Cracker; The Street; The Accused
In an industry full of so called script gurus and snake oil salesmen, at last there's a book about story that treats writers like grown ups. This isn't about providing us with an ABC of story or telling us how to write a script by numbers. It's an intelligent evaluation into the very nature of storytelling and is the best book on the subject I've read. Quite brilliant--Tony Jordan, creator/writer of Life on Mars
Books on story structure are ten a penny but Yorke's is the real deal--Kathryn Flett
This is the ancient template for storytelling, and this, the best book on the subject...Yorke's analysis is superb.
Into the Woods is brilliant. One of the best books on script writing out there...I loved the book. Inspiring.--Dominic Mitchell, creator of In the Flesh
Into The Woods is an amazing achievement. It has a real depth and understanding about story, a fantastically broad frame of reference and it's interesting and absorbing throughout. Full of incredibly useful insights, every TV writer should read the first chapter alone--Simon Ashdown, former Lead writer and series consultant of Eastenders
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.--Chris Chibnall, Creator of Broadchurch
