Brian McDonald - Ink Spots: Collected Writings on Story Structure, Filmmaking and Craftsmanship

PRAISE FOR INK SPOTS

As a student of storytelling, I've been reading Brian McDonald's writings for a while now. I often find more wisdom in a single essay than in entire books about the art of narrative. By putting his essays together in this collection Brian offers a wealth of advice and reflections that will inspire and challenge anyone who wants to tell better stories.

Andy Goodman, Author, Storytelling as Best Practice

Brian's books and website are succinct, insightful resources for understanding not only the mechanics, but the purpose, of storytelling. I've recommended them so many times you'd think I was getting a piece of the action.

Chris Warner, Senior Editor Dark Horse Comics/Books

Listen to Brian, he has the unique ability to articulate what makes good writing.

Al Higgins, Writer News Radio, Malcolm in the Middle and Mike & Molly

Early on, Brian quotes the old adage, It's not a sprint, it's a marathon, then proves it by turning a series of one-off essays into a complete philosophy of life behind the keyboard and life. If you don't already have a mentor, here's one you'll love, in portable form.

Steve Englehart, novelist and writer of classic versions of dozen of comics series such as Batman and The Avengers

Brian McDonald taps into the universal truths and undercurrents of storytelling, and continually brings surprising discoveries to the surface.

Derek Thompson, Story Artist at Pixar Animation Studios

I use Brian McDonald's books in my classes because I'm a student of his work. All teachers are students all the time. Brian hasn't forgotten that he occupies both a seat in the classroom and the spot in front of the classroom.

Shawn Wong Professor, Department of English University of Washington

Brian's book is filled with insightful and useful gems for writers of any experience level. The only reason you'll want to put it down is to go start writing yourself.

J. Elvis Weinstein, writer/producer Freaks and Geeks, Mystery Science Theater 3000, Cinematic Titanic

Brian is that friend in movie storytelling that everyone deserves. He writes in clear, readily usable ways to improve your screenwriting. Like time-release story capsules they ignite and helped me over many movies and countless story bends. Give him a read, take a couple and repeat as needed.

Ronnie del Carmen, story supervisor on UP and Finding Nemo , director and writer at Pixar Animation Studios.

Critical, Insightful, philosophical, and inspirational. Brian McDonald's Ink Spots reads like a journal of his daily observations and thoughts about perceptions, mindsets, and the creative process. His stories recount wisdom from the giants of the past while giving us perspective as we head into the future. If you have ever aspired to create, you owe it to yourself to read Ink Spots .

Sam Liu Director of The Batman: Animated Series and All-Star Superman

Brian has shown me many new ways to look at stories, to analyze them and give me the analytical tools to even make some of my own. If you care enough about stories to want to know how they work their magic on us, read everything you possibly can by Brian McDonald.

James S. Baker story artist, Finding Nemo, Wall*E, UP

At the heart of the seemingly spontaneous often lies a web of intricate mechanics. There are few observers of this strange alchemy as clever and astute as Brian McDonald--a master of story dissection and character building alike. His keenest power, though, lies beyond the mere construction of solid storytelling: Brian has that rare gift known as good taste that sets him apart from the simple technicians.

Scott Morse story artist, Ratatouille, Wall*E, Brave

Copyright 2012 Brian McDonald

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 Unported License.

Attribution You must attribute the work in the manner specified by the author or licensor (but not in anyway that suggests that they endorse you or your use of the work).

Noncommercial You may not use this work for commercial purposes.

No Derivative Works You may not alter, transform, or build upon this work.

Inquiries about additional permissions should be directed to:

Cover Design by Greg Simanson

Drawings Copyright Derek Thompson 2012

PRINT ISBN 978-1-935961-75-8

EPUB ISBN 978-1-62015-079-5

For further information regarding permissions, please contact
.

Library of Congress Control Number: 2012920374

For Aunt Patricia

FOREWORD

I HAVE A COFFEE CUP that Brian McDonald gave me. I love this cup.

On it is written one of his gems of story craft wisdom.

Find that thing that your character would rather die than do and make them do it.

What wonderfully wicked advice!

Survival. Facing your fear.

According to Brian this is at the core of why we tell stories. They contain vital truths for living. Stories that help us become better human beings.

It reminds me that great stories are really crucibles of character.

The first time Brian and I worked together he had flown down to LA to help me with a story I was developing.

What neither of us knew was that he was going to have to do this while suffering through the excruciating pain of an abscessed tooth.

We settled into my office and Brian proceeded to deftly guide me through a maze of story issues. I noticed however that he would pause and hold his cheek for a moment and then say, It's nothing, let's keep going, and keep going we did. For the next several hours he illustrated story principles, showing me sequences from films like Tootsie and it's a Wonderful Life. I was amazed at his many insights. Gradually my own story was becoming clearer.

At one point, however, his pain had become so great I forced him to let me take him to a dentist. Amazingly during the half hour car ride he continued to share with me more insights on how I might find the key to unlock my story.

Even the next day after x-rays and pain pills we were having lunch discussing story once again with a producer and a story executive. Finally Brian stood up on the verge of fainting from pain, apologizing for not being able to keep going. Mercifully, he found relief from an oral surgeon.

I still marvel when I look at the photos of he and I from that day at the pharmacy and in front of the Disney theatre, smiling as if he didn't have a care in the world.

Apparently I found that thing that Brian would rather die than do Be forced to give up on helping someone else unlock their own story.

Brian is what you would call an Old Soul

with wisdom beyond his years.

Maybe it's because he has spent so much time reflecting on the work of the great film makers

who have laid the foundations we all stand upon today and yet too often take for granted.

He honors these masters by shining a light on the principles they employed in crafting their classics, men like Frank Capra, Billy Wilder, Alfred Hitchcock and Rod Serling.

He reminds us that they had something to say and if we are to walk in their shoes so should we.

Brian McDonald is an exceedingly rare combination of talent and heart.

He not only is a remarkable teacher, he is also a gifted story teller.

This makes what he has to share that much more valuable. He speaks with passion and experience.

The essays contained in Ink Spots are a wonderful breath of fresh air for any film maker, no matter how experienced one may be. I learned my craft of animation from Walt Disney's Nine Old Men. I know how it feels to have my eyes opened and suddenly Get it.