Free Screenwriting Masterclass - The Anatomy of Story Genres with John Truby

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John Truby is one of the most respected and sought-after story consultants in the film industry, and his students have gone on to pen some of Hollywood's most successful films, including Sleepless in Seattle, Scream, and Shrek. The Anatomy of Story is his long-awaited first book, and it shares all his secrets for writing a compelling script. Based on the lessons in his award-winning class, Great Screenwriting, The Anatomy of Story draws on a broad range of philosophy and mythology, offering fresh techniques and insightful anecdotes alongside Truby's own unique approach to building an effective, multifaceted narrative.
His new book, Anatomy of Genres, is NOW Available!
A guide to understanding the major genres of the story world by the legendary writing teacher and author of The Anatomy of Story, John Truby.
Most people think genres are simply categories on Netflix or Amazon that provide a helpful guide to making entertainment choices. Most people are wrong. Genre stories aren’t just a small subset of the films, video games, TV shows, and books that people consume. They are the all-stars of the entertainment world, comprising the vast majority of popular stories worldwide. That’s why businesses―movie studios, production companies, video game studios, and publishing houses―buy and sell them. Writers who want to succeed professionally must write the stories these businesses want to buy. Simply put, the storytelling game is won by mastering the structure of genres.
The Anatomy of Genres: How Story Forms Explain the Way the World Works is the legendary writing teacher John Truby’s step-by-step guide to understanding and using the basic building blocks of the story world. He details the three ironclad rules of successful genre writing and analyzes more than a dozen major genres and the essential plot events, or “beats,” that define each of them. As he shows, the ability to combine these beats correctly separates stories that sell from those that don’t. Truby also reveals how a single story can combine elements of different genres and how the best writers use this technique to craft unforgettable stories that stand out from the crowd.
Just as Truby’s first book, The Anatomy of Story, changed the way writers develop stories, The Anatomy of Genres will enhance their quality and expand the impact they have on the world.
Enjoy my conversation with John Truby.
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#screenplay #screenwriting #screenwriter #masterclass #story

[@falcofuryaudio]

I’m only halfway through and am feeling like this video is criminally underviewed. This is brilliant storytelling wisdom and more people need to see it. Or maybe they don’t so I have the upper hand 🤔

[@roathripper]

he teachings are contentious. he subscribes to a rigorously structured story design composed of a specific number of mandatory elements which some consider too rigid, inflexible and overwrought.

[@moniquedurant2289]

Agreed. The book is wonderful a primer for those of us trying to gain a foundation.

[@douglasmumamumbi811]

True, very very true

[@ummagumma00]

lol criminal!

[@PersonaIncognito]

@@roathripper Don't throw the baby out with the bathwater.

[@skobbejakmedia]

John Truby is the best thing ever to happen to new writers

[@RTM950]

John's second book is the best storytelling book I've ever read, and I've read them all. Nobody understands and explains structures and genres better than John does.

[@kenneth1767]

I bought Anatomy of Genres because of this podcast I watched 6months ago. I highly recommend this book to anyone serious about storytelling.

[@edfinch111]

I'm 20 minuets into this and my mind is already blown! Great interview.

[@chickendaiquiri]

This is an incredible conversation. Having listened to it not only made me buy the book but it blew my mind and taught me how to be a better listener and a better writer. Thank you so much for putting this together!

[@zoeeuphoria]

Truby wrote the best book I’ve ever read on screenwriting. Anatomy of story.

[@1adadada]

Have you read Dara marks and jeffrey allan schecter or even John Yorke? Those are my favs

[@brigt123]

Wow, what great insight. Thank you John Truby and Alex at Indie Film Hustle. I ordered the book today.

[@CanYouKeepSecrets]

Thank you for your useful tips and techniques for all writers.

[@gilangelo-actor2682]

I watched this from an actor’s perspective. This is genius that as an actor can also package oneself to specific multi genres actor.

[@sevagaddala1079]

This is the filmmaker’s Bible. The. A Anatomy of Story is our Old Testament and the Anatomy of Genres is the New Testament

[@spiritual_og_KBe]

John Truby Is The Best Hands uPp And Down When It Comes To Books About Screenwriting... Order All His Book 💯

[@pjonesdotca]

"Spring" is probably the best horror-love genre mix than I've ever seen.

[@makmahmutakay1277]

Only recently come across John Truby and he is an absolute joy to listen to. Clearly an intellectual and erudite who has gone much deeper in the art of story than other screenwriting advisors out there. Looking forward to reading his books.

[@victorialadybug1]

All videos with Truby are creative writing lessons that I needed as a young writer.

[@juanpablozapata]

i have tried to listen other videos of John Truby, but you make them really special. Thanks

[@fab92n15]

Great man and teacher Mister John Truby

[@turcosollozzo]

Sr. John Truby.

[@daisyguerra2780]

Enjoyed this Podcast very much!! Thanks to you both!!

[@legalcoffee5315]

Discussed are some of my fav stories - Fight Club, The Shining, The Matrix, Frankenstein - I didn’t understand why until hearing this podcast. Amazing! And I’ve been struggling with female characters dealing with war, science fi, horror and keep getting stuck in romance land - this way of looking at things from theme, genre beats, and hybrid is extremely helpful! Thank you ❤

[@60soffspring]

Great podcast, Alex. This topic not only provides a comprehensive overview for storytellers but also encourages us to reflect on how we shape our own stories. I love it! This subject seems like a cross-over topic for your other podcast "Next Level Soul." I have long believed as storytellers we have a huge responsibility, as we shape reality itself. If your kids are calling out the genres, more importantly, which one are they choosing in their own life.

[@virx227]

I just purchased the book. Sold! Fascinating and a useful tool for any writer

[@Arabic4Beautiful]

Really interesting. Thank you Truby!

[@howardkoor9365]

This man knows his stuff

[@lesnouvellefeministe6270]

Just heard about this book! Read Anatomy of Story 2 years ago…just ordered this one! BRILLIANT 💡

[@barrypoladsky6839]

Absolutely brilliant discussion...

[@dr.shaheelrafique8924]

I ❤ this video. I bought the book in Kindle and started reading.

[@thups1236]

All I have to say is Thank you for this video!

[@pcdm43145]

This is interesting, but I wish there was more discussion of "genre" being more of a commercial category, than anything else. We've all sorta been conditioned to expect certain tropes and conventions within each category because publishers/studios/etc have pushed whatever will make the most money, to the point where audiences have started becoming bored with the formula. The best stories, no matter what genre, can't be bound in neat little ledger-columns; that's why modern movie genres have to bleed into each other. I also kinda feel like when the guys discuss pre-20th Century writers, like Shakespeare, Poe, Austen, Dumas, or ancient myths, they falter; because they're trying to fit these older storytelling forms into categories they don't really belong in, even if entire genres were inspired by them (the way Austen inspired modern Rom-Coms, and Poe inspired modern Horror). The irony is, if those writers came back to life and started writing new stories, editors/producers/executives wouldn't publish them, because they likely wouldn't adhere to their formula. Anyway, that's my two-cents; I still enjoyed this interview, despite those criticisms. All the best, everybody.

[@Heidi-ih9ej]

You need to read his book Anatomy of Genre. It explains everything. Or look up his dozens of interviews about it.

[@pcdm43145]

@@Heidi-ih9ej Fair enough, I'll give it a read, see if it answers my questions. Thanks for the recommendation. All the best.

[@quietreader]

amazing conversation! bought the book

[@mercurious6699]

Love Truby

[@mychalsimmons4177]

YOU ARE SO RIGHT ABOUT SHAWSHANK

[@ShoRealTV]

Excellent broadcast fellas 🙏

[@tomaseriksson5430]

John is the man

[@acceptfilms9415]

Man this was good thanks!

[@son0funiverse]

This is incredible

[@ummagumma00]

God's work indeed! Thanks for this upload👌

[@BreezeTalk]

💝 thankful for myself. thankful for you. 💝

[@DavidJReidOFFICIAL]

My opinion why mixing genre's always works is because it births ORIGINALITY!!!!! Genre often replicates an original source. I get people FEEL like a comedy, action, thriller, drama etc..... GENRE has been given toooooo much spotlight. MOVIE= CAR DISTRIBUTION= TYRES GENRE= type of car. Van or Sedan? Just work on YOUR CAR ;) Head towards your destination ;)

[@juanpablozapata]

very good one.

[@Jimbalex]

Left the video playing as I went and ordered the book 🤷‍♂️

[@Xanadu2025]

Fascinating

[@kristinabliss]

This video rates top teir on the HELPFUL scale! 🤓🤩❤️

[@nicolewashburn9210]

I've only just started the book, but in my view, fantasy would be a step higher than the thriller/ detective story in spiritual evolution. I look forward to reading the rest of the book where he proves me wrong. :)

[@ShreyDidIt]

oh! so beautiful

[@MorrisFilmPhoto]

Great Thanks 4 ⭐️ Plot Interview 👋

[@thehighestsoapbox7561]

Just one of the most meaningful and important interviews on this channel, nothing to see here folks

[@muthamalarajesh3757]

Love u guys 🎬❣️🇮🇳

[@velvetbees]

I wish I could listen to Led Zeppelin and this at the same time. Both are equally important.

[@polopony894]

Gosh, he reminds me so much of Colin Farrell, does anyone else see it? Great show btw

[@mr.questions925]

Greetings from Belgium

[@dr.shaheelrafique8924]

❤this

[@jaquelynebalsani5980]

Mito, ação e romance.

[@Beccaboo739]

I’m curious as to why he thinks the Matrix’s Neo doesn’t hit the chosen one myth and Nietsche’s superman? What does it need to hit both those marks?

[@ayh4968]

truby 🐐

[@Bialke]

Would love to see you play tennis, Sir!

[@dranipani]

Due what is being said, it is impossible not think about Stephen King. I just watched the movies, but if you think about it "there is always a bigger meaning behind each scene." for example: It isn't about a monster, it is about courage.

[@migol1984]

Can anyone lead me to any links, or books, that gives me a basic intro to female myth stories that Truby talks about here?

[@kinenoona1702]

I enjoyed a book by this author

[@spiritual_og_KBe]

You Write Screenplays?

[@kinenoona1702]

@@spiritual_og_KBe no but I enjoy books about «how to write stories». There are many many good ones 🌻

[@joywreck]

Greetings from Denver Colorado!

[@alpha-alpha-alpha]

we got so many screen writer politicians playing out the reality show, that we don't need science fiction - we got more than enough to handle reality

[@TimMaxShift]

45:50 If you rewatch something 100 times and find something new there every time, it doesn't necessarily mean you're looking at something intellectual. Check out this interview with the Wachowskis. Do you see much intelligence in those interviews? There's a possibility that you're looking at a Rorschach blur. And the reason you're seeing something new every time is because you're changing, not the picture.

[@SiliconRiot]

Cameron also attracts audiences via Spectacle

[@lindsisaacs140]

Can someone explain why some literary books like Handmaiden Tale did so well without the genre mix

[@stephenpowstinger733]

That one had broad appeal to feminists.

[@BooksForever]

@@stephenpowstinger733- it’s a classic dystopian/survival tale.

[@AnnieFairfoul]

Nietzsche's Overman: Stranger in a Strange Land; Robert A. Heinlein, 1961. Heinlein wasn't nobody.

[@bubz3t136]

Hey, is it true that you have to be a Freemason to get a movie/TV show made?

[@authordeborahjeanwhite6188]

Where do you get this book?

[@AhmedT92]

What’s the name of the movie mentioned at 1:31:02 ? English isn’t my first language so I couldn’t understand it. Plz tell me what it is. Thanks.

[@niranjan6724]

"Rashomon" by akira Kurosawa

[@AhmedT92]

@@niranjan6724 Thank you!

[@Mr.Monta77]

I suggest you rename the channel to ‘Shawshank’.

[@LycanVisuals]

Well well well another book to get...

[@Arabic4Beautiful]

😂

[@conjuringcash9678]

Warm Bodies -- Love and Horror

[@artemisnite]

No mention of Young Frankenstein? Talk about brilliantly welding genres!

[@kirilvalchanov7385]

Mister Jack Walker, revenge is born and dies in the second hi close the book, and falls asleep without anger in his heart!:)

[@stephenpowstinger733]

I’m reviewing this as a reader, not a writer -at least not of stories. This all relates to philosophy and religion. Not sure what he means by “beats”.

[@ColGAFilms]

Will his book go over each beat of each genre? I know he sells packages on the website that go over each beat of each genre but they are very expensive.

[@michaelsbeverly]

Yes. At least so far...I'm a few chapters in.

[@theunwantedcritic]

What movies did he write?

[@theunwantedcritic]

The worst pitch in history was Casper, the friendly ghost. “Hey boss ! let’s do children’s comic books about a dead baby.”

[@sethrakes1991]

The Matrix is a Gnostic masterpiece.

[@ColGAFilms]

Is gone girl a female myth story? It’s one of my favorites.

[@kirilvalchanov7385]

Well Mister Jack ideas for gender of Prophetis and their Messiahs are very interesting, but to ..to

[@TheJadedFilmMaker]

female myth lol we see it. we see it in every new show. every new movie. anything. everything . lol. nothing wrong with it. but... we are drowning in it now lol.

[@CarmenPerez-kz6rw]

Christianity is also about not desiring: “the Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.”

[@YuckNasty]

I do love James Cameron’s old work but avatar is mostly spectacle with major plot holes and terrible character design

[@MrMagnificentmagus]

Buddhism definitely has a hell. FYI. Not a fan of their generalizing of Western vs. Eastern religion, but I do agree that there's something about them just communicating how we live our lives.

[@_Sakidora_]

Horror and love story - Twilight anyone?

[@firedemond]

49:30 Inception didnt do anything groundbreaking because they mixed genres. They did it cuz they ripped off an awesome Japanese anime.

[@kirilvalchanov7385]

I’m not sure that Mister John is so popular, some of his ideas are just emotional reactions against something already broken( he has bad reputation) and most of his ideas are way back in the past.

[@zacnewford]

or you can just write something good (this is an indie film podcast lol)

[@vedadalsette1453]

I always knew horror was about religion. Every religious person I've known (some very lovely people) has loved horror. That was my first inkling. I've always disliked horror, so that goes with my hatred of religion (because its exploitation for greed is the ruin of civilization; also it's a pack of silly lies). Additionally, I get bored with action movies, and, as you might guess, I'm not enamored by success (in the cultural prestige/financial definition of it). I'm drawn to detective, romance, comedy, coming of age, and some science fiction. I really like the life philosophy aspect of genre.

[@Thenoobestgirl]

Idk... I don't think anyone would like to live in a horror movie world 🤔

[@niranjan6724]

No one likes to live in it, but if we dont acknowledge that life can get pretty dark sometimes, when we ourselves go into that phase somewhere in our life, we wont be able to figure it out from an objective viewpoint. I think thats the whole purpose of dark stories. Accepting our human psyche has a monster shadow side which can basically destroy everything.

[@stephenpowstinger733]

It all boils down to human frailty and the fear of personal pain and destruction.

[@flygirl244]

The Movie "Warm Bodies" was near the "horror/romance" combo :D and... how dare y'all talk bad about Joseph Campbell without realizing the generational cultural gaps - sigh...

[@_Sakidora_]

Annie Hall isn’t a romantic comedy. It’s comic but not a comedy. It’s one of those films who don’t like the genre like.

[@_Sakidora_]

@@martinpatrick8964 It’s comic, but that doesn’t make it a romantic comedy. A romantic comedy has to have a happy ending where the lovers get together. Every romance writer knows that as does every student of Aristotle. Annie Hall fails that deliberately, probably because Allen never intended it to be a romcom, but a comic study of a failed relationship, something very different.

[@kirilvalchanov7385]

Mister Jack does not share his ideas because they are emotional,reactions and nonsense

[@pizmeal]

‘Count of monte cristo the greatest revenge story” yeaahhhhh ig maybe he didnt read Berserk yet, fair enough

[@TimMaxShift]

43:40 I apologize, but he's confusing materialism with consumerism. Materialism is not about love of matter or its dominance over idea/spirit in the system of human values and priorities, but simply about its primacy in relation to idea from the point of view of philosophy. What came first? Matter or idea. If a person believes that matter came first, then he is a materialist. And this does not prevent him from being an ascetic and living in a cave.

[@numbersix8919]

23:29 "...the female myth was wiped out 3000 years ago, when hunter societies - basically male myth societies - wiped out gatherer societies - which is basically agriculture societies." This guy got so many things wrong in one breath it's clear that he's trying to attract people who are to some degree either ignorant or gullible! Notes: - It was never hunter vs. gatherer. It was hunter/gatherer vs. agricultural. - It wasn't 3,000 years ago, it was 10,000 years ago. Maybe he's trying to not offend fundamentalist screenwriters with dates before 3760 BC. - Hunter/gatherer societies are communal and organized by consensus, in which wealth is shared, and work is cooperative, including child-bearing and child-rearing. Women are equally important to men sustaining the group. - Agricultural societies are regimented and planned, labor is specialized, organization and ownership of the food supply is top-down by a minority of priests or nobles and their male heirs. Each woman's fertility is strictly controlled by a man who more or less owns her and her children.

[@squizzums]

Errrrrrm, so what are the components of a female myth, my guy, and how is it different from a male myth?

[@pastureexpectationsfarm6412]

Males are usually (hopefully) protectors, inventors, explorers, etc. Females are usually healing, nurturing life-givers. Those are the myths (not untrue, just norms). Deviating from those norms makes interesting stories (i.e. murder mysteries).

[@user-jy9vj7db2o]

too much talk about nothing...uhmm..ah..ooh...thats just crazy, wow, what-about. next on the laundry list of best-of, ... reaaly? 2 hours?

[@DartagnanMagic]

Genre is as flimsy as uncooked spaghetti.

[@edgaracajabon9522]

I'm not going to write a story about woke or politically correct themes

[@AlexeyShort]

How to use script rules in 5-10 sec vids?