MacGuffins Aren't MacGuffins

The MacGuffin is a perfectly good film theory term that is almost always misused. We want it to mean one thing, but it means something different. In this video I attempt to define what a MacGuffin actually is, versus what it should be. True MacGuffins are empty and meaningless, but perhaps we storytellers should strive to make MacGuffins that are emotionally meaningful and thematically significant. You can follow me here: Twitter: https://twitter.com/JonathanWStokes Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/InStokesGram A big thank you to these musicians. Please check out their music! "Mulholland" by King Canyon YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@kingcanyon Check out the song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUV1CRRxulE "The Woogie" by The Whole Other YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmfv-k0nAxRaD5xA7cWLqSw Check out the song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQ9D4ogzZi0 "Jazz Apricot" by Joey Pecoraro YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbduFDt3vsxBEbeWmy6e5aA Check out the song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EhzoYigRcno "Jazz Mango" by Joey Pecoraro YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbduFDt3vsxBEbeWmy6e5aA Check out the song: https://youtu.be/AgdW4Keymew?si=So6R_d9DCT_5dQdB "First Time Experience" by Nate Blaze YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_uYBKu2FRixSwzIig04JRQ Check out the song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNngcI08PP0 "Blue Ribbons" by TrackTribe YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TrackTribe