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How can I tell where plot points in Contour will appear in my finished script? - Knowledgebase / Contour (Mac) - Mariner Software

How can I tell where plot points in Contour will appear in my finished script?

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How can I tell where plot points in Contour will appear in my finished script?

Contour not only helps you organize your story, but it also helps you organize pacing in your script. Contour works from the model of a script that is 105 pages long. why 105? Because script readers would much rather read a 105 page script than a 120 page script. Getting read, and getting your script purchased is the goal.

The Guide uses a series of mnemonic labels to mark general plot points in your text

The table below outlines the approximate page numbers where plot points fall with their associated Mnemonic and theme. 

 

~ Page #'s

Mnemonic Plot Points Archetypal Theme
1-6 I Donʼt Get No Respect 1-3 Orphan
6-12 You Know What Your Trouble Is? 4-6 Orphan
12-17 Calls And Busy Signals 7-9 Orphan
17-28 Through The Looking Glass 9-12 Orphan
28-35 Kick The Dog 1-3 y/n Wanderer
35-45 Which Way Is Up? 4-5 y/n Wanderer
45-55 When Life Gives You Lemons... 6-7 y/n Wanderer
55-65 ...Make Lemonade 8-10 y/n Warrior
65-75 Inside The Whale 11/12 y/n Warrior
75-85 Death & Rebirth 13-14 y/n Warrior
85-95 Whatʼs The Worst That Can Happen?

1-2 Big YES/No

Martyr
95-105 Good Guy Vs. Bad Guy Over Stakes

3-4 Big NO/Final YES

Martyr

  

For more information (and examples from movies), see Pages 67-72 of the Contour User Guide.

 

 

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