Chapter 2: process overview, Three act structure – Mariner Software Contour for Windows User Manual
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Chapter 2: Process Overview
C
ontour is a multi-step approach to producing a structurally sound
outline from which to write screenplays, guiding the writer from script
idea to the final beat of Act III.
The software is laid out in a step by step manner, with a progress
meter to show the writer where they are in the process.
In order to understand the Contour process, several key concepts are
defined below:
Three Act Structure
In structuring a screenplay, there are three Acts -- the Beginning, the Middle,
and the End. Act I and Act III are the same length, with Act II being as long
as both Acts I and III combined. In the Contour method, Act II is divided in
half for reasons which will be discussed later.
In This Chapter:
The Four Questions
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