Mariner Software Contour for Mac - Manual (Page 38)

Plot Point 1
We meet either the Hero, Victim/Stakes Character, or Antagonist.
In E.T. we meet the victim first, E.T. and the aliens; itʼs the same thing with JAWS, though itʼs coupled with
meeting the antagonist at the same time. In FORREST GUMP, we meet the hero first. In STAR WARS, we
meet the antagonist first.
The hero is usually introduced in his native setting. Forrest Gump is sitting on a bench, waiting for life to hap-
pen around him. In THE LION KING we meet Simba, safe and revered by all the animals in his parents care.
In BEVERLY HILLS COP, Axel Foley is in Detroit, causing mischief.
If you introduce the victim(s) first, itʼs usually right before the moment of their victimization.
• In STAR WARS, Princess Leiaʼs ship is as itʼs being fired on by the massive Star Destroyer.
• In ARMAGEDDON, astronauts are on a space walk which lasts only a few moments before meteor-
ites destroy them and their space shuttle before pounding New York.
• In JAWS, the story opens with the kids on the beach right before Chrissie goes for her ill-fated swim.
Many films lump meeting the antagonist with meeting the victims for the obvious reason of victims need
someone to make them victims and antagonists need someone to antagonize. We meet the antagonist first in
Jurassic Park, which opens with a worker getting killed by a Raptor.
38 of 82