Mariner Software Contour for Mac - Manual (Page 60)

ACT 1 -- 12 PLOT POINTS 1 THROUGH 3
In these first three plot points of Act I, known as “I Donʼt Get No Respect” in the Guide, several landmarks occur, including:
The theme of the film will have been stated either explicitly or implicitly, either through action or a visual. Think of
the opening to GLADIATOR with Maximus running his hands over the tall grass. This is a statement of the theme
“Thereʼs no place like home.”
The hero is established in his/her ordinary world as the “greatest” or “most” something. It could even be a negative.
When we meet him, Woody is the greatest friend a kid could ever have; Harry Potter, when we meet him he is the
most disadvantaged foster child weʼve ever met without crossing the line to being legally abused. Luke is the most
ordinary farm boy in the universe.
The hero has limited awareness of which aspect of him/her is “broken.” This is often associated with a “ghost”
from the heroʼs past; a major and unresolved crisis that is coming to a head and can no longer be ignored.
Between these landmarks and the rest of Act I, the audience should start becoming aware of the heroʼs three areas of
conflict; professional, personal, and private:
ACT 1 -- 12 PLOT POINTS 4 THROUGH 5
In these next two plot points of Act I,known in the Guide as “You Know What Your Trouble Is?”, several landmarks occur,
including:
The inciting incident will occur. This will lead to. . .
The hero has an increased awareness of his/her needs.
The stakes are made clear. This is what the hero stands to lose.
The proverbial call to adventure occurs or is alluded to. The hero is summoned or made aware that he/she may
need to leave the ordinary world but either doesnʼt acknowledge or refuses to answer the call. . . yet.
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