Chapter 13: now, what – Mariner Software Contour for Mac User Manual
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Chapter 13: Now, What?
W
e have been through quite a journey, getting a handle on
what our story is about, creating the Central Question, and taking
our protagonist through their archetypal stages, from Orphan, to
Wanderer, to Warrior, and finally, to Martyr.
Youʼve answered all of the questions along the way. The progress
meter bar is now a bright green, and your slider has gotten quite a
workout and has made it to the far right hand side of the bar.
Now, what? Dive right into the screenplay and start writing?
Not so fast. Any writer knows (and if you donʼt, you soon will) that
writing is rewriting -- and writing some more -- and tweaking what
youʼve got. Now, itʼs time to get to work refining your story.
Spend some time reviewing each step, and evaluate your answer
to each question. Have you set up Act I sufficiently, and do your
Yes/No reversals escalate in intensity? Is your protagonistʼs goal
compelling enough to keep your audience interested for two hours
in a dark theater? Is your Deflector someone who can stand up to
your Protagonist or are they someone who seems like they would
turn tail and run (LIVE FREE OR DIE HARD)?
Once you answer the questions to your satisfaction, itʼs time to
move beyond Contour and start writing in the screenwriting
software of your choice, such as Montage.
So, how do you get your work out of Contour?
In This Chapter:
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