Contour is a proven story development system that streamlines the process of turning your movie ideas from first glimmer to full outline. Using the Contour story development system created by Emmy Award-nominated, Jeff Schechter, you’ll learn how to use the same character-based structure that nearly all the blockbuster movies use to create solid stories that hold together from Fade In to Fade Out.

With its intuitive, fill-in-the-blanks approach, Contour shows you exactly what elements need to be in your script, never again leaving you to wonder, "what comes next?" A must-have for every screenwriter.

"Jeff has an acute understanding of the kind of story structure that makes for successful movies. By analyzing blockbusters he extrapolates a story construction model that is surprisingly simple and universally applicable. And, best of all, it works." - Tim Hill, Director - Alvin and the Chipmunks "Screenwriting is an art, and Jeff Schechter conveys both the craft and soul of the trade. A gifted teacher, he provides methods which will help you both structure and elevate your best ideas." - David Sacks, Executive Producer/Writer - The Simpsons

Contour enables writers to develop a movie concept from the idea stage to a bulletproof outline. Along the way, Contour guides the writer through plot points of all three acts and explains the major storytelling secrets to crafting a highly marketable movie. The main character's journey is explained through archetypal themes that reverberate in the top 50 grossing movies of all time.
The key to the success of the Contour system is the ability to break down a story to a simple structure.
Using Contour, you will:

• Answer the 4 simple questions that shape most every screenplay in the top 50.
• Develop the single-sentence logline that lays out your entire script like a roadmap.
• Identify the 4 archetypes every protagonist moves through from "fade in" to "fade out;"
• Lay out the 12 foundation beats of ACT ONE.
• Discover a system of breaking down ACT TWO that is so ruthlessly easy you will never get stuck on page 55 again.
• Craft the 4 final beats of ACT THREE that readers and audiences expect and that define your script as marketable and professional.

Once you have your screenplay properly outlined in Contour, you will need to lay out your masterpiece in a screenwriting application. Contour seamlessly integrates with Montage, Mariner's award-winning screenwriting software for Mac OS X. A hard to beat one-two punch.

Contour includes several entire scripts of successful blockbusters, successfully dissected by the Contour system.

• Flesh out a main character and codify their motivations and behaviors.
• Quickly recognize archetypes which protagonists journey through in all the top movies.
• Go from concept to bulletproof outline in less time than ever before.
• Learn a flexible yet exact plot point and beat structure that works for all genres.
• Seamlessly transfer a concept into popular screenplay writing software such as Montage.
• Develop a compelling logline.