Lesson 9

[Clive Morris]

Clive Morris – Favorite Twists Class 9

What I Learned Doing This Assignment
What I learned doing this assignment is that adding twists isn’t just about being clever — it’s about controlling the audience’s emotional rhythm. By setting a predictable direction and then subverting it, I keep the story fresh and engaging. Twists generate tension, relief, shock, and even humor. I now see how small or big twists can elevate almost every scene — whether it’s a gunfight or a quiet conversation. This process helped me rethink scenes as opportunities to surprise.

REWORKED SCENES WITH TWISTS

SCENE: Nursing Home Ambush
Setup: Rick arrives to reconnect with Hank. They talk awkwardly, and Hank gives him an envelope with encrypted data. Rick doesn’t believe his story.
Twist 1 – Attacked – Protected: Suddenly, masked men burst in. Just as one aims to kill Hank—Marge shows up with a stun gun and zaps him, giving Rick just enough time to go full Marine.
Twist 2 – Lost Resource New Resource: Rick’s phone is smashed. But in Hank’s envelope is a burner phone preloaded with a journalist contact. Hank had prepared for this.

SCENE: Cabin Siege
Setup: Rick, Hank, and Marge hide out at Marge’s remote cabin. Rick believes it’s safe.
Twist 3 – Safety – Danger: A drone scans the area and relays their location. A sniper opens fire.
Twist 4 – Trap – Escape: The gang bursts in—but Marge’s hidden trap door leads them into an underground cellar. From below, Rick ambushes the attackers with surprise tactics.

SCENE: Journalist Meeting (Midpoint)
Setup: Rick goes to meet a trusted journalist at a train station café to leak the Keller evidence.
Twist 5 – Plan Fails: The journalist is already dead. Mendoza is there instead—waiting.
Twist 6 – It Just Got Worse: Mendoza says Keller has footage of Rick’s daughter — “She’s next.”
Twist 7 – Unexpected Weapon: Rick uses Marge’s stun gun – which he teased her about – to subdue Mendoza and escape onto the moving train.

SCENE: Mendoza’s Lair
Setup: Rick and Johnny break into Mendoza’s hideout to rescue Hank.
Twist 8 – Betrayal – Surprising Alliance: A gang member turns on Mendoza and helps Rick. It’s the brother of a vet Rick saved years ago.
Twist 9 – It Just Got Worse – It Just Got Better: Rick is nearly overwhelmed. Hank unexpectedly kills a guard, saving Rick’s life. It’s the first time Hank has killed in decades.

SCENE: Final Confrontation with Keller (Climax)
Setup: Rick infiltrates the press event where Keller will be appointed CIA head.
Twist 10 – Identity Hidden – Identity Exposed: Marge hacks the system and live-broadcasts Keller’s cartel confession to every news outlet mid-speech.
Twist 11 – Attacked – Protected: Keller pulls a gun, but Hank takes the shot meant for Rick, protecting his son.

MY FIVE FAVORITE TWISTS (SETUP – TWIST)
1. Safety – Danger: Cabin feels secure—until a sniper opens fire and drones expose them.
2. Plan Succeeds – Plan Fails: Meeting the journalist turns out to be a setup—he’s dead.
3. Betrayal – Surprising Alliance: A gang member secretly helps Rick due to shared military past.
4. Attacked – Protected: Hank sacrifices himself to protect Rick from Keller.
5. Trap – Escape: Marge’s underground cellar gives them a surprise advantage during the siege.