Lesson 9

[Nat Melvin]

Natalie’s Favorite Twists!

WIL: Adding twists to the outline helped me to find plot holes and improve story flow in general.

Scene 1: DECEIVED – SURPRISING TRUTH

Setup: Cooper brings Brie to sway Turner to agree to sell his land

Twist: Brie thinks that Cooper is trying to help her make amends with her estranged father who hasn’t spoken to her for years.

OR:

Setup: Brie hopes Cooper is helping her to make amends with her estranged father by providing financing for refurbishing needs of the fair

Twist: Cooper is not investing in the fairground, but rather wants to buy the land and level up the fair to build a commercially viable high-end mall

Scene 2: PLAN FAILS – PLAN SUCCEEDS

Setup: Cooper meets Turner in his office to finalize the acquisition deal. But, influenced by community support against the acquisition, Turner refuses to sell his land. Outraged, Cooper threatens with severe consequences, including legal actions, if need be, etc., and storms out.

Twist: Cooper makes a call to Ari, his business partner with questionable ethics, and learns that his men are on the way to ensure that the deal goes through as planned.

Scene 3: UNEXPECTED WEAPON – SURPRISING RESPONSE

Setup: After the meeting with Turner, Cooper gives Brie a choice: imake her father sell the land, or lose his financial support. Brie refuses to get involves because she wants Cooper help Turner rebuild the fair.

Twist: Cooper says he’ll be filing for a divorce.

Scene 4: NEW THREAT – UNEXPECTED SUPPORT

Setup: Turner joins protesters, and is approached by a reporter who asks how he feels about losing the battle to the big guys, and what are Turner’s plans after the acquisition.

Twist: Turner receives unexpected support from the local community and calls to fight for the fair.

Scene 5: PLAN FAILS – PLAN SUCCEEDS

Setup: Cooper loses the deal to Turner

Twist: Cooper’s partner sends two henchmen to sabotage the opening of the Ferris Wheel, which will bring down the value of the land and force Turner to sell.

Scene 6: TRAP – ESCAPE

Setup: Ronnie locks Brie in the electrical room with no ways out

Twist: Brie uses her training and physical strength to climb high to the ceiling and escape through a tiny window.

Scene 7: IT JUST GOT WORSE – IT JUST GOT BETTER

Setup: Liam gets lost in the crowd and accidentally bumps into Cooper

Twist: Turner saves Liam from his stepfather’s punishment for disobeying

Scene 8: REVERSAL – REVERSE THE REVERSAL

Setup: Phil and Ronnie watch the Ferris Wheel spin faster

Twist: Phil tells Ronnie that his daughter is inside of the cabin of the Wheel

Scene 9: NEW THREAT – UNEXPECTED SUPPORT

Setup: The Ferris Wheel spins out of control due to a mechanical failure

Twist: Ronnie shuts the electricity off bringing it to a halt

Scene 9: IT JUST GOT WORSE – IT JUST GOT BETTER

Setup: Liam refuses to jump out of the cabin

Twist: Cables break off, and propel Liam into his mother’s arms

Scene 10: REVERSAL – REVERSE THE REVERSAL

Setup: Cooper pretends to assist Brie to safety

Twist: Cooper dies under the falling debris of the collapcing Ferris Wheel

Scene 11:

1. UNEXPECTED WEAPON – SURPRISING RESPONSE

Setup: Liam speaks for the first time – calling his Grandfather to see his mom

Twist: Turner makes amends with Brie

2. REVERSAL – REVERSE THE REVERSAL

Setup: Turner says farewell to Brie expecting to spend the rest of his life in jail

Twist: Sarah shows videos of Cooper, Ronnie and Phil plotting to sabotage the Wheel