A common mistake in scripts is predictable scenes. Adding twists can fix that. Here’s how I add a twist to a scene:
1) I add a twist as I write the scene. I plan out the twist in my outline so I’ll know where to add it to the scene.
2) I write the scene without a twist, then I read the scene to see where I can add one. I didn’t plan the twist in the outline, but the scene became predictable.
Sometimes I add more than one twist to a scene, but I don’t go overboard.
Do you add twists in scenes? If you do, how?
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Twists are great and wonderful things. Anything we can do to subvert audience expectations is certainly a bright spot but at the same time, I'm also wary about using them too often. Sometimes a predictable scene just needs to be predictable with a hint of flavor to it. If we make our audience expect a twist in everything we do then it often leads to disappointment. For example, M. Night Shyamalan movies. They don't all have twists but he's conditioned us to look for them as well which means that when he does use them, more often than not, they fall a little flat or he doesn't end up using one which makes the entire film seem less than it could have been.
Just some small time thoughts to consider.
Happy writing all!
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Great points, Nathan Smith! I didn't look at it like that. Definitely things to keep in mind. Happy writing and Holidays!
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Usually the twists I write are comedic/satirical, all the same I try not to use them very often since even those can get tiresome.
I've never written a comedic/satirical twist before, Banafsheh Esmailzadeh. I think it'd be fun. What's one of your favorite comedic/satirical twists in a movie?