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SimplyScripts Screenwriting Discussion Board  /  Questions or Comments  /  Flashback within a Flashback
Posted by: JakeJon, April 23rd, 2017, 7:12pm
Simply Scripts Formatting Police:  Help!

My second Act is a Giant Flashback.  Dangerous , I know.  Inside of this Flashback, I want to

Flashback brief conversations that occurred earlier in the  Flashback.  Memory visions, perhaps?

Do I handle each "mini" Flashback the normal way.  Flashback, End of Flashback, Back To ??

Sorry if you're confused but I'll take anything here.   Thanks

JakeJon
Posted by: eldave1, April 24th, 2017, 9:41am; Reply: 1
This is what Dave Trottier recommends:
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Situation #3: A flashback within a flashback
This is where a character recalls a previous event in which he or she recalls an even earlier event as in Julia and Secret in Their Eyes.

The solution is to 1) use correct format and 2) be absolutely clear in your labeling and description. I'll illustrate with a brief example where the first flashback consists of more than one scene, and is therefore a flashback sequence. Notice the clearly identified characters in each flashback.

EXT. JUNGLE - DAY

DORIS and DANNY trudge through the jungle swinging their machetes. Doris swings at a tree branch and liberates it in one skillful swing.

BEGIN FLASHBACK SEQUENCE

EXT. FOREST - DAY

TEEN DORIS swings her axe at a tree limb, severing it.

EXT. GIRLS CAMP - NIGHT

Teen Doris drops her tree limbs next to a campfire.

FLASHBACK - DORIS IN HER CHILDHOOD BACKYARD

CHILD DORIS, wearing a safari helmet, swings a plastic sword at the bushes, trying to cut her way through. She proudly picks up a small branch.

BACK TO GIRLS CAMP

Teen Doris proudly throws some tree limbs on the campfire.

END FLASHBACK SEQUENCE
Posted by: JakeJon, April 25th, 2017, 10:34am; Reply: 2
Dave,
Thanks for the  info.
Here's what I have.  I am trying to show the exact moment and dialogue from an earlier part of the scene. (On film, the actual same moment).  If you don't mind taking another look at it.  I'm pretty sure I'm still out to lunch on this one.

EMMI
Invisible.  

BYRON
What?

Emmi’s eyes swirl green.

INT. NORTH COUNTRY LOG HOUSE - FLASHBACK - DAY
KITCHEN

Byron responding to Emmi earlier in the day.

BYRON
Well... I’m gonna treat you like you’re not even here.  Got it? You’re nothing. You’re invisible.

END OF FLASHBACK

BACK TO:
INT. SPORTS CAR - DAY

Byron returns from the memory vision.

BYRON
Oh, right.  But I saw you... Wait.    You’re invisible to every one else?  Great.  I am crazy.
Posted by: TonyDionisio, April 25th, 2017, 11:51am; Reply: 3
I dunno,

I considered the usage of flashbacks within my work to be clear, short and important to the story, yet most of the "pro's" or "gatekeepers" seem to frown upon them as ""taking the reader out of the action or story flow."

If this continues, I can't see having a 'flash within a flash' to be a good idea for spec writing.

How about narration over a single flash?
Posted by: JakeJon, April 25th, 2017, 1:53pm; Reply: 4
Tony,
Right on.  Flashbacks in general are bad joo joo.  My last reader ripped me open.  The story became confusing to him and did exactly that, "took him out of the story flow" which he was enjoying.

Maybe... I'm wondering in "Ground Hog Day" ( Murray and MacDowell) when they're sitting at the bar, they repeat the scene several times and just alter the dialogue so Murray's character can better position himself in the relationship.  I'll see if I can find the script.

What do you mean by narration over a single flash?

Funny, I just finished watching " Michael Clayton".  The entire movie is a Flashback from the car bombing.  

thanks for your help.

JJ
Posted by: TonyDionisio, April 25th, 2017, 2:57pm; Reply: 5

Quoted from JakeJon


What do you mean by narration over a single flash?

JJ


Well, we are already in bad territory with one flashback, so why add a 2nd? Instead, how about, since we insist that the story requires flashbacks, how about we make the reader focus on a V.O. while inside the flashback. This way, not only are we showing a visual, we are also accurately explaining to the reader (audience) what we mean to convey.

This gives us dual control of our intentions.
Posted by: JakeJon, April 26th, 2017, 8:26am; Reply: 6
Yay Tony!

I love the VO inside the Flashback idea.  Some major rewriting and character trait changes but I think it may work for the best.  Gonna give it a try.

Thanks so much for the effort.   I owe you a read.

Regards,

JJ
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