Simple question. When writing flashbacks, dream sequences, etc. is it better to use BACK TO SCENE or END FLASHBACK? I tend to use both but I was taught to use BACK TO SCENE. It seems to work better in most cases but doesn't seem the best choice when slugls are involved. If a given flashback runs for a certain length of time, I feel like it'd be better to write END FLASHBACK and then the slug for the scene taking place in the present (which is why I use both). I feel with BACK TO SCENE, readers might forget what they're returning to. I suppose you could use BACK TO SCENE followed by a slug but it seems redundant somehow.

Thoughts?

I use "END FLASHBACK."  I also use SLUGS inside the Flashback.

As in...

BEGIN FLASHBACK:

INT. JOE'S BBQ - KITCHEN - NIGHT

Joe takes arms and legs off of the spit, throws them down on the table.  He carefully chops them into small, tender morsels.

INT. JOE'S BBQ - SEATING AREA - CONTINUOUS

Mike and Mary happily fill their faces with the BBQ, as sauce runs down their chins.

END FLASHBACK.

Personally, I don't like seeing "FLASHBACK" in a SLUG, and it makes zero sense to me when I see something like "RETURN TO SCENE" or "END FLASHBACK" in their.

When it comes to the technical side of screenwriting I don't believe there is no one definitive way to write it. If you can convey clearly what's going on to the reader, you've succeeded, in my opinion.

But for the record; I write flashbacks as:

INT. LOCATION - TIME (FLASHBACK)

When it finishes and you move on to another scene or back to the one before the flashback, I write it as:

INT. LOCATION - TIME (PRESENT)

It's simple, easy to understand and economical.

Jeff's way is also perfectly fine and I wouldn't see a problem with including slugs within the flashback as long as when it begins and ends is clearly stated. Whether it be written as (FLASHBACK) and (PRESENT) or BEGIN FLASHBACK: and END FLASHBACK: clarity is what's important.


I only use BACK TO SCENE after an insert since this is where I've seen it most commonly used. For example:

INSERT - OBJECT - TIME

Descriptive

BACK TO SCENE

Descriptive

It's whatever reads the clearest. Screenwriting is more about clarity than construction. Format is about making it consistent, but you should always ensure that it is easy to follow.

Int.office-night
typing on the computer jake is  shocked by girls murder  on a post he sees.

cut to:
girl is harrased on phone at  office she runs out.

   back to:
mouth drops  back on the screen he remembers her face.

it better reflects the  intention with the scene. This cutaway is a better  transition.

Colkurtz8  exactly  only use BACK TO SCENE after an insert  is way better I think.

INSERT - OBJECT - TIME

Descriptive

BACK TO SCENE

Descriptive

I think as long as it's clear to the reader. I did have a question for other writers about something similar myself, Does a flashback have to be a certain amount of pages or is there some kind of unspoken rule where flashbacks are usually a page or two at most, What if it's like a chapter? Would you still have to put a flashback in there? Or could you write something like:

EXT. SCENE - SOME TIME AGO

Two things
Clear it’s and consistency

Either will do. No right or wrong here.

Quoted from Lono I think as long as it's clear to the reader. I did have a question for other writers about something similar myself, Does a flashback have to be a certain amount of pages or is there some kind of unspoken rule where flashbacks are usually a page or two at most, What if it's like a chapter? Would you still have to put a flashback in there? Or could you write something like: EXT. SCENE - SOME TIME AGO

As is typically the case - you can't go wrong with Trottier:

https://www.keepwriting.com/tsc/flashback.htm

For me, clarity and readability are the key elements.

In terms of your specific question - I would not use FLASHBACK - I would either to what you did (SOME TIME AGO) or use a SUPER: e.g., THREE YEARS EARLIER.

In sounds to me like you are not really flashing back - instead you are telling a non-linear story.