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SimplyScripts Screenwriting Discussion Board    Screenwriting Discussion    Screenwriting Class  ›  To flashback or not to flashback? Moderators: George Willson
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  Author    To flashback or not to flashback?  (currently 1450 views)
TonyDionisio
Posted: March 26th, 2017, 8:59am Report to Moderator
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Damnit, get to the point!

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Quoted from Penoyer79
Formatting wise I was never quite sure how to do Flashbacks correctly.

Thanks!!!


You do it so that hopefully all sorts of readers are crystal clear about your story.
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JakeJon
Posted: April 6th, 2017, 8:16am Report to Moderator
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Since I'm Here:
Simply Scripts Format Police:  Help re: Do I use a Flashback for the following screenplay situation?

My character has an important "memory" of a conversation he had with another character, earlier in the script.  
It's important that the exact same scene is shown (filmed).
I'm using a Flashback.  What do you think?   This happens several times in my feature.  Is there a better way?
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Dreamscale
Posted: April 6th, 2017, 9:55am Report to Moderator
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Quoted from JakeJon
Since I'm Here:
Simply Scripts Format Police:  Help re: Do I use a Flashback for the following screenplay situation?

My character has an important "memory" of a conversation he had with another character, earlier in the script.  
It's important that the exact same scene is shown (filmed).
I'm using a Flashback.  What do you think?   This happens several times in my feature.  Is there a better way?


If you're truly flashing back and showing the same scene again, then, yes, you need a Flashback.

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eldave1
Posted: April 6th, 2017, 10:12am Report to Moderator
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Quoted from JakeJon
Since I'm Here:
Simply Scripts Format Police:  Help re: Do I use a Flashback for the following screenplay situation?

My character has an important "memory" of a conversation he had with another character, earlier in the script.  
It's important that the exact same scene is shown (filmed).
I'm using a Flashback.  What do you think?   This happens several times in my feature.  Is there a better way?


A variety of ways to do it as long as your readers are clear - you're fine. If I have your scenario correct, the flashback takes place on the exact same location that the current scene takes place in. So, let's say that Jake and Jon are at a bar --

INT. BAR/CORNER BOOTH - NIGHT

JAKE
Did you see the way she was looking at me?

JON
She wasn't looking at you. She was married.

JAKE
Bullshit.

JON
She had a wedding ring. Remember?

Jake fumbles with his beer - thinks.

BEGIN FLASHBACK - SAME BAR, THE NIGHT BEFORE

Jake and Jon in their corner booth. A WOMAN (24) dressed in a red cocktail dress sips wine, at the bar. Glass in hand, she turns, shoots a smile towards Jake and Jon.  

The Woman's wedding ring sparkles.

END FLASHBACK

JAKE
The ring was on her right hand

That's how I would do it. You could also use BACK TO SCENE or anything else you think makes it clear that the flashback has ended and you're back in current time. Even a combo works as far as I am concerned (e.g., END FLASHBACK - BACK TO SCENE, or END FLASHBACK - BACK TO BAR - PRESENT DAY).  

For me, if it is a short flashback, END FLASHBACK is enough because the reader didn't forget where we were. If it is an extensive Flashback, I may use something to rem ind the reader where we were in the first place) - But again - as long as it is clear


My Scripts can all be seen here:

http://dlambertson.wix.com/scripts
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leitskev
Posted: April 6th, 2017, 10:39am Report to Moderator
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I have used this in scripts before. I think I used parenthesis to make sure it was clear that the flash was a replay  of the scene already showed.

BEGIN FLASHBACK

INT. DANTE'S PUB - NIGHT(same scene as opening)

wejkefj

END FLASH

As Dave says, clarity is what matters most. There are different ways to do things depending on the need, For example, if you have a whole bunch of brief flashes, you might use

QUICKFLASH: Ruffian breaking a bottle over D***in's head.

Or just FLASH: Ruffian...

If you have a bunch of little flashes it's a waste of space to keep doing BEGIN FLASH and END FLASH
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JakeJon
Posted: April 6th, 2017, 10:43am Report to Moderator
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Thanks Gents for the quick, succinct responses.

I think I'm Okay.

JJ
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eldave1
Posted: April 6th, 2017, 10:44am Report to Moderator
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Quoted from leitskev
I have used this in scripts before. I think I used parenthesis to make sure it was clear that the flash was a replay  of the scene already showed.

BEGIN FLASHBACK

INT. DANTE'S PUB - NIGHT(same scene as opening)

wejkefj

END FLASH

As Dave says, clarity is what matters most. There are different ways to do things depending on the need, For example, if you have a whole bunch of brief flashes, you might use

QUICKFLASH: Ruffian breaking a bottle over D***in's head.

Or just FLASH: Ruffian...

If you have a bunch of little flashes it's a waste of space to keep doing BEGIN FLASH and END FLASH


concur


My Scripts can all be seen here:

http://dlambertson.wix.com/scripts
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