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This is what Dave Trottier recommends: =======================================
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.