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I only recommend to "never use" because in many situations you'll find that you, the writer, will be doing more work, possibly missing/forgetting to add it to the Slug, and then your readers having more trouble, missing it in the Slug, etc.
If you "end" your Flashback by inserting PRESENT DAY in the next Slug, then you have yet another variation in your Slugs - the same Slug with and without PRESENT DAY or FLASHBACK.
Just so much easier and clearer to do it as was trying to say.
Your reasoning is sound. Just nuke the word never in your recommendations and you're there
What readers are being talked about here? If you're paying for coverage then the readers will read every slug. If a producer is interested in your work then they too will read every slug. If you're talking about an OWC and half the writers here, then who gives a toss whether they read every slug or not?
You don't actually need to specify FLASHBACK in your scripts if it is clear what is going on. You can tell me I'm wrong as much as you like, it still doesn't make you right.
I have decided not to use flashback because the next scene makes it perfectly obvious. He snaps out of a daze)
Dave, as far as what trottier says - i think he’s great at formatting but poor at his story telling lessons. I.E in my story that first scene is necessary for the next (protagonist agrument with his wife. This happens in many movies.
As for it is slug - I’m assuming you guys like me have read scripts and studied the graft.
Everywhere I read - said either (BEGIN FLASHBACK) or in slug is acceptable -(as are a number of other methods - see trottier’s bible) i use the first example if the flashback occurs within a scene and the second if it’s a scene until itself.
Dreamscale - one think I disagree is the use in a slug on every scene of multiple scenes (I may have misunderstood you.) Once you’re in the flashback - you’re in it til you note otherwise.
Simply - slug with (Begin flashback) and Slug with (Back to present day) These are used in examples in both trottier and August as are the other methods.
I think trottier says it right - do what you think fits best and BE CONSISTENT.
Anyway - thanks for your advice - I used it in not using the flashback at all.
If it is clear and the reader doesn't get it, they're not worthy of having a job in the first place. All this bullshit that prevails is mostly due to writers making up excuses for why their work didn't sell.
Your instincts will usually be correct. Writers here will claim confusion just because you do something different to them even if they actually get it. Writing around ugly format is surely always preferable. The reader doesn't need to instantly get it. So long as they get it soon after, then it's all good... and some will even enjoy the fact that you're allowing them to think for themselves.
If in doubt, use the camera direction. If you're confident, then write how you want.
I have decided not to use flashback because the next scene makes it perfectly obvious. He snaps out of a daze)
Dave, as far as what trottier says - i think he’s great at formatting but poor at his story telling lessons. I.E in my story that first scene is necessary for the next (protagonist agrument with his wife. This happens in many movies.
As for it is slug - I’m assuming you guys like me have read scripts and studied the graft.
Everywhere I read - said either (BEGIN FLASHBACK) or in slug is acceptable -(as are a number of other methods - see trottier’s bible) i use the first example if the flashback occurs within a scene and the second if it’s a scene until itself.
Dreamscale - one think I disagree is the use in a slug on every scene of multiple scenes (I may have misunderstood you.) Once you’re in the flashback - you’re in it til you note otherwise.
Simply - slug with (Begin flashback) and Slug with (Back to present day) These are used in examples in both trottier and August as are the other methods.
I think trottier says it right - do what you think fits best and BE CONSISTENT.
Anyway - thanks for your advice - I used it in not using the flashback at all.
If it is clear and the reader doesn't get it, they're not worthy of having a job in the first place. All this bullshit that prevails is mostly due to writers making up excuses for why their work didn't sell.
Your instincts will usually be correct. Writers here will claim confusion just because you do something different to them even if they actually get it. Writing around ugly format is surely always preferable. The reader doesn't need to instantly get it. So long as they get it soon after, then it's all good... and some will even enjoy the fact that you're allowing them to think for themselves.
If in doubt, use the camera direction. If you're confident, then write how you want.
I agree with this. Also think it is a matter of personal preference. When I started writing I really tried to make everything technically correct. Now my order of importance is:
1. Clarity 2. Readability 3. Technical rules.
As an example, if I am supposed to use a full header based on standard screenwriting protocols but I think a mini-slug would make the read pop more I'll say - fok it - use the mini-slug.
I agree with this. Also think it is a matter of personal preference. When I started writing I really tried to make everything technically correct. Now my order of importance is:
1. Clarity 2. Readability 3. Technical rules.
As an example, if I am supposed to use a full header based on standard screenwriting protocols but I think a mini-slug would make the read pop more I'll say - fok it - use the mini-slug.