Okay so I'm just cleaning up an old short and I'm hit with a dilemma that had me scratching my head when I first wrote the darn thing lol.  The script is a non-linear piece and I opted to not include 'flashback' in the slugs, as I wanted the reader to work it out for themselves...which most did.  However I'm now torn as to whether I should include 'flashback' to make it more easy to follow.  Any thoughts anyone?  Is it wrong not to?

I think it's definitely "wrong" not to use a FLASHBACK when you are flashing back.

And, I wouldn't add it in the Slug...do it with "BEGIN FLASHBACK", then "END FLASHBACK".  This way, you can incorporate multiple scenes/Slugs/etc in each Flashback.  

Cheers Jeff. The main problem is it jumps and some flashbacks are followed by another flashback, which is a flashback before the first flashback lol.

I did that once - not using a flashback, and peeps got it regardless. My reasoning was I didn't want to interrupt the flow of the script. In that case it becomes more about the writing and how you handle those transitions. If you think you can get away with it, then why not? Technically, for the most part, we all know the rules. I follow them mostly. In that one instance I didn't and I'm cool with that.

Okay, here's a question:

After you END FLASHBACK do you need to provide a new slug to go back to the scene you were just in?

Quoted from SAC Okay, here's a question: After you END FLASHBACK do you need to provide a new slug to go back to the scene you were just in?

No...you'd be in the Slug where you were when you bean your Flashback.

Example...

EXT. JEFF'S BACK PATIO - DAY

Jeff stares hard at Angel's bare ass, glistening in the sun.

He closes his eyes.

BEGIN FLASHBACK:

INT. THE CANDY STORE - NIGHT

Angel straddles Jeff, kissing his neck teasingly.

She stands up, turns around, and pulls down her panties, revealing a near perfect ass.

Jeff smiles, reaches out for it.

END FLASHBACK.

Angel flips over, revealing a big set of melons.
    
          Angel
     Hey, you staring at my ass?

          Jeff
     Yep...I sure am!

Perfect. Thanks Jeff. I didn't know you were into writing fantasy. Thought you were more of a horror guy. Well, perhaps horror for the girl whose ass you were staring at. :D :D

Whatever makes it more likely for someone to read the script and think it would be a good film to make.

If the confusion from not having flash indicated makes it less likely, then it's best to have it there.

If the format challenges the reader the way the film is meant to challenge an audience, and you think this makes a director more likely to choose your script, then don't use the flash.

Go with your instinct.

Only thing that matters is winning over a producer or director.

Quoted from Dreamscale No...you'd be in the Slug where you were when you bean your Flashback. Example... EXT. JEFF'S BACK PATIO - DAY Jeff stares hard at Angel's bare ass, glistening in the sun. He closes his eyes. BEGIN FLASHBACK: INT. THE CANDY STORE - NIGHT Angel straddles Jeff, kissing his neck teasingly. She stands up, turns around, and pulls down her panties, revealing a near perfect ass. Jeff smiles, reaches out for it. END FLASHBACK. Angel flips over, revealing a big set of melons.                Angel      Hey, you staring at my ass?           Jeff      Yep...I sure am!

Solid approach

As for the way to format flash, I use the one indicated by Jeff. Heck, he probably taught me it.

Quoted from leitskev As for the way to format flash, I use the one indicated by Jeff. Heck, he probably taught me it.

You got that right, brother!   ;D ;D ;D ;D  And all this time, I thought nothing I said got through to you.  HA!!!

Quoted from leitskev If the format challenges the reader the way the film is meant to challenge an audience, and you think this makes a director more likely to choose your script, then don't use the flash.

This was my thinking.  When it was posted, the readers all seemed to follow it so I might just leave it.

All that matters, Alffy, is getting someone excited reading your story excited about making it or seeing it made. The rest is just trimmings for writers to argue over.

This is where the rubber meets the road for me when it comes to "rules". In prose, they say that with the best writing the words disappear. The reader doesn't see them. In other words, we see and feel the story, not the words.

Since a spec script has to sell itself to someone, why would the principle be different?

Part of feeling a story is suspense. And that can be created in the way the story is written. That's important for making the reader feel the story. But sometimes a strict interpretation of rules limits the opportunity to create the suspense, for example by saying we need to intro the character by name right away. What's more important, a rule that has no impact on making a reader love your story, or actually making the reader feel the story as he reads it?

So I'm just saying you are a veteran writer, you should feel free to call it the way you see it.

Quoted from SAC Okay, here's a question: After you END FLASHBACK do you need to provide a new slug to go back to the scene you were just in?

I use:

END FLASHBACK

BACK TO SCENE

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

Thanks!!!

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.

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?

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.

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

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

Thanks Gents for the quick, succinct responses.

I think I'm Okay.

JJ

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