formatting flashbacks

From the Write Bros. newsletter:


1. ASK DR. FORMAT by Dave Trottier


ALL ABOUT FLASHBACKS

QUESTION

Are there any special format rules for writing a flashback?

ANSWER

Since the FLASHBACK is often abused by developing writers, make sure that your use of it pays off dramatically. In terms of formatting, there are numerous correct methods. The overriding principle is to be clear.

Method 1
In the example below, we label the flashback like we would a montage.

FLASHBACK – TRAIN ACCIDENT

Barry sees the train speeding toward him and leaps from the tracks, but his foot catches on a rail tie.

BACK TO PRESENT DAY

The above method is designed for short flashbacks that happen within a scene. For longer flashbacks, consider one of the following methods.

Method 2

FLASHBACK – EXT. TRAIN TRACKS – DAY

Method 3

EXT. TRAIN TRACKS - DAY - FLASHBACK

Or

EXT. TRAIN TRACKS - DAY (FLASHBACK)

If you use either of the above notations, then the next scene heading would follow the same pattern and look like this...

For more of the article, visit http://www.screenplay.com/t-Dr_Format.aspx.

Thanks for this, I was always wondering how to properly format flashbacks, I wasnt sure.

Very helpful. I included a flashback in a script.

As always, thanks Lauri.

And adieu. Aside from your informative posts, and wry humor, and a few others...there's a rather negative trend on here (generally)

(I certainly might not contribute anything useful to film discussion myself)..but..going to take a little time off and return when things get cheerier.

I'm not Pollyanna. I just love cinema, and prefer to spend moments in fun, positive talk, encouraging expression in a difficult art, and yes, in challenging, but expansive dialogue.

Break a leg you princesses of Main!!

oops.

forgot the 'e'

:)

FLASHBACK

...is better understood (at a glance) if underlined and put at the start of THE SLUGLINE.
And it just so happens that I can't underline it on here so just use your imagination.

FLASHBACK at the end of a slugline can get confusing and will interfere with other descriptors like DREAM etc if your script is setting up a complex scene.

Ever since the TV Series of the 'same name' I often find myself using the term FLASHFORWARD.

"EXT. TRAIN TRACKS - DAY (FLASHBACK)"


That's pretty much what I do.

Flashbacks are tricky. I know I have a couple in my series project, and I might just go and double-check that I formatted them correctly (wrote it up in a kind of hurry). I think I usually use the standard:

FLASHBACK

INT. BEDROOM - DAY

Blah blah blah.

END FLASHBACK

I feel it is the clearest.

G., that's pretty close to what I'm using in "Flat Pennies."

I have four daydream scenes, pretty much the formatting equivalent of flashbacks. My script is actually four daydreams within a daydream. Tough formatting.

The only difference from what you're doing that I'm doing is placing a BEGIN IAN'S DAYDREAM and END IAN'S DAYDREAM in the Transition element position, justified right. It's very clear and comes off like a road flare over there.

Funny thing is, in my earlier drafts of "Flat Pennies" I did not demarcate the daydreams from the rest of the storyline, figuring that readers would "figure it out as they went." Ha! Rookie move.

After way too many "What the hell is going on?!" comments and losing people at page 10, I thankfully added the extra formatting element.

@ Robert

FLASHBACK INT. LOCATION - DAY, IAN'S DAYDREAM

Thanks KPS.