Flashbacks sometimes get a bad rap in screenwriting circles. You'll hear advice to avoid them completely if you're just getting started. There's some value to that, because novice screenwriters can sometimes use flashbacks as lazy exposition dumps, pausing the narrative to explain backstory that could be handled more elegantly.But flashbacks can also be artistic or shocking. Do we see the scene from another perspective? Do we get information that changes how we feel about a character? That's probably a great flashback.Let's learn how to write them. But first...What Is a Flashback?A flashback is an interruption of a narrative to go backward to show something from the past. The best flashbacks shouldn't just fill in what happened before. They should transform the meaning of what we're watching right now..You might use one to reveal character backstory that directly impacts present action, expose a defining trauma that explains current behavior, or create suspense by showing us something that recontextualizes what we thought we knew. For instance, flashbacks in Fight Club redefine the entire movie by revealing that the Narrator (Edward Norton) and Tyler Durden (Brad Pitt) are actually the same person.So, How Do You Write a Flashback?Okay, now that we're clear on what a flashback is, let's go over how to go about writing one.Do You Need This Flashback?This is where you should start. Before you write that flashback, ask yourself, "Is this the best way to convey this information? How am I going to transition in and out of the flashback...
Published By: NoFilmSchool - Yesterday