Flashbacks are a powerful storytelling device. When used effectively, flashbacks can provide crucial story context, reveal character motivations, and create a more engaging narrative. Flashbacks sometimes have a mixed reception in screenplays, however, love them or hate them they’re here to stay!
What is a Flashback?
A flashback is a scene that interrupts the linear flow of a story to show events that happened in the past. These scenes can be internal, taking place within the primary timeline of the story, or external, occurring outside of the main narrative.
Why should you use a flashback?
Like any screenwriting tool, before you start including flashbacks in your screenplay you should have an idea of why you’re including it. Here are a few possible reasons why you might consider including one in your next screenplay:
- Providing context: Flashbacks can offer crucial information about a character’s past experiences that shape their present actions and decisions. Take The Shawshank Redemption. The flashbacks to Andy’s trial and his wife’s murder provide essential context for his imprisonment and his unwavering hope for freedom.
- Revealing secrets: Flashbacks can gradually unveil secrets, mysteries, or plot twists that have a significant impact on the narrative. In Gone Girl, the flashbacks to Amy’s past slowly reveal her manipulative nature reveals the truth behind her disappearance.
- Creating emotional impact: Flashbacks can evoke powerful emotions by showcasing defining moments, pivotal relationships, or traumatic events in a character’s life. In Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, the flashbacks to Joel and Clementine’s relationship create a poignant and bittersweet emotional journey throughout the film.
Why shouldn’t you use a flashback?
Sometimes a flashback might seem like a great tool, but at the detriment to the story. A few things to watch out for when using a flashback:
- Info-dumping: If a flashback is used solely to provide a large amount of background information, it can disrupt the story’s flow and bore the audience.
- Slowing the pace: Poorly placed or overly lengthy flashbacks can slow down the story’s momentum.
- Confusing the audience: If flashbacks are not clearly distinguished from the present-day narrative or are used excessively, they can confuse the audience and make the story difficult to follow.
Formatting Flashbacks
So now you know what a flashback is, let’s look at how you can format your own flashbacks.
- Labeling: Clearly indicate the start and end of a flashback by using “FLASHBACK” or “BEGIN FLASHBACK” at the beginning of the scene and “END FLASHBACK” or “BACK TO PRESENT” at the end.
- Scene Headings: If the flashback consists of only one scene, you can simply add “(FLASHBACK)” as the last part of the scene heading. For example: e.g “INT. THE FARM – DAY (FLASHBACK)”
If the flashback spans multiple scenes, use “FLASHBACK” or “BEGIN FLASHBACK” as a separate line before the first scene heading and “END FLASHBACK” aaer the last scene heading.
Another thing to help the reader identify where they are in the past is to consider using age-specific descriptors like “YOUNG JAMAL” or “TEENAGE SARAH”. This can help orientate the audience in the timeline and provide a clue for casting directors so they can work out how many versions of a character they need to cast.
Check out more flashback examples in screenwriting
Writing Flashbacks in Celtx
When writing a script in Celtx, any scenes with ‘(FLASHBACK)’ in their scene heading are automatically recognized as flashbacks, and can be managed further in the script breakdown and other Celtx pre-production tools.
Learn more about managing flashbacks from the Celtx Help Center.
Conclusion
Flashbacks are a versatile and powerful tool in a screenwriter’s arsenal, allowing for a richer exploration of character, story, and theme. By understanding the purpose of flashbacks, mastering proper formatting techniques, and looking at how the pros do it, you can effectively harness the power of the past in your next screenplay.
