Having problem with flashback sequence

[thedangle1]

I'm having a problem on how to word it or where to put a certain time period. The scene is a flashback to six months prior. it looks like this:

BEGIN FLASHBACK:

INT. CAFETERIA - DAY (SIX MONTHS AGO)

A large, spacious room. The tables occupy the elderly. Ellen sits with her daughter, LISA, 30's. They sip on their coffee.

My questions is; should I put the SIX MONTHS AGO in parenthesis in the slug line or should I do it like this:

INT. CAFETERIA - DAY

Six months prior. A large spacious room. The tables occupy the elderly...

I have read multiple tip thesaurus's and help guides on how to write a screenplay. Some say the right way is the first example I gave. Plus, the BEGIN FLASHBACK: all of them said it should be there when describing a long, multi-scene flashback.

Any tips from anybody out there would be more than appreciated and helpful.

 

[Unknown Screenwriter]

There's more than...

I'm having a problem on how to word it or where to put a certain time period. The scene is a flashback to six months prior. it looks like this:

BEGIN FLASHBACK:

INT. CAFETERIA - DAY (SIX MONTHS AGO)

A large, spacious room. The tables occupy the elderly. Ellen sits with her daughter, LISA, 30's. They sip on their coffee.

My questions is; should I put the SIX MONTHS AGO in parenthesis in the slug line or should I do it like this:

INT. CAFETERIA - DAY

Six months prior. A large spacious room. The tables occupy the elderly...

I have read multiple tip thesaurus's and help guides on how to write a screenplay. Some say the right way is the first example I gave. Plus, the BEGIN FLASHBACK: all of them said it should be there when describing a long, multi-scene flashback.

Any tips from anybody out there would be more than appreciated and helpful.

...a few ways to write a flashback scene...

Here's two good resources for you:

http://www.scribd.com/doc/12721428/Professional-Screenplay-Formatting-Guide (look up flashbacks)

http://www.scriptologist.com/Magazine/Formatting/Flashbacks/flashbacks.html

These two links comprise most if not all the different ways to write a competent flashback.

filmy

 

[caseyhein]

Not an expert, but I would do it like this.

INT. CAFETERIA -- DAY (FEB 2010)
BLAH
BLAH
BLAH

INT. CAFETERIA -- DAY (AUG 2009)
BLAH
BLAH
BLAH

BACK TO PRESENT:

I can't make this look the way I want it to, but the BACK TO PRESENT, I would use as a transition.

I'm not sure if thats correct but thats how I would do it.

 

[thedangle1]

Thanks for the help.

 

[dangerouscreenwriter]

The only rule should be: keep it as "readable" as possible, i.e., no clutter:

FLASHBACK:

INT. CAFETERIA - DAY - SIX MONTHS AGO

To end the flashback:

CUT TO:

EXT. PARKING LOT - DAY - PRESENT

I also like to distinguish flashbacks by italicizing them. Good visual cue to the reader in case they're skimmers.

 

[Padnar]

Some people use SUPER.(superimpose) to explain about earlier events.
However I am not clear when to use flashback and when to use SUPER
padma

 

[tk's laugh taxi]

I'm having a problem on how to word it or where to put a certain time period. The scene is a flashback to six months prior. it looks like this:

BEGIN FLASHBACK:

INT. CAFETERIA - DAY (SIX MONTHS AGO)

A large, spacious room. The tables occupy the elderly. Ellen sits with her daughter, LISA, 30's. They sip on their coffee.

My questions is; should I put the SIX MONTHS AGO in parenthesis in the slug line or should I do it like this:

INT. CAFETERIA - DAY

Six months prior. A large spacious room. The tables occupy the elderly...

I have read multiple tip thesaurus's and help guides on how to write a screenplay. Some say the right way is the first example I gave. Plus, the BEGIN FLASHBACK: all of them said it should be there when describing a long, multi-scene flashback.

Any tips from anybody out there would be more than appreciated and helpful.

Well personally I would do it like this:

BEGIN FLASHBACK

INT. CAFETERIA - DAY - 6 MONTHS EARLIER

Blah blah blah

END FLASHBACK.

One of the things to remember is that while yes, there are some very set ways of handling a script, there are also different ways of accomplishing what you need to do. Eventually the way you decide to write things will help establish your style of writing, but above all, you need to make it easy and quick to read. People who read your script want to be able to read it quickly and efficiently. Goodluck.