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Need help writting series of flashbacks

D

dandavis

Hello guys,
I need help on how to format a series of short flashbacks or memories.

In the particular scene, a man is running. And as he runs, he has short flashbacks at several intervals, in which he remembers some instructions given to him earlier.

I need help on this, thanks.
 
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I have no clue about formatting.
(Really, I never had to :P )

But what about:

Code: 
              EXT. SOMEWHERE
Man runs.

             FLASHBACK INT./EXT
A memory

            EXT. SOMEWHERE
Man is still running

It can be tedious if it are multiple flashbacks.
But, hey.
Formatting anything often is ;)
 
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I was taught to write something like:

FLASHBACK TO:

EXT. CONVENIENCE STORE -- DAY -- MONTHS EARLIER

But there is probably no official format, and that could just be one of them. But it makes it clear, and you know how earlier the flashback is.
 
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I think there are a couple of styles for this. One is

BEGIN FLASHBACK:
.
.
.
END FLASHBACK:

I think some people use

FLASHBACK – TRAIN ACCIDENT
.
.
.
BACK TO PRESENT DAY


Be very careful as well. The flashback is a notorious crutch of the beginning screen writer. I have used them, and nothing inherently wrong with using them, but make sure it's not just an easy out for exposition.
 
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dandavis said:
@WalterB, harmonica44, Gonzo_Entertainment
Thanks guys.
I appreciate.

Is it true that too many flashbacks is often frown at?
Click to expand...

Like any technique there are places where it's the right choice and places where it's a cop out. They should move the story forward not just be exposition. Knowing the info revealed in the flashback should CHANGE the present for the viewer.
 
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