Do you know what a flashback is and how to use one?
Are you a fan of non-linear narratives? When they’re included in film and television, writers frequently use flashbacks to get their point across. Flashbacks are a hot-button issue in the screenwriting community. There are some writers who love them and some who hate them. Some say it’s against the rules even to use them!
Remember, all screenwriting rules are myths. Flashbacks rely on subjectivity in the story and from the writer. And there’s a real art to using them well.
But what is a flashback? And how does this literary device affect the overall story?
Today, we’re going to define flashbacks, show some examples in film and TV, and go over how writers and directors can effectively use flashbacks in their work.
Ready? Let’s cut back in time together!
Flashback Definition
A flashback is a plot device involving the breaking of a forward-moving narrative to show something that occurred in a character’s past that has affected their future.
Author: Jason Hellerman
This article comes from No Film School and can be read on the original site.
