Screenwriting : Flashbacks, yes or no? by Roberto Dragonne

If the flashback progresses the story, enables / enriches the character / or ties up a loose thread it is okay. Just keep it succinct and on topic. Shorter is better.

I’m writing a western where a brother who is a ranger is obsessed with hunting down his criminal brother. A late flashback gives the script its twist and gives credence to the brother’s obsession.

Films are visual - aflashback rather then long expository dialogue is better. Of course if it’s one line expository you can do it that way then.

There's nothing wrong with flashbacks, so long as they're well executed and they progress the story.

Great remarks.

Though I didn't use the term "flashback" in the screenplay, I recently used them a lot in writing my recently optioned true, crime drama Unconventional Warfare. I just made sure the audience understood we were going back in time by using SUPER and inserting dates. I also used them to better understand the present day motives of my main characters. Additionally, I used a lot of voice over narration a la Taxi Driver with my main character, who is alone much of the time. Much like Travis was in Taxi Driver.

Yup. Nothing wrong with a well-executed and effective use of flashback.

Reasons not to read articles like this one: No. 1) They reductively look at and mention only poor or not-so-effective uses of flashback. Where are the good use examples? No. 2) They create false equivalencies and use triangular non-relationship logic. So... if bad writing uses flashback in a bad, ineffective way, then the writing tool itself must be bad. And thus its use is bad—it's "amateur." False. Because the reverse is not true. Good use of flashback in a highly, effective way is good writing and may be present in a great screenplay. See Dan M's list above. This false logic places blame upon flashback and not on the real culprit—bad writing. Good writing versus bad writing. No. 3) They present a one-sided argument that only supports their narrative and present it as fact. No. 4) They then ask a skewed, leading question at the end, which implies, again, that the tool itself is bad: Why do you think avoiding flashbacks is a good idea?

An the operative is 'well executed' - scripts, flashbacks, storylines, character arc, plots... Do whatever you want - just do it well.

If a Flashback is used properly, and moves the story forward, I think it is great. Especially in Suspense/Thriller's. I used it to explain a women's emotional collapse, came back to the scene, than transitioned to another scene with a (V.O) and brought her back in. It worked really well..

My coach said the same, but I think it can be done with clever writing. I recently watched a episode of the good wife with memory scene's through in. So she is thinking about something what might happen and those characters react on her current situation. Confusing to write, but it was a great episode to watch. So, if well executed, everything is possible.

IMHO flashbacks used sparingly and appropriately help move the story forward AND answer questions.

They fit naturally into film because most times we're not being introduced to characters from birth. We're becoming inserted into their world at some point where they have history. Many times their current status, mindset, drives, etc. are dictated by a history we don't know about UNLESS they either reveal it in dialogue OR we see it in a flashback or both.