Screenwriting : Are flashbacks always a bad thing in a screenplay? by Victor Titimas

I guess it is a case of whether the flashback appears to be a necessary part of the narrative, or whether it feels shoehorned in.

Check out Laurie Ashbourne's "Tip of The Day" thred from 6 days ago in this forum, goes into detail about this very subject.

Victor, it's fine to use. It's just another tool, a device at the writer's discretion. The problem is: Many novice writers misuse it or misunderstand how to use it effectively. It's much easier to tell new writers to avoid its use, which often is the case within many amateur writer circles. Here's Laurie's thread: https://www.stage32.com/lounge/screenwriting/Todays-Wish-and-Creative-Ti.... :)

https://www.stage32.com/lounge/screenwriting/The-Dreaded-Flashback-in-Sp...

Generally speaking, I would say avoid them if you can. Only because as a new screenwriter, readers will see them as an amateur move. Doesn't mean they don't have their place, just not recommended unless you already have a body of work and the experience to make it fit the story seamlessly

flashbacks should move your characters forward, emotionally, to their goal. if your flashback is going backwards to cover a plot problem, u failed

One of my earlier scripts originally had a flashback. My friend/mentor told me to take it out. I did, and the script was much better for it. It was unnecessary to the story. I think they are fine to use if, as Dan says, they move the character forward and if they are used judiciously, not as a crutch or to try to fix story problems.

watch the Ocean 11s movies with Clooney... all the flashbacks are done 'like magic' tricks. Steven S likes to fool the 'audience' , slight of hand, blah blah..

I've only used it once, in my six screenplay and it was a necessity to show the back-story of a murdered victim. TV dramas use it all the time and very effectively by the way.