starting with a flashback

[Qazworld]

is this too cliche? i just cant figure out where else it'll fit.

[jimjimgrande]

Re: starting with a flashback

if it's the first thing in the script, is it really a flashback, or is it just the past?

[Qazworld]

Re: starting with a flashback

the past. and then we see the guy 6 years later on a mission. Here it is:

INT. THE SKY- A DREAM OF FLYING - DAY

YOUNG CALIBAN, 12, rises with the air, overjoyed with his chance to fly higher and higher...

INT. YOUNG CALIBANâ€TMS BEDROOM - NIGHT -

Young Caliban is almost a foot above his bed, arms to his side, smiling brightly.
A wave of energy erupts from him, destroying his bedroom, and hurtling the walls and ceiling off their foundation.
His home goes up in flames.

[jimjimgrande]

Re: starting with a flashback

I think you might have missed the point. If it's the first thing we see, then it's not really a flashback, it's just the past, because we aren't travelling back in time, we're starting there. It's a teaser, then we move into the future and ostensibly the story begins.

If it's the best way to tell the story and it speaks to character in a meaningful way than it's the right thing to do.

[Qazworld]

Re: starting with a flashback

got it. thanks for the advice.

[billythrilly7]

Re: starting with a flashback

"Caliban?"


It sounds like an Islamic anti-itch lotion.

Change the name.

[jimjimgrande]

Re: starting with a flashback

It's what they give the 72 virgins - for after.

[Qazworld]

Re: starting with a flashback

yes, shakespeare was an islamic terrorist.

[Qazworld]

Re: starting with a flashback

(but you're not the first person to say that so I'm going to as soon as I can come up with a good alternative)

[billythrilly7]

Re: starting with a flashback

Good.


good night


edited to add: "Billy" is a pretty good name.

[ShaneBlackFan]

Re: starting with a flashback

I think Highlander is a good example of the past and present colliding, wonderful story.

Just felt like saying that...move along, folks

[whistlelock]

Re: starting with a flashback

Picture this; a young mother cradles her first newborn son to her and says, "Look at him, he's the handsomest baby boy in the world. He has his fathers nose. I will name him Caliban!"

"Caliban," the Father says. "The pasty mutant that lived in the sewers in the X-men comic? You're going to name him after a mutant? YOu are not naming him after a mutant, I was quiet about both the girls, but no mutant. His name is Eric."

The new mother looks at her husband like he's an idiot and says, "No, it means hunter you dope. Mighty Hunter. Our son will be a mighty hunter in the modern world. jAnd I'm not naming him after your father. Not after what he said on the July 4th party we held."

"Great," dads throws his hands up into the air. "My only son is gonna be a gun nut who lives in the woods. Fantastic. You know, all this name meaning stuff is all greek to me. Why can't we name him Erik?"

[NePatsFan]

Re: starting with a flashback

You might even put "present day" at the beginning of the scene.

Whistle, are you drunk?

[Hairy Lime]

Re: starting with a flashback

This sounds like a prologue to me, but why bother? Why not reveal that he's got special powers later in the script? That's drama. If we sit there knowing this kid can levitate and blow sh!t up, it's not nearly as amazing to the audience when he does it again.

[Qazworld]

Re: starting with a flashback

i agree hairy, but when I gave my first ten pages to some ppl, they kept saying they wanted more "sci-fi". I allude to this scene a couple times, but never show it.

I thought that was better drama, but apparently the readers wanted to see what happened.