INT/EXT Question/Flashbacks

[mroctoberfest]

I remember a post on this forum a long time ago dealing with flashbacks and how to properly insert them into a script. I'm also having troubles with scene headings.

There is a scene in a script that I'm working on where two men are driving down an empty road at nighttime. Which of these should I choose?

EXT. Vacant Street - late night

or

INT. (insert character's name here)'s car - late night.

Is there a clear-cut rule for this situation or is it up to me?

Thanks in advance for answers.

 

[dougspice]

The second choice is correct.

For your first question, you would give the flashback a header like anything else. There's no absolute rule on how to do it, but something like this would be about right...

Lucas stares at Ellen's body, crushed by a fallen piano. His eyes glaze over.

FLASHBACK

INT. DINER - DAY

Ellen smiles flirtatiously at Lucas across the table.

ELLEN
There's no way I'll ever get
crushed by a falling piano!

Her eyes twinkle. Lucas' fears are assuaged.

RETURN TO PRESENT

Lucas sobs uncontrollably.

I've also seen it done where FLASHBACK TO: is printed as a transition (along the right margin). As long as it's clear, there's different ways to do it.

I highly recommend reading John August's screenwriting blog, by the way.


edit: well, I can't get it to leave my dialogue indents alone, but you get the idea... P.S. mods it would be an awesome idea for this board to have a script formatting plugin! Again, see John August's blog!