flashback
Scene from before
A flashback is a scene in a film, novel, or other narrative that interrupts the present action to show earlier events.
The technique fills in backstory or explains motivation.
In psychology, a flashback is an involuntary vivid memory, often traumatic, that intrudes on present consciousness: Veterans may experience flashbacks to combat.
The verb is flash back: The story flashes back to her childhood.
Recalling past experiences
- yearningIntense prolonged craving
- wistfulnessTender sadness for absence
- melancholySubdued, lasting sadness
- longingIntense, persistent desire
bittersweet · sentimental · homesickness · hiraeth · halcyon · bygone · rose-tinted · reverie
Invading others' privacy
- post-traumaticFollowing psychological injury
- PTSDChronic reaction to horrific events
- nightmareFrightening dream causing wakefulness
- dissociationMental separation from surroundings
hypervigilance · panic · anxiety · distress · overwhelming · triggering · reexperiencing · startle
Character's past narrative
- nonlinearNot in sequence
- foreshadowingHinting at later events
- retrospectiveReviewing what came before
- expositionSystematic explanatory presentation
prologue · timeline · storytelling · revelation · characterization · context · setup · unfolding
Assembled sequence of images
- jump-cutAbrupt sequential edit
- dissolveDisperse into liquid
- cutawayView with exterior removed
- cross-cutCut perpendicular to grain
intercut · nonlinear · sequence · scene · transition · voiceover · slow-motion · sepia
Trigger for action
- stimulusWhat prompts a reaction
- sensoryRelated to perception
- reminderMemory aid
- associationGroup with shared aim
smell · sound · sight · evocation · resurgence · resurfacing · reactivation · involuntary
Low-pH chemical compound
- LSDPsychedelic hallucinogen
- hallucinogenDrug inducing false perceptions
- recurrenceReturn of something previous
- tripPlanned travel somewhere
perceptual · drug-induced · reoccurrence · tracers · afterimage · psychoactive · resurgence · spontaneous
reminiscence
Recalling past experiences
- yearningIntense prolonged craving
- wistfulnessTender sadness for absence
- melancholySubdued, lasting sadness
longing · bittersweet · sentimental · homesickness · hiraeth · halcyon · bygone · rose-tinted · reverie · daydream
intrusive
Invading others' privacy
- post-traumaticFollowing psychological injury
- PTSDChronic reaction to horrific events
- nightmareFrightening dream causing wakefulness
dissociation · hypervigilance · panic · anxiety · distress · overwhelming · triggering · reexperiencing · startle · avoidance
backstory
Character's past narrative
- nonlinearNot in sequence
- foreshadowingHinting at later events
- retrospectiveReviewing what came before
exposition · prologue · timeline · storytelling · revelation · characterization · context · setup · unfolding · Proust
montage
Assembled sequence of images
cross-cut · intercut · nonlinear · sequence · scene · transition · voiceover · slow-motion · sepia · fade
cue
Trigger for action
association · smell · sound · sight · evocation · resurgence · resurfacing · reactivation · involuntary · sudden
acid
Low-pH chemical compound
- LSDPsychedelic hallucinogen
- hallucinogenDrug inducing false perceptions
- recurrenceReturn of something previous
trip · perceptual · drug-induced · reoccurrence · tracers · afterimage · psychoactive · resurgence · spontaneous
- dramaTV drama, acting, television drama, drama school, playwright
- HollywoodHollywood, Tinseltown, Hollywood Sign, silver screen, movie stars
- mystery fictionwhodunit, whodunnit, sleuth, murder mystery, detective novel
- memory termsremembering, recollection, recall, reminiscence, retention
- nostalgianostalgia, nostalgic, memories, memory, remember
- soap operassoap opera, telenovela, melodrama, cliffhanger, amnesia
flashbackflash-forward
Narrative leap to future
foreshadowing · foreshadow · anticipation · premonition · precognition
flashbackpresent moment
Current point in time
here and now · the present · real-time · in the moment · present tense