Another way Flashbacks are used is to show a compilation of the same event to represent it's legacy through out the film. An example of this is in Saw 6. Saw 6 is not classified as a thriller film in most cases, but yet uses a good use and technique of flashbacks. The flashback used in Saw 6 shows the legacy of the catchphrase "Game over" which is used by a range of characters through out the series of films. The use of this shows the way the role of insanity originally carried by Jigsaw (Tobin Bell) has been passed down to the survivors of the game and that they are the new villains of the film.
The film also keeps referring back to other parts of the film to show how the traps were made and who was actually behind the makng of them, using the flashbacks to twist the audiences beliefs and the story of the film.
Flashbacks can also be used to continue a story and/or give a overview of what happened in the last episode/movie. Another reason that flashbacks are possibly used in thriller films in the way that events in the past 'made' the character be the way they are now, how the events influenced them to be/do something to someone/something else because of that event in the past.
For example: - In "The Butterfly Effect", Logan (Ashton Kutcher) has constant flashbacks of his childhood and early adult hood memories and tries to change them to change the way he is, along with the future to try and bring back the people he loves.
(The Butterfly Effect Trailer (with flashbacks in)
Some useful research here, you may want to explain why you may want to use the flash back device in your film and how it will improve audience appeal.
ReplyDeleteYou could also add what the technical clue is to the audience that a sequence or single shot is a flash back. For example change of colour saturation, moving from colour to black and white, alteration of sound or speed of footage.
Keep up the good work Tom.