# 735 - The Flashforward Fallback

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/scriptnotes-podcast-314036/735-the-flashforward-fallback
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/scriptnotes-podcast-314036/735-the-flashforward-fallback.md
Podcast: [Scriptnotes Podcast](https://stenobird.com/podcast/scriptnotes-podcast-314036)
Published: 2026-05-12T15:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://scriptnotes.libsyn.com/735-the-flashforward-fallback
Audio file: https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/scriptnotes/735standard.mp3?dest-id=143783
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/scriptnotes-podcast-314036/episodes/735-the-flashforward-fallback
Duration seconds: 3786

## Resource

John and Craig go back to the beginning to examine the mechanics of the flash-forward opening — or as it's known on this podcast, the "Stuart Special." They look at what makes a strong flash-forward, when to avoid them, and how to pay back the narrative debt they incur. We also follow up on the Scriptnotes survey and answer a massive grab-bag blitz of listener questions including the potential pitfalls of child protagonists, "unfilmable" elements, and how to end a scene. In our bonus segment for premium members, how do you socialize at Hollywood parties? We've made all the mistakes so you don't have to. Links: The script for episode one of Chernobyl Scriptnotes episode 493: Opening Scenes Greta Gerwig's Little Women screenplay The Sheep Detectives Scriptnotes episode 731: Avoidance and Other Anti-Quests Sorkinisms – A Supercut by Kevin T. Porter My journey to the microwave alternate timeline by Malmesbury Solasta 2 Get your copy of the Scriptnotes book! Get a Scriptnotes T-shirt! Check out the Inneresting Newsletter Become a Scriptnotes Premium member , or gift a subscription Subscribe to Scriptnotes on YouTube Follow Scriptnotes on Instagram and TikTok John August on Bluesky and Instagram Outro by Nick Moore ( send us yours! ) Scriptnotes is produced by Drew Marquardt and edited by Matthew Chilelli . Email us at ask@johnaugust.com You can download the episode here .

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## Transcript

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