Flash-Forward

Flash-forward

Watch as an animation →

In plain words

Give a brief glimpse of the ending or the result first, then pull viewers into "how did we get there?"

When to use it

A Short hook ("3 hours later it looked like this"), ads with a strong result.

Example videos

WHAT IS A FLASH FORWARD IN FILM? — Explainer: A short summary of the flash-forward, which shows the ending or the future first.
Art of the Opening Scene Pt. 2 — 6 More Ways to Begin a Movie, From Scorsese to Tarantino — Explainer: See flash-forward examples that open a film with a scene near the end and make viewers follow it backwards.

In AI video, like this

Put the most spectacular result cut at 0 to 1.5 seconds first, then run from the beginning after a "few hours earlier" caption. You reuse the same cut at the end, so generation cost doesn't grow.

One-click prompt

Two-shot sequence: Shot 1 (opening hook), a golden trophy raised high in a roaring arena with confetti falling, 1.5 seconds; hard cut to Shot 2, one year earlier, a teenager practicing alone in an empty gym at dawn, cold blue light, bottom third left clear for a caption, 4 seconds.

See it in real films and ads

BBP Reel Insights — What is a Flash Forward in Film?

AI-made examples

Not verified

Recommended for scenes like these

Techniques that pair well

← FlashbackRepeat Cut →