ABSTRACT
Traditionally, linear storylines have predominated film stories. But fragmentation, flashbacks, flashforwards, and other non-linear devices have appeared throughout film history, adding interest and variety. The tendency to fracture the narrative has become more and more common. In many cases, the editor is the one who adds these elements, but writers can and do. A good example is the evolution of The Limey script to the final cut. The original script, which followed a fairly straightforward path, is compared with the sequence of cuts in the film’s final version. The volleyball scene from the original Top Gun is another example of a non-linear approach to a scene.
