What Does Flash in the Pan Mean?
As a screenwriter, Director, or any aspiring filmmaker, being prepared to accept failure is important. As is with any aspiration to succeed. An interesting term that has been used throughout filmmaking. To ascertain a failed project is the expression, “flash in the pan.” While you may have heard the term, “flash in the pan” used to describe a film. Are you familiar with the meaning? Exactly what does flash in the pan mean? And how is the expression used in critiquing films and filmmakers?
Flash in the Pan Definition
A “Flash in the Pan” means that a project, attempt, or experience was failed and is not likely to occur again or to last. The expression is said to originate from various points in history.
Some believe it originates from the Gold era when miners would pan for gold. Many failing time and again all in hopes for that one-off, flash in the pan.
Others believe that the expression goes further back, to the period of the 17th century when muskets and flintlock were used to fire shots. When an attempt was made to fire. But only the gunpowder flared without the shot actually firing, thus failing, it was called a “flash in the pan.”
On the Cusp
Regardless of how the expression came about, the underlying meanings symbolize similar transitions in which success was sought and failure occurred.
In filmmaking, a flash in the pan is the term commonly used to describe films that were narrowly successful, and which no further success is expected or for which an actor achieved success with a role but further successes were not achieved.
Using the Expression, A Flash in the Pan
Expressions like “a flash in the pan” are used throughout film critiquing and in Hollywood for a variety of reasons.
Perhaps you’ve heard similar expressions such as:
- 15 minutes of fame
- One Hit Wonder
- Gone in a flash
- One and Done
15 Minutes of Fame
All of these expressions essentially mean the same thing: that the success which was experienced or achieved was not permanent, and is not likely to be repeated or to occur again.
The term, 15 minutes of fame is one of several expressions that came about by Andy Warhol, an American film director and producer that examined the relationship between art, advertising, and celebrity culture.
Like a flash in the pan, 15 minutes of fame references a short period of success that is not likely to be repeated. Terms like this are used to describe an artist’s achievement.
In response to an incredibly short-lived period of attempted success and may or may not have resulted in total failure.
In Summary
So, what does a flash in the pan mean? It means that there was a failure. And if any success was to be had, it was incredibly short-lived. For instance, a film critique might state that a film was just a “flash in the pan.”
Or, they may mention 15 minutes of fame, representing a brief success that a film, Director, Producer, or actor, may experience in response to a project that is thought to have been the only achievement of that individual.