Dreams

Is the dream sequence a single location, or multiple locations?

The link before might help. I've seen different recommendations for how to handle dream sequences, but the differences are minor.

http://www.trilane.com/ref/scenes/spcl3/spcl3.html

harpo10 said:

I have a dream sequence in my script. Not too keen on such things in general but this seems to fit. We don't realize it's a dream until it gets slightly surreal.

How should I format it? At the moment I just have a slugline:

DREAM SEQUENCE

I'll hazard a guess that's not right.

Click to expand...

Actually, using "DREAM SEQUENCE" is fine. BUT ....



... If "we" don't realize it's a dream sequence until a it later into the sequence, I'm assuming that "we" would be the audience.

If so, try and allow the reader to be just as surprised in his reading experience as the audience is supposed to. Simply write the slug covertly disguised as any other slug:

EXT. COURTYARD - DAY

Joe stands by the silent, no-longer flowing fountain, looking at his reflection on the smooth water surface.

A raindrop hits the water, distorting the mirror-like image.

Then a ZOMBIE stands up out of the fountain and grabs him.

Joe screams.

And then Joe WAKES UP in his

BEDROOM - NIGHT

and realizes it was just a dream.