Dreams

[harpo10]

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.

[alleycat]

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

[Plot Device]

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.



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.

[harpo10]

Thanks to you both.
Actually, it's not a sequence, just one location, so I guess:

DREAM - EXT. HILLTOP - DAY

would do the trick. I'm not so worried about fooling the reader into thinking it's reality, though in some cases it would be a nice idea.

Incidentally, trilane.com looks like a great site and I've put it in favorites - thanks.