Repeating the same series of shots

[CthulhuRises]

In a Sci-Fi script I'm currently working on, a character in a dream sequence experiences a series of shots (like in a sped up montage/series of shots, think a scene from The Fountain). He then experiences the whole series of shots again, except sped up faster this time (which is another question I have...what would be the best way to convey that, SERIES OF SHOTS - (QUICKTIME), or something else?) So in the script do you think it would be better to say something like "he witnesses the same shots again", or to actually write (copy & paste) all the shots a second time?

Hopefully this is clear enough, it seems a little confusing in writing.

Thanks in advance.

[TheKeenGuy]

You could write something like "He witnesses the same series of visions again..." instead of "shots" if you wanted to keep it within the context of the story.

[CthulhuRises]

Originally Posted by TheKeenGuy

You could write something like "He witnesses the same series of visions again..." instead of "shots" if you wanted to keep it within the context of the story.

That works. I guess my question is should I go with that, or actually show the shots again?

[carcar]

I had something like that in a script once. I started with the shots laid out on single lines. Trimmed the language a bit for the second episode, so the lines were shorter, in the same order. By the end of the script, I compressed the shots into a single line, with a word or two to represent each image, to convey the speed with which the hallucinations were now taking place. Does that make sense? It seemed to work.

[ComicBent]

Are things faster because (1) the actions are moving faster or (2) because each shot has less action in it?

I think you meant case 1.

I would just rewrite the shots again:

SERIES OF SHOTS (FAST MOTION THIS TIME)

Put your shots here.

END SERIES OF SHOTS

[9Ball]

Originally Posted by carcar

I had something like that in a script once. I started with the shots laid out on single lines. Trimmed the language a bit for the second episode, so the lines were shorter, in the same order. By the end of the script, I compressed the shots into a single line, with a word or two to represent each image, to convey the speed with which the hallucinations were now taking place. Does that make sense? It seemed to work.

That's exactly how it's done in Requiem For a Dream and works really well.

You should take a look at that script and see. Definitely worth the read anyway if you haven't already done so.

[CthulhuRises]

Thanks for the advice guys!

[TwoBrad Bradley]

The minority view:

- make no reference to the speed
- make no reference to the repetition of scenes/shots
- story is king
- don't concern yourself with the non-story aspects

Ask yourself, How does this (whatever element) impact the story?

[DavidK]

Originally Posted by TwoBrad Bradley

The minority view:

- make no reference to the speed
- make no reference to the repetition of scenes/shots
- story is king
- don't concern yourself with the non-story aspects

Ask yourself, How does this (whatever element) impact the story?

If it's pertinent to the experience of a character, surely it should be included. It's obviously something the writer feels has meaning and wants the audience to see. Story isn't just plot - it's also mood, atmosphere, and sense of visual style and I think good writers should try to impart a sense of this.

My initial reaction was to label it "JOE'S DREAM SEQUENCE" or similar but I prefer carcar's approach which would be effective for me if I was reading the script.

[Hamboogul]

I think that if you are going to repeat the sequence, you need to point out to the audience what it might have overlooked before.

In the recently cancelled series, FLASH FORWARD, the characters' visions are often repeated. But each subsequent time, something else is highlighted.

Otherwise, you're not revealing much by showing something over again.