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I'm opening a script with a dream sequence. But I don't want the audience/reader to know it's a dream until after it's over. Or should I not even worry about that detail and just put Dream Sequence in the Scene Heading? thanks
MT
MT
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If Lindsey Lohan has a child, and that child will lead...I will follow. -
Re: opening script with dream sequence
1) Dream sequence openings usually suck. But I have a great one at the start of one of my scripts so I'm going to give you the benefit of the doubt.
2) Write it like you want them to see it... (You don't want them to know till it's over = you've already answered your own question) -
Re: opening script with dream sequence
I believe in doing your best to give the reader the experience you want the audience to have. Therefore, I wouldn't mention it was a dream sequence. They'll find out soon enough when the person wakes up. But if you want the dream to look a little unreal in the movie, you might want to find a way to put that into your description, maybe using words like "hazy."Comment
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Re: opening script with dream sequence
My favorite opening dream sequence is from Bring it On. It's so perfect to set up the movie. I love it.
I wouldn't tell the reader it's a dream until the viewer would learn it's a dream.Comment
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Re: opening script with dream sequence
thanks for the tips, folks. yeah, I know an opening dream sequence is cliche. but it's pretty well suited in this situation.
MTIf Lindsey Lohan has a child, and that child will lead...I will follow.Comment
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Re: opening script with dream sequence
Cliches abound in movies, don't worry about that part.
My current script opens with a dream sequence that isn't apparent until after the sequence is finished. JCorona gave me a great idea to transition from the dream to reality to emphasize the fact of it. However, in my case, 2 scenes later it's revealed that maybe it wasn't a dream.... you can check it out on the boards here if you're interested.
The thing about a dream sequence is that it must affect the story, and it should connect to reality in some way... waking up, sounds.... etc.
Just think of any vivid dream that you awoke from and how you transitioned into realizing it was just a dream!Words... they don't arrange themselves.Comment
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Re: opening script with dream sequence
Here's the opening of a screenplay I have long since abandoned. I posted it in the Script Pages forum a while back (like 2003, maybe 2002 -- yes, I was around then). It's no great shakes or anything, but it sorta illustrates what you're talking about. I don't want my audience to know it's a dream, so I give my readers the same experience.
Code:EXT. BACKYARD GARDEN - DAY A yellow-jacket hovers around the ear of NORMAN KITTLESBERG, mid-40s and uglier than the weeds he's pulling. He swats at it, but it's smarter than he is and won't be discouraged so easily. It swoops back in and lands on his earlobe. Within seconds, Norman is a flurry of panicked motion and expletives. LAURA -- mid-20s, with a grace and cover girl beauty (even when dressed in overalls and a t-shirt) that contrast strongly with Norman's unattractiveness -- rushes over to him. LAURA What's going on? What's wrong? NORMAN Goddamn f cking worthless c cksucking garden, that's what's wrong! Norman falls onto his ass, defeated. Laura kneels next to him, caresses his hair. LAURA What happened? NORMAN Got stung by a wasp. LAURA Where? Norman points to his ear. She examines it. It's red and rapidly swelling and it makes her crinkle her nose in disgust (which Norman doesn't see). LAURA Aw. Poor widdle guy. My poor widdle Normie. Norman wipes the tears from his cheek. NORMAN When I find that wasp, I'm gonna kill him and his whole goddamned family. And I'm gonna do it slow. Laura smiles, kisses the top of Norman's head. He winces. NORMAN You'll see. He won't get away with it. LAURA No he won't. NORMAN That wasp's gonna regret the day he tangled with Norman Kittlesberg. LAURA That naughty, nasty bee. Laura turns the sensuality meter up ten notches on the attention she's giving him. LAURA Oh, Mr. Kittlesberg. NORMAN Oh, Mrs. Kittlesberg. He grins, momentarily forgetting the pain. She kisses his forehead, his nose, his cheek -- and then moves to his neck (bypassing the earlobe, which is now the size of a baseball). He licks his chapped lips and gets into the act... Within seconds they're going at it like horny squirrels. Norman unbuttons Laura's blouse and focuses his attention on her exposed nipple. He opens his mouth to feast-- The raucous BEEPING of an alarm comes out of his mouth, much to his puzzlement and chagrin... CUT TO: INT. BEDROOM - MORNING The ALARM continues. A lump under a tangle of sheets and blankets stirs. There's a muffled groan. The lump tosses the blankets off itself, revealing -- LAURA. She silences the alarm and smiles. LAURA Oh, Normie. Today's the day. Today's the day you're gonna notice me! She looks radiant and gorgeous despite the bedhead."Tone is now engaged in a furious Google search for Leighton Meester's keester." -- A friend of mine
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Re: opening script with dream sequence
NNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!Originally posted by mtoomey View Post
Oh, sorry, I was asleep.
Starting a movie with someone waking up in any way shape or form may well be the most cliche opening scene ever. So, I'd take that in to account.Comment
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Re: opening script with dream sequence
Ralphy,
Norman's gonna kill the entire wasp family slowly?
NORMAN
That wasp's gonna regret the day he tangled with Norman Kittlesberg.
CoronaI love you, Reyna . . .
Brown-Balled by the Hollywood Clika
Latino Heart Project's MEXICAN HEART...ATTACK!
I ain't no punk b1tch...Comment
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Re: opening script with dream sequence
I seem to have a morbid fascination with squirrels. I should have that looked at."Tone is now engaged in a furious Google search for Leighton Meester's keester." -- A friend of mine
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