British Comedy Guide

Scripting a daydream sequence

I've come up with a daydream sequence to put it my sitcom script and would be grateful if anyone could advise me on the script format!

Two of the characters are talking and one of them then goes off into a daydream. There are 3 mini scenes in the daydream, each lasting about 5 seconds each. All throughout there is a jaunty tune playing over and no dialogue is heard.

I'll put an example of how mine looks at the minute. Be aware that I've just made up anything for this example, its not the actual script.

Scene 5

Int. The Pub - Day

John and Dave are sat at a table

John: What do you dream of being?

Dave: What do I dream of being? hmmmm....

DAYDREAM SEQUENCE

Jaunty tune starts

internal scene1

cut to

internal scene2

cut to

internal scene3

Jaunty tune ends

END OF DAYDREAM SEQUENCE AND BACK TO REALITY

Dave: You know, I haven't given it any thought.

INT. PUB. DAY

John and Dave are sat at a table

John: What do you dream of being?

Dave: What do I dream of being? hmmmm....

INT. PUB. CONTINUOUS

In Dave's fantasty, a jaunty tune starts.

internal scene1

CUT TO:

internal scene2

CUT TO:

internal scene3

Jaunty tune ends

INT. PUB. CONTINUOUS

Back to reality.

Dave: You know, I haven't given it any thought.

Well, that's how I'd do it anyway.

Ah thats great! Thanks. Nice and clear now!

Out of interest, what does the CONTINUOUS phrase indicate?

It means that the scene continues while the other scene is taking place therefore you do not cut away from the scene.

Open with CUT TO: and then finish with BACK TO:

So, Leevil. How should it look in your opinion?

I'd go with hotzappa11's suggestion.

You shouldn't really worry about the formatting, as long as you get the basics. Just remember; Every time you leave a room, it's considered a new scene. I'm pretty sure that's right anyway ;).

INT. HOUSE

(Scene)

CUT TO:

EXT. GARDEN

(Scene)

BACK TO:

INT. HOUSE

(Scene)

Thanks for the advice. I can sleep in peace now.

Quote: Winterlight @ August 21, 2007, 11:31 PM

Thanks for the advice. I can sleep in peace now.

FADE TO:

SCENE 2: WINTERLIGHT'S BEDROOM

WINTERLIGHT IS SLEEPING PEACEFULLY

WINTERLIGHT:
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

10. INT. PUB. DAY. [10.00PM]

BILL:
What would you do if you won the Lottery?

DAVE:
I'd give the money to charity.

WE MIX TO A FANTASY SEQUENCE - DAVE IMAGINING HE HAS WON THE LOTTERY.

FANTASY SEQUENCE.

DAVE IS LYING IN BED WITH THREE WOMEN.

ONE OF THE WOMEN HAS A NAME NECKLACE THAT SAYS 'CHARITY'.

MIX TO

DAVE SITTING ON THE TOILET WIPING HIS ARSE WITH TWENTY POUND NOTES..

MIX TO

DAVE SURROUNDED BY PILES OF MONEY, LAUGHING.

END SEQUENCE.

10. INT. PUB. DAY. CONTINUOUS.

BILL:
That's really nice, dave.

DAVE:
Thanks mate.

For the sake of readability there's no need to give each sub scene a number. Every shot is logged, and that's not our job. The important thing is to make it as clear as possible what's happening. Don't be afraid of stating things very plainly.

You use the dreaded 'WE', runs and hides under a rock, to avoid the onslaught of onslaughters!

Yeah, you shouldn't really use 'we'.

But other than that...

the thing with daydream things are that they can, in certain cases, be used to disguise sloppy backstories or simply because something didn't fit elsewhere and needed to be qualified, so you have to use them with care. I know a few writers who won't use them because it costs a lot for a brief sequence which, in a speculative work, is always difficult to justify.

Pardon me all over the place.

Thanks for the tips. I decided to follow Godot's advice and just keep it plain and simple.

I'm starting a sketch with a dream sequence and not sure how to format it. At the moment it looks like this:

INT. WHTIE ROOM .

Blurry faces of aliens move in and out of focus. The sound of a man screaming can be heard.

CUT TO

INT. BEDROOM - NIGHT.

Do I need to put a DREAM SEQUENCE similar to Ben's scenes above?

Sorry for being a little slow. Just want to make sure. Thanks

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