Scripting a daydream sequence Page 3

Quote: Lazzard @ October 22 2010, 12:47 AM BST

Well, you certainly make it sound confusing.

And as advice, it has to be said this is downright misleading.

You would have to think of a bloody good reason not to use the words DREAM SEQUENCE to indicate a dream sequence.
Just as the best way to indicate a flashback is FLASHBACK.
And for a montage, why noy try MONTAGE?

View original

I think FLASHBACK and MONTAGE are different. Flashback shows that continuity has been breached, clothes etc, will be changed. Montage is a technical term indicating that many scenes have been joined together. You *could* have a dream sequence without the lack of continuity.

But maybe you're right. Maybe you need to put DREAM SEQUENCE even if the audience doesn't know it's a dream sequence.

Quote: Tim Azure @ October 22 2010, 9:18 AM BST

Maybe you need to put DREAM SEQUENCE even if the audience doesn't know it's a dream sequence.

View original

Exactly; because a script is for the people making the show/film/whatever, not the audience.

Quote: Tim Azure @ October 20 2010, 7:12 PM BST

No need to respond, it's just advice you either take or leave...

View original

Can we vote?

Quote: Matthew Stott @ October 22 2010, 9:28 AM BST

Exactly; because a script is for the people making the show/film/whatever, not the audience.

View original

Mr. Stott makes a really good point - one that many, many new writers don't take on board.
A script is not a novel - it is not the 'thing' itself.
It is a blueprint aimed solely at industry professionals who have a working knowledge of screenplay idiom and terminology.
It's also why some of the advice that 'as long as it's readable' is a little dubious.
Ok, getting hung up on how many dashes between location and time of day and never, ever using camera directions, can get a bit wearing.
But a basic knowledge of the language and stylistic conventions your 'audience' is used to, is no bad thing

Quote: Lazzard @ October 22 2010, 10:14 AM BST

But a basic knowledge of the language and stylistic conventions your 'audience' is used to, is no bad thing

View original

A basic knowledge, sure, undeniably. It's the sort of knowledge that can literally be learned in 5 minutes though. Scene Headings, Action, Character, Dialogue. So long as you can tell the difference whilst understanding a few basic rules (such as not littering your script with unnecessary camera directions) you're good to go. Anything beyond that (exact idents, how many hole punches, the correct kind of brad) is just procrastination. Get busy with the writing.

Quote: Matthew Stott @ October 22 2010, 9:28 AM BST

Exactly; because a script is for the people making the show/film/whatever, not the audience.

View original

But the people who make the show will have to watch it!

More than that, what about Bobby Kennedy? Did the script say 'DREAM SEQUENCE' just before he got killed in "Dallas"? Writers mislead their audience all the time, why should a script be any different?

Quote: Tim Azure @ October 22 2010, 11:29 PM BST

But the people who make the show will have to watch it!

More than that, what about Bobby Kennedy? Did the script say 'DREAM SEQUENCE' just before he got killed in "Dallas"? Writers mislead their audience all the time, why should a script be any different?

View original

The clue is in the word sequence. If it is a single scene then there is no reason why not to write it as such and at the end cut to the next scene - which is man waking up startled in bed. If it is a montage sequence then best to say so up front. You can surprise your reader best not to overly confuse him. Keep him in the story. Or her of course.

DISSOLVE TO...

Was he a snowman in this dream Tim?

Quote: Marc P @ October 23 2010, 9:37 AM BST

Was he a snowman in this dream Tim?

View original

FADE OUT.

A ghost?

Quote: Tim Azure @ October 22 2010, 11:29 PM BST

But the people who make the show will have to watch it!

More than that, what about Bobby Kennedy? Did the script say 'DREAM SEQUENCE' just before he got killed in "Dallas"? Writers mislead their audience all the time, why should a script be any different?

View original

Big mistake. I meant Bobby Ewing...

Quote: Tim Azure @ October 23 2010, 7:33 PM BST

Big mistake. I meant Bobby Ewing...

View original

Well I am for one more confused?