So you have a character daydreaming in class while sleeping at night, or maybe they don’t know they are dreaming. You’ve come to the right post.
We will teach you how to write dreams in any situation with examples you can emulate.
How to Format a Dream Sequence In a Screenplay
How do you write a dream sequence in a screenplay? You write a dream sequence in a script by writing in all CAPS “DREAM SEQUENCE” followed by the INT/EXT. And the rest of the scene heading.
Example:
DREAM SEQUENCE - INT. FUNHOUSE - NIGHT
Carey strolls through a fog of floating glowing balloons. Her vision is blurred. One hand sticks out through the end of her path like an angle leading to heaven.
Suddenly...
END DREAM SEQUENCE
INT. CAREYS ROOM - DAY
Carey wakes to a booming alarm.
Another way to write it is to write the word (DREAM SEQUENCE) at the end of the scene heading.
Example:
INT. FUNHOUSE - NIGHT(DREAM SEQUENCE)
You can write it in any of the two ways. I opted for the first way because I found it in The Hollywood standard 3rd edition formatting book, which gives a standard for all formating in the industry.
How to Format a Day Dream In a Screenplay
How do you format a daydream in a screenplay? You format a daydream by writing in all caps “DAYDREAM” followed by the INT/EXT. And the rest of the scene heading.
Example:
DAYDREAM - INT. CLASSROOM - DAY
John turns around and gives Carey an endearing smile. Her hair takes up the wind like a 1950s movie moment.
END DAYDREAM
INT. CLASSROOM - DAY
John Take it.
John waves a stack of test papers in Carey's face blowing her hair in her face.
Rules for Writing Dreams in Scripts
1.) Make sure you mark when it starts and ends with the CAPS formatting I mentioned in all examples above.
2.) Remember to start a new scene heading when you end the dream to remind the reader of where we are even if we end up in the same place before the
3.) Try not to make the dream too long. Tell us what you’re trying to tell us, and then move on.
This rule is omitted if the premise of your script is about dreams, such as “A Nightmare on Elms Street” or “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty.”
These films don’t even mention that the character is dreaming. They only tell you in the description. I believe this is the case to keep reality and the dream world a blur to the reader as it will be for the audience.
Now its time to hear from you:
What type of dream are you trying to write?
What are you going to use this technique to tell the audience?
Whatever your answer is, let’s hear it in the comments below.