Dream sequence

Disciplines > Storytelling > Story devices > Dream sequence

Description | Example | Discussion | See also

Description

The Dream Sequence is a fragment that is separated from the rest of the story and which explains something that would be difficult to include in the main storyline.

It may appear as in such forms as a flashback, vision or daydream, and may be visually distinguished by fogging, music or other marking that emphasizes that this is not a 'real' part of the story.

Dream sequences are often quite short.

Example

A woman meets a man and has a dream sequence of him seducing her.

A scene shows the hero doing battle with the villain and losing. It turns out to be a nightmare he is having.

Discussion

The daydream can be used as a way of explaining what a person is thinking, and thus acts as a form of visual 'thought bubble'.

Dream sequences can be used to add humor, for example with morphing to exaggerate emotions. They may also be used to add tension in showing possibilities.

The dream sequence can also be used as a 'cheating' device for authors who want to explain something and do not know how to explain it in the story.