Dream Sequence vs Flashback

Noel Evans

Noel Evans

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I just wanted to hear what everyones thoughts were on this.

And I pose this as a simple a question as possible.

In a script, are these two distinct elements?

I know that the same things can happen in either, but it was my opinion that for a dream sequence to occur the person had to be asleep, whereas a flashback can just happen.

Im just asking for opinion as I took it very literally and wondered how other people see it - I am not saying either is right or wrong etc Just looking for your thoughts to clear it up in my own mind.
 
Noel Evans said:
I just wanted to hear what everyones thoughts were on this.

And I pose this as a simple a question as possible.

In a script, are these two distinct elements?

I know that the same things can happen in either, but it was my opinion that for a dream sequence to occur the person had to be asleep, whereas a flashback can just happen.

Im just asking for opinion as I took it very literally and wondered how other people see it - I am not saying either is right or wrong etc Just looking for your thoughts to clear it up in my own mind.
Click to expand...

I know it is not what you are asking - but as far as dream sequences in relation to this fest...
Isaac_Brody said:
Flashback count as dream sequence, a daydream counts as a dream sequence, a drug inspired trip from reality counts too...
Click to expand...
The answer to your broader question IMO is pretty complex. I feel it has to do with the subjective nature and/or overall perspective of the story's narrative.

Generally, I don't think sleep necessarily plays a part. Take for example Rick Blaine's "Paris Flashback" with Ilsa...or is it his "Paris Dream Sequence"?

It is a thought provoking question either way. Hmmmmm
pondering.gif




(Begin Callaghan's dream sequence dit-aloo, dit-aloo, dit-aloo...)
waynes_world2_2.jpg
 
CallaghanFilms said:
I know it is not what you are asking - but as far as dream sequences in relation to this fest... The answer to your broader question IMO is pretty complex. I feel it has to do with the subjective nature and/or overall perspective of the story's narrative.

Generally, I don't think sleep necessarily plays a part. Take for example Rick Blaine's "Paris Flashback" with Ilsa...or is it his "Paris Dream Sequence"?

It is a thought provoking question either way.



(Begin Callaghan's dream sequence dit-aloo, dit-aloo, dit-aloo...)
waynes_world2_2.jpg
Click to expand...

Ah well that clarifies it anyway. I didnt see that and was assuming that its common for dream sequence to be also represented as a flashback.
 
CallaghanFilms said:
The answer to your broader question IMO is pretty complex. I feel it has to do with the subjective nature and/or overall perspective of the story's narrative.
Click to expand...

I think I would agree with this. I think a dream sequence and a flashback are two very distinct things but there is a grey area where they merge. A "straightforward" flashback shows reality (the film's reality) in a jump back in time. A dream sequence (whether it be a sleeping dream, a daydream, a trip or whatever) shows something unreal, surreal or imagined. It also suggests there is a subject (the character doing the dreaming) whereas a flashback doesn't necessarily have a subject, though it may do if it's a character remembering. Obviously a character can remember something with various degrees of distortion to reality and that, I think, is where the grey area lies. My 2C.
Jason
 
Luckily I saw that post by Issac in time. I was banging my head how to make it a dream and then poof, flash backs counted! Course, I had to go back and read it again to make sure I didn't just dream it!

It all comes down to clarity.

Even flashbacks can be surreal, depending on the nature of the film - but what sets a flashback apart is that it is an event that really happened at some point in the past. Heck, it can even be a flashback of a dream!

There are flashbacks, dream sequences, and vision sequences. Just be sure you tell your reader what is happening.

a
 
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alex whitmer said:
It all comes down to clarity.

Even flashbacks can be surreal, depending on the nature of the film - but what sets a flashback apart is that it is an even that really happened at some point in the past.
Click to expand...

Thats a good point Alex. Clears the mind.
 
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