The Ultimate Screenplay Format Reference

Special Headings

This page shows the formatting for dreams, daydreams, visions and animations. They are not used very often. Their presence in a script does not automatically increase its quality.

The Screenwriter’s Bible simply says that “all the conventions that apply to FLASHBACKs also applys to DREAMs, DAYDREAMs, IMAGININGs and VISIONs.

It is safe to assume that includes the use of sequences which then are to be handled like the FLASHBACK SEQUENCE.

Dreams

DREAM - <location or event>

DREAM - <master scene heading>

<master scene heading> - DREAM

<master scene heading> (DREAM)

The remarks concerning flashback sequences also apply here: to avoid unnecessary confusion, sandwich the scenes of a sequence between a BEGIN/END <type>SEQUENCE-pair and use Trottier’s recommendations in between.

Here an example of a dream sequence:
 

BEGIN DREAM SEQUENCE:

EXT. HILLTOP - DAY - DREAM

...

EXT. ANCIENT CITY - NIGHT - DREAM

...

INT. ROOM IN THE PALACE - DREAM

...
 

END DREAM SEQUENCE.
 

Here now follow Trottier’s recommendation for the other sequences:

Dream Sequences

<master scene heading> - DREAM SEQUENCE

<master scene heading> (DREAM SEQUENCE)

The following example is adapted from Kundun (imdb link), screenplay by Melissa Mathison:

DREAM - HILLTOP AT DAWN

The body of the Dalai Lama’s Father lies on a flat boulder.

Incense smoke curls into the air. Prayer wheels are turned,
hand drums are played - the burial men stand off to one
side, their hatchets and knives in view.
 

PRESENT DAY - EXT. TIBET - NIGHT

...
 

Daydream

By now you got the pattern ...

DAYDREAM - <location or event>

DAYDREAM - <master scene heading>

<master scene heading> - DAYDREAM

<master scene heading> (DAYDREAM)

Daydream Sequences

<master scene heading> - DAYDREAM SEQUENCE

<master scene heading> (DAYDREAM SEQUENCE)

Imaginings

IMAGINING - <location or event>

IMAGINING - <master scene heading>

<master scene heading> - IMAGINING

<master scene heading> (IMAGINING)

Visions

VISION - <location or event>

VISION - <master scene heading>

<master scene heading> - VISION

<master scene heading> (VISION)

Vision Sequences

<master scene heading> - DREAM SEQUENCE

<master scene heading> (DREAM SEQUENCE)

The Screenwriter’s Bible finally mentions an animated scene and it makes the following two suggestions to handle that.

Animation

ANIMATION - <location or event>

or

<master scene heading> - ANIMATION

Will people judge you for using the following rules?

ANIMATION - <master scene heading>

<master scene heading> (ANIMATION)

<master scene heading> - ANIMATION SEQUENCE

<master scene heading> (ANIMATION SEQUENCE)

It probably depends on whether they take the Screenwriter’s Bible literal or not. Whatever you decide - be consistent in the use of the pattern you choose.