Julia Bruce: Actor, comedian and screenwriter in London, England.

This better not be a dream sequence!

You can often hear my husband saying that while we’re watching a movie or TV show. He hates dream sequences, and I have to admit I’m starting to feel the same way. Obviously there are shows about dreams or that heavily incorporate dreams into their storytelling narrative – The Flight Attendant being a recent example. But that’s not what I’m talking about.

I’m talking about the dream sequence that’s being used more and more in TV; especially to create a “crazy” teaser or “WTF!” right before a commercial break. I get why it’s popular, it’s “crazy” and “WTF!”, but it’s also a lie. We’re shown something extreme and exciting that turns the story in a new direction, but then have the rug pulled out from under us. As soon as it’s revealed to be a dream all of the stakes immediately disappear. It doesn’t matter. Nothing that happens in a dream has any consequences.

And maybe you’re saying, “but they reveal what’s going on in the character’s head!” Sure, maybe. Do your dreams reveal what’s actually going on in your head!? And even if you say yes, can we go back to the most fundamental “rule” of screenwriting: show don’t tell. A dream is basically a ‘tell’ because it’s playing out the literal scenario a character is thinking about. But what if we instead saw how the character behaves in a situation based on what’s in their head?

Promising Young Woman is basically doing this through the entire film. Cassie behaves one way, but because we understand what’s going on in her head, we see the subtle cues and get why she’s taking the actions she does. Imagine how much her actions would feel undercut if we jumped in and out of Cassie’s dreams. Watching and following her in real life increases the stakes and makes her actions more shocking.

The momentary shock value of a dream undermines the rest of the story. It also feels a bit easy for the writer because you can do anything in a dream and not have to justify it. Our job is to put characters into extreme situations and justify how they get out of them.

Next time you’re tempted to write a dream sequence think about why you’re doing it. Is it just for shock value, or is it really the only way to convey necessary information and character?

Do you disagree? I’d love to hear when and why dreams are a good decision.

BRILLIANT @Julia Bruce CONGANJALATIONS!! WTG! It's EVERY Dreamers Dream, to be able to QUIT the DAY JOB!!! WELL DONE, CANADA as well!! I Must Apologize, on behalf of Our current, sitting President, I do NOT agree with his views or administrative, policies. I'm @AshleighKlein aka Jeannie420 of htttps//www.usweedchannel.com I would love to do something Creative, Feel free to connect! CHEERS!! Jeannie420

Hello! I am new to the site but have been working as a stand up comedian, actor, and writer for over 12 years. I've written numerous spec scripts for sitcoms over the years and am currently working on an original about my life in retail (I just quit my day job!!). I am also writing my first screenplay, a drama with zero jokes! I look forward to connecting with other writers and industry members and hopefully working with many of you! Now back to writing!!

Hi Julia. I'm RB, Founder and CEO of Stage 32. As a screenwriter, producer, actor and filmmaker, I know first-hand the challenges all creatives face finding work, landing representation, launching projects, securing funding and simply making the connections that will make a difference in their careers. That's why I created Stage 32. Since our launch in September of 2011, the community has grown to 1,000,000+ members representing every country on the planet making Stage 32 the social network uniquely populated with the most creative people on Earth.

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