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Filmed Dreams: Cinematographic and Story Line Characteristics of the Cinematic Dreamscapes of John Sayles

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Dreaming

Abstract

The authors characterize the filmed dreamscapes of John Sayles though a structured interview with the screenwriter/director and an analysis of cinematographic and story line techniques utilized in creating dreamscapes in two of his films. The filmmaker uses complex techniques to produce believable dreams in otherwise naturalistic films by isolating the dream sequence and altering sound, color, cinematography, story, time, visual perspective and physical properties of the perceived external reality of the dream. This perceptual and orienting framework required to produce a believable dream on film may reflect innate characteristics of the dream state.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Colorado Medical School, USA

    James F. Pagel (Director)

  2. Taos, NM

    Dennis Crow (Assistant Director)

  3. Hoboken, NJ

    John Sayles (Writer, Editor, Director)

Authors
  1. James F. Pagel
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  2. Dennis Crow
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  3. John Sayles
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to James F. Pagel.

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Pagel, J.F., Crow, D. & Sayles, J. Filmed Dreams: Cinematographic and Story Line Characteristics of the Cinematic Dreamscapes of John Sayles. Dreaming 13, 43–48 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1022138301774

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1022138301774

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