I have a scene where one of the characters has a vision-like experience of what could have happened had she not done so and so. Since it's important that the reader knows that the action in the vision is not actually happening but it's something she's experiencing, I wanted to format it like you would a FLASHBACK sequence but I can't call it FLASHBACK (cos it's not), it's not a FLASHFORWARD either. I could call it  FLASH SIDEWAYS (like they did in Lost) but I rather stay clear of that one.

Any suggestions?

It's more a DREAM SEQUENCE...

...why not go with 'VISION'? As long as you make it clear.

INT. RUINED CHURCH - DAY

HIGH PRIESTESS
Let me show you...

She places her hands on Teresa's forehead --

EXT. STREET - NIGHT - VISION

The city is on fire. MEN AND WOMEN run screaming. In the distance, a great, MONSTROUS SHAPE stomps along among the rubble.

INT. CHURCH - DAY - BACK TO REALITY

-- Teresa staggers back with a SCREAM. The High Priestess watches, unmoved.

Works for me. Thanks, JB.

You can also use INSERT and BACK TO SCENE if the vision is short enough.  I wouldn't go this route if your vision is a page and a half long or more than a few seconds of screen time.

Phil

Thanks, Phil.

It'll probably run for about a page and is going to be a mix of "a series of shots" and "regular" scene, so I'm thinking about using Jon's suggestion.

My suggestion, then, isn't the right right one for you.  I & BT is generally for quick glimpses of thing.


Phil

There's a UK show called "misfits".

Young offenders get caught up in a storm and develop super powers. One of the guys develops the power to see alternate futures based on his actions.

Might be worth trying to find that.

On screen it tends to be preceded by a dramatic camera push into his eyes, which go wide...so it might be a good idea to have a physical reaction to what's happening to the character as well.

Quoted from Scar Tissue Films There's a UK show called "misfits". Young offenders get caught up in a storm and develop super powers. One of the guys develops the power to see alternate futures based on his actions. Might be worth trying to find that. On screen it tends to be preceded by a dramatic camera push into his eyes, which go wide...so it might be a good idea to have a physical reaction to what's happening to the character as well.

Well, it's not really a super power in the classical sense - she merely realizes that all the bad things she's been through happened for a reason and "sees" what would have happened if she hadn't gone through it - which turns out to be worse.

I like the focus on the eyes - that's actually the same route I'm going with this scene. only I'm gonna have her close her eyes, then go with the vision sequence. When it's over, she opens her eyes - like it all happened in a blink of an eye.

It doesn't have to be a super-power...it's just the same thing technically.

You might also check out a CSI script. That show often has a forensics character envisioning what they believe happened at the scene of a murder.

Personally, I think simpler is always better. If it’s only a page or so, I would just write NAME’S VISION and then BACK TO SCENE.


Breanne