How are they visualised in different types of media?
Film and Television
Film
The Hole (2009)
This movie is called The Hole and it brings your fears to life. I could use this theme for my final idea because part of my idea is for the happier side of her dream to spiral into kayos (a nightmare).
The Matrix (1999)
The Matrix movie is all about dreams and reality, I enjoy the concept of this film because of the graphics used and the way the camera moves in different scenes throughout the film. I enjoy watching this movie and I like how Agents morphed when the people were surrounding Neo. I could use this sort of theme in my final project because, I think that the concept of this movie is really interesting.
In this scene, Neo has a tracing worm inserted into his belly button. I like this dream sequence because it shows you how real the dream is. In addition, I like the way his mouth disappeared, making the scene even more intense because he can not shout for help or scream in panic.
I like the way the director has done it in this scene, because rather than the Agents (such as Agent Smith) putting duck-tape or a cloth in his mouth for silence. I am going to use this type of silence for one of the scenes in my short film, simply because of how it makes the audience (me) feel.
Also, if I were to visualise a nightmare this would be one of the many things, that I think I would have dreamt up.
Nightmare On Elm Street (2010)
This film uses dreams to create horror in the scariest way possible for example in this clip, Freddie Kruger uses sleep (insomnia) to kill his victims, she notices she is in a dream when she sees the blood on her book, the class is continuing without her and she in a different location. I like the concept of this film and I feel that this could be used in the nightmare part of my short film.
Teen Witch (1989)
This dream sequence is from the film Teen Witch and it presents her lust (maybe even love) for a popular boy who is in her school. She fantasies over him. I want to use theme of love in my final idea however, I’m not sure what my main character would do in her dream with her crush. That is why this scene in the film helps me a bit.
The Hunger Games: MockingJay part 1 (2014)
With Katniss being the face of a rebellion, after saving Peeta in the first Hunger Games film, it shows that in this movie dreams are being portrayed on a presidential scale because everybody wants to erase the capitalist society (a society with one ruler) that they have been living in and to live in peace.
This type of dream is an ambition based dream (a revolutionary dream), I feel that it is very effective towards audiences because, in some countries they don’t have freedom of speech. I would use this as part of my dream, however, my final idea is based on the definition of dreams, where a person falls asleep.
The Adventure of Shark Boy and Lava Girl (2005)
This film is a cross between dream and reality, the main protagonist’s dreams are so strong that they come to life in the real world and only he can stop the antagonist. I could use this in my project where my main character’s nightmares come to life. On the other hand, it requires skills I haven’t acquired yet.
Grease (1978)
In the movie Grease, Frenchie has a dream that helps her figure out what she wants to do in the future because she is unsure, involving Frankie Avalon as her conscience. He is giving Franchie advice through song using beauty school.
In this scene of the movie, the scene shows the audience that dreams help you make life decisions, that will hopefully benefit you and I think that some of the audience can even relate to that type of dreaming. I could use this in the set up part of my short film (dreams) which may affect my main character when she falls asleep.
American Beauty (1999)
In this dream sequence, the dad is dreaming about his daughter’s friend in a sexual way, this is perverted and wrong, however, the scene is really good. I could have used this as part of my project however, it is too sexual for a student film and for me.
Television
The Vampire Diaries
I like this scene because of the brightness and happiness of the scene, also, how the director takes a dark situation and makes it light and fluffy rather than just depressing the whole through her death. In addition, she was his friend/lover so the transitions from inside the dream and outside the dream makes the scene more affective, juxtaposing each other. This is visually effective because it evokes different emotions of the audience (the viewer), emotions such as sympathy, happiness and sadness.
The place that they are dreaming of is her favourite place growing up, this is kind of similar top what I am going to use in my dream. However, I don’t think I could use the transition from dream to reality in my film because my main character will never leave the dream world; I could use this idea the future and just watching influences me, giving me a wider perspective on dreams and how they are used in television.
Advertisement
Apple
This is about developing technology so that you can use it for every aspect of life, telling the audience that this iPhone is better than the others because of these new features, which make you want to buy their product. In this sense the clip is using the definition of dreams as an ambition, which will change the way of life.
This works visually because it uses a lot of situations that the phone is useful in and that produces reassurance in the viewer. Sadly, I am using the dreams concept, where the person falls asleep rather than a goal/ambition. The good thing is that by watching this advertisement it makes me even more certain on what I want for my final project.
Cartoons
Ed, Edd & Eddy
In this clip Ed is having a nightmare which introduces his fears to the audience, for example him getting in trouble with his mum, the sisters trying to kiss him etc, when he just wanted to have fun playing with his toy. I enjoy watching this scene because of the different nightmares he has, I like the music that produces a pessimistic atmosphere, which is uncomfortable but funny as well. I don’t know how I would use this clip to influence my project, however, by watching the clip it has given an idea for future reference and has broadened my way of thinking.
Mulan 2
In the clip, the princesses want to be regular girls and marry anyone they want. I like this scene in the movie because of the music that is used as well as the different scenarios that they are thinking of, the different scenes are really bright and shows them being free, I especially like the end when the three of them are swinging in the sky, this symbolises the freedom. I think I would like to use the theme of being free shown in clip in the happier side of my dreams project (short film).
Shrek
This is a clip from Shrek the Third (Shrek 3) and in this clip he is dreaming about becoming a father. The dream shows the fear of being a father and how he feels fatherhood is going to be like, showing that is not ready and the negative mind-set he has. The director plays on the negative side of dreams, which is a nightmare engaging the audience with the different scenarios that are hilarious. I like the negative touch to the movie, I could use this for the nightmare part of my dreams project. For example, her crush might have a girlfriend or ex girlfriend that wants him back, which is something that is worrying her.
Talent Shows
When it comes to dreams I have seen talent shows make or break them as well as publicly humiliate people worldwide, one after another. Here are some examples:
X factor
This X Factor audition presents a friendship that was broken, her negative attitude towards the whole process as well as crowd’s reaction . So, even though some dreams are pleasant , others are unpleasant. Some people reaction better than others when it comes to feedback, because they went their dream to be achieved straight away.
Lauren Platt’s Audition
This is a clip of Lauren Platt’s audition of the X factor, she got near to the end of the show (finals) but got cut of short. Her dream was to become a singer that’s why she entered the show.
I think the X factor is a good way to network if you are a good singer rather than if you were a bad singer, this is based on ambition and living the dream. I like these types of shows because of their purpose and how it shows people’s dreams coming to life. However, I dislike the humiliation of it and how that is used for entertainment on television, I know some people are not great singers, but at they had gone at singing their chosen song.
The Voice
Becky Hill
This was the stepping stone for Becky Hill, the first audition to give her publicity and place on the show. I like the approach, because they are unable to see the contest until they press the button, so it is not based on looks, it is just based on sound (their voice). Also, all of the contest can sing.
Now she has her own hit single Losing, which is remixed by different DJs, This type of dream is based on ambitions, her ambition was to be a singer and that is what she is doing or starting to do and will progress to higher rankings over time. So, talent shows are beneficial in that way. I don’t know whether I could use this in my project, I probably could if my final project was based on music and she/he could dream about being a star etc.
Art
I went to the Tate Gallery to find inspiration for my project and came across painting that I found interesting and I liked so I took a few pictures. Here they are:
One part of the exhibition was Realism
This picture by D Procter, I found to be very relevant to the theme because she is in bed looking tired and exhausted, which I found interesting and realist. I may use this in my project the exhaustion and tiresome look that it portrays.
This composition is very creative and I have not seen anything like it, I like the red and white in this picture. Also, I like how the sand contrasts the sky and the shapes make up the composition. If I want to do a dream that is filled with unique objects and interesting colours this picture would be a big influence on my final project.
I love the elegance of this painting, which I can use as the directing part of my final product, as the setting and costume make the painting soft. Looking at this painting gives me idea where I could add elegant to my final project.
I like the field look of this painting, it is very creative and I like how deserted it is. I find this composition to be inspiring to me and I can use this open field concept in my dreams project (short film).
I found these pictures down below on the internet (http://brendaferrimanidreamart.com/art/portfolio-2/) and I put them on this page because I like them.
(http://brendaferrimanidreamart.com/art/wp-content/uploads/photo-gallery/thumb/Mother1.jpg)
This picture is the woman produce new life, bring peace and harmony to the world. I think it symbolises mother nature and I like the colours in this picture for example the purple produces a mystical vibe, which evokes the
(http://brendaferrimanidreamart.com/art/wp-content/uploads/photo-gallery/thumb/BeautysChallenge.jpg)
I like this piece because it looks bright and mystical, also, the cream colour of the dress symbolises softness and elegances. Furthermore, the sun is a sign of new beginnings and happiness and I think that is picture is portraying that from how she is looking (searching) for something. There’s darkness behind her and the green tree next to her looks like a snake and they do often symbolise dangerous. The brightness and softness are captivating making you feel warm.
Music
The theme of dreams can be portrayed through music.
Meditation music:
In this youtube video rain is used as ambient sound whilst a piano plays a smoothing melody including other instruments to help you sleep. This 2 hours sound track is supposed to help you fall asleep, once you fall asleep you may start to dream. This type of music could be used in my project as background for a scene because of the tone and the melody used creates a magical and calm atmosphere.
Lady Leshurr – Chase The Dream
The reason that I used this song as an example was because of the lyrics. The lyrics are portrayed as an ambition, which a lot of people can relate to. This artist is rapping about chasing your dream, which shows how dreams are visualised in different types of media.
These are just probably two examples of the many sings and music that have been influence or are influenced by dreams.
Speeches
Even historical figures such as Martin Luther King had a dream that change the way people think and feel through a strong speech.
Martin Luther King made history that day, with that speech of equality and justice. This speeches evokes determination and happiness, making the audience believe that we had a voice and that anything is possible. People like him go down in history as legends. I like this speech although I can not use this for my final project its a good representation of the ambitious side of dreams.
Stephanie Corr-Amajor 
