Dreams on Film: The Cinematic Struggle Between Art and ScienceFilms with dream sequences, or a dreamlike quality, allow directors to create their own rules of logic and nature to meet a variety of artistic needs. For instance, an opening dream immediately establishes what a character is feeling; a later dream--or series of them--provides viewers with a glimpse of the climax, and a concluding dream ties up loose ends. (In real life, of course, dreams do not occur at such convenient times or serve such useful purposes.) This book explores why science is lost or distorted in the process of representing dreams on film and why audiences prefer this figurative truth of art over the literal truth of science. Part One discusses changes in form and considers the history of dream theory. Additionally, the physiology of sleeping and dreaming, dream structure, sleep deprivation, dreams under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and waking up, as depicted on film, are examined. Part Two investigates changes in content, and delves into the psychology of sleeping and dreaming, dream interpretation, altered states of consciousness, visions and prophecies, dreams as wish fulfillment, sex and death, nightmares, and reality versus illusion. The author uses theories by Freud, Jung, and current experts in her analyses of dream sequences and their use in film. |
From inside the book
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... NREM sleep , promoting protein synthesis in the cere- bral cortex , the retina , and throughout the body that aid in cell growth and tissue repair . During NREM sleep when eyes are still , the body is relaxed , brain waves are slowed ...
... NREM manifestation . Sleepers will toss , turn , murmur , or shout ( indicating NREM ) yet have richly symbolic dreams , with vivid images contained with a definite story structure ( indicating REM ) . Would reporter and Los Angeles ...
... NREM sleep often contain repetitive and worrisome images . Studies reveal that NREM dreams do not contain the irrational and impossible qualities of REM dreams ; they portray obsessive qualities such as worrying and perseverating , i.e. ...
... NREM mentation and the activation - synthesis model are not the stuff film dreams are made of . Freud's psychological view that explains dreamed images as repressed instinctual urges and unfulfilled desires- all carefully disguised ...
... NREM dreams take the predictable form of a nagging conscience or endless thought loop , REM dreams often resemble a predictable story in form , with decidedly unpredictable content based on this psychic activ- ity . Jung divides this ...
Contents
13 | |
21 | |
29 | |
Sleep Deprivation | 37 |
Dreams Under the Influence | 46 |
Waking Up | 54 |
Creative Differences Changes in Content | 65 |
Psychology of Sleeping and Dreaming | 67 |
Dream Themes Sex and Death | 114 |
Nightmares | 126 |
Dream Elements | 138 |
Dream Symbols | 147 |
Reality vs Illusion | 161 |
Conclusion | 178 |
Filmography | 181 |
Notes | 189 |
Dream Interpretation | 73 |
Altered States of Consciousness | 82 |
Visions and Prophesies | 92 |
Dreams as Wish Fulfillment | 103 |
Bibliography | 191 |
Index | 195 |