Character Development Help

J

JonnyPhoenyx

Hey guys,
I'm making a short film (20min) and have a date scene (boy and a girl) near the end. I want the viewer to grow attached to both chracters becausethe girl dies in the end. What are some good movies to watch that have a good "coffee date" scene in them? Or just a date that helps establish who the character is. I'm not looking so much for comedy, but a down to earth conversation that's likable and real. I tried writing off the top of my head for it, but it was rubbish. Does anyone have any suggestions?

-Jonny
 
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This is where field research comes in handy. Find a moody coffee shop near a college and see if you can pick up on some conversations. Of course, Starbucks is my favorite coffee hangout and attracts all walks of life.

I love shopping malls. I like to sit in the food court and read while observing people and catching bits of conversation.

Why a coffee shop? Is it for budgetary consideration? There's only so far you can go with a coffee shop or restaurant scene. Not much for the actors to do except talk and drink. Pulp Fiction handled this in a fun way by making it a Hollywood themed restaurant. Perhaps give them some activity that makes them endearing to the audience, like helping an older man who collapses, saving his life.

Every writer has a different style, so you'll probably get several different answers. Personally, I find action more interesting than dialogue. I try to define my characters more with what they do than what they say, which often conflicts with what they do. People rarely say what they mean anyway. There is always some subtext, some hidden meaning. Does she know she's going to die? Are they at a point in their relationship where they've begun long-term goal planning? Perhaps they're planning a trip or building a house and they have travel brochures or carpet and paint samples that they can flip through while talking. This could also give more impact to when she dies because all those plans die with her. Maybe they're planning their wedding.

Give them something to do that can help reveal as much or more about their character as what they say.

A side note, one of my favorite date scenes that took place in a restaurant/coffee shop was in When Harry Met Sally where Sally didn't know Harry's hidden meaning and, thus, identity. It was the subtext that made the scene interesting.
 
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I saw the movie a while ago (when it first came out) so my memory of it may not be exact -- but I seem to recall some good "couple in the making" dialogue in BEFORE SUNRISE (with Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy). There was also a sequel which I did not see. Of course, I might go back and watch again and think differently...funny how time works that way.
 
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