Dinner Sincerity
From Rom Com
This takes place in a Chinese restaurant and is incredibly awkward. The characters are playing a second game of Sincerity. At the time of this scene, all the characters are involved in emotional turmoil (for example, Nick and Hallie have feelings for each other that are interfering in Dylan and Hallie's relationship, while Alex is attempting to seduce Aimee, which is against the best interests of both Kati and Dylan). Therefore, there is a lot of silence. In fact, perhaps most of the scene will be silent. There is also a lot of glaring.
EXT. Chinese Restaurant. Evening.
Establishing shot. The front window of a Chinese restaurant. Cut to
INT. Restaurant.
Extreme close up to one of those ridiculous Chinese Zodiac placemats. The characters are at either Middle Kingdom or Kai Garden or one of those traditional-looking Chinese restaurants.
Far shot of the table. Everyone is sitting there, wearing the same clothing that they were wearing for the first Sincerity. In this way we understand that they are playing Sincerity again. However, unlike previously, when they were laughing and joking around, now everyone is completely silent.
OK, this isn't a close-up but rather a lengthy tracking shot of DYLAN gnaws nervously on a chopstick. NICK sips tea, etc. Everyone looks very anxious.
Medium shots: Half the table is viewed at a time. Alex, Aimee and Nick sit on the side with their backs to the window. Hallie, Dylan and Kati sit opposite. Someone clears his/her throat.
Far shot. A waiter passes the table, while everyone remains silent. There is Chinese food on the table, and they eat, sparingly and with anxiety.
Close up of the goldfish.
Later. They are getting up and putting on their coats or whatever, etc.
POV shot. Close-up of Dylan. He is looking at Aimee.
Medium shot. Aimee and Alex. Alex puts his arm around Aimee. She smiles up at him.
Over-the-shoulder shot. Dylan pushes past and out the door.
Excuse me.
Shot of the door closing.
Aimee–I like where you're going with the Chinese dinner scene and I'm envisioning my exit. I assume you mean over Aimee's shoulder shot. This is good because then Alex and Aimee dominate the frame, while Dylan seems insignificant. The shoulder shot should first focus on Aimee as Dylan gets up to leave. As we follow Dylan to the door,the camera begins to focus on him. Perhaps we see him only from the back: he is rejecting all of us, viewers included. Then, as he is leaving, focus turns to Aimee, and you try to convey Saddness? Longing? with your facial expression. Something subtle and heart-wrenching. I remember watching "The Man Who Cried" with some of my extended family. There was a scene in which the Cate Blanchett character glances seductively at her boyfriend, John Turturro, and their eyes meet for a mili-second, before he quietly looks down and ruins the moment. It's not too subtle a moment– but subtle enough that only they share it. And that could be a similar, very poignant scene in our movie.
I think that would be very lovely.
Definitely. Thank you.
Is that enough? I feel like that's enough.
Previously: Confrontation Next: Nick/Hallie Moment
