On another forum someone asked an interesting question and I am going to share the question and my answer:

- - - -QUESTION

How do you make the audience care about characters in a short space of time? Any tips?

Conversation? Put them in funny situations so the audience endear to them quickly? Make them vulnerable?

I'm just outling a horror script. Four characters have to die within the first ten pages. I want the audience to care about them (at least just a bit) first. Otherwise what's the point?


- - - - ANSWER


I think absolutely characters having goals is the way to go (as rumely28 indicated). However, I would avoid doing it in dialogue because then it feels a little forced.

We like people to have goals because we understand that. Everyone wants something. Another thing everyone wants is to be loved and cared aboute. You know... think of a young couple, early in a relationship - you might hate them as they look shyly but lovingly in eachothers' eyes for just a glance, but you also envy them. They have something you want (just like a superhero and you like superheros because they are what you want to be.)

(Despite the name I'm about to mention, I'm not about to go political on the forum, fear not...) Michael Moore has a great comment in his book "Dude, Where's my Country?" and it is about the concept of why we do not hate rich people and why we like making sure people can become filthy rich. Because we all think that we are going to have that chance someday. This is why super rich or famous people get away with things that normal people won't. Because while we don't necessarily identify with them in reality - we identify with them in fantasy - and that is just as powerful as proven in life and in movies.

So to sum up - give them something to live for that we respect or desire - but do it in essence and action, not in dialogue.