Thelma’s Toothpaste

Are you good at picking a gift for your loved ones? That skill might come unexpectedly in handy when you’re creating characters. But how?

In one of her interviews, Thelma & Louise screenwriter Callie Khouri mentioned that she once came across an interview with Geena Davis, where Davis said, “I bet Callie Khouri knows which toothpaste Thelma uses.”

Khouri later laughed and replied, “Yes, of course. Thelma uses the one with red, green, and blue stripes.”

When I first read that, I was a university student taking my very first screenwriting class as an elective. We had an assignment to write a short film script, and apparently, I took what I’d just read way too seriously. I remember panicking, thinking, “Oh my god, I have no idea what kind of toothpaste my character uses! I’m doomed!” It felt like another item in the character sheet I had to fill. 

Years later, I came to understand the quiet truth behind her response. These little details about your characters don’t have to be consciously written down from the start, but when asked, you just know. Like knowing a close friend and all their little likes and dislikes.  And when you’re giving your answer, you use a bit of observation, a bit of instinct, just like when choosing the perfect gift.