Week 1 Day 1: Character Traits – GOOD WILL HUNTING

[Edward Brown]

Swu CHARACTER MASTER Day 1 Traits

Writer wanted to show Will as smart. So put him in conflict with intellectual braggart who bored bar girls, Harvard bar girls.

Conflict worked. I was impressed by how rapid Will rattled off different authorities’ main points. Knew them. No forced recall. Being a Harvard bar was great venue for showing off smarts. And set up of opposites: Harvard co-ed vs janitor. Romances need something to keep prospects apart.

Skylar had been pestered by pompous bore before. Happy to see Will “save” her. I find it interesting the distinction between recall and being able to have original thought. My high school valedictorian went to University of Michigan and flunked out. At class reunion years later, I asked what happened. She said, she had memory but not skills to correlate facts.

As writers we are correlators.

Special note: after guys left, Skylar twists to see Will. Set up for later payoff.

My scene of Conflict to show traits, it is long as my pilot ending. Learned to put in more back and forth although Preda and Will both mostly strong monologs

EXT. RED SQUARE INSIDE KREMLIN WALLS BY MOCKBA RIVER AND ST BASILS CATHEDRAL’S SEVEN DOMES. 11 DAYS AFTER LAKE HURON MACKINAW SAILBOAT RACE – 13:19 JULY

Dressed in straw hat and low cut Summer dress and sunglasses, late 30ish TANYA is seated at refreshment area sipping ice tea and glancing anxiously at her watch. And waves away buxom young waitress.

GEORGE enters ancient walled city. Dressed in Grosse Pointe uniform of navy brass buttoned blazer, khaki pants, boat shoes, gray haired 50 ish GEORGE spots TANYA’s straw hat’s long red ribbon floating in breeze. Smiles.

GOD

Remember Saints, we were active, cupids. But now, these total opposites, Tanya versus George are face to pretty face — no interfering!

SAINT SOPHIA

You mean, they got free will freedom to botch everything!

GOD

Hey! IF they, romantically mate, maybe we can learn romantic coupling strategies.

JESUS

Well, Sexual Coupling sure the hell ain’t lasting — with more than half kids only one parent. Like Tolya.

SAINT GEORGE VOICE OVER

Nuts! Don’t believe, even if this experiment finds out romantic Go-Givin’ “How-­Tos” — I doubt those lessons be used to keep peace between nukers.”

GEORGE wets his finger and raises it to discern wind direction. And twirls narrow wrapped three foot package.

SAINT NICKOLAS VO

Yeah. Big Guy, you sure nukers wacked Mar’s protective ionoshphere and UV’s started killin life?

GOD VO

Quiet! US versus Russia about to start.

TANYA waves at GEORGE, but GEORGE with hand to eyes, turns around pretending to scan Red Square for TANYA.

SPIRIT

George’s wise Little Voice is coaching —

GEORGE’S LITTLE VOICE

Okay, TIGER. Basics: if you take in Moscow’s unique tourist attractions and go home — you win.

GEORGE nods.

GEORGE’S LITTLE VOICE

And Buddy, DO NOT, DO NOT let Tanya vamp you into going to Siberia!

GEORGE nods and twirls his narrow package.

GEORGE

If all fails, I got my secret weapon.

Beaming, GEORGE approaches TANYA. Slightly bows.

GEORGE

Miss, excuse me, you are the prettiest girl here. Am I meeting face to pretty face, Tanya Koslova?

TANYA extends her hand.

TANYA

Da. Dr. Tanya Oparina Koslova. Doctor in Russian Culture and ballet.

GEORGE suavely kisses her hand, sits, and waves over the curious WAITRESS who hands GEORGE a wine list.

GEORGE

Let’s try pink Georgian bubbly.

TANYA

No CHAMPAGNE! TOO EARLY TO CELEBRATE. NOW NEGOTIATE.

(to waitress)

Beluga. Vodka.

Waitress brings vodka. GEORGE sips it, blinks, and pulls papers from his blazer inside pocket. Hands them to TANYA. TANYA hands GEORGE documents. Both study exchanged documents.

TANYA

Says here you have no STD’s. Does that signify you own no sperm?

GEORGE (sternly)

Raise your hand and swear that you have not been sexually intimate since these tests or your danglies are to be cut off!

TANYA (quizzically)

Danglies?

With two hands, a finger each, GEORGE points to TANYA’s breasts. TANYA smiles. Raises her hand.

TANYA

DA. And rise your hand and swear same or your danglies are to be cut off.

TANYA points to GEORGE’s crotch. GEORGE smiles and raises his hand.

GEORGE

Da. So why did you invite me?

TANYA (melodiously

GEORGE

Da. So why did you invite me?

TANYA (sitting down)

George, you me not ordinary dulls —

From her bra, TANYA pulls out her Siberian Fire earrings.

TANYA (STARING IN GEORGE’S EYES)

You Me rare gems.

(hold gems to sunlight)

My hostile publisher wants late book copy. Gone husband wants me get teen Tolya tutoring in infernal math. So our son gets into foreign college. Not be drafted into Russian Army.

(handing sparkling gems to GEORGE)

When you tell me how to make rose perfume by covering my body with kissed on rose petals and pressing our bodies together together together –I… I very… Wet.

GEORGE admires the stones and test scratches on table top: ­TK + ­GD.

Smiles and returns her diamonds which she considers…

TANYA

YOU ME RARE GEMS. Let’s explore for two weeks if we can be an US

TANYA

TANYA scratches on table top by “­TK + DG” a big “?”

George shows two pretty women how attach paper to string so it glides up to kite.

TANYA

Let’s not years from now, stare into fire alone and ponder if we drop rare chance for Together Joy — because we NOT BOLD!! !

GEORGE stands, ties string to kite. Tests kite in breeze.

GEORGE

Tanya, you want to fly kite with me?

TANYA

You old man playin’ with boy’s toy. Mr. Drake, Professor Dr. Tatiana Oparina Koslova will be at your hotel at 10 AM. Take you to museums. And then you fly home.

GEORGE crashes down. Mentions to waitress for a re-fill. As she leans over, GEORGE touches her hair.

GEORGE (TO WAITRESS)

Lovely hair. Frames your pretty face.

WAITRESS giggles. TANYA frowns. GEORGE shakes WAITRESS’s hand.

GEORGE

My name’s George. I sail. What do you do for fun?

BUXOM WAITRESS

Natasha. I swim. Race swim.

GEORGE

Amazing…

GEORGE searches through TANYA’S translation book.

GEORGE

Amazing! How can you race swim fast with so much —

GEORGE points to translation book’s Russian word.

— so much resistance?

BUXOM WAITRESS

What re-sis-tance?

GEORGE pantomimes her full bosom curves. WAITRESS giggles.

TANYA

Mr. Drake, you enough vodka. Pay waitress. GO FLY KITE. GO FLY KITE.

GEORGE pays smiling waitress, bows, and testing breeze, GEORGE launches dragon designed kite.

TANYA counts George’s generous tip money to waitress. Keeps some. Turns to WAITRESS. Gives her all tip.

TANYA

Well, no secret morning test. Is he: a merry bird? Or grumpy bear?

BUXOM WAITRESS

Or? Or morning lusty — man?

Kite is soaring above Kremlin. GEORGE waves and growing merry crowd of kids, parents and curious gather.

TANYA

Well, he’s Old! Fat! OLD!

BUXOM WAITRESS

Old men worship one bed. Young men sample beds.

George shows two pretty women how attach paper to string so it glides up to kite.

TANYA

Old too old.

BUXOM WAITRESS

Well, two pretty women like his kite.

TANYA

He’s a bed sampler!

BUXOM WAITRESS

Professor. You fail his secret test!

TANYA frowns, studies GEORGE. Bites lip. Runs toward GEORGE.

TANYA (gasping)

Why brave knight you afraid of me? Why YOUR secret kite test?

GEORGE starts reeling in kite. Crowd pulls back politely.

TANYA

Am I not beautiful? Sexy!

GEORGE (focusing on kite)

Half planet has sexy nipples. And Beaches are littered with beautiful bikinis —

(smiling)

Bikinis that cover those perky nipples. Sometimes not.

Kite falters in weakening wind

GEORGE (focusing on kite)

You NOT fly kite. You NOT playful. YOU — Bad match.

Reeled in dragon designed kite descends near WAITRESS. GEORGE goes to gather it. TANYA tags along. Provocatively wiggles.

GEORGE

Now, you can just wiggle an’ get a man. But at 56 your breasts will sag, butt droops — sad to see an old wiggler, who’s lost her wiggle.

TANYA frowns, cups breasts up and touches her butt.

GEORGE stuffs kite into cloth case. TANYA takes it.

TANYA

I playful. Ski, sail, dance and play in bed.

Taking kite case as a sword, Tanya motions GEORGE to kneel.

TANYA CONTINUING

Kneel.As Czarina, I will knight you Sir George.

GEORGE starts to kneel, then grabs kite.

GEORGE

Bullshit. No Czarina.

GEORGE paces. Paces looking around. Then hears “AAK AAKK” BIRD sounds above. Scanning upward, GEORGE sees two birds playing tag. Waving at TANYA to look up, GEORGE begins little happy jive dance with arms out.

GEORGE (cheerfully loud)

Male Female birds playin’ tag.

GEORGE (cheerfully loud)

NOT baby time. Birds mate for life. Mate for life because they play!

TANYA and GEORGE watch birds playing tag. WAITRESS who with cupid glee returns champagne to ice bucket.

With his hands on TANYA’s shoulders, GEORGE eyes her eyes.

GEORGE

I was selling this lady a roof. She had face of a horse. A body a body like old neglectful grandma.

(beat)

But she talked so playful, playful inflections, playful face, playful hands — I got an erection!

(beat)

GEORGE

Professionally pullin’ it together, I politely asked “You get unwanted sexual advances?”

(beat)

“Yes, I do!” She answered. “Don’t know why! Makes my girlfriends furious when their husbands proposition me!”

GEORGE goes to kiss TANYA’S hand.She shakes him off.

GEORGE

Old dumpy lady was incredibly sexy. Sexy because she was playful!

(beat)

TANYA, you desire romance forever. Well, woman you got to be playful! WE GOT TO PLAY TOGETHER!

TANYA looks at birds playing. Smiles at GEORGE.

TANYA

Mr. Drake, you maybe PhD in Romance —

GEORGE puts arms out like wings and runs in circles by her.

GEORGE

Come on in. Breeze is fine..Fly with me! Fly like a bird! Fly!

TANYA giggles. BUT SHAKES HEAD NO! GEORGE “flies” more.

GEORGE

Come on, Baby. Fly with me. AAKK! AAAKKK! We fly together! AAK!

Crowd gathers. TANYA EMBARRASSED. But WAITRESS pushes TANYA. TANYA shakes her head.

GEORGE flies around them more. WAITRESS nudges TANYA. TANYA plants her feet.

GEORGE

AKKK. AAAAAAkk. AK.

TANYA winces, smiles and joins GEORGE playing bird tag with her arms out like wings in graceful swoops.

TANYA

Aakkk! AAAKKK! Ak!

WAITRESS claps. Encourages CROWD. CROWD claps. TANYA smiles. And tags GEORGE indicating her turn to lead. GEORGE follows her increasingly artistic ballet swoops. CROWD claps louder.

GEORGE

Akkk ak kkkaaa AAAAAKKKKK!

Encouraged, TANYA does trickier swoops. GEORGE can’t follow. Falls down. Tries again. Falls again. TANYA helps him up. Together they retire to WAITRESS’s table. TANYA raises hand.

TANYA (ordering)

Champagne pozhaluysta — now!

Beaming CUPID WAITRESS hurries to serve.

GEORGE

That was fun! Fun! Together!

Champagne is bubbling in glasses. And bubbling.

TANYA

Must finish negotiations. Do we explore be — US?

GEORGE wedges cork back in bottle.

GEORGE (proposing toast)

NO CZARINA. NO BOSS. PARTNERS.

TANYA (toasting)

PARTNERS! DA!

Glasses click. Smiles turn to calculation.

TANYA (proposing toast)

You shower. Smell sweet. Lose weight.

Glasses click. And GEORGE uncorks bottle to refill glasses.

GEORGE

Partner, we’re so different. But maybe your strengths fill my weakness, My strengths fill your weakness. Da?

GEORGE takes her hands and interlocks her fingers with his fingers. TANYA nods agreement. And radiates.

TANYA (proposing toast)

To, my favorite word –SINERGIYA! SYNERGY!

Glasses click and smiling hearts click. GEORGE refills.

GEORGE (proposing toast)

To Exploring Siberian’s Ob Sea –US!

TANYA (toasting)

To Exploring Novosibrisk — US!

Glasses click, WAITRESS claps, GEORGE goes to kiss TANYA’s hand. TANYA abruptly stands.

TANYA

It is gross, vulgar, crude to kiss in public, to hold hands — no public affection!

GEORGE abruptly stands. Drops champaigne glass. Firmly turns shocked TANYA to squarely face him, his serious face to her startled face.

GEORGE

Look gratious affection can be out of place….But, no go to Novosibrisk, nyet — unless you take this vow and in your heart mean it.

TANYA

Vow?

GEORGE

Engagement to engagement to engagement vow. Repeat after me.

TANYA hand motions to proceed.

GEORGE

We are neither young nor old –

TANYA

We neither young nor old –

GEORGE

And with magic of love and laughter

TANYA

With magic of love an’ laughter

GEORGE

We will fight the dark and cold

TANYA

We fight dark an’ cold

GEORGE

And with magic of love and laughter

TANYA

With magic of love and laughter

GEORGE

We will tap into Cosmic Honey Flow

TANYA

We tap into …Cosmic Honey.. Flow —

GEORGE

And air will be golden and our lives will sweetly flow!

TATIANNA embraces and passionately kisses GEORGE. Fervidly they embraces and kiss.

Quiet onlookers respectfully smile. WAITRESS snorts Vodka.

When LOVERS part, they smile and kiss again.

Then TANYA straightens her clothes, combs her hair, GEORGE adjusts his underpants.

TANYA

Think, magic of love and laughter will get us in Museum’s international art display. In right away. My friends say impossible not to wait four hours. But –

GEORGE smiles. Goes to taker her hand, but then offers his arm. Formally-arm-in-arm they leave.

GEORGE

Today, with Magic of Love and Laughter, we’re in..

SPIRT

Heh, Heh. Maybe not. AKA armed gate keepers like to arrest or shoot intruders.

[A J Ferrara]

This was a great example of creating tension and conflict with zero action. The dialogue created increasing tension through Will’s character traits. Verbal conflict in the perfect setting.

Note: Picked this scene for a similar reason. Worked on creating more tension with limited action.

EXT. STRIP MALL – NIGHT

Seb’s Toyota rolls to a stop into semi-empty parking lot, next to Mbona’s police van.

Laura and Seb exit the car.

Mbona get’s out of the van and crosses to Laura.

LAURA

This is my hairdresser friend, Seb.

Seb extends his white gloved hand. Mbona ignores it. Seb forces a smile and pulls his hand back.

SEB

Okay doll, call me when you done.

LAURA

Don’t forget the conditioner.

As Seb saunters away, his face flushes with anger.

Mbona checks his watch – it’s 9:15.

LAURA

Such a sweetie. He’s been so helpful.

MBONA

Ya no, so, you wanna talk?

LAURA

I think we should.

Mbona looks her over, curious.

INT. MALL COFFEE SHOP – NIGHT

Laura and Mbona sit across from each other.

MBONA

Tell me now. What’s this about?

LAURA

You know, it’s always about the Benjamins.

MBONA

The what?

LAURA

The money. The money.

MBONA

Ya, that’s right.

Laura glances away-

LAURA

I happened to be with Benji when he called you.

MBONA

Ya?

– then she turns back to Mbona.

LAURA

About Mr. Williams.

INT. AIRPORT GATE – NIGHT

Benji hustles through the terminal. He approaches GATE 7, hands the FLIGHT ATTENDANT his boarding pass and enters the jetway.

LAURA (O.S.)

And I know he paid money into some account that he confirmed with you.

MBONA (O.S.)

What are you saying, here?

LAURA (O.S.)

Well, I’m not sure if you’re aware, but Benji had to go back to Jo-burg. It was an emergency. His son’s very ill, in intensive care.

EXT. STRIP MALL PARKING LOT – NIGHT

Seb walks back to Mbona’s van. He scans the lot, then drops down and sticks a GPS TRACKER under the van. He presses a button and a light turns green.

As Seb walks away, he syncs his phone to the tracker.

MBONA (O.S.)

Really?

LAURA (O.S.)

Benji’s spoken so highly of you and he’s a little freaked out about his son, as you can imagine. Anyway, before he left, he told me that he’s not so sure about — you know — this thing with Williams.

INT. MALL COFFEE SHOP – NIGHT

Hands folded in a nervous vice grip, Mbona’s glare fires lasers right through Laura.

MBONA

Ya, I don’t know. What thing? What thing with Williams?

Laura leans across the table and whispers.

LAURA

You know. The hit.

She leans back in her seat.

LAURA

So, I was thinking, maybe you’d put it off for now, until he gets back.

Mbona unfolds his hands, his cold, suddenly menacing glare on Laura. He stands-

MBONA

Like you said, the money’s already been paid.

– and walks away. Laura watches him leave.

LAURA (V.O.)

Mbona, Williams, Benji, they didn’t give a fuck about anybody but themselves. And I traveled half-way around the world to learn that this place wasn’t all that different from Brooklyn. For these guys, corruption and survival were one in the same.

[Sandra Fox-Sohner]

I liked the techniques used to bring out the character traits: power struggle underdog versus the apparent topdog, then the reversal of the struggle whereby the one with the power is now the underdog as a new topdog comes into the picture. The conflict brought out the traits: first a bluffer trying to pick up a girl, then an arrogant fellow who thinks he has all the power, then the protagonist–showing his loyalty to his friend–steps in to save his friend and defeat the foe with words…..(and possibly to impress the girl at the same time). Fun powerful scene: a three way conflict…reveals the protagonist’s secret genius, the girl and the possible future for him and the girl, the nature of the friendship and their opposite capabilities, and the arrogant elite world they are in.

[CHRISTOPHER WEBB]

Will comes off to me as the strong yet sensitive type. He lets his friends take the lead socially and only steps in when necessary. If Clark doesn’t confront Chuckie to try and impress maybe he doesn’t even meet Skylar. He’s naturally combative but doesn’t want to be. He only steps in once Chuckie was on the defensive after initially finding it amusing. He then escalates by challenging Clark to step outside, proving both his intellectual and physical superiority. He’s not posing, or putting on a show, or trying to impress either woman… which makes him all the more impressive. Rather than use the display of superiority to pursue a conversation/interaction with either woman, he simply leaves. From a writer’s perspective it’s a character that’s rich and exceptionally nuanced with a lot of avenues for exploration.

Insights

– Will is lonely and isolated emotionally and intellectually. He’s surrounded by friends who love him but don’t truly understand his level of intellect or his capability. Once they all get into the pub Will separates from his friends and leans against the wall with his arms crossed. To me this body language screams his total isolation amongst a sea of people: he’s observant but closed himself off. <div>

– Will doesn’t think he deserves any happiness. His intellect can take him beyond his current circumstances but he doesn’t believe he deserves it, so he doesn’t pursue it. He’s intelligent enough and socially skilled enough to impress but chooses not to do so. He remains low-key to his own detriment.

SCENE

Set-up – CIELLA (F/29) an Insurance Fraud Investigator learns from her supervisor FLORENCE (F/45) that she will be showing the ropes to MARTIN (M/32) a new trainee recently hired and about to start his first day.

INT. MONDOPLEX INSURANCE – OFFICE – DAY

CIELLA KRIMMEL (F/29) sits at her cubicle and types up a report. A blue coffee mug on her desk has an inscription that reads, “Another Crime. Another Dollar.” Next to the coffee mug is a 2022 ‘The Far Side’ desk calendar by Gary Larson. As she types her report with speed and precision, FOOTSTEPS are heard approaching from her left. She raises her eyebrows knowingly.

CIELLA – You’re usually not one for placating, but why do I get the feeling that’s what about to happen.

FLORENCE WIGHT (F/45) appears in a sharp business suit, cradling a steaming cup of coffee in her hands.

FLORENCE – Why would I be placating to my favorite investigator?

CIELLA – Uh-oh. Must be serious. Not another court case, I hope.

FLORENCE – Oh. Nothing like that. [beat] Can I put this coffee down? It’s really hot.

Ciella sighs loudly and nods towards her desk. Florence places the bright red mug on the desk next to the blue mug. She steps away from the desk, clasps her hands together under her chin, and stares at Ciella expectantly.

CIELLA – Can I finish typing up my report? It’s due today.

FLORENCE – No it’s not. You have another week.

CIELLA – Well, I would like to do it today.

FLORENCE – Sorry. This takes priority.

Ciella continues to type her report. Florence becomes annoyed.

FLORENCE – Stop typing, Ciella. We’ve got to talk.

Ciella rolls her eyes, but complies with the request. She rolls her chair away from the desk and finally meets Florence’s eyes.

CIELLA – What are we doing here? Talking about what?

FLORENCE – Well for starters how bout a little less attitude?

CIELLA – That’s far from your placating tone a few seconds ago.

FLORENCE – You weren’t being obdurate then, like you are now. But I guess it’s just Wednesday for you, isn’t it?

Ciella looks away and crosses her arms. She looks at the two coffee mugs and the Far Side calendar. She reaches towards her desk and removes Tuesday’s page from her desk calendar. She reads the Wednesday comic: An alien in a UFO lands on Earth, gets out of the UFO, punches a random man in the face, gets back in the UFO, and departs. The caption: “Doug never knew what hit him.”

She chuckles while Florence waits patiently. Ciella composes herself and stands up. Now they’re eye to eye.

CIELLA – What I can do for you, Florence?

FLORENCE – Let’s walk.

Ciella looks confused. As they walk the office hall together, co-workers look at them with amused and smirk-filled faced.

CIELLA – Everybody knows something I don’t apparently. You want to fill me in?

FLORENCE – You don’t treat me with much respect, right. I get that. So I think to myself, “What’s her problem with me?” Like why the groans and the sighs and the eye rolls and all that? But then I talked to your coworkers: You don’t like anyone. You don’t get along with anyone. You tink you’re better than everyone.

CIELLA – I don’t think I’m-

FLORENCE – Shhh. Don’t lie. Anybody with a pair of eyes can see everything I’m saying is true. Even if you don’t.

They walk closed door with an electronic lock. Florence takes out her key card and unlocks it. She holds the door open for Ciella, who gives Florence a curious look. Florence smiles and nods her head towards the entrance. After a momentary pause, they both walk through the door.

INT. MONDOPLEX INSURANCE – HALLWAY CORRIDOR – CONTINUOUS

They walk down a hallway with locked offices on the left and the right. At the end of the call is a waiting room.

CIELLA – So where are we going with all of this?

FLORENCE – Don’t use that name again. You work for me. Nicknames are inappropriate.

They reach the end of the hallway and walk into the Waiting Room

INT. MONDOPLEX INSURANCE – WAITING ROOM – CONTINUOUS

Entering the room they see MARTIN REEKS (M/30’s) who sits with patiently on the couch. He stand up when he notices the two of them enter the room.

FLORENCE – Ciella Krimmel meet Martin Reeks.

CIELLA – Reeks as in…

FLORENCE – David Reeks. CEO of PrivaSec. Currently under federal investigation.

MARTIN – Yeah. That’s my father.

Ciella look at Florence and then at Martin.

CIELLA – That’s very interesting information to know. Very interesting.

[END SCENE

</div>

[Elizabeth Corinth]

Really great insights about Will’s staying on the sidelines initially, his isolation, and the fact that those things indicate a fundamental lack of self-assurance and even feeling like he deserves the success he has the capacity to achieve. This really unlocked something for me. Thanks!

[CHRISTOPHER WEBB]

Oh. Just noticing this.

I’m pretty late.

No problem.

[Marti Wheat]

SWU Character Mastery – Day 1 Traits

The writer/s went to great lengths to set up Will and, to a lesser degree, Chuckie to look out of place in the “Ivy League” bar. Will’s shirt is ripped and frayed at the collar and he and Chuckie both have blood on their face as if they had been brawling. This sets up their juxtaposition against the well-dressed, preppy crowd and makes Will’s intellectual reveal that much more stunning and unexpected. The fact that Will stays in the background until he feels the need to “save” Chuckie from Clark’s attack indicates that he isn’t confident with his intellect and simply uses it as needed to help others, instead of using it to his own fulfillment and advantage.

It’s also interesting that when Chuckie first approaches Skylar and her friend, the guy that moves to the bar stool behind Skylar looks like he’s really going to enjoy watching Chuckie embarrass himself and get taken down by Clark, but by the end of the scene, he’s claiming Will as his own, “My boy is wicked smart!”

Scene

INT. SAN ANTONIO MILITARY MEDICAL CENTER (SAMMC) – NIGHT

STACY PARRIS (31) and TYLER PARRIS (5) sit on a bench outside a hospital room. The hall lights are dim and everything is quiet. The door to the room is slightly ajar, so they speak in low tones.

TYLER

Mommy? Why is daddy so sad?

STACY

I don’t know, honey; I guess he’s just trying to adjust.

TYLER

Because he got hurt, right?

INT. SAMMC HOSPITAL ROOM – SAME TIME

FRANK PARRIS (33) lays in the bed in the dimly lit room. His face and head are heavily bandaged and he is missing his right arm above the elbow and his left leg below the knee and he’s hooked up to a variety of monitors and a catheter. His restrained left hand fumbles under the sheets and pulls out a scalpel. He pulls on the restraint but it doesn’t have enough give for him to use the knife on himself. Anger flashes across the unbandaged side of his face and tears well in his eye as he listens to his family in the hall.

STACY

Well, honey, Daddy got hurt really bad and it’s a lot for him to deal with.

TYLER

But, since he’s already so bad hurt, why does he keep trying to hurt himself more?

Stacy stares down at her son.

STACY

What are you talking about?

TYLER

I heard the doctors say Daddy is too sad and doesn’t want to be here anymore.

STACY

Oh, Tyler! I’m so sorry you heard that. The doctors are just trying to understand, so they can find a way to help Daddy.

TYLER

Doesn’t he love us anymore?

STACY

Of course he loves us. More than anything.

TYLER

If he loved us, he wouldn’t want to go away and leave us.

STACY

Honey, it’s so complicated. I don’t think Daddy really wants to leave us. He’s just angry and frustrated.

TYLER

He’s mad because he can’t be a soldier anymore.

STACY

Yes.

TYLER

But he can still be a dad if he wants to.

STACY

Yes, he can.

TYLER

I don’t think he wants to.

STACY

Why not?

TYLER

Well, this is the place that can make him better, right?

STACY

Well, yes…

TYLER

But he just keeps trying to make everything worse.

CLOSE ON Frank. Tears course down his cheek and he quietly puts the scalpel back under the sheets.

[Kristina Zill]

GOOD WILL HUNTING

TRAITS:

WILL
* Reticent, hides his gift
* Sarcastic, witty
* Loyal, protector
* Physical, fighter

CHUCKIE
* Brutally direct
* Entertainer
* Self-assured masks insecurity about class
* Charming, Lothario

SKYLAR
* Savvy, skeptical
* Real, can’t stand artifice
* Intelligent
* Respectful of others’ dignity

CLARK
* Supercilious, pompous
* Witty – or thinks he is
* Upper class — and loving it

Using Chuckie’s Lothario trait, the writers set up a class battle by having him come onto some Harvard girls at the bar, and create the perfect foil in Clark. (The way Clark shifts his jaw when he thinks he’s scored a point reveals what he’ll look like in 20 years when he’s still a pompous prick, but without the long hair.) Chuckie seems to believe that he’s pulling off his high-class impersonation, and though the girls see through it, they don’t humiliate him.

A Harvard bar was the perfect setting for a showdown about class. The guys have “friends in low places” with the bouncer who lets them in. Chuckie is the charmer when ordering drinks from the lady bartender, and there are single women for him to engage with. A bar was also perfect since we know these guys are fighters, and conflicts in bars often lead to fights, so there’s always that threat hanging over the scene.

The topic of the book quoted by Clark is about issues of class, and then Clark’s comeback predicting that Will’s future is serving fries to his kids after they return from a ski trip underscores the class differences.

Unlike Chuckie, who would not have been able to gain an advantage in any way other than with his fists, Will is able to defeat Clark with words.

[Zev Ledman]

Good eye, I missed Skylar turning around to see Will leave. Set-up for a future scene.

[Zev Ledman]

Typical yuppie college bar where outsiders (Chuckie & friends) from the other side of life are trying to schmooze the women that are clearly out of their league, only to be confronted by the elitist who wants to show the upstart how dumb he is, seeking to humiliate Chuckie in front of the women. Skylar is not amused by the elitists intent to embarrass Chuckie. Then Will, his non-academic, highly intelligent friend intercedes to turn the tables on the elitist, embarrassing him. The elitist student leaves with a parting dig about the difference between them, only to see Will’s blue-collar reaction come out.

[Neil Werenskjold]

Week 1 Day 1: Character Traits

Will

Very detailed photographic memory

Protector

Sensational appetite for knowledge

Demure

Modest appearance

Lacks confidence in himself even though he has an incredible mind capable of solving high-order math problems that no one else in MIT can seem to do.

Perhaps he has been put down more times than he can count because he didn’t have the words or physical fight to counter bullies growing up.

Remains in the background, but his intellect causes him to be curious and pop out, taking chances to see if he can operate at a higher level.

Skylar

Polished

Touch of class

Merciful

Kind-hearted

Not impressed by jackasses

Curious, may be ready for a change or something different than her norm.

She does not attack harshly. Asked politely for Clark to go away.

Chuckie

Balzy

Forceful BS artist that gets him by in his lower-middle-class world.

He does not leave or venture out of the safe confines of his lower-middle-class neighborhood.

Has met his match in a place he knows little about and is just guessing.

He is totally ignorant that his guesses are not working but doubles down, looking foolish.

Has never operated at a very high academic level.

Scene from Military Family Blues

This is a scene where an Army Captain Turlly at Soto Cano Air Base Honduras, freaks on the Air Force civil engineers and comically lies to them, leading them to believe how wonderful their sleeping quarters are going to be tonight at their first stop on their way to a remote post where they will be working. Everyone buys into his story until they pull into a decrepit Honduran Army base with no facilities other than canvas tents that leaked when it rained that night.

30. INT. COMMERCIAL SCHOOL BUS PAINTED BRIGHT COLORS – DAY

On the bus are Air Force (AF) Airmen Bill, Sam, Hartman, Bobo, Rojas, and CAPTAIN (Capt.) HENSLEY is in charge of the AF Civil Engineering (CE) Airmen, SENIOR MASTER SERGEANT (SMSgt) TOM KENNARD, senior enlisted leader of the CE Airmen, with weak, Barney Fife type leadership skills, and SIX AF AIRMEN of various ranks.

Also, SEVEN ARMY MALE SOLDIERS of various enlisted ranks and TWO FEMALE SOLDIERS are on the bus.

Everyone aboard is wearing their tactical gear and packing an M-4 and 30-round magazines.

Sam, Hartman, Rojas, Bobo, and Bill are sitting in the back of the bus. SMSgt. Kennard and Capt. Hensley are sitting up front. Two female soldiers are sitting together near Sam and Bill. The rest of the airmen and soldiers are scattered around, talking to each other.

Smartass Army Captain Turlly jumps on the bus stairs and announces.

CAPT. TULLY

Listen up! When you get to La Ceiba this evening, you will be staying in some hooches on the beach. You will have a bonfire and plenty of beer, food, and women that will want to welcome you. The special forces guys will take good care of you. Enjoy!

There was a cheer from the bus as the Captain exited the bus and waves.

Truth be told, they bunked in old canvas tents. Captain Turlly was freaking on them.

This is the reveal scene where Bill gets back at Captain Turlly.

Wounded Air Force Airmen are getting ready to return to the USA from Honduras in a medieval aircraft where they were wounded in a firefight with a local cartel.

94. INT. MEDEVAC AIRCRAFT – NIGHT

Sam and Bill are bandaged up. Sam has crutches. Bill’s bandages are under his clothes as they find a seat. Bobo, Hartman, and Rojas sit near Bill and Sam.

Others are around limping around finding their seats. Captain Hensley waves to them. As army Captain Turlly walks over to the Bill and company, he pops a big smile and asks a smartass question.

CAPT. TURLLY

Hey, how did you like the hooches on the beach?

Bill’s eyes grow big as he excitedly jumps up with a big smile.

BILL

Oh, it was great, sir! Just like you said. Those special forces guys really liked us when we fixed some stuff real fast for them that they could not get fixed for months. So, on the down-low, they took us out on the beach but not to any hooches. They checked us in at the Grand Hotel on the beach, where we all had suites using CIA funds earmarked for local spending or something like that. Our poor single guys could hardly walk in the morning after the topless servers assigned to us individually took them for a full-ride all night. — One other thing, I hope those poor special forces guys didn’t have to stay in those rickety old canvas tents we saw on that Honduran post before they took us to the hotel.

Looking confused, the Army Captain shook his head. Shocked, he walked away with that “Wait a minute” look on his face. Not smiling anymore.

Standing nearby, (Air Force Captain) Hensley hears the conversation and rushes over to Bill as Capt Turlly walks away totally deflated.

CAPT. HENSLEY

Bill, what if they get into trouble out there?

Bill shrugged his shoulders.

BILL

They won’t get into trouble. They would laugh their asses off if they found out what I just told them. They have a sense of humor, and they need to learn that we are not so stupid. Next time hopefully, they will respect the Air Force fresh meat a little better.

The Captain slowly smiles, shakes his head, pats Bill on the back, then walks away smiling.

[Constance Gillam]

The dichotomy of Will’s character traits makes him an interesting individual. His brilliance would indicate a level of sophistication but his inability to solve interpersonal differences with anything other than his fists gives him a caveman mentality.

[jeffrey jeff glatz glatz]

Character Traits:

Will (Matt)

Cautious, observant

Caring deeply for his friends

Brilliant

Won’t back down

Funny, wants to impress

Skylar (Minnie)

Intrigued

Defensive

Sarcastic

Endearing (sticking up for less “fortunate” (non-Harvard), sorry that’s me being presumptive, but you get my point)

Chuckie (Ben)

Cocky

Self-assured

Witty, BS’er

Likes to mess with the elites

[C Holmes]

Will is a genius with a perfect memory. He observes others in detail and protects the underdog skillfully both intellectually and physically, but he does not have the social skills to talk with Skyler.

Chuckie is comfortable enough to talk to the girls and creative enough to make up fun stories to charm him. They know he is out of his league but aren’t snobs, he is charming and friendly and flirting away when he gets taken down by a bully who attacks him and tries to move him out of his turf.

Skyler is amused by Chuckie, and attacks the bully herself which interests Will. So she can take care of herself and dose not fall for the bully and his gig, but she wishes Will would stay and talk with her. He looks at her several times but is not skilled in going after the person he wants.

What I learned rewriting my script is that venerability is the quality that allows characters to be scene, even if they try to cover it all up with defense.

[Elizabeth Corinth]

Ooh, I like that point about vulnerability — yes, a character’s vulnerability is what makes them deep and therefore compelling. That is a breakthrough for me! Thanks!

• This reply was modified 3 years, 1 month ago by  Elizabeth Corinth.

[Steven Delisi]

In the end of the scene, Will concedes his social status (after the arrogant guy reminds him of what a degree means in society) and so Will proposes they can “settle it outside”… the guy backs down. Will was willing to resort to brawn over brains … because inside he feels defeated(deeper character).

* So the guy’s final blow about Will’s social status, triggers a deep wound & reveals his low self esteem.

[Elizabeth Corinth]

Yes, I didn’t really register that the shift from brains to brawn was an indicator of a nerve being touched. Great insight.

[Counse Broders]

Will – MATT DAOMON – observer, Defender; Brings the noise

CHUCKIE – BEn AFFLECK – COCKY; Overconfident

Skylar – Minnie Driver — Easy to Forgive; Can root for the little guy; self assured.

What drama did the writers create to trigger and deliver these traits?

Chuckie, in trying to hit up the girls, suddenly finds his lines about history class put him in a tough situation, where Will steps in. Will can recite passages and page numbers from memory to win the game of “smarts” but then caps it by saying they can take it outside if they need to (implying resorting to street thuggery. It helps show us Will is genius level for knowledge but still not past his street past.

Chuckie’s history pick up line leads into demonstrating Will’s knowledge.

Why do you think the group picked a Harvard bar?

Plays up the difference between “Townies” and the students. Also does the dichotomy of is it book smart or street smart? Does it matter having a college eduction if you are a genius.

[Paul Cunningham]

Love this scene because it proves setting is character. Here’s Will; this brash, competitive, wicked smaht, and protective character in a Harvard bar and he finds a way to touch on his character traits all in one scene. Ultimately he impresses his future love interest. He engages in intellectual debate with someone who represents his main stumbling blocks when seeking to go all in academics. The bar itself is representative of the type of ego jousting so common in high level academics. He’s able to step in and protect his friend all while hanging with his buds.

Well designed scene.

[Elizabeth Corinth]

Traits:

Will:

-Well-read, with remarkable recall, and understands what he’s read Incredibly intelligent

-Values original thinking

-Stands up for himself and his friends / won’t tolerate bullying

-Chafes at being looked down upon by students whose wealth has given them an easy path, and looks down on them in turn

-Works hard for what he has achieved

-Also not afraid to get tough / physical if need be

Skylar:

– Open-minded, curious, willing to give people a chance

– Doesn’t look down on “townies”

– Not impressed by bullying, willing to stand up against bullies

Chuckie:

– Puts on an air of confidence

– Not afraid to fudge the truth to get what he wants, but in a good-hearted way

– Relies on words and charm to get through life

– Playful

– Polite

Drama:

Setup: Charlie is trying to pick up Skylar. He uses a fib about being in a class with her as an in. A student overhears and decides to call him out and embarrass him.

Trigger: The student pulls out a bunch of academic mumbo jumbo and Charlie is left at a loss. He’s about to be humiliated in front of the girl he likes and everyone else at the bar.

Payoff: Will turns it around by going several steps beyond what the student threw down, citing sources and pointing out that he’s still early on in a learning journey. When the student comes back with a follow-up retort, Will completes the quote, names the exact source and even the page number, calling out the student for trying to pass it off as an original thought. He also explicitly confronts him for trying to embarrass Charlie, and makes a direct cut against his use of wealth as a substitute for hard work and personal drive.

The student’s final attack, trying to put Will in his place as doomed to a life of lower class servitude and impoverishment, paints him in a negative light without Will even having to do anything. Rather than letting it get to him, he takes the cut in stride with good humor, brings the focus back to his own previously-expressed value of originality, and then subtly indicates another likely area of inferiority by making a proposal for physical combat that he knows will go unaccepted.

What makes this character great:

– Brings together traits you don’t expect to see together – makes him interesting and brings more depth

– Has the chops to out-bully the bully but only uses them “for good”

Why did they choose a Harvard bar?

It shows that they are somehow drawn to this world which they know they can’t be fully a part of. For various reasons they’ll never be insiders here, and this seems to attract them even as they might put up the defense of looking down on the students who are insiders.

• This reply was modified 3 years, 1 month ago by  Elizabeth Corinth.
• This reply was modified 3 years, 1 month ago by  Elizabeth Corinth.

[Elizabeth Corinth]

Another point which I didn’t consciously pick up on in my viewings but was highlighted in other people’s comments was how Will initially stayed in the background as an observer, and only stepped into the spotlight to save his friend. I agree with the points above about how this indicates a lack of self-confidence which is surprising given his intelligence and obvious skills. This plants a seed of curiosity — what is going on here? Why doesn’t this gifted young man take advantage of his capabilities to get ahead? That question drives the audience to want to better understand the character, to uncover the hidden source of that seeming contradiction. That’s my big breakthrough for today — a compelling character presents a puzzle that the audience wants to crack, a mystery to solve. The payoff of a well-written script is to deliver on the promise of providing an insight into what makes this person tick, since something about them is not what you would initially expect and there must be a reason for that. That’s what I want to explore in my rewrite — what is the seed I am planting early on that makes my audience want to find out how my character can possibly have come to be this way.

• This reply was modified 3 years, 1 month ago by  Elizabeth Corinth.

[Elizabeth Corinth]

Another insight that has clicked into place — there is an interesting interplay in this scene between the three men in terms of what strengths they believe they have and attempt to bring to bear in the situation, how accurately they assess their own strengths, and what goals they use those strengths to pursue.

Chuckie believes his strength is in smooth talking / passing himself off as someone he’s not. His belief is a bit misplaced, as he’s not actually very good at this; his real strength is in his playfulness and good-heartedness, which luckily shines through even though that’s not what he’s aiming to deploy. His goal is to connect with Skylar.

Clark believes his strength is in his intelligence / education, and he uses these with the goal of humiliating Chuckie and impressing Skylar and everyone else in the bar. As it turns out his possession of these strengths is pretty easily punctured since they aren’t especially robust. He then falls back on his wealth, which is where he really has the upper hand in this group.

Will has the most accurate sense of his own strength, which is in not only being able to regurgitate the academic points but also understand how they are interrelated and to think about them deeply enough to formulate his own opinions about them rather than just parroting them. He uses this to defend his friend and turn the tables on a bully — not to gain anything for himself.

[Judith Resell]

I like the contrast between Chuckie and Will. Chuckie comes across as 100 percent “townie” as opposed to Harvard. He is likable if bullshitty and not savvy in dealing with snobbery. I interpreted Will’s reticence as wariness rather than lack of confidence. He has Chuckie’s working class Boston origins, but his intellect is a fun surprise. He can be as verbally aggressive as the snob and beat him at that upper class game, but he can also be physically aggressive as befits his social class and beat the snob in that way too. It’s obvious why he impresses the girl more than Chuckie can.