WEEK 1 DAY 5: Insights – Character Wound – GOOD WILL HUNTING

[Andrea Verde]

The characters wounds exposed when Skylar asks Will to go to California with her. This is an opportunity for a better life and a new life from what Will was used to. But his fear for a better life is something he feels he’s not good enough for so he says no which pushes on her wound which is being unloved and abandoned. Their wounds are motivating all of this emotion in Will (anger, fear of rejection, doubt and doubt in himself) and in Skylar (fear she’ll never have the love she needs and won’t be loved) making her plead and beg and cry from such a deep hurt place. Their reactions are strong which shows the depth of the wound they both have. She is threatening his wounds of not being good enough and fear of rejection and he’s threatening her wounds by him not agreeing to go to CA with her and her fear of losing him and his love. The scene is built around the bedroom which is all about intimacy in the most personal way. The deepest ever feelings inside that they have never shared with anyone else before. It’s extremely personal. A very powerful scene here on wounds!

[Susan]

Skylar leaving for California and asking Will to go with her causes both characters to reveal their wounds.

Will’s wound of abandonment makes him unwilling to go to CA with Skylar because he is afraid she will abandon him there and he won’t have any support.

Skylar’s loss of her father’s love when he died makes her want to do anything to keep Will’s love.

Skylar threatens Will’s wound by asking him to leave his home and friends and be willing to take a chance on their relationship when he fears she will abandon him.

Will’s threatens Skylar’s wound by saying he doesn’t love her and leaving the relationship.

The Drama the scene was built around are the clashing of the character’s wounds brought on by Skylar leaving for California.

What traits showed up for each character in the scene in their wounds and actions?

Skylar – Anguished, Caring, Protective, Risk Taker, confrontational

Will – Fearful, Abused, Angry, Insecure, misunderstands emotions

What makes these characters great from a writing perspective…

Skylar – She has opposing character traits which cause her anguish and heightened emotions

Will – He is extremely wounded and has problems understanding love and other kind emotions people have toward him, which always puts him on edge.

Will has no understanding of love and support except from his friends and then his therapist. He has never seen a real love relationship (as his foster parents were crazy and drunk) and is terrified of leaving his only anchors.

• This reply was modified 1 year, 2 months ago by  Susan McClaryu. Reason: updated thinking