It pays off on Will’s arc toward self-acceptance and assurance.
There were so many different choices in the different takes. It was like, “Oh my God, how many more times can I do this scene?” But it was also nice because it allowed me to try so many different things. He’s kind of more assertive and self-assured.
I don’t really remember anyone’s reactions, but watching it back, it was nice to see. How are you gonna write it?” Eventually, they said they had it, and I read it by the end of the year in August or September. I’m ready to go and I just want to do it.” And then it was like one of the first takes of the day, and that was most of the meat of the scene.
I decided last minute, “Let’s just start with the close up. It was perfect.
Did you get the opportunity to workshop the script with the Duffers or with Shawn Levy, who directed “The Bridge” with the Duffers?
‘I Was Just in Tears’: Noah Schnapp Tells All on Will’s [SPOILER] in ‘Stranger Things 5’ Episode 7 and Why It’s ‘Perfect’
SPOILER ALERT: This story contains spoilers from Season 5, Volume 2 of “Stranger Things,”now streaming on Netflix.
Ever since “Stranger Things” first debuted on Netflix in 2016, it was evident that Noah Schnapp‘s Will Byers was different from his friends.
Even with the coming out scene, having that much dialogue and actually getting to express myself through my words, which this character has never really done until then, was so nice.
A lot of those scenes you share with Winona Ryder.
Despite his friends rescuing him from the Upside Down at the end of the first season, Will only grew more distinctive as the series continued.
Now, we spent the whole season together, and she’s part of my little “Stranger Things” family.
Lastly, you had the ability to collaborate with younger actors this season. I didn’t expect to have such trouble letting go of her on that last day. The coming out monologue is Schnapp’s most emotionally intense and verbose in the series.
They were supporting me on all these angles where they weren’t even caught on camera.
It did feel genuine.
How many takes did you do of the scene? What was it like to now have new rising actors on set who might have looked up to you? I remember being asked, “Do you want to do your close up first or do you want to do it at the end of the day?” Because that was the most important shot.
Do you think discovering that he’s a sorcerer has given Will the confidence to embrace what makes him different?
This interview has been edited and condensed.
• The Duffer Brothers break down all the Volume 2 spoilers • The Duffer Brothersbreak down all the Volume 1 spoilers • Noah Schnappon Turning Into the [SPOILER] in Volume 1 •Sadie Sinkon Max’s Key Role in Volume 1 •Nell Fisher on Playing Holly Wheeler in Season 5 • The Cast of ‘Stranger Things’ on the Show’s Final Days • Variety’s “Stranger Things” Oct.
15 Cover Story About the Duffers •Cara Buonoon Karen’s Kick-Ass Hero Moment (At Last) • The Duffer Brothers on the ‘Stranger Things’ Spinoff • Linda Hamiltonon Being Millie Bobby Brown’s ‘Biggest Fan’ • Shawn Levyon ‘Sticking the Landing’ for Season 5 • David Harbouron How ‘Stranger Things’ Has Changed Him
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They just brought this childlike energy that reminded us that we were still kids too.
In those 12 hours of takes, did you film versions of the scene that are different from what ended up in the final cut? So then from January of filming on through the year, I kept texting the Duffers, “Is it done?
