Producer Cathy Konrad clearly remembers every step of the SCREAM ride, and its many accompanying challenges. "The project was always planned as a trilogy so it was very important to keep the thrills fresh. There was only a year between the first and second films, and two years between the second and third."
In casting SCREAM 3, the film-makers had to find actors who could capture the essence of the characters created by David Arquette, Neve Campbell and Courteney Cox Arquette in the earlier films. "Parker Posey found Courteney's wit and energy," said Konrad. "Matt Keeslar had David's sexiness and added a languid movie-star quality. Emily Mortimer focused on the core of honesty that is Neve. We really lucked out."
Cox Arquette was amazed by Posey's interpretation of Gale. "Parker is a wonderful actress and I'm honored for her to portray me. She is so much like me it's scary. I watch her and think I'm really good, but then realize, it's not me, it's her. I actually believe we have started to look alike!"
Posey had a good time, too. "Playing with my image has been really fun."
Campbell, who stars as the no-nonsense heroine in all three films, enjoyed the movie-within-the movie concept and the opportunities it provided for humor and irony. "These movies are a lot of fun because they don't take themselves too seriously. They poke fun at the genre, the actors and sometimes, even the audience."
Still, SCREAM's principal characters have endured ordeals that would destroy lesser beings. "Sidney has alot of gumption," mused Campbell. "Over the years, she has developed into a very strong young woman. Most importantly, she has made the decision not to be a victim."
Craven echoed Campbell's sentiments. "This film basically continues the development of Sidney Prescott and the people around her as they face their ultimate threats," the director explained. "Sidney makes her final transition into adulthood and completes her determination of what is real and what is not. She is an independent young woman dealing with the trauma of her past and putting it to rest."
Craven offers a thoughtful perspective on the potential impact and importance of genre films. "The SCREAM movies confirm my belief that thrillers are great character pieces. They get in deep under the skin of human psychology. Kids today have very real and generation-specific fears and they need a way to process these terrors in a positive and funny manner. The SCREAM movies accomplish this with scenarios of intense anxiety that are resolved both with reality and playfulness.
"The explosion of tension can be both scary and hilarious," he continued, "and unify people in a theater."
Producer Marianne Maddalena has worked with Craven since 1987. "Wes is an extremely complex guy," she explained. "He's a true intellectual who has a unique take on life that often translates into knowing what scares the human soul. He's really good at it."
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