“Someone Didn’t Like the Script”. The Creator of Scream, Wes Craven, Was So “Upset” by One Situation That He Included a Mischievous Thank You in the Credits
The creators of Scream haven't forgotten the problems that a certain unexpected situation has put them through, so they put a mischievous thank you in the credits.
Scream has undoubtedly made its mark in horror movie history. The series is immensely popular, and although the first installment debuted in 1996, new ones are still being made – work is currently underway on the 7th installment, due for release in 2026.
Being a location for such a popular production would certainly become a noteworthy trivia about a place. But an even more interesting trivia for one place became not becoming a location for Scream. Namely, the makers of the film chose Santa Rosa High School as the school in Woodsboro, where the shooting of the first installment of the series was to take place. The filmmakers initially, verbally, had an agreement with the school's authorities, however, during pre-production they learned that getting the location would not be that easy at all (via Los Angeles Times).
Marianne Maddalena, executive producer of Scream, reported that the school authorities backed out of the verbal agreement when the filmmakers had already arrived in the city and were slowly getting ready to work.
We made a decision to go to Santa Rosa because the high school was perfect for our movie. We created a shooting schedule for when they told us it would be the best time to shoot in the school. When we got up there they changed their minds. I think basically someone didn’t like the script.
However, things did not go the filmmakers' way. Frank Pugh, then chairman of the school board, says the filmmakers failed to submit the proper documents that were required for the school board to make a decision, and so that preparations could be made for the shoot, which would have required reorganizing the operation of the facility. The filmmakers eventually filled out the required documents, but the problems didn't end – many people were against “this kind of film” being shot on the high school grounds. And while the final decision was not based on the content of Scream, as Pugh says, it was weighed down by the fact that the shooting would have disrupted school operations during final exams in early June. That's why it was decided to not allow a film crew onto the Santa Rosa High School grounds, even though the school system would have gained between $30,000 and $50,000 by doing so.
The situation upset the creators of Scream, who had to look for a new location; it fell on the Sonoma Community Center, and due to the change of location, they also had to make some changes to the script. They gave vent to their anger by including a special “thank you” to the Santa Rosa City School District Board in the credits, Maddalena said.
The last thing you need at the last moment is to lose your major shooting location. We felt upset about it, which is why we had the credit. In the end everything worked out for the best.
No thanks whatsoever to the Santa Rosa city school district governing board.
The aforementioned acknowledgments can be found at the end of the credits in 1996's Scream.
