{"id":31471,"date":"2026-06-29T10:12:10","date_gmt":"2026-06-29T14:12:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/design-providers.com\/rise\/knbs-howard-berger-says-nobody-believed-scream-would-work\/"},"modified":"2026-06-29T10:12:10","modified_gmt":"2026-06-29T14:12:10","slug":"knbs-howard-berger-says-nobody-believed-scream-would-work","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/design-providers.com\/rise\/knbs-howard-berger-says-nobody-believed-scream-would-work\/","title":{"rendered":"KNB’s Howard Berger Says Nobody Believed ‘Scream’ Would Work"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Today, it\u2019s hard to imagine horror without Scream<\/strong><\/em>. <\/p>\n

Wes Craven\u2019s<\/strong> 1996 classic didn\u2019t just become a box office smash, it revitalized the slasher genre, launched one of horror\u2019s biggest franchises, and inspired countless films that followed.<\/p>\n

But according to legendary KNB EFX Group co-founder Howard Berger<\/strong>, almost nobody expected that to happen.<\/p>\n

Speaking on the Too Reel Pod<\/a>, Berger admitted he initially hated Kevin Williamson\u2019s<\/strong> screenplay, believing it recycled ideas that had already been done.<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t believe in the script when I read it,\u201d Berger said. \u201cI felt like a lot of the gags had already been done and created. It just felt kind of like a rip-off.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

As it turns out, Berger wasn\u2019t alone. He recalled that the mood surrounding the production was surprisingly pessimistic, with many people involved expecting the film to disappoint.<\/p>\n

\u201cEven production, you know, producers, were saying, \u2018This film is not gonna be good,’\u201d Berger recalled.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Perhaps even more surprising, Berger claimed Wes Craven himself wasn\u2019t entirely confident either. According to Berger, the director confided his concerns during production after the disappointing reception to Vampire in Brooklyn<\/em>.<\/p>\n

\u201cEven Wes\u2026 he said that to me one night because Vampire in Brooklyn<\/em> had just come out and bombed,\u201d Berger said.<\/p>\n

Everything changed once the film was completed.<\/p>\n

Berger said seeing the finished movie completely changed his opinion, calling it one of the rare occasions where every piece of the filmmaking process elevated material he initially doubted.<\/p>\n

\u201cI went to see it, and I was like, \u2018Holy shit, this movie turned out so good! I really dig this movie,’\u201d Berger said. \u201cSomehow it all came together.\u201d<\/p>\n

He credited editor Patrick Lussier<\/strong> for helping shape the film in post-production while praising Craven for drawing memorable performances from Matthew Lillard<\/strong>, Skeet Ulrich<\/strong>, Neve Campbell<\/strong>, and the rest of the cast.<\/p>\n

\u201cPatrick Lussier was the editor. He\u2019s a great editor and was able to take what was shot and put it together,\u201d Berger explained. \u201cWes really got some great performances out of Matthew and Skeet, and Neve and everybody else. The movie worked, and it came together.\u201d<\/p>\n

Looking back, Berger says he\u2019s relieved no one listened to his early instincts.<\/p>\n

\u201cI really loved it when I saw it,\u201d he admitted. \u201cI\u2019m so glad no one listened to me saying, \u2018You shouldn\u2019t make this movie.\u2019 I\u2019m glad they made it because I think it\u2019s an excellent film. People love Scream<\/em>\u2026 little did I know.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

Released on December 20, 1996, Scream<\/em> became a breakout hit, grossing more than $103 million domestically and over $173 million worldwide against a reported $15 million budget. Subsequent theatrical re-releases have pushed those totals even higher, while its original domestic run would equal roughly $258 million when adjusted for inflation. The film launched one of horror\u2019s most successful franchises, spawning three sequels directed by Wes Craven before being revived by Radio Silence<\/strong> with 2022\u2019s Scream<\/em> and Scream VI<\/em>. The series has since continued with this year\u2019s Scream 7<\/em>, cementing Ghostface as one of horror\u2019s most enduring icons.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tTags: Matthew Lillard Neve Campbell Scream skeet ulrich Wes Craven <\/span><\/p>\n

Categorized:News<\/p>\n

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