This panel was in celebration of the original Scream turning 30. Panelists were Lee Waddel (Ghostface), Jamie Kennedy (Randy Meeks), Skeet Ulrich (Billy Loomis), and Matthew Lillard (Stu Macher).
The panel kicked off with questions about Wes Craven and how he made new young actors feel comfortable. He told Skeet Ulrich to “think about Billy Loomis’s [Skeet’s character] mother when Skeet made out with Sidney.”
Matthew Lillard, “The cast worked perfectly. It doesn’t happen without these particular actors.”
“Neve’s (Campbell) performance in that kitchen [as Sidney Prescott]… the endurance to keep that level up for weeks… was so impressive. Neve is a remarkable final girl…final woman.”
Matthew Lillard looking back at his younger self in that performance as Stu Macher in Scream, “I was chewing the scenery, trying so hard… tried to male everything try to be Oscar worthy.”
People tell Matthew: “You are my queer awakening.” He goes on to say our relationship [Billy & Stu] to these characters isn’t because they are gay, but we are supportive if Billy/Stu helped people come out. We’re there for it.“
Matthew still (jokingly?) holds a grudge against Skeet for [accidentally] hitting him in the face with phone.
Jamie Kennedy [paraphrase] “Didn’t know anybody on set, but they way they hung out/ camaraderie translates to the screen. Especially the video store scene.”
Skeet tried to to get in Billy’s head, “Of course he would do this’ Billy was righteous and wanted justice.” Skeet also loved the camaraderie on set. He came at the film as if it as a documentary about 2 high school serial killers. Wes Craven’s genius was allowing the vibrant personalities to work effectively together.”
Lee Waddell… did stunts with Wes all the way back to the first Nightmare. Wes trusted him and let him have free reign in Scream. Had a knack for finding undiscovered talent and tapping into it. He was having blast in the moment with Wes.
Standout Thoughts:
- Matthew Lillard is a genuinely good human being
- Wes Craven was beloved, kind, supportive, and caring
