The pandemic disrupted every aspect of life, forcing industries worldwide — cinema included — to rethink how to move forward.

When Scream 5 began filming in Wilmington, North Carolina, it became one of the first major productions to resume after the initial wave of COVID-19. The set of directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett faced immediate challenges: during the very first week, several crew members tested positive, prompting strict adherence to new on-set safety protocols.

“We did it during COVID, so half the time I’m only looking at their eyes, but they’re great,” said David Arquette, describing what it was like being directed under such unusual conditions.

Acting in a masked world

The health measures reshaped not only production logistics but also the craft of acting itself.

“You do rehearsals with your mask on. And then you take the mask off and it’s your scene, but it’s the first time you’ve done it face to face,” Arquette explained. “It gives you this other layer of discovery when you’re having a scene with someone and see their face for the first time. There are certain things that are really interesting about it, and others that are a real drag, obviously.”

Even behind masks and distance, the Scream cast managed to reignite Woodsboro’s spirit — adapting their performances to a world that had itself become a horror story.

Looking ahead

At the time, fans were counting down to the release of Scream V, set to hit theaters on January 14, 2022 — a date that carried both hope and uncertainty as the world awaited safer days.

Source: RadioTimes

📖 Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in January 2021, capturing the production’s resilience during the height of the pandemic.