Savannah College of Art and Design students received credits on “Scream 7,” which filmed in part at SCAD Film Studios.
According to Karl Rouse, the associate dean of the School of Film and Acting, 13 SCAD students received credits on “Scream 7,” which hit theaters on Feb. 27. The movie, directed by Kevin Williamson, filmed a scene that takes place during a talk show at SCAD Film Studios on Peachtree Street.
According to Rouse, a location scout for the film reached out because they were interested in the retro look of the film studios building, which used to house a television studio and was the broadcast home of the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta. Rouse said while they were eager to have a Hollywood production film at SCAD, they didn’t want to displace students in the process. The school said yes, but with the stipulation that students would be somehow involved in the process.
“We are an amazing educational institution, but we are a fully functioning working studio. So people can reach out to hire our facilities,” Rouse said. “When they do that, the main thing that we’re looking for is, what’s the impact to students?
In addition to the 13 credited students, about 60 students were invited to watch a night shoot outside of the building. The shoot took place during the winter, and some students during that night shoot marveled at the fact that it was someone’s job on set to throw leaves to make it seem like fall.
“It shows some of the mystery and the magic and the mundane of how you actually create something as magical as cinema,” Rouse said.
The shoot took place during the January 2025 snowstorm, which Rouse said extended the shoot from roughly a week to two weeks. But, that only expanded the production’s learning opportunities.
“The students also go to see, what do you do in those situations? These acts are beyond your control – how do you readjust the schedule?” he said. “I was incredibly pleased with it from every learning possibility.”
Rouse said that SCAD has hosted six similar projects over the past year, but “Scream 7” remains the most high profile. He said that while SCAD’s facilities – including a 2,000-square-foot LED volume stage – are important to the students’ education, he thinks that this type of firsthand experience is what sets SCAD apart.
“We know that we have phenomenal professors who all come from the industry and bring a range of skills. We know we have great toys, so to speak,” Rouse said. “But none of it matters unless we know how to tell good stories. And none of it matters unless we’re really bringing the students to the industry and creating those partnerships.”