The Wilhelm Scream, a famous movie scream recorded in 1951, has become a widely used sound effect in the film industry due to its popularity among sound designers like Ben Burt and Steve Lee.
The Wilhelm Scream has become a symbol of camaraderie and an inside reference among sound professionals, serving as a means of communication and leaving a mark in the industry.
Deep dives
The Iconic Wilhelm Scream
The Wilhelm Scream is a famous movie scream that has been used in various films since the '50s. It was initially recorded for the film Distant Drums (1951). The scream is believed to be performed by Sheb Wully, a character actor and singer. Sound designers Ben Burt and Steve Lee played significant roles in popularizing the Wilhelm Scream. It became an in-joke among sound designers and started appearing in their short films. Ben Burt used it extensively in movies like Star Wars and Indiana Jones, and its usage continued to spread due to the internet and online publishing.
Notable Directing Inclusions
Directors, such as Quentin Tarantino and Peter Jackson, have incorporated the Wilhelm Scream in their films as a nod to movie history and as a way to connect with other filmmakers. Quentin Tarantino's debut film, Reservoir Dogs, features several instances of the Wilhelm Scream. Peter Jackson also embraced the scream and asked the sound mixers to make it even louder in The Two Towers. The Wilhelm Scream continues to be used by filmmakers and even finds its way into commercials and student films.
Building a Sound Effects Legacy
The use of the Wilhelm Scream has become a sort of cult among sound designers, creating a sense of camaraderie and an inside reference. It serves as a means of communication among sound professionals and a way to leave a mark in the industry. Sound designer Steve Lee is spearheading the Hollywood Sound Museum project, which aims to showcase the art of sound design for film, television, and other media. The Wilhelm Scream has become an enduring symbol of sound design and a shared connection among those in the industry.
When it comes to movie screams, what’s the first one you think of? Is it a scream that evokes a sense of fear, pain, or maybe even… humor? Perhaps you immediately think about a famous “Scream Queen” or a specific scene from a movie. But you may not realize that the most famous scream in Hollywood has a name—and it’s been used over and over and over in countless films, television shows, and commercials. What makes it so good? And how did it become a filmmaker favorite? Featuring Steve Lee, sound designer, film historian, and creator of the Hollywood Sound Museum.