While location scouting in 1995 for his upcoming movie Scream, Wes Craven came across a white ghost mask made by Fun World, a division of Easter Unlimited. This was perfect because the script called for a "ghost masked figure." But since the filmmakers did not have the rights to the mask, KNB was called upon for a recast. The mask was rescultped and pulled, and result was a very different mask: a mask that appeared to be more flat, longer eyes, and an oddly shaped mouth...and what looks to be a gray shroud on the mask in some earlier scenes of the film. But after filming a few scenes with KNB mask, filmmakers decided it had to go, so they just paid to use the real mask...and it paid off.

Also, there has been some discussion over the years of the material used for the Ghostface costume. The answer is that it is a thick metallic cloth that gives little stretch and is very durable...and quite shiny (as pictured). The robe also velcros from the neck to mid-chest. And that is where the similarities end with the next two installments costumes. The robe used in Scream has triangle shaped tattered ends.

As for the mask used in Scream 2, it is basically the same mold as the classic ghost mask, just a bit more "rubbery." The only scene where this is truly noticable is the theatre scene at the beginning. Other than that, the mask seems pretty flawless. The same type robe was used in the chapter two, and it is really noticible of the velcro at the end when Mickey takes off the costume. In the scene, it seemed like he "ripped" it off, but in fact, he did not. It unvelcroed (this is also apparent in Scream 3 when Roman shows Sidney his bullet-proof vest). And in chapter two and three, the robe no longer has the triangled tatters at the end, but small square/rectangle shaped ones.

We also get the opportunity to see the costumes on their packages, well fake packaging, but oh well. In the first film we see the infamous Father Death costume. But before you go out and try to buy one of these, know this: they are fake! There is no such thing as a Father Death costume. The closest you'll get is the Scream Stalker, or newly renamed Ghostface costume. Although the robe you get is NOTHING like the film used one, so don't be disappointed. Those were custom made. And in Scream 2, we get too see the costume in a another package (using the same image as the other), for the premiere of Stab. Although, the costumes in these packages are the commercial costumes that you can buy.

And as for Scream 3, the robe stayed the same from part two, but the mask, however, did not. The mold is the same as the others, but the eyes seem a bit wider. And the mask is obviously more symmetrical than the others, and molded with a stronger rubber. The finished product of the Scream 3 mask is probably my favorite. But there is some question on the glove situation in this film. In the previous two, the gloves are connected to the robes, and they seem to be in the third film as well, but for a specific scene with Jenny McCarthy, we see the killer's gloved hand slide into the sleeve. Solution: that may be due to the fact that it was a costume being used in Stab 3, and had no connection to the killer's real robe.

Well, I hope you enjoyed the History of the Ghostface, and perhaps now your knowledge of the character goes a little deeper now. Oh, another little tidbit: some have asked about the two strands of cloth that hang on each side of the mask, in the films, they are tied together under the chin of the mask (never tied behind the head...and never hanging). Also, they used velcro to keep the hood on since it would obviously come off if the killer was running.

KNB's original design was loosely based on the painting "The Scream" by Edvard Munch. Originally the look that the filmmakers wanted for the killer was to be a dark face with a white robe. But producers thought that a black robe would be more menacing, and they were right. Besides, it's hard to hide in the shadows if you're wearing a giant white gown. So the robe's color was changed, and the mask's design was altered to look more like Fun World's ghost mask...ultimately, they ended up using Fun World's mask and ditching KNB's.

Note: even the finished product was not used in the film (except for a couple scenes).