Scream 4 Exclusive: Unmasking Ghost Face with R.J. Torbert of Fun World (part 1)

Image Copyright: Fun World. R.J. Torbert, director of Licensing/Product Development for Fun World, talks exclusively to Scream Franchise Examiner in his first in-depth interview re. Ghost Face® and the Scream films. (Above, the new logo for Ghost Face®, revealed for the first time on SFE last week.)

Today, Scream Franchise Examiner is proud to present an exclusive: the first-ever in-depth interview with R.J. Torbert, director of Licensing/Product Development of Fun World, the company that changed the face of fear forever with the inception of GhostFace®.

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R.J. Torbert has been involved in the toy business for over 35 years.

For 20 years, Torbert was at the Woolworth Company, and was the senior buyer of toys when he left in 1996. He joined Fun World shortly thereafter and has been with them for 15 years; his responsibilities include director of Licensing and Product Development for Easter, Valentine’s Day, and St. Patrick’s Day. Torbert is the creator and originator of specialty Easter eggs as we know them today, and has also created and developed hundreds of games and toys seen in retail stores around the world for Easter. Torbert has written games for Valentine’s Day that have sold millions of units during that last 12 years -- most notably Conversation Cards and Love, True or Dare. Eight weeks a year, he works with factories and makers in China. Torbert is also the co-creator of the Elvis Presley Limited Edition 24kt Gold Record sold at Graceland and in catalogs worldwide.

Now, R.J. Torbert answers the questions you’ve been dying to ask him…

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Can you recall your first involvement with the Scream franchise starting with Miramax? How has this relationship grown and evolved throughout the years?

I have been involved from the very beginning in regard to working with the studios. The two principle owners of Fun World, Stanley Geller and Alan Geller, and I are very involved in the decision making when it relates to GhostFace® and Scream, and communicate frequently. We respect each other’s opinions and ultimately a decision will be made.

As for GhostFace® licensing, I handle it and keep them in the loop. It’s my responsibility but it’s their company.

To elaborate on how the relationship has grown and evolved would take too long. I will say that it has been quite an adventure. However, the three of us in reality are the only people that have been involved in all of the negotiations regarding GhostFace® and Scream from the beginning. Miramax to Dimension to Weinstein, etc., all the “players” have changed over the years. As with all changes, this naturally creates challenges. The relationship in this regime at Weinstein to date has been good, and the relationship with and courtesy given to me and Fun World from Wes Craven on the set has been outstanding.

You are receiving direct communications from Wes Craven on the set?

Yes, I am. He is a gentleman, a true professional, hard working and one of those people you root for. He deserves every success that comes his way.

Have you ever had a chance to meet and speak with him?

Yes, I met and spoke with both Wes and his lovely wife, Iya (who is co-producing Scream 4) last year in Las Vegas. He was a keynote speaker for us at the Halloween show and I had the opportunity to speak with and spend some time with him both alone and with Stanley and Alan Geller as well as Iya, for about 30 minutes before he came to our booth to sign GhostFace® masks and photographs for 90 minutes. (See image of Wes Craven with members of the Fun World family below.)

What kinds of things were discussed?

I can tell you most of it was general comments, our histories and how we became intertwined together combining GhostFace® and Scream. It’s amazing to me how such a polite, nice man is the Master of Horror.

In your opinion what is it about GhostFace® that has resonated with audiences? How does it make you feel to know that GhostFace® has become an iconic face of fear in film?

My opinion is that audiences had never seen a face of a ghost like this before. When the mask was developed in 1991-1992, it was part of a style assortment called Fantastic Faces. Some people referred to it as the peanut eyed ghost. It became part of “Fearsome Faces” a few years later. I thought it looked like a “Ghost in Pain” which was unique for the time.

Wes Craven must have thought it had a unique look, too, because when he saw it scouting locations at the house of a mask collector (who had passed away) he was adamant about it being in the movie. It was here that I pushed hard to “baptize” the mask, and with the Geller’s blessing “GhostFace®” was born.

GhostFace® is not only a registered trademark of Fun World, but the image is copyright protected under that same name. As far as the audience’s reaction to GhostFace® … Besides the unique look, credit must also be given to Wes Craven and his crew. The first movie left you on the edge of your seat so much so that the GhostFace® image was the icing on the cake to put reaction over the top.

The feeling of GhostFace® being the icon of Halloween has made all of us here very proud and very protective of its use. We appreciate not only the fans of Scream but those who appreciate GhostFace®. It is those fans that we simply ask not to buy unauthorized product of GhostFace® and/or Scream. As of now only, Fun World Div./Easter Unlimited Inc. or Weinstein/Dimension relating to Scream 4 are authorized to utilize the image on product. We ask you not to support knockoffs of intellectual properties. We are aware that there is currently a video game being advertised in online publication with no authorization to date. They will eventually hear from us if we do not hear from them. Your readers should always ask, “Is this an officially licensed product?” before spending their hard-earned money.

Do you have a favorite scene or use of GhostFace® in film or TV? If so, what is it and why?

Anything that involves Drew Barrymore is my favorite. In Scream I, the opening scene with her had such an impact to what GhostFace® would be doing that watching it for the first time was most memorable for me. On TV, my favorite use of GhostFace® was on the TV series Boom Town. When I first got the call about using it from the show I asked to read the script because I wanted to be certain it wouldn’t be involved in anything such as a rape scene, etc. I loved what I read and we granted authorization.

The scene involves a “Bully” at Halloween terrorizing kids. You see him smiling and having a good ole time with his antics. He was clearly amused with himself. He gets in the back of the car still laughing at what he did, looks behind him and he sees GhostFace® running after the car and finally jumping on the back of the vehicle -- his smile was turned into fear quickly and you can’t help but laugh and smile at sweet revenge. One of the cops was undercover dressed as GhostFace® so in this situation he was the good guy. I loved it. I also enjoyed the scene with Shannen Doherty and Wes Craven in Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back.

It has recently been reported that new GhostFace® merchandise will be available by the end of the year and throughout 2011. What can fans expect to see and when? Is there new product that you are particularly proud of?

New GhostFace® merchandise will be available to present to retailers in 2011 for consumers. Some product has been available now for retail review, while most will be reviewed sometime in October through December of this year. However, I think the fans will be happy.

We are proud of all of our products, but if you are referring specifically to GhostFace®, we all have our Scream 4 favorites, as I’m sure Alan Geller has his. Alan is the executive vice president of Fun World and it’s under his guidance that the Halloween category is where it is today. In regards to GhostFace®, it’s important to note the success of GhostFace® is a testament to many factors and people -- from the design staff, past and present, to the graphics people, to packaging, to our receiving people, our admin offices, warehouse people, our sales force and our manufacturers and people working in Asia. All have some involvement in “touching” GhostFace® and to help make it successful. I do think it’s important to note that it’s Alan Geller who has been the one to either approve or disapprove product and design for Halloween. So would there have been a GhostFace® as we know it today without his original stamp of approval? Probably not. As you can see, there are many different people involved. I am probably the most fortunate in having my hands involved in all aspects regarding GhostFace®.

What, if anything, are you able to reveal about your involvement in Scream 4? There has been a lot of speculation about the use of two or more different masks …

There has been much publicity regarding additional masks. Since there have been photos published already, I will comment more about it.

One of our design staff, under the direction of Alan Geller, worked on a different updated look of GhostFace®.

I took those images and communicated with Weinstein executives about 6-8 months prior to filming. In addition, direct communications were received to me from Wes Craven in regards to “possible” use. I also met with executives at Weinstein in NYC regarding this and other issues regarding GhostFace® and the movie. When filming started I even requested a copy of the script from Wes Craven and the gentleman that he is told me only a few people had access to it, therefore I had a polite "No." I can’t help but think that maybe his thoughts were that I was crazy. LOL.

Getting back to the additional masks. They have them on set. We are in communication. Wes Craven does keep in touch. I don't want to get sliced and diced and be a victim of Ghost Face®, but keep your eyes open. You may see them, you may not. Stay alert and you may even see more, who knows? This is fun, isn't it? However, I want to be clear there has never been confirmation on how these masks were to be used or not used. It will be a mystery until the movie opens.

Have you received information about certain scenes to justify more product being sent to the set?

Yes, I have -- the set has been great explaining what they need and why they need it.

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Coming tomorrow: Part Two of Scream Franchise Examiner’s exclusive in-depth interview with R.J. Torbert, director of Licensing/Product Development for Fun World.

Last Monday, Scream Franchise Examiner exclusively revealed Fun World’s new Ghost Face® logo and announced a contest that will result in one lucky reader winning a mask signed by Wes Craven. If you missed it, be sure to check out the details here.

Got an inside scoop that you’d like to see appear in print? Email Scream Franchise Examiner at OyeJohn52@aol.com.

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