If you’ve seen the new Scream film (review), then you’ll know that fandom is a major focus of the film’s social commentary. While certain segments of fandom can undoubtedly be a little toxic, sometimes that extreme passion for a particular IP can birth (pun intended) a wonderfully creative endeavor. That’s exactly what happened when photographer David Ayllon met his new niece, giving him an idea for a photo series celebrating his favorite horror franchise.
It’s no secret that the Scream franchise has amassed a large queer following in the 25 years since its release, and Ayllon is a part of that following. “I’m a gay man,” he said, “and being perceived as feminine was always looked down upon when I was growing up – but in the Scream franchise, I saw strong, smart women who were both fierce and feminine at the same time.”
Watching the original Scream became a rite of passage for Ayllon’s family after he watched it with his mother and grandmother when he was 9 years old. “I realized the women in my family are just as strong as the women in the Scream films,” Ayllon said. After recognizing the unique strengths and vulnerabilities of powerful heroines such as Sidney Prescott and Gale Weathers, Ayllon partnered with his sister Nicole and her daughter Camryn to do a photo series that would celebrate not only the release of the new film, but his passion for the franchise as well.
Ayllon brought in his husband, drag queen Pissi Myles, to channel the original film’s queer writer Kevin Williamson, who infused the film with innovative, sharp and campy humor alongside trauma and suspense. Taking ownership of one’s survival is an idea both Ayllon and Williamson say they and many others in the LGBQTIA+ community can relate to. “We know Camryn will be no different,” Ayllon said. “She will be as tough as Sidney and as sassy as Gale – and that is what I wanted to capture.”
Did Ayllon capture that toughness and sassiness? Take a look at the gallery below and decide for yourself.
Photo Credit: David Ayllon; Hair by SprinklesOnTopWigs by Nia Politan; Costumes by Pierretta Viktori
Photo Credit: David Ayllon; Hair by SprinklesOnTopWigs by Nia Politan; Costumes by Pierretta Viktori
Photo Credit: David Ayllon; Hair by SprinklesOnTopWigs by Nia Politan; Costumes by Pierretta Viktori
Photo Credit: David Ayllon; Hair by SprinklesOnTopWigs by Nia Politan; Costumes by Pierretta Viktori
Photo Credit: David Ayllon; Hair by SprinklesOnTopWigs by Nia Politan; Costumes by Pierretta Viktori
Photo Credit: David Ayllon; Hair by SprinklesOnTopWigs by Nia Politan; Costumes by Pierretta Viktori
Photo Credits: Hair by SprinklesOnTopWigs by Nia Politan, Costumes by Pierretta Viktori
David Ayllon’s work has been featured in media outlets such as Graphic Design USA, Huffington Post, OUT Magazine, and Playboy Magazine, with clients including Elvira, Mistress of the Dark, performers from The Boulet Brothers’ Dragula, Kid Cudi, Todrick Hall, Rupaul’s Drag Race winners, and more.
Pissi Myles, an acclaimed drag comedian, singer, and hostess in the tri-state area, is famous for her viral parody Babashook (also featured here on Bloody Disgusting) and features in Billboard, Vogue, Cosmopolitan, Huffington Post, and more. Pissi is also recognized for partnering with the streaming news app Happs to cover Donald Trump’s 2019 impeachment at Capital Hill (additional coverage provided by The Washington Post, NBC, and The New York Post).
Bloody Disgusting has been given the expressed permission to run this series of photos.