# Scream-Replacing Campaigns Leave Wilhelm Alone Looks to Retire the Wilhelm Scream By Eric Westcott | Published 2014-03-15 | Pop Culture Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wilhelm-scream References: [adweek](http://www.adweek.com/adfreak) & [dejadenpazawilhelm](http://dejadenpazawilhelm.com/become-the-next-wilhelm) The Wilhelm scream is the most widely used and noticed stock scream sound effect used in [Hollywood](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/elevenlabs-iconic-voices). Having been used in over 200 movies the Wilhelm scream adds to the movie goers' enjoyment. For one woman hearing the Wilhelm scream does not add to her enjoyment. In fact, she is unable to watch movies at all. Linda Dotson Wooley avoids movies because she does not want to risk hearing the Wilhelm scream because of the fact that it is the scream of her late husband Sheb Wooley. For her, it is painful to remember her husband by the sound of him screaming. The Leave Wilhelm Alone project was set up to create to help Linda regain the joy of movies. The projects purpose is to create a [database of screams](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sfx-engine) to be used in all the movies that are pumped out of Hollywood. With the end result of having the Wilhelm scream retired. The 'Canal+' tv channel published a [commercial telling Linda's story](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/project-yellow-lights-love-story) and introducing the contest that you can enter to become the next Wilhelm scream. The winning scream has the opportunity to replace the Wilhelm scream in all movies. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 1.8/10 - Popularity: 17% | Activity: 29% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Pop Culture](https://www.trendhunter.com/popculture) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Personalized Scream Sound Effects:** Developing a database of personalized screams for movie sound effects to enhance viewer experience and avoid triggering painful memories. - **Retiring Iconic Sound Effects:** Replacing widely used, but potentially distressing, stock sound effects in movies with new, innovative alternatives. - **Crowdsourced Sound Design:** Engaging the audience by allowing them to contribute their own unique screams for use in movies, fostering creativity and inclusivity in the filmmaking process. ### Where This Applies - **Film & Entertainment:** Opportunity to revolutionize the way sound effects are selected and used in movies, providing a more tailored and emotionally considerate experience for viewers. - **Advertising & Marketing:** Creating campaigns that resonate with audiences by showcasing personalized sound effects and inviting their participation in shaping the future of movie audio. - **Technology & Innovation:** Leveraging advancements in sound technology to develop new, distinctive and culturally relevant scream sound effects that replace outdated and potentially distressing ones. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Sonic Cell Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-most-beautiful-sound.md) - [Stress-Relieving Snack Booths](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/i-scream-for-yasso.md) - [Nightmarish Mobile Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cellphone-bill.md) - [Horror Film Tequila Partnerships](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/espoln-tequila.md) - [Spoof Sci-Fi Beer Ads](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/liquid-death-x-rebel-moon.md) - [Spooky Scream King Spirits](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/macabre-spirits.md) - [Horror-Themed Phone Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/join-the-flip-side.md) - [Sound-Focused Ice Cream Ads](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/magnum-ice-cream-ads.md) - [Revived 90s Commercials](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fruithead.md)