Joel Martin

Joel Martin is a main character in the Scream franchise. He first appears in Scream 2 (1997 film) as a cameraman for Gale Weathers. In the film, he becomes a survivor of the 1998 Windsor College Murders in Ohio.

Five years later, he had twin children with Martha Meeks, Chad and Mindy. He is also the ex-brother-in-law (posthumously) of Randy Meeks.

He is portrayed by Duane Martin.

Biography
He almost won an award for his camerawork on the Bingo Finals.

Joel arrives at Windsor College as he has been assigned as Gale's new cameraman. He follows her around the campus with her instructing him on what to do, such as recording the press conference and an interview between Sidney Prescott and Cotton Weary.

When the murders start again, Joel becomes weary of Gale's need to follow the trail. He begins reading her book, admitting her should've read it before working for her, and becomes worried for his own safety after reading what happened to her original camerman.

Joel sits with Gale, Dewey and Randy when they discuss the murders and excuses himself from the conversation when they start talking about the cameraman again. After Randy is killed in his van, he makes the decision to leave Windsor College before he himself becomes a victim.

After Mickey and Mrs. Loomis are killed, Joel returns to campus and prepares to film Gale's exclusive account, however Gale chooses to leave with Dewey and Joel films Cotton for her as he leaves the College.

Trivia

 * He was described as "20s, black, sensible and friendly. A very intelligent face" in the script.
 * It is uncertain if Joel was a specific target, though Gale's speculation on the copycat structure made him suspect he was.
 * Given Nancy Loomis was hiding in his news van, it is likely he was intended to be slain by-proxy with Gale. With his vehicle being used as a murder tool accessory, he counts as a survivor.
 * For the second film, he was simply credited as "Joel". A misconception later emerged with fans, as a Fanon idea emerged that his surname was Jones.
 * In the original leaked script, Joel was one of Sidney's friends, and Randy was Gale's cameraman instead.
 * In the original script, he was also intended to be one of the victims.
 * Actor Duane Martin was against the idea of killing Joel, and asked Wes Craven for his character to simply walk off after Randy's death, feeling it was more realistic. Wes agreed, and his character was spared.
 * On March 16, 2022, Heather Matarazzo (who portrays Martha) did a Twitter Q&A with fans. She re-fuelled speculation after she claimed to know the identity of her on-screen twin children, Chad and Mindy's father. She liked a tweet, asking her to "confirm or deny" with a screenshot of Joel.
 * Actor Duane Martin's surname is also, of course, Martin, a possible nod to his character all along.
 * Duane Martin, his Scream 2 co-star Jada Pinkett and Deon Richmond (Tyson in Scream 3) worked together in a 1990 TV movie, Moe's World.