In 2011, writer/director Nick Simon met horror mastermind Wes Craven through a WGA mentor program, joining the renowned director at his home for dinners over many months. During that time, Simon showed Craven a script that he’d been working on titled The Girl in the Photographs, a low-budget horror movie that will be making its debut today at the Toronto International Film Festival. It was executively produced by Craven, who apparently was involved heavily with the film, from helping cast it to editing the final product.
Simon tells Variety about his first meeting with Craven, saying, “I remember my hands were literally shaking as I went up to knock on the door. Honestly by the end of that first dinner I felt like I knew him for a long time.”
In a statement about the film, Craven lauded Simon: “Sometimes you read a script and you just know. From first draft to final cut, Nick has told a unique story that will leave you wondering: is it always good to be noticed? It has been a pleasure to work with Nick from his days in my WGA mentor group to picture lock. You’ll be hearing from him again.”
‘The Girl in the Photographs’ follows Colleen (Claudia Lee), a young woman who receives photographs of brutally murdered women in the mail, and celebrity photographer Peter Hemmings (Kal Penn), who travels to Colleen’s small town to investigate the matter.
The film’s cinematographer is Dean Cundey, who worked on such films as Jurassic Park, Apollo 13, Back to the Future, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, and more.
