Debra Hill, the late producer and co-writer of Halloween and The Fog would’ve turned 73 today. Deadline reports this afternoon on perhaps one of the greatest gifts to celebrate the prolific producer’s life: feature documentary Hollywood Trailblazer: The Debra Hill Story is heading into production.
The documentary about the trailblazer will be directed by Jim McMorrow and Margaret McGoldrick. Jamie Lee Curtis will Executive Produce.
Dubbed the “Godmother of Filmmaking,” Hill not only contributed to some beloved horror classics but was a constant champion for emerging talent. The documentary aims to shine a light on the prolific producer.
Featured interviews include Jamie Lee Curtis, John Carpenter, Stacey Sher, David Gordon Green, Terry Gilliam, Lynda Obst, Kim Gottlieb-Walker, Andrea Berloff, Alan Jones, Kim Newman, and more, with the team also working with Debra’s brother, Bob Hill.
“The story of Debra Hill is a multi-faceted one. She was, and still is, an inspiration to filmmakers across the globe, and her legacy as a formidable, creative producer, mentor, trailblazer, and pioneer in cinema and environmental activism is an eternally relevant story,” McMorrow told Deadline. “It is a privilege to bring this to the screen for all of us that she shaped through her life and work.”
McGoldrick stated, “Jim and I have been blown away by the response to telling Debra’s story. Debra was an incredible filmmaker and storyteller who not only excelled at her job but did it with the love and respect of everyone around her. Her passion was infectious and when women weren’t getting the chance to lead the charge, Debra was paving paths. She’s an incredibly inspirational figure for anyone wanting to forge a career in the film industry and I’m very honored to be a part of the team getting to tell her story.”
Debra Hill was born in Haddonfield, New Jersey. She began her career in film as a production assistant, and progressed through jobs as a script supervisor, assistant director and second unit director. She served as script supervisor and assistant editor of Assault on Precinct 13, marking the start of her work with John Carpenter. Together they co-wrote Halloween, Halloween II, The Fog, Escape from New York and Escape from L.A. Among horror fans, its Hill’s work on Halloween that resonates the most- both in her writing of the three lead woman and her part in the casting of Laurie Strode. But Hill’s imprint on cinema exceeded both Carpenter and horror; she’s responsible for comedy hits like Clue. Her career was cut short by cancer in 2005.
Margaret McGoldrick and Chris Patterson of Causeway Pictures will produce. Executive Producers also include Mike Chapman on behalf of Blue Finch Films, and Kerry Deignan Roy (William Shatner: You Can Call Me Bill). Deadline reports that the doc was developed by Northern Ireland Screen and Blue Finch Film Releasing, who are handling world sales.