Debra Hill is a name synonymous with HALLOWEEN and John Carpenter to fans, with her working partnership with Carpenter seeing her co-write HALLOWEEN, HALLOWEEN II, THE FOG, ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK and ESCAPE FROM LA.
She handled script duties for the three teen girls stalked by Michael in the 1978 original, and was key in the casting of Jamie Lee Curtis as Laurie Strode. Oh, and her birthplace? Haddonfield, New Jersey.
Deadline reports that feature documentary HOLLYWOOD TRAILBLAZER: THE DEBRA HILL STORY is heading into production.
The documentary 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.”