Bryan Michael Bertino (born
17 October 1977 in
Crowley,
Texas) is an
American
film director and
screenwriter.
Bertino studied cinematography at the
University of Texas at Austin.
[Interview: The Strangers' Bryan Bertino] He then moved to
Los Angeles, where he worked as a
gaffer, and wrote screenplays in his spare time. He submitted
The Strangers for a Nicholl Fellowship with the
Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which reached the quarterfinals. However, he was able to get a meeting with Vertigo Entertainment. Bertino quit his job days before the script was sold to
Universal Studios.
[From rags to writer on the back of fear]
Mark Romanek wanted to direct
The Strangers but demanded a $40 million budget. After speaking with Andrew Rona at
Rogue Pictures, Bertino was asked to direct
The Strangers despite a lack of directorial experience.
[Bryan Bertino Interview, The Strangers]
