The Make-A-Wish Foundation, the charitable organisation that grants life-changing wishes for children and young people living with critical illnesses, recently reached out to filmmaker Lawrie Brewster with an unusual request, and he was happy to say yes!
Rebecca Hopkins, from Girvan, Scotland, is a courageous young girl living with a serious illness and a deep passion for horror films, particularly 1990s classics like Scream and I Know What You Did Last Summer. Her heartfelt wish was to appear in a real horror movie. With a little coordination and a lot of heart, Lawrie Brewster and his producing partner Sarah Daly, along with the entire team at Hex Studios, made that dream a reality.
The film in question, Mr Whispers, is a retro-inspired supernatural horror in the spirit of The Blair Witch Project. It follows a group of filmmaking students, led by Kathryn Hale (played by Megan Tremethick), who break into an abandoned cinema to investigate a sinister urban legend. The ghostly figure of Mr Whispers, a porcelain-faced spectre said to be responsible for the disappearances of local children, forms the terrifying heart of the story.
However, for Rebecca, none of that was too scary. Accompanied by her mum, she travelled to Hex Studios in Fife, home of the British Horror Studio project, for a full day of filming.
Lawrie Brewster and Sarah Daly founded the studio with the goal of reviving British horror through grassroots, community-driven filmmaking. Producer Jed Shepherd (Host) first alerted Brewster to the challenge the Foundation was facing. They needed a studio close to Rebecca’s home, able to accommodate her health needs safely and actively in production.
Lawrie said, “Since the heyday of Hammer and Amicus, there hasn’t been a dedicated British horror studio operating from permanent premises for over 40 years. We knew we were in a position to help.”
The entire cast and crew volunteered their time to support Rebecca’s wish. Megan Tremethick took charge of Rebecca’s make-up and costume, helping her transform into a ghostly character for a haunting scene filmed in the studio’s atmospheric stone chambers. Co-stars Dorian Ashbourne, Novarro Ramon, and Sam MacMillan were all on set, offering encouragement and creating memories Rebecca and her family will never forget.
Sarah Daly liaised closely with the Make-A-Wish Foundation, coordinating long-distance transport to ensure Rebecca could travel safely to the studio. She ensured Rebecca was comfortable and well cared for throughout the day, arranging meals, rest breaks, and a quiet area for Rebecca and her mum to relax. While the excitement happened in front of the camera, it was Sarah who made the day possible behind the scenes through thoughtful organisation and tireless support.
Even the fearsome Mr Whispers himself made an appearance. While initially a little unnerved by his cracked porcelain mask, Rebecca soon found him more amusing than scary. They filmed an entire scene with Rebecca at the centre. Not only will she appear in the final film, but she will also receive an official acting credit and IMDb listing – her first steps into the world of horror cinema.
After filming, the crew celebrated with a feast of pizza, Rebecca’s favourite, generously provided by Domino’s and supported by local businesses and charities, including Fife Creative Studios, who waived their fees and took part in the celebration.
Sarah Daly also ensured Rebecca left with a bundle of gifts, including plush toys of Hex Studios’ infamous Owlman, clothing, books, and other treats for her and her sisters.
“It’s never cheap to activate a film set,” said Brewster. “But it was worth every penny. Rebecca’s joy and talent brought something really special to the production. It was an honour to help make her dream come true.”
Both Brewster and Daly praised the Make-A-Wish Foundation, noting that their liaison officer felt like part of the family by the end of the day.
Mr Whispers is now fully filmed and will soon launch a Kickstarter campaign to raise funds for post-production. While pledging is not yet open, supporters can already follow the campaign on Kickstarter and be among the first to back it when it goes live.
