When the Make-A-Wish Foundation reached out with a unique request, Scottish horror filmmaker Lawrie Brewster didn’t need persuading. Rebecca Hopkins, from Girvan, Scotland, is a courageous young girl living with a serious illness has had one dream she wanted more than anything. To appear in a real horror film. Not just as a visitor on set, but as a proper part of the story. Brewster and his partner Sarah Daly made sure that’s exactly what happened.
Rebecca, a lifelong fan of horror films like Scream and I Know What You Did Last Summer, travelled with her mum to Hex Studios in Fife. She spent the day filming a ghostly scene in Mr Whispers, an upcoming indie horror set in a haunted cinema. Megan Tremethick plays the lead, Kathryn Hale, a student filmmaker chasing down an urban legend about a porcelain-masked spectre who preys on local children. That spectre, Mr Whispers, is the chilling centrepiece of the story. And Rebecca’s scene will be right in the heart of it.
Everything was carefully planned around Rebecca’s needs. Daly worked closely with the Foundation to coordinate transport and ensure she was comfortable throughout the day. A rest area, warm meals, and time to relax between takes meant nothing was rushed. She even got her own ghostly costume and make-up, applied by Tremethick herself. Co-stars Dorian Ashbourne, Novarro Ramon, and Sam MacMillan helped create a relaxed and supportive atmosphere on set.
The studio itself, founded by Brewster and Daly, was built to revive a classic British horror tradition. That includes practical effects, ambitious storytelling and a permanent creative base outside London. When producer Jed Shepherd flagged the wish request, Brewster knew their set-up in Fife was the right fit.
This wasn’t a token gesture. Rebecca filmed a full scene and will be credited in the final film. She also met the haunting Mr Whispers, and though his cracked porcelain mask gave her pause at first, she ended up smiling between takes.
After filming wrapped, the team celebrated with pizza, provided by Domino’s, and gifts prepared by Daly. These included Owlman plush toys, books, and clothes for Rebecca and her sisters. Local supporters like Fife Creative Studios also joined in, waiving their fees and helping make the experience extra special.
Brewster later said, “Rebecca’s joy and talent brought something really special to the production. It was an honour to help make her dream come true.”
Mr Whispers is now fully filmed. A Kickstarter campaign to raise funds for post-production will launch soon, with early followers already able to sign up for updates.
Kickstarter Campaign at https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/bteam/mr-whispers-a-terrifying-90s-retro-inspired-horror
