Background
Bertino was born in Crowley, Texas.
Bertino was born in Crowley, Texas.
He studied cinematography at the University of Texas at Austin.
He then moved to Los Angeles, where he worked as a gaffer, and wrote screenplays in his spare time. However, he was able to get a meeting with Vertigo Entertainment. Bertino quit his job days before the script was sold to Universal Studios.
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.