Chris Columbus has written, directed, and produced some of the most successful box-office hits in Hollywood history. He first made his name by writing several original scripts produced by Steven Spielberg, including the back-to-back hits Gremlins and The Goonies . As a director, Columbus has been at the helm of such iconic projects as Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone , Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets , Home Alone , Stepmom , and Mrs. Doubtfire . As a producer, Columbus was also behind the hit films Night at the Museum and The Help .
Ned Vizzin was born in New York City on April 4, 1981. He began writing professionally as a teenager. He wrote essays and articles for the New York Press, the New York Times, and other publications. His first book, Teen Angst? Naaah...: A Quasi Autobiography, was published in 2000. His other books include Be More Chill, House of Secrets co-written with film director Chris Columbus, and It's Kind of a Funny Story, which was adapted as a feature film in 2010 starring Zack Galifianakis. His television writing credits include MTV's Teen Wolf, and the NBC drama Believe. He committed suicide on December 19, 2013 at the age of 32.