Some of the early scenes at the mental hospital were not actually shot by director Larry Stewart. Peter Crane was originally attached to the film but the production got off to a rough start as shooting fell behind schedule and the budget started to be exceeded. Producers subsequently brought in Stewart to replace Crane.
The location used for the mall was the Dallas Market Center. The crew would shoot over night in the building after it closed at 7 pm, but would have to be out by the 7 am opening the next morning.
The original director, Peter Crane, was said to have European art house sensibilities that clashed with the producers desires to make a mainstream slasher film. He still managed to direct a few scenes before being replaced, which remain in the movie.
Marilyn Kagan, who plays "Marcia," went on to host a top-rated radio show, on KFI in Los Angeles. As she is a LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker) she took calls from listeners and answered their therapeutic questions.