the screenplay for "tourist trap" was written by david schmoeller and j. larry carroll, the latter of whom pitched the film to producer charles band. initially, schmoeller intended for john carpenter to direct the film, but carroll was unsatisfied with the financial arrangements, and opted instead that schmoeller should direct. carroll and schmoeller had previously pitched the film to producers samuel z. arkoff and bruce cohn curtis, but were unable to secure a production arrangement.