Michael Dougherty

While at NYU in 1996, Michael Dougherty released his animated short film Season's Greetings. The beautifully hand-drawn and colored animation was created entirely by Dougherty. The film featured Sam, a child-sized character with a burlap sack for a head, described by Dougherty as "the spirit of Halloween incarnate."

On X-Men 2, Dougherty ventured into the world of feature films, co-writing the screenplay with Dan Harris and David Hayter. Dougherty then continued to collaborate with co-writer Harris, penning Urban Legends: Bloody Mary and Superman Returns.

Dougherty stepped up to the helm on Trick 'r Treat, writing and directing his feature-length horror. Produced by Bryan Singer, the film starred Anna Paquin, Brian Cox and Dylan Baker. The film also sees the return of Dougherty's silent and demonic character Sam whom he describes as "cute, but creepy." Quinn Lord was cast wearing an animatronic latex mask in the role. The film took the Audience Choice Award at the Screamfest Horror Film Festival and a Silver Audience Award at the Toronto After Dark Film Festival.

Universal Pictures