John Carl Buechler (June 18, 1952 – March 18, 2019) was an American special make-up effects artist, film director, producer, screenwriter, and actor. He was best known for his work on horror and science-fiction films, mostly as part of Charles Band's Empire Pictures, and directed the iconic films such as Troll, Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood, Cellar Dweller, Ghoulies III: Ghoulies Go to College, and Curse of the Forty-Niner. His work includes Ghoulies, From Beyond, Troll, TerrorVision, Dolls, Prison, A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master, Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers, and acted in thr Hatchet series in two films.