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Screenwriters and executive producers Dan Angel and Billy Brown like to scare audiences on both sides of the age spectrum. Whether its reinventing R.L. Stine (of GOOSEBUMPS fame) for the tween set with the new DVD film THE HAUNTING HOUR: DON'T THINK ABOUT IT or resurrecting John Carpenter's '90s anthology movie BODY BAGS as a potential regular series, the scribes have a pulse on what's scary and are not concerned which age group to target for their scares.

In the case of DON'T THINK ABOUT IT (which stars HANNAH MONTANA's Emily Osment), the audience has come in droves whether buying the DVD or watching the movie on Cartoon Network where it debuted last weekend to huge ratings (it will re-air throughout September and October -- just in time for Halloween).

Both Angel and Brown spoke exclusively with iF MAGAZINE about their latest venture, their work with SAW's Tobin Bell (who stars in DON'T THINK ABOUT IT) and the first news of two potential adult horror anthology's on the way in PART 2 of this two part interview.

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iF MAGAZINE: Greg Nicotero and Howard Berger of K.N.B. designed the creature for the film – how early were they involved in the process? It’s a pretty cool creature and feels very old school ‘80s? How long did it take to decide on that design?

BILLY BROWN:  They were involved as soon as the script was finished.  The design was an ongoing process culminating just weeks before shooting.  One of the biggest challenges was the second head. The script is specific that the creature has two heads, “one to suck your blood,” and one to “chew your meat.”  The problem was where to place the second head, should it be on the tail?  Well, that created a complicated puppeteering problem. So KNB came up with the idea that the head splits in two when the creature is agitated or hungry.

iF: In making the creature, did you have to be careful about making it too scary?

DAN ANGEL: In the original design, the creature had rows and rows of very sharp long teeth. We opted to trim down the teeth to help tone down the scariness of the creature, but not compromise the effect that it was still cool and fun and effective.

BROWN: There was an initial facial design that we all decided was just too freaky. But we always push the envelope as far as we can, as we feel that our audience wants that.

iF: How did Tobin Bell come to the project – he’s great in the movie and I think it’s kind of funny that the man who plays Jigsaw is in a kid’s film.

ANGEL: Tobin has kids. He loved the script and was thrilled that he could make a movie that they could watch. And by the way, who else could play this part?

BROWN:  We’re involved with Tobin on another project – an adult horror series called SHOCK TREATMENT. We just couldn’t think of another actor who could do a better job with the character of The Stranger.  We were very lucky to get him, and we think he just did an outstanding job.  He brings an intensity and gravitas to the movie that uplifts the whole production. What a pro.

iF: What is SHOCK TREATMENT?

BROWN: It takes place in an abandoned mental hospital where Tobin, a homeless man, has taken refuge.  He experiences visions of the mental hell of the hospital’s former patients, becoming a kind of unwilling narrator for their stories of torment and horror.  Meanwhile, we begin to learn about the things which drove Tobin to this particular hospital, and the horrors that are in his past.  It will be an intense, surreal and visually arresting production.

iF: This film was shot on Hi-Def? What were the benefits and challenges working within the medium? Would you do it again?

BROWN:  It’s cheaper.  You have to know how to light it.  Fortunately we had a D.P. – Jacques Haitkin – who knew exactly what he was doing.   The camera is smaller so it’s easier to move around a small space.  Yes, I would use it again. 

iF: What’s the next HAUNTING HOUR project, what’s it about and will it be out next year?

BROWN:  We have already written the script.  It’s called THE BAD BABYSITTER.  It’s scary and has a wonderful role for a beautiful nineteen-year old babysitter who is really quite evil.  It’s full of suspense, humor and has plenty of twists.  I really like it. 

iF: I heard you might be bringing back BODY BAGS as a series? Is that true? How different would it be? Would Carpenter return as the coroner?

ANGEL: BODY BAGS was our first creation and we were excited when John Carpenter bought the property years back. We are in talks with John about expanding the movie into a TV series and will know shortly if it’s going to happen.

BROWN:  I’d love to bring back BODY BAGS.  Dan and my brain are full of twisted creepy stories that would work for that project.  I’m not sure about John coming back as the coroner, but he’d certainly be welcome.

iF: What’s the appeal about doing horror anthology shows for the two of you?

BROWN:  It’s funny how we keep ending up in that world.  I guess we like the idea of self-contained stories, so that once you’ve done one, you can move on to something new.  Plus it’s hard to do a horror series unless you end up with some sort of investigative angle, otherwise who are your continuing characters?  That’s why almost all the horror series on TV have been anthologies. 

iF: It seems like you have to do something to stand out when doing anthology series (i.e. the brilliant way MASTERS OF HORROR did it). But the biggest problem with other horror anthology series seem to be everyone forgets it starts with the story and try to go the TALES FROM THE CRYPT route looking for that great twist ending, instead of coming up with something unsettling, creepy and atmospheric.

BROWN:  You’re right.  The twist ending can be a real trap.  Obviously, unless you have a huge staff of writers, it’s always a challenge on any series, especially an anthology to keep coming up with great stories.  But at our best, I do think that Dan and I like horror stories that are character driven, where the impetus for the story comes from some conflict, flaw or obsession within the soul of the main character.  The horror then becomes a metaphor for the human condition.

iF: Do you have any other feature films in development?

BROWN:  Of course, always, yes.  Speaking of creepy and atmospheric,  THE BABY’S ROOM is a very creepy screenplay I wrote and would love to set up.  I also just came up with a story called SKATEBLOOD, which is a skateboarding vampire movie.  Imagine a skateboarder doing an “ollie” though the air, then a kick-flip, and then slitting your jugular with the sharpened edge of his customized deck.  I have – imagined it, that is.

R.L. STINE'S THE HAUNTING HOUR is available on DVD and also airs on Cartoon Network on the following days:

Sunday, Sept 23, at 7 p.m. EST

Monday, October 1 at 6 p.m. EST

Saturday, October 13 at 4 p.m. EST

Sunday, October 21 at noon, EST

Wednesday, October 24 at 6 p.m. EST

Friday, October 26 at 9 p.m. EST

Tuesday, October 30 at 7 p.m. EST

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