By Chris Lanphear
Episode 1: "The Conspiracy"
"Look! I am the director! Now, I'm not saying that because I'm on an ego-trip or for some bullshit artistic vision! I'm saying that because I've been directing 10-cent movies for 30 years, and I think I know a little bit about what I'm doing. It's a horrible world: there's starvation, rape, corn-holing, it's horrible out there. But it's worse, it's much worse on the movie set. We have danger and stupidity! I don't want someone dying on my set! If someone dies here, I'll blow my brains out! My career will be over, and it'll be your fault!"
And with that quote from Troma's TERROR FIRMER, Greetings from Tromaville and welcome to my column here at the Shoot. Every other Wednesday, I will attempt to inform you able readers about one of the lesser-talked-about aspects of pop-culture: low-budget filmmaking! I know a little bit about the subject, as I work with the masters of that proverbial universe: Hell's Kitchen, NY-based Troma Entertainment.
A Short Break to Explain Troma
Founded in 1974 by Michael Herz and Lloyd Kaufman, TROMA, INC. quickly began producing films on tightly-controlled budgets, films that offered something different than the fodder that was being churned out by the major studios. In the 1980s, Troma first became famous (or infamous, I'm not sure which) for the horror-comedy THE TOXIC AVENGER and later CLASS OF NUKE 'EM HIGH. In the 90s, Troma continued to push the envelope with TROMEO & JULIET and TERROR FIRMER. Most recently, Troma Entertainment celebrated the release of CITIZEN TOXIE: THE TOXIC AVENGER IV, the latest film for Toxie, who has been dubbed "Troma's Mickey Mouse". We've been featured at retrospectives by the American Film Institute, the British Film Institute and the Cinematheque Francaise, to name a few. But more importantly, people have called us the masters of exploitation cinema (A.K.A. Sex and Violence). And to that, we say: "Thank you!" Troma has also formed its own fiercely independent film festival, Troma Dance in January of 2000. In addition, Troma operates the Roan Group of restored classic films. It's all part of our crusade to promote "World Peace Through Celluloid."
Okay, enough of the history lesson...
Now, why is independent film-and specifically companies like Troma, who have been in business for almost 30 years-neglected in the mainstream media? Well, we have a theory.
The State of the Independent Union
It's a conspiracy. That's right, a conspiracy-and as Troma's president and co-founder Lloyd Kaufman likes to say, "A conspiracy of the labor, beauracratic and corporate elites". That is to say, companies like AOHell Slime Wormer and Schlockbuster Video (come on, use your imagination) have successfully wiped out mom-and-pop video stores and theatres-and in doing so, have rung the death rattle for independent studios like Troma. The entertainment industry is being controlled by one or two giant conglomerates, and it is very difficult to get unknown, independent product to the masses.
Companies like Blockbuster (oops, it slipped) have further led to the deterioration of companies like Troma, by running the independent video stores out of business and refusing to stock independent product, while at the same time carrying 90 copies of MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE 2 and HARRY POTTER. So it doesn't matter if someone wants to go out and rent a Troma movie-they're not able to, if the chains don't carry it. Not only that, but the majority of independent video companies have long since gone bankrupt or been bought out by the aforementioned offenders.
People say that the low-budget exploitation flick is as dead as the dodo, and that no one cares about these types of films anymore. Of course, that's to imply that anyone cared about these films in the first place, but that's a semantics argument that I really don't want to have with myself right now. Suffice to say that the status quo is happy to pay little to no attention to the low-budget horror genre. But we're still here, if only to be a thorn in the side of the entertainment industry.
So how is it that companies like Troma continue to survive? Luckily, fans are a very loyal and spending group. And thanks to their continued support through the internet, companies like Troma are able to stay afloat and keep making films outside the mainstream.
Okay, so the fake limbs and the rubber creatures and the ultraslime wouldn't fit in any normal person's
top ten list of films to see with your children. But we love what we do, and we do it with heart
(and intestines and whatever else we have laying around). We fight for what we get-it's an uphill
battle in a world of $300 million budgets for the LORD OF THE RINGS franchise and $100+ million
advertising campaigns for SPIDER-MAN. Troma's latest film, CITIZEN TOXIE, was made for less that
$300,000. That's three thousand LORD OF THE RINGS movies! Yes, Troma movies are cheap,
offensive and crass... We wouldn't have it any other way.
So, it's only in wonderful alternative media, like the great Movie Poop Shoot, am I able to
rant my psychotic conspiracy theories about the multimedia conglomerates and their spiritual drain of the small-time independents. But more importantly, it gives guys (and gynos) like us a chance to be heard. Thank God for the Internet!
Remember, Toxie Loves You!
NEXT TIME: Some actual content, including how to "break in" at Troma (or "How Lloyd Kaufman Ruined My Life"), a review of CITIZEN TOXIE: THE TOXIC AVENGER IV (currently grossing out movie-goers everywhere), my first obscure DVD pick of the week, and how to make your own realistic head-crushing... as I continue on my quest to show you loyal readers what a person can do with some fake blood, toxic waste and a dream.
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