So, the oldest independent film studio in the world, shlockmeisters Troma, have been putting their back catalogue up on YouTube in celebration of their upcoming 40th anniversary. Knowing that they embrace advances in technology, there might be some alternate reasons for this outpouring of fantastically horrid cinema, but hey, I love Troma and having just finished founder Lloyd Kaufman's semi-autobiographical book Everything I Learned About Filmmaking I Learned From The Toxic Avenger (which is a hilarious read and you'd be foolish to do without), I am happy to immerse myself in Tromaville.
For me though, more interesting than the films themselves is the story behind the blood and rubber. And Troma, being as honest as they are, have made some extremely interesting warts-and-all making of documentaries. And being as fan friendly as they are, have posted them on to YouTube for the masses to see.
Yelling, anger, bad days, explosions, bad stunts, grumpy actors; these documentaries follow the productions of their respective films as they unfold, and are compulsive viewing. Most making of docs are so middle of the road and paint everyone in a nice light, but Troma gives that fluffy shite the finger and has its icons as the assholes they are, the shoots as chaotic as they happened, and the passion as real as it was.
Below are, in order of production and release, the ins and outs of a real guerilla film shoot, showing the unseen grulling side of production in the most hilarious and captivating way.
So, do what I did and sit back for 5 or so incredible hours of how to make a film, Troma style, better than any films school could ever teach.
Farts of Darkness: The Making of Terror Firmer
Apocalypse Soon: The Making of The Toxic Avenger IV: Citizen Toxie
Poultry in Motion: The Making of Poultrygeist
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