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
Troma are holding auditions today for extras for a new sequel to Class of Nuke Em High (if you're interested, you have to e-mail for a time slot to meet in their New York office!). In typical internet fashion, I started reading about Nuke Em, which led to more Troma, and eventually on to the Toxic Avenger (Troma's deformed mascot).
Even better, it led me on to the Toxic Crusaders, a children's cartoon series based on the film, which is completely mental, because there are no Troma films that are in any way appropriate for kids! But watching the first episode, which was written by THE Chuck Lorre of Big Bang Theory fame, it's actually pretty great. It's a lot like Captain Planet (including the overzealous environmental message), but it has a lot of winks and nods that would go right over a young one's head and make adults giggle. I have to say, I may actually watch all 13 episodes! It does seem like they may be on Youtube handy enough.
On a side note, the way I know about this show is because I had some Toxic Crusader toys when I was a kid. I don't really remember watching the show, but the toys were awesome! It may explain a part of my lifelong fascination with trash and B-movies! Those along with the Aliens toys warped my fragile little brain, right?
Love ya, ma.
And of course the internet led me down another path, where I found all the Toxic Avenger films on Youtube, along with my favourite Troma film, Terror Firmer, and some Class of Nuke Em High sequels that I have never seen.
So, if you are having a particularly boring day or have decided to junk out of trash cinema, (or maybe you wanna see the original before the remake, which they are apparently doing) let the maestros take you away. Enjoy a stupid amount of Troma!!!
The Toxic Avenger
The Toxic Avenger II
The Toxic Avenger III
The Toxic Avenger IV: Citizen Toxie
Terror Firmer
Class of Nuke Em High II: Subhumanoid Meltdown
Class of Nuke Em High III: The Good, The Bad and the Subhumanoid
Someone out there is now having an awesome trash movie night!
