SEPT 26, 2008

Tromadance Indiana!!

MAKE YOUR OWN DAMNED MOVIE
AN INTERVIEW WITH TROMA’S LLOYD KAUFMAN
BY ANTON BLENDER

If you haven’t heard of Lloyd Kaufman, you’re not alone. The unconventional film director and his production company, Troma Entertainment, have existed outside the Hollywood system for a remarkable 35 years. Surviving thanks to a devoted fan base, Troma has mentored or inspired many of today’s great talents, including Trey Parker and Matt Stone (South Park), Quentin Tarantino (Pulp Fiction) and Peter Jackson (Lord of the Rings). A great supporter of independent cinema, Kaufman serves as chairman of the Independent Film and Television Alliance, teaches a master class in low-budget film-Celebration), Kaufman sat down with NUVO to talk about zombie chickens, limousine liberals and the challenges facing independent cinema today.

NUVO: For people who aren’t familiar with Troma, could you give us a little background?

KAUFMAN: Well, I would say that Troma Entertainment is the NUVO magazine of independent cinema. Troma was created in 1974 by my Yale University buddy, Michael Herz, and I. A place where I could write and direct movies, and a place where other independent-minded visionaries could perfect their art.
Over the years, we have introduc the talents of Trey Parker and Matt Stone who made Cannibal: The Musical, and Oliver
Stone, whose first movie experience was Battle of Love’s Return. Other interesting people who’ve begun with Troma are James Gunn, with whom I wrote Tromeo & Juliet, and he went on to write Scooby Doo. Tromeo & Juliet is a movie that promotes incest, and James Gunn’s next career move after that was to write the children’s classic Scooby Doo. He then directed a movie called Slither and now he’s a major, major, major Hollywoodwriter and director. And of course, Eli Roth who brought you the
beautiful, passionate, religious movie Hostel ... Kevin Costner’s first film was Sizzle Beach, USA ... The Troma history is amazing: 35 years of independent movies.

NUVO: In all of your films, you tackle social issues. With The Toxic Avenger it was pollution, with Terror Firmer the state of independent films and now with Poultrygeist the fast food industry. What attracts you to this kind of social justice subject matter?

KAUFMAN: My films are very much founded and inspired by the events of the day. The current events in the newspapers are far sicker and more perverted than anything I could think of. As a result, political and sociological themes are what interest me. I read as a young boy. I had a Commie grandmother who fed me things like The Power Elite by C. Wright Mills, which propounds the military industrial complex. From that and I.F. Stone, and other sort of socialist readings, I’ve come up with the three elites: the bureaucratic elite, namely the Congress and the Senate; the labor elite, the labor leaders who are making millions of dollars while their constituents are eating dog food; and the corporate elite. These three elites suck dry the little people of Tromaville, the location for all of my films, their economic and spiritual capital. The little people of Tromaville are perfectly able to run their own lives, they don’t need any left-wing limousine liberals like the Clintons or Al Gore to phony up their lives and tell them how to live their lives and condescend to them; they know how to live their lives. Unfortunately, the little people of Tromaville are victims of these three elites, and they must call upon the Toxic Avenger to save them, or sometimes call upon Sgt. Kabukiman NYPD who lives on the waterfront, or in the case of Troma’s War, the little people of Tromaville take matters into their own handsand have to save the free world.

NUVO: Your most famous movie, The Toxic Avenger, is being turned into a musical. What is your involvement in that project?

KAUFMAN: The Toxic Avenger is a historic movie. It’s the first film where a young boy’s head is squashed by the wheel of an automobile that was made into a politically correct, environmental, Saturday morning children’s cartoon show. And if you think that’s surprising, the big time Broadway producers of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels boughtthe theatrical rights to make The Toxic Avenger musical. And they’ve hired none other than David Bryan, the keyboard guy for Bon Jovi. They’ve got the TonyAward winning director of Urinetown, and a guy that wrote a big big hit called I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change. They have a great team, and Toxic Avenger: The Musical will open Sept. 28. It looks like it’s going to be pretty successful, primarily because I’vehad nothing to do with it.

NUVO: What’s next for Troma?

KAUFMAN: Well, what’s next for Troma is survival. Basically, Troma has never been more famous, but it’s never been more difficult. The major conglomerates have literally blacklisted, there is economic blacklisting going on, not just in the television industry, which has totally blacklisted independent content, but it’s worldwide. The giant media conglomerates pretty much have their thumb on the entire industry and the media you know — the newspapers, magazines and news world — is owned by Rupert Murdoch and his cronies and this is something that we’ve got to fight against. So it’s a very, very challenging time for Troma and all of the independent movie companies. Right now, as I said, I’m looking for my next script. Maybe there’s somebody in the NUVO magazine world that’s got an interesting character-driven script that’s out there that is intense and controversial that Lloyd Kaufman might be able to direct. I’m writing a book called Direct Your Own Damned Movie, my fourth book, and after that I’m contracted to write Produce Your Own Damned Movie. We’ve got the musical opening, and every month there’s a new Troma DVD that comes out. So, Troma’s still very active, but the times have never been more challenging. We depend on NUVO magazine to fight for the rights of independent filmmakers and independent artists. •

For more on Troma Entertainment, go to: www.troma.com.

On nuvo.net: Two video interviews with Lloyd Kaufman by Anton Blender


Watch some more of the awesome interviews on You Tube!

May 19th : For immediate release! Lloyd is starring in a new movie called the Art of Pain! Check out the press release below!!!!

PRESS RELEASE:

Lloyd Kauffman's acting prowess is showcased in The Art of Pain, a dark comedy with ninjas/zombies THE ART OF PAIN Sneak Preview (Look upon it ye mortals and DESPAIR!) Saturday Night May 24th - Midnight Cost: $10 Music Box Theatre 3733 N. Southport Ave. Chicago, Illinois 60613 773-871-6607 Pre-party next door at Take Five, 9pm. The Art of Pain, a black comedy featuring ninjas, zombies and a starving artist will sneak preview at Chicago's Music Box Theatre, at midnight Saturday May 24th. The brand new Chicago-produced film is on the lookout for distributors, festivals and reviews. With a rapidly growing fan base and an avid myspace community, Troma Fans are wondering, "Why all the buzz?" You may remember young filmmakers, the Brookens Brothers from their 30 minute short Skunk Ape!? which was included in the Best of Tromadance 2004 DVD. Continuing this steamy affair with Troma, Director Matt Brookens offered Troma frontman, Lloyd Kauffman a job. "I had to have him," states Brookens in an awkwardly out of context quote. In The Art of Pain, Kauffman plays horror film director George Romano who is doing a Q&A at a movie theater. You'll see him get punched in the face and deliver two of the film's most memorable lines: "Great art comes from great pain." and "My chocolate canal is a one way street." It's a show stealing performance and it's a tribute to Kauffman's understanding of film that he can morph his character from mega-perv to wizened guru in a beat. Attending the sneak preview are Writer/Director Matt Brookens, Producers Matthew M. Jones and John LaFlamboy, along with cast members Anders Erickson, Greg Brookens, Jake Hames, Leena Kurishingal and Arvin Jalandoon Buy tickets online at:Ticketweb 5 out of 5 Stars from Film Threat! "This feature length outing is jam packed with genre geek droolworthiness – zombies, ninjas, comic books, Lloyd Kaufman ... nerd vengeance and a vicious dark comic streak reminiscent of teen suicide comedy “Heathers.” “The Art of Pain” has cult classic written all over it." - Eric Campos, Film Threat "Gags, slays, and -- above all -- entertains with an alchemized mixture of gore and jest." Duley Noted review of The Art of Pain Art of Pain Teaser

INSPIRE AN ARTIST, RUIN HIS LIFE -- Jack works an easy job at the movie theater with his pal Nick, a sci-fi geek, and his aspiring actress girlfriend, Sharon. He used to be a pretty good painter, but there isn’t much inspiration in this zombie-like existence. All of that is about to change. Enter Marcus, a pissed off ninja-in-training with something to prove. Fueled by disgust for Jack’s apathy and a cruel sensei, Marcus takes it upon himself to teach a brutal lesson: Great art comes from great pain. What follows is a bloody trail of seduction, murder and maiming that only a ninja can inflict. Now, painting in a frenzy, Jack must fight not only for his art, but his life. The Art of Pain: Trailer

Be there and bring all your zombie friends!!! Lloyd Kauffman's acting prowess is showcased in The Art of Pain, a dark
comedy with ninjas/zombies!

The Art of Pain, a black comedy featuring ninjas, zombies and a starving
artist will sneak preview at Chicago's Music Box Theatre, at midnight
Saturday May 24th. The brand new Chicago-produced film is on the lookout
for distributors, festivals and reviews. With a rapidly growing fan base
and an avid myspace community, Troma Fans are wondering, "Why all the
buzz?"

You may remember young filmmakers, the Brookens Brothers from their 30
minute short Skunk Ape!? which was included in the Best of Tromadance 2004
DVD. Continuing this steamy affair with Troma, Director Matt Brookens
offered Troma frontman, Lloyd Kauffman a job. "I had to have him," states
Brookens in an awkwardly out of context quote.

In The Art of Pain, Kauffman plays horror film director George Romano who
is doing a Q&A at a movie theater. You'll see him get punched in the face
and deliver two of the film's most memorable lines: "Great art comes from
great pain." and "My chocolate canal is a one way street." It's a show
stealing performance and it's a tribute to Kauffman's understanding of
film that he can morph his character from mega-perv to wizened guru in a
beat.

Here's the film synopsis-

INSPIRE AN ARTIST, RUIN HIS LIFE -- Jack works an easy job at the movie
theater with his pal Nick, a sci-fi geek, and his aspiring actress
girlfriend, Sharon. He used to be a pretty good painter, but there isn't
much inspiration in this zombie-like existence. All of that is about to
change. Enter Marcus, a pissed off ninja-in-training with something to
prove. Fueled by disgust for Jack's apathy and a cruel sensei, Marcus
takes it upon himself to teach a brutal lesson: Great art comes from great
pain. What follows is a bloody trail of seduction, murder and maiming that
only a ninja can inflict. Now, painting in a frenzy, Jack must fight not
only for his art, but his life.

The Art of Pain recently won The Audience Award for Best Film at The
Sunscreen Film Festival. Read some reviews!

1. The Art of Pain on Filmthreat. com
2. Columbia Chronicle Art of Pain Interview
3. The Art of Pain on Duleynoted. net

The Art of Pain Premier
Saturday Night May 24th Midnight!
Music Box Theatre
3733 N. Southport Ave. | Chicago, IL 60613
Cost: $10

Keep your eyes peeled for this film! It's got ninjas, zombies and comic
book nerds. Three things Troma fans love.
Check the website. Add it as your myspace pal. It's all a good time.

May 15th : Our friend Andrew Prisbylla has drawn two cartoons depicting the consequences of Net Neutrality! Click on the cartoons for Hi-Rez images! Andy also recently conducted an interview with Lloyd called: "LLOYD KAUFMAN OVERDRIVE" for filmthreat.com. You can read it here.

April 15th : Happy tax day!!! If you enjoy the injustice of the government taking your money then you'll enjoy Toxie in this all new adventure:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wolff & Byrd Defend the Toxic Avenger Pity the poor Toxic Avenger. Formerly a weakling janitor at the Tromaville Health Club, he was taunted by the club's patrons and accidentally landed in a truck filled with toxic waste. Although the toxic sludge has made him into a hideously deformed monster, he's got superhuman strength. But since his mom kicked him out of the house, he now makes his home in a pile of garbage at a toxic waste dump. To add insult to injury, he's now got legal troubles, charged with being a hazard to the good citizens of Tromaville. But fortunately for him, he's also got good lawyers: Wolff & Byrd, Counselors of the Macabre! Alanna Wolff and Jeff Byrd are attorneys who specialize in a very particular field of law: The Supernatural. And the law firm of Wolff & Byrd will make sure The Toxic Avenger will have his day in court! Toxie guest stars in Supernatural Law #45, to be published by Exhibit A Press. The guest appearance is sanctioned by Toxie's creator, Lloyd Kaufman, who also appears in the issue and is prominently featured on the cover. How did this crossover come about? Batton Lash, the creator of Supernatural Law, has actually known Lloyd Kaufman since he was a student at New York's School of Visual Arts in the early 1970s and Kaufman was teaching film editing there. Over the last few years Batton and Lloyd have run into each other on various occasions, and the idea of a crossover has come up. In fact, the crossover was first announced at the Troma panel at Comic-Con International in San Diego in 2007. The issue, being written and drawn by Lash, is guaranteed to include cameos of characters from the Troma universe. Supernatural Law #45 is scheduled for publication in June; the 32-page comic will retail for $3.50. The issue can be ordered from the current Diamond Comics catalog under "Exhibit A Press". More information on Supernatural Law can be found at www.exhibitapress.com/pages/whatsnew.html <http://www.exhibitapress.com/pages/whatsnew.html>.

March 13th : On april 11 there will be a screening of three Tromasterpieces in Tilburg, in the Netherlands!! Tromatonic.com presents: THEATRE MACABRE: THE TROMA EDITION! Catch 3 Tromasterpieces, including Troma's War, Citizen Toxie and of course Poultrygeist! For more info check out www.tromatonic.com!

Would you like Lloyd to be your grand-dad? Would you like Lloyd to be a clown? Now you can have the best of both worlds because Lloyd is starring in Clown Dad! Yes, Lloyd recently appeared in Michael L. Nirenberg's neo-vaudville short Clown Dad! To see lloyd in action check out clowndad.com! HONK! HONK!

THOMAS DEKKER
At the ripe young age of 20 this thespian has done more TV than most seasoned vets!
His credits include HEROS and 7th HEAVEN among many others. Tonight he will discuss
playing John Connor on the new TV series TERMINATOR: THE SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES!

PATRICK LESSIER
He has been the go-to guy for editing some of the top films at the box office but
Mr. Lessier is also an accomplished director in his own right. He helmed DRACULA
2000, the Nathan Fillion recent release WHITE NOISE 2: THE LIGHT and will be heading
up the remake of MY BLOODY VALENTINE!

GREG NICOTERO
He has graced us with his past appearances on the show and tonight we are thrilled
to have him back once more! Mr. Nicotero's EFX credits began with KNB studios and
his list of films are absolutely endless! For just 2007 he created magic for THE
MIST which starred the always entertaining Thomas Jane, PLANET TERROR, DEATH PROOF, PRIMEVAL and DISTURBIA. Tonight he will talk about making DIARY OF THE DEAD with George Romero!

JESSICA ALBA
This sensational hottie stars in the current theatrical release THE EYE. Some of her
many other credits include AWAKE, SIN CITY parts 1 & 2, FANTASTIC FOUR and the TV
series DARK ANGEL!

So tune in as Debbie and Lloyd "bring the noiz!" You can also Talk to them at 1.888.4.102.102

January 21st: EXCLUSIVE FOR OUR TROMA FANS! BELOW IS A SNEAK BEAK INTERVIEW WITH LLOYD BEING INTERVIEWED BY COMIC BOOK LEGEND BATTON LASH! DON'T SAY WE NEVER LOVED YA'!

13 1/2 Questions Batton Lash always had for Lloyd Kaufman:

1. When I met you, Lloyd, you were a teacher at the School of Visual Arts in
New York City (I believe the course was film editing.). Since then, I've
seen you become THE Lloyd Kaufman, founder and front man of Troma Films, the
longest running independent film studio in America. But a few things always
puzzled me about you. Since I've been given the opportunity to ask you a few
questions, I'm going to get to learn a few things about THE Lloyd Kaufman.
Let's start with an easy one: Where were you born and raised?

I was born in New york City and raised there.
I was born in a trunk and worked for peanuts in an elephant's trunk.
I was born a beautiful blue eyed baby girl named Lois; but I was stolen out
of my pram by gypsies and replaced with an ugly boy baby, named Lloyd.

2. What were your early career ambitions?

It was the sixties and I wanted to be a teacher or social worker.Make the
world a better place.teach people with hooks for hands how to finger paint.

3. Is it true that a certain lame-duck president was a classmate of yours?
Bonus Question: Anything about Skull & Bones you'd like to tell us, Lloyd?

Yes, George Bush was a Yale classmate of mine. Freshman year he was always
running around the Yale campus looking for weapons of mass destruction. We
could never figure out why. Pres Bush, however is featured in my recently
completed documentary about Rev William Sloane Coffin, SPLENDOR and
WISDOM. Produced pro bono (not to be confused with Cher's late bad skiing
congressman husband) for Yale class of 1968 .Boolah Boolah
Skull and Bones approached me to join but I did not want to be guaranteed
millions of dollars for life. I was much too clever, living in a refrigerator
box is way more betterer.

4. Speaking of W, when people hear the word "chad", they might think of the
year 2000 election. What do you think of when you hear the word "Chad",
Lloyd?

I love to eat Chad roe,is that what you mean?...and of course Chad is my
favorite dancer down at the Manhole.
Chad is also a country where,at the age of 19, I spent a year in the bush
(see, I can make goofy W puns too!). No water no electricity, no
M-TV!!!...buuuut.lots of naked melon-heavy ladies running around.

5. What made you decide to make filmmaking a career?
Boner Question: Did you get your chops in the "Adult Films" industry?

It was Kismet. And not the Broadway musical (I love Broadway musicals.the
cutains,pulleys,set design,the hot dancing boys) show starring Alfred
Drake,but kismet as in FATE that palced me in the same room freshman year at
Yale with a movie nut named Robert Edelstein.Our bed room was tiny and our
beds were head to toe. At night I'd inhale his Goddard stinking feet and .my
life was fucked.I became an auteur film director and I don't even know what
"auteur" means!!
Re your question about adult films: I played the role of Georgina Spelvin in
the Devil and Miss Jones. But don't tell anyone, it was before I had the sex
change.

6. You've had cameos in such films as "Cry Uncle" and "Rocky"- - have you
ever thought of a career as a character actor?

My "acting".er.my "appearing" in movies has taught me a lot.
On our early movies like Squeeze Play and Waitress and Stuck on You,I used
to fight with the actors.But when I started playing small roles I learned to
appreciate how difficult mvie acting is with filming out of sequence and
having to hit one's marks etc etc..I experienced the stress actors are under
etc etc.so instead of yelling at them I use the more humane method of
waterboarding to get them to do what I want on the set!!!
I played the part of old Arby in POULTRYGEIST mainly because I sucked less
that the "mature"actors who were auditioning.and I did not have to pay
myself.that's why I am on strike now,against myself.

7. You were a location scout for "Saturday Night Fever". It's regarded as a
classic today; what did you think about it as it was being made?

I knew from the start that this John Travolta-starring film was going to be
a huge hit.The Scientology men's room had the writing on the wall. Both John
G. Avildsen (who left the production) and John Badham are brilliant
directors.By definition great directors amke great movie;that's what the
auteur theory is all about..also Norman Wexler wrote the screenplay for SNF
and I had met him when I worked on "Joe",which Norman also wrote.He also was
a genius.After Saturady Night Fever,I was supposed to grow a beard and take
over the lead in the sequel Friday Night Seder,where I was to play the
dancing Rabbi.but Ingmar Bergman was working on the same project,so I was
dropped and that's how Bergman's "Virgin Spring" evolved.

Regarding my work on ROCKY,it was my mother in law Lillian Swinney who read
the script before the movie was even financed and predicted it would be the
next MARTY!!!...

8. Troma is the longest-surviving independent studio in the USA. Why eschew
Hollywood and go indie?

I have had 40 years of total freedom,as a film maker.would MGM have
permitted the explosive diarreah (sorry I can not spell;blame Skull and
Bones) scene from POULTRYGEIST?
Would Warners have allowed me to make a movie promoting incest as "Tromeo
and Juliet" does?....I am one of the few American film directors who has a
long list of titles that are are totally unblemished by having to conform to
the baby food formulas of the mainstream.unfortunately all I have is a long
list of titles.I wish I had a long list of movies!
Buuut.Toxic Avenger is revered more than ever after 25 years and most of the
garbage coming from Bay,Haggis, and the other flavors of the week are
forgotten.after the $70,000,000 dollar advertising campaigns are over.

No money has ever been spent advertising Troma movies yet Terror
Firmer,Tromeo and Juliet and Cannibal the Musical not to mention Mother's
Day,but I am mentioning it,and many other Troma classics are constantly
being re-released and invited to film festivals and retrospectives...These
films have become classics...but the media dismisses me as a "cult"film
director...what am I a Charles Manson who can get a small amount of folks to
do anything he wants?

Will anybody give a wet fart about Crash or five year's from now? Take away
the C and substiute a T!

9. The freewheeling, maverick sensibilities of Troma have attracted some
talents who have since gone on to establish their own freewheeling maverick
careers. Do you recognize talent right away as it comes through the door or
do you nurture the potential in your young charges?

If I could recognize talent,do you think that I would hire ME as a writer
director?...
No I should have stayed with the South Park guys who made Troma's Cannibal
The Musical; I should have glomed off their genius.or Oliver Stone,who
started with me.or James Gunn or Eli Roth.or D.W.Griffith.goddammit,I let
them tham all slip away.
Not to mention we turned down Madonna for The First Turn On six months
before she became a household word.

Boy am I stupid!

10. Have you been in contact with early associates, Louis Su and Sam Weil?
Do you know what their current activities are?
Bonus Question: Speaking of people who fell off the map, whatever happened
to Andree Maranda? She was hilarious in the first Toxic Avenger movie as
Toxie's blind sweetheart Sarah. I thought she was a natural comic actress
who had a promising career ahead of her. Apparently, Toxic Avenger was her
only film role. Do you know what
happened?

Louis Su and Samuel Weil are officers of the Directors Guild of America,I
believe.They dropped me long ago.
Andree Miranda and her sister Carmen won the Nobel Peace prize for their
work concerning the dancing career of Harriet Tubman.

11. What led to the founding of Tromadance in Park City, Utah?
Bonus Question: Are you aware that another independent festival (albeit
less-prestigious) called Sundance, occurs the same weekend?

TromaDance is being called the "conscience of SunDance"...by me.Trey Parker
and Matt Stone took me to SunDance about twelve Years ago after I acted in
Orgasmo.We felt that Sundance had lost it's idealism and was there to
promote Disney Miramax,Sony Classics and HBO films-not truly independent
movies.I feel that Sundance, should not be charging filmmakers entry fees to
submit films..etc etc The TromaDance FF mission statement is at
www.tromadance.com Basically,I felt that Sundance actually hates the true
independent filmmakers.They have a great situation! And the Sundance
burocracy as well as the cartel that runs the art world want to keep their
ass in a tub of butter.

Tromadance is totally free.No entry fee to submit movie,you can watch the
selectecdtions for free and no VIP policy.not a great business
model,however!

Next Year will be Troma Dance Film Festival's tenth year... and Park City Utah
is very very expensive.We have been lucky to get sponsors who believe in
artistic freedom and in true independence.Also Troma fans have been
contributing a good piece of the Troma Dance budget.Most of our fans
contribute under $100 but it all adds up.Nobody gets paid at TromaDance;it's
all staffed by volunteers...We need sponsors,so dear reader,please help
us.please go to www.tromadance.com and make a contribution.
GIVE INDEPENDENT ART BACK TO THE PEOPLE!

12. You (and co-writer Adam Jahnke) wrote a Toxic Avenger novelization. Any
more novelizations of Troma films coming? Or maybe an original book that
will be adapted into a movie by Troma?

I have been signed by Reed Elsevere to write Direct Your Own
Damn Movie and Produce Your Own Damn Movie.The two books should be out in
2009.
Devil's Due Comics have recently published a great graphic novel called
Toxic Avenger and Other Tromatic Tales.which of course makes it NOT a
novel,but a collection of comic book short stories.a graphic anthology.But I
will call it a graphic novel until I learn what "anthology" means.

13. Will Troma ever venture into short films made especially for the
Internet, perhaps webisodes featuring characters from the "Troma universe"?

We have filmed many short pieces which can be seen on our DVDs and on
www.troma.com .
If anyone out there wants to produce a tromatic short film,please contact
webmaster@troma.com.
BTW,There is a POULTRYGEIST Kara-yoke-ee contest now at www.troma.com and
www.poultrygeistmovie.com . You can win prizes and have your filmed
kara-yoke-ee included on the POULTRYGEIST DVD!!!

13 1/2. Reviewing your career, Lloyd, it occurs to me that with your book
("Make Your Own Damn Movie") and establishing Tromadance, you still are very
much the teacher! You instruct budding filmmakers, advise the young, and
pass along everything you've learned to a new generation of Lloyd Kaufmans.
What do you have to say for yourself, Lloyd?

We live in an age of giant devil worshiping international conglomerates who
have killed off most of the true independent film studios.Business for us
sucks!!! Buuut....as Chester A. Arthur used to say,"Troma is the herpes of
the movie business;we won't go away."

I am very proud of POULTRYGEIST, because,even though I am becoming the old
man of independent movies, my fowl movement is more daring,more risk taking
and more profound than the excellent "No Country for Old Men."So there is a
country for this old man!!!...who played one;he played knick-knack on
cinema's thumb
I am proudest,however for having the same beautiful wife,Pat (N.Y.State Film
Commish) for 35 years and for having the same beautiful partner,Michael Herz
for 35 years.

The one thing bove all that I have learned is that Batton Lash is the
greatest writer in the world and that Night Flight Comics in Salt lake city
if the greatest repository for truth and justice in the universe!!!

The most important lesson,above all is what the Bard said."To thine own self
be true.."...yea right, Kaufman

On Saturday there was an all night concert featuring bands like the Latch Key Kids and The Quitters. There was also a bloody t-shirt contest featuring 11 godess like gynos! The Swing Shift Side Show also put on a "gripping" performance hanging heavy objects from various body "parts!" Lloyd made an appearance and was quoted as saying " I haven't had this much fun since the first time I sat on Santa's lap!" A good time was had by all...

If you would be interested in putting on your own Tromapalooza you can contact Christy through her myspace page at: http://www.myspace.com/christiatric

CLICK ON PIC TO ENGORGE!

INFO:
124 S. 11th St. (between Freemont and Carson)
Downtown Las Vegas, NV 89101
http://www.bunkhouselv.com/

BANDS:
Give 'em Hell
Peccadilloes
False Cause
The Helltown Harlots
1/2 AST
The Swing Shift SideShow will be performing their amazing and gut-wrenching sideshow acts! http://www.swingshiftsideshow.com/
Don't miss the tattoo raffle, the bloody t-shirt contest, bobbing for body
parts, or hanging out with the sexy Tromettes

MORE:

http://www.myspace.com/tromapaloozalv  

http://www.tromapalooza.com/

November 26th : HEY NEW YORKERS!!! Come seeTroma filmmaker Aiden Dillard's Meat Weed America TONIGHT!!! Here are the details:

Meat Weed America
Monday November 26, at 7 PM
The Great Hall of Cooper Union
7 East 7th St. at 3rd Ave.
New York City, NY 10003

CLICK HERE to go the Meat Weed America webiste.

GREETINGS FROM TROMAVILLE!!!

Lloyd here, with another very important issue regarding of all things copyrights! Yes, that's right, you see, when the founding white male real estate owners founded our USA, they created copyright law to encourage and reward the artist/creator... but for fourteen years only. It was not the intention of Thomas, George, and Harriette Tubman that intelectual capital remain in the hands of huge conglomerates forever. Today's U.S. Presidents and lawmakers act more like white male real estate elites than the our founding fathers!!! Things have gotten a lot worse since my 2003 essay,too!

Please revisit myoriginal
essay:http://www.lloydkaufman.com/roids/2003/08/08/fcc-by-disney/

Then watch the incredibly brilliant recent film using Disney footage:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJn_jC4FNDo

After that, contact your local lawmakers and have them shorten the copyright
period. It is now virtually lasting forever. Disney should not own Mickey
Mouse forever! We the public, who have supported a particular work for 25
years deserve to have that work of art returned to the public domain, at that
point. The original creator can,or course still use it to make money, but so
can the rest of the world and so should the rest of the world. This is a very important issue!

Truly Yours,

Lloyd Kaufman
President of Troma Entertainment

124 S. 11th St. (between Freemont and Carson)
Downtown Las Vegas, NV 89101
http://www.bunkhouselv.com/

Bands:
Give 'em Hell
Peccadilloes
False Cause
The Helltown Harlots
1/2 AST

The Swing Shift SideShow will be performing their amazing and gut-wrenching sideshow acts! http://www.swingshiftsideshow.com/

Don't miss the tattoo raffle, the bloody t-shirt contest, bobbing for body
parts, or hanging out with the sexy Tromettes!

You can buy tickets for Special Needs at the links below:
Friday Dec 7 7pm - buy tix
Saturday Dec 8 7pm - buy tix
Sunday Dec 9 7pm - buy tix

Or by phone at TIX: 1-800-595-4849.

-12pm: Make Your Own Damn Movie Masterclass (separate tickets required)!

-8pm: Poultrygeist + Q&A!!!

Tickets are now on sale! Contact the Box Office for details at 01970 62 32 32. For more info check out: http://www.abertoir.co.uk/ for all the details!

Troma filmmaker Isaak James has a screening of his film Special Needs at THE PIONEER CINEMA
155 East 3rd Street, NYC coming in December! Also look for other Troma films such as Coons and Demons Among Us at the Pioneer! Check out the Pioneer website here.

You can buy tickets for Special Needs at the links below:
Friday Dec 7 7pm - buy tix
Saturday Dec 8 7pm - buy tix
Sunday Dec 9 7pm - buy tix

Or by phone at TIX: 1-800-595-4849.

James Gunn (writer/director of Slither) will be hosting along with appearences by Kevin Eastman (co-creator of TMNT) and more! Hurry, the deadline is approaching! Check out the contact info below and read our press release!

PRESS CONFERENCE INFORMATION:
Thursday, November 1st, 2007
Venice Room - Loews Hotel
2 PM

To RSVP for this Press Conference, please e-mail
internationalsales@troma.com.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

New York, NY - Tromadance Founder Lloyd Kaufman and The B Movie Celebration Programmer Bill Dever will announce the creation of a new expanded version of the Tromadance Film Festival in Franklin, Indiana, at this year's American Film Market in November. This announcement will include details on the transformation of the Tromadance Film Festival into a fully immersive film experience that now includes a larger screening schedule as well as more panel discussions and in-depth workshops covering a variety of topics pertinent to young filmmakers.

PRESS CONFERENCE INFORMATION:
Thursday, November 1st, 2007
Venice Room - Loews Hotel
2 PM

To RSVP for this Press Conference, please e-mail
internationalsales@troma.com.

ABOUT TROMADANCE:

TromaDance is the first film festival wholeheartedly devoted to filmmakers and fans. Unlike every other film festival, TromaDance does not charge filmmakers to submit their films. Entrance to all screenings is free and open to the public. Also, there are no VIP reservations or preferential treatment regarding films, panels, or parties of any kind
given. The organizers of TromaDance believe films are meant to be seen, especially when it comes to new filmmakers. Art - in all its forms - is for the people!

TromaDance features a range of films made independently, usually without big stars, big money and far removed from the Hollywood studio system. The official selections of TromaDance have been made with nothing more than passion, courage, integrity, and raw talent.

Everyone at TromaDance is treated as an equal. The elite and the celebrated are treated no better or worse than the experimental filmmaker or the random moviegoer off the street. Admittance to all screenings, panels, parties, and events is strictly on a first come,
first served basis. If there are any VIPs at TromaDance, they are the filmmakers whose blood, sweat, and hard work are on the screen.

TromaDance is an opportunity for everyone who's ever picked up a camera to have their work seen without the compromises required by elitist cartel interference. TromaDance is proud to be the first and only film festival of the people, for the people, and by the people.

ABOUT THE B MOVIE CELEBRATION

Part film festival, part educational symposium and part circus, the B Movie Celebration is an event unlike any other. Scores of classic B feature film films will be shown, including Forbidden Planet, Night of The Living Dead and Death Race 2000. Guests at this year's B Movie Celebration include Troma Studio founder Lloyd Kaufman, B Film Legend
Jim Wynorski, Special Effects Guru Tom Savini and numerous other practitioners of the B Movie art form.

Punk Rock Holocaust 2 Premieres and Backseat Film Festival Events:

Friday, October 26th- NYC- Backseat Film Festival
http://www.backseatfilmfestival.com/ Halloween and NYC Zombie Crawl!
Pioneer Theater (http://www.punkrockholocaust.com/) - 155 East 3rd
Street (between Avenues A and B)
NYC Premiere Horror Double Feature with Punk Rock Holocaust 2 at 9pm and
Stupid Teenagers Must Die at 11pm! Both screening blocks feature Award Winning
Horror shorts and music videos from the Winter 07 Backseat Film Festival in
Philly! Each screening $10, $6.50 for members, free small popcorn for
zombies!

NYC Zombie Crawl Event in conjunction with the
screening on Oct 26th, starting at 6pm at Bar 13 (35 East 13th St (@
University Place) and crawling to the Pioneer Theater at 8pm! Check out
www.nyczombiecrawl.com (http://www.nyczombiecrawl.com/) for more info! Sponsored
by Halloween Adventure (104 4th Ave @ 11th St, NYC), say you are with “NYC
Zombie Crawl” and get 10% off your purchase!

Sat – Oct 27 – Sunday, Oct 28th – Little Rock, AK – Punk Rock Holocaust Retrospective
The Full Moon Horror Con & Film Fest in Little Rock, AK is presenting a Punk
Rock Holocaust 1 and 2 Double Feature, Sat Oct 27th at 8:45PM & 10:40PM,
Sunday Oct 28th at 12:55PM & 3:00PM at the Market Street Cinema - 1521 Merrill
Drive, Little Rock, AR 72205
_http://www.fullmoonconvention.com/_ (http://www.fullmoonconvention.com/)

Sunday, October 28th – NYC Zombie Beauty Pageant
_Beauty Bar_ (http://www.beautybar.com/) - 231 East 14th St (Btwn 2nd and
3rd ave) - New York, NY
Zombie Beauty Pageant w/makeup from Doug Sakmann and _NYCZombieCrawl.com_
(http://www.nyczombiecrawl.com/)
_www.beautybar.com_ (http://www.beautybar.com/)

Sunday, Oct 28th– Backseat Film Festival in Wisconsin
Backseat Film Festival Showcase @ 2pm
It Came From Lake Michigan Film Festival - October 26-28, 2007
Tommy G. Thompson Youth Center - 640 S. 84th Street, West Allis, WI 53214
Featuring an hour of Award Winning Horror shorts and music videos from the
Winter 07 Backseat Film Festival in Philly
_http://www.itcamefromlakemichigan.com/_
(http://www.itcamefromlakemichigan.com/)

October 31st - Annapolis, MD - Backseat Halloween!
Live performances from Suicide City (featuring members of Biohazard and
Kittie) and Dingleberry Dynasty!
_Sharky’s_ (http://www.sharkysentertainment.com/) - 2072 Somerville Rd,
Annapolis, MD 21401
Live Suspensions and Human Tug-O-War
_Strip For Pain: America’s Most Dangerous Game Show_
(http://www.stripforpain.com/)
Projections from Backseatconceptions.com and more info to come soon!
_www.myspace.com/tksharkys_ (http://www.myspace.com/tksharkys)

Friday November 9th – Backseat Film Festival Baltimore
Horror Double Feature – Each screening $5, $8 for both, free popcorn for
members!
Creative Alliance at the Patterson - 3134 Eastern Ave, Baltimore MD 21224
6pm- _Blood Car_ (http://www.bloodcar.com/)
9pm - _Punk Rock Holocaust 2_ (http://www.punkrockholocaust.com/) Baltimore
Premiere
Both screening blocks feature Award Winning Horror shorts and music videos
from the Winter 07 Backseat Film Festival in Philly
_www.creativealliance.org_ (http://www.creativealliance.org)

_www.backseatconceptions.com_ (http://www.backseatconceptions.com)
_www.punkrockholocaust.com_ (http://www.punkrockholocaust.com)
_www.nyczombiecrawl.com_ (http://www.nyczombiecrawl.com)

October 17th: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE !!!

Studio 35 to hold Troma Film Festival October 21!!!

Columbus, OH - October 11, 2007 - Local independent theater, Studio 35 Cinema and Drafthouse, has scheduled a "Troma Film Festival" from noon until 6 PM on Sunday, October 21, 2007, featuring exclusive screenings of four upcoming releases from independent New York City-based production house, Troma Entertainment, Inc.

The festival will include the locally made Coons! Night of the Bandits of the Night (82 minutes,) produced and directed by Columbus-born filmmaker, Travis Irvine, in 2005.

Irvine, who is currently running for Mayor of his hometown, Bexley, will be in attendance.

The other three movies to be featured are: Pot Zombies , Yeti: A Love Story , and Special Needs , which each also run a little less than 90 minutes.  

Troma Entertainment, Inc. is known for distributing cult classics such as The Toxic Avenger and Cannibal! The Musical .   The latter was the first feature-length movie by "South Park" creators, Trey Parker and Matt Stone.   Troma also carries beginning work from current Hollywood hotshots Eli Roth ( Hostel ) and James Gunn ( Slither ).   Independent producers Lloyd Kaufman and Michael Herz founded the company over thirty years ago.

Coons! Night of the Bandits of the Night was made in Ohio for only $5000 and stars real, dead, frozen raccoons - the first movie in cinema history to do so.   The movie has played in film festivals in Florida, Ohio, Utah, Kentucky, as well as in Chicago and New York City (at Columbia University in March 2006.)

All four of the movies were featured by Troma in the Marketplace at this year's Cannes Film Festival.

The Troma Film Festival was the brainchild of Irvine and Studio 35 owner, Eric Brembeck, as well as ColumbusUnderground.com founder, Walker Evans, to offer moviegoers an alternative to big budget flops and repetitive series-flicks coming out of Hollywood recently.

Admission to the festival is $10 for the whole day.   Studio 35 is located at 3055 Indianola Ave.   The phone number is (614) 262-7502, and the website is www.studio35.com .

CONTACTS:

Eric Brembeck - Studio 35 - studio35llc@yahoo.com - (614) 226 4755

Travis Irvine - Overbites Pictures LLC - travis@overbitespictures.com - (614) 607 1776

Walker Evans - ColumbusUnderground.com - walkerevans@columbusunderground.com

We are going to be doing a NYC Zombie Crawl Event in conjunction with the screening
on Oct 26th, starting at 6pm at Bar 13 (35 East 13th St (@ University Place) and
crawling to the Pioneer Theater at 8pm! Check out www.nyczombiecrawl.com for more
info!

Friday November 9th - Baltimore
Creative Alliance at the Patterson
3134 Eastern Ave, Baltimore MD 21224
6pm- Blood Car
9pm - Punk Rock Holocaust 2 Baltimore Premiere
www.creativealliance.org

Thursday, October 25th – Philadelphia –
Trocadero – 1003 Arch St, Philly PA
Punk Rock Holocaust 2 Philly Premiere
www.thetroc.com

Friday, October 26th- NYC-
Pioneer Theater - 155 East 3rd Street (between Avenues A and B)
9pm - Punk Rock Holocaust 2 NYC Premiere
11pm - Stupid Teenagers Must Die!
www.twoboots.com/pioneer

PART 1: CLICK HERE.

PART 2: CLICK HERE.

Troma Dance New Mexico is happening November 16-18, deadline for sumitting your Tromatic masterpiece is October 13th!!! Lloyd will be in attendance!!! To find out more info and submit your film to Troma Dance NM CLICK HERE.

October 2nd: Big TromaDance news. Check out the press release below.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Tromadance Film Festival Expands into Franklin, IN

New York, NY – Tromadance Founder Lloyd Kaufman and The B -Movie CelebrationFest Programmer Bill Devers will announce the creation of a new expanded version of the Tromadance Film Festival in Franklin, Indiana, at this year’s American Film Market in November. This announcement will include details on the transformation of the Tromadance Film Festival into a fully immersive film experience that now includes a larger screening schedule as well as more panel discussions and in-depth workshops covering a variety of topics pertinent to young filmmakers.

To RSVP for this press conference, please e-mail internationalsales@troma.com.

ABOUT TROMADANCE:
TromaDance is the first film festival wholeheartedly devoted to filmmakers and fans. Unlike every other film festival, TromaDance does not charge filmmakers to submit their films. Entrance to all screenings is free and open to the public. Also, there are no VIP reservations or preferential treatment regarding films, panels, or parties of any kind given. The organizers of TromaDance believe films are meant to be seen, especially when it comes to new filmmakers. Art — in all its forms — is for the people!

TromaDance features a range of films made independently, usually without big stars, big money and far removed from the Hollywood studio system. The official selections of TromaDance have been made with nothing more than passion, courage, integrity, and raw talent.

Everyone at TromaDance is treated as an equal. The elite and the celebrated are treated no better or worse than the experimental filmmaker or the random moviegoer off the street. Admittance to all screenings, panels, parties, and events is strictly on a first come, first served basis. If there are any VIPs at TromaDance, they are the filmmakers whose blood, sweat, and hard work are on the screen.

TromaDance is an opportunity for everyone who’s ever picked up a camera to have their work seen without the compromises required by elitist cartel interference. TromaDance is proud to be the first and only film festival of the people, for the people, and by the people.

ABOUT THE B -MOVIE CELEBRATIONFEST

Part film festival, part educational symposium and part circus, the B Movie Celebration is an event unlike any other. Scores of classic B feature film films will be shown, including Forbidden Planet, Night of The Living Dead and Death Race 2000. Guests at this year’s B Movie Celebration include Troma Studio founder Lloyd Kaufman, B Film Legend Jim Wynorski, Special Effects Guru Tom Savini and numerous other practitioners of the B Movie art form.
 

CHECK OUT THE TROMADANCE HOMEPAGE.

Adam Deyoe and Eric Gosselin, the directors of the soon-to-be released Troma movie Yeti: A Love Story are premiering their brand new blood and guts opus Street Team Massacre in Austin, Texas at the Austin Film Festival. Street Team Massacre features an award worthy performance by none other than Lloyd Kaufman! It also features
appearances by Troll 2 star George Hardy, and Roddy Piper! GET OUT!

Show times are:

Thursday Oct. 11th at 11:pm at The Hideout
617 Congress Avenue
Austin, TX

and

Sunday Oct. 14th at 9:30 pm at The Landmark Dobie Theater
2025 Guadalupe st.
Austin, TX

You can check out the trailer HERE and scope out the myspace page HERE. And don't forget to check out the official page for Street Team Massacre at the Austin Film Festival HERE.

September 13th: A video shrine of Lloyd on youtube? That's right, check it out here. There is also a cool video of Lloyd introducing Poultrygeist at the Grossmann Film and Wine Fest HERE. And if that wasn't enough, check out the 2 part Q&A session that follows, check it out: PART 1 PART 2 There's even more! Check out Lloyd getting an award from the Grossmann Fest here! Lloyd loves Zuti Titi HERE. Now that's Troma-tainment!

September 12th: We're still remembering the 6th year anniversary of September 11th and we wanted to repost Lloyd's essay about 9/11. You can check it out HERE.

ATTENTION FILMMAKERS! TromaDance New Mexico now taking submissions! New Mexico's premiere indie film festival is getting closer. Filmmakers, get those submissions in NOW! The form can be found at http://www.burningparadise.net

Films can be of any length, shot on any format and cover any genre! Support indie art and New Mexico film!

Festival is Nov. 16-18th, 2007!!

Deadline for submissions is October 13th!

HURRY! ONLY A FEW POSITIONS still open for volunteerTromettes and Toxies at our upcoming events in Kansas City, Minneapolis, Tucson, and Calgary. Great opportunity to hang out with President of Troma Entertainment and creator of the Toxic Avenger Lloyd Kaufman! Contact jeremy@troma.com for more.

Holy Jugs Toxie! It's Lloyd as NYC's finest pretending not to notice the huge... amount of time it takes between takes, yeah that's it, on the set of Cracked Out Super Heroes. Pamela Paige, an intern at Troma, co-created Cracked Out Super Heroes and wrangled Lloyd for a choice part. For more on COSH click here.

CLICK TO UH... ENLARGE.

September 11th: Before we get started with the day's events, Toxie and the whole Troma Team would like to express our respect, gratitude and apprecitation to all those who lost their lives to save others six years ago on this day.

AND NOW... A GAGGLE OF UPDATES!

VOLUNTEER TO BE TOXIE AT CRYPTICON!
We have a volunteer position open for someone who would like to play Toxie at Crypticon in Minneapolis! You get passes to the event and a chance to hang out with Lloyd and the Troma team! email: conventions@troma.com to volunteer!

Well by now everyone should know about Poultrygeist showing at the Loft Cinema in Arizona on Sept. 21st! Yes, Lloyd will be there with Elske McCain (Super Tromette and actor in Poultrygeist) to treat the group of people who buys the most tickets to a DRINK! (OR TEN)! It's the "Win A Drink with Lloyd (and Elske) Contest!" For more click here.

Lloyd will also be signing Troma merch in AZ at the Border's on Oracle Road. Below is the complete address:

Borders Signing
4235 N. Oracle Rd.
Tucson, AZ 85705
PH: 520.292.5049

Crypticon, in Minneapolis MN, Sept. 14th-16th! The Troma Team and Lloyd will be there to scare the crypticon out of your panty-cons! Below are the details:

"CRYPTICON MINNEAPOLIS The Circus of Terror"
The Greatest Horror Convention in Minneapolis

Guests include:
Lloyd Kaufman (OF COURSE!) - President of Troma Enterainment, Creator of The Toxic Avenger Tony Todd - Candyman, The Crow, Night of the Living Dead 1990 Betsy Palmer - Friday the 13th Ari Lehman - Friday the 13th Hanna R. Hall - Halloween 2007 Monica Staggs - Grindhouse, Species 2 Bill Johnson - Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 Howard Sherman - Day of the Dead (Bub), Freddy's Nightmares Joe Pilato - Dawn of the Dead, Day of the Dead, WishMaster, Pulp Fiction John Dugan - The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 1974, The Return of the Texas Chainsaw Massacre 1994 Eugene Clark - Land of the Dead, Thrill Kill, Earth: Final Conflict, Tekwar, Side Effects Elise & Electra Avellan - The Crazy Babysitter Twins from Grindhouse and many more...

www.crypticonminneapolis.com (LINK TEMPORARILY NOT WORKING, CHECK BACK SOON).

Lloyd will be attending the Kansas Intl. Film Festival! Check out all the gory details including a Poultrygeist screening!

Poultrygeist, Night of the Chicken Dead - Tuesday, Sept. 18th, 5:20 p.m.
(Tickets are $10.00) Director Lloyd Kaufman will be in attendance.
Glenwood Arts Theatre
9575 Metcalf Ave
Overland Park, KS
On the east side of Metcalf South Shopping Center
913-642-4404

FROM THE KIFF WEBSITE:

The Kansas International Film Festival and the Independent Filmmakers Coalition are sponsoring a short film competition, judged by Troma Films co-founder and filmmaker Lloyd Kaufman. Filmmakers are encouraged to enter a three minute (or less) grindhouse-style faux movie trailer in a creative narrative, music video or documentary work.

In addition, the IFC will sponsor a post-screening reception for Kaufman. The reception will be held in the space adjacent to the Glenwood Arts Theatre at Metcalf South Mall. Admission to the reception is free for attendees of the 7:00 p.m. KIFF IFC Trailer Trash Film Competition, KIFF festival pass holders, and other KIFF screening attendees from that day and/or any Troma screening(s). The reception is scheduled for 9:00 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 18th.

For more info:
http://www.kansasfilm.com/festival/guests.html

TromaDance New Mexico now taking submissions!

That's right, cabrones! New Mexico's premiere indie film festival is getting
closer. Filmmakers, get those submissions in NOW! The form can be found at
http://www.burningparadise.net

Films can be of any length, shot on any formatand cover any genre! Support indie art and New Mexico film!

Festival is Nov. 16-18th, 2007!!

Deadline for submissions is October 13th!!

TROMA will be at Buffalo's First Horror Con next weekend!!!! Rotten Jack's Creep Show will be the place to be! Saturday the 15th --- doors at 6pm! Come see Poultrygeist's C.L.A.M. members and saucy Tromettes Stacy and Anna and pick up some tromariffic TROMA merch!

For more info check out: http://www.happyhauntings.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=CREEPSHOW

For more info click here! We'll be promoting "POULTRYGEIST" coming to Buffalo. When will that be?... Stop by to find out!!

SUPPORT INDEPENDENT CINEMA!!
PLEASE REPOST & SPREAD THE WORD!

Lloyd's Master Classes for Make Your Own Damn Movie are being booked fast! You can have Lloyd at your college, school or organization to teach YOU the in and outs of filmmaking! Click HERE for more!

Check out thisVariety article on Troma filmmaker Isaak James, director of Special Needs. CLICK HERE.

September 5 : Only two days away until Poultrygeist and Lloyd descend on the Nickelodeon Theatre in Portland, Maine! Loyd will be there opening night with a "killer" after-party! Check out the Nickelodeon Theatre site for more details here. You can also get more info on our site by CLICKING HERE. For a more personal and warped point of view of Poultrygeist and the world don't forget to check out Lloyd's myspace blog.