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All I Need To Know About FILMMAKING I Learned From THE TOXIC AVENGER: The Shocking True Story of Troma Studios
This is the true story of the moviemaking maverick who co-founded an independent studio almost Forty years ago in a humble broom closet... who used raw hamburger, Karo syrup blood, and Bromo-Seltzer vomit to create films of questionable artistic and moral value... who battled the MPAA rating board to bring his outrageous vision to the screen... who rejected Madonna after an audition... who defied the Hollywood system and slapped the face of the industry... and who built a B-movie empire filled with Hard-Bodied Lesbians, Surf Nazis, Kabuki Cops, Nymphoid Barbarians, and a lone hero known as The Toxic Avenger.This is the story of Troma Studios. A story of guerilla filmmaking at its cheapest, of the American Dream torn limb from limb, and of topless starlets menaced by obscene rubber puppets.
352 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 1998
17 people are currently reading
748 people want to read
About the author
Lloyd Kaufman
58 books43 followersLloyd Kaufman is a popular American film director, producer, screenwriter and occasional actor. With producer Michael Herz, he is the co-founder of Troma Entertainment film studio, and the director of many of their feature films, including The Toxic Avenger and Tromeo and Juliet. Kaufman also serves as chairman of the Independent Film & Television Alliance.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
March 18, 2008
Christ, talk about a disappointment. I've been a fan of Troma's crappy catalog for years, and I looked forward to reading about how this studio became a success by creating and distributing some of the worst movies on the market. You get some good stories, but much of the book is larded up with Kaufman's lame attempts at humor. The stories of what happened behind the scenes are funny enough...we don't need "humorous" conversations between Kaufman and the editor of the book. I realize that the Troma name carries certain expectations, but there's a great story to be told about this studio, and I wish there would have been a better document of it's history. Hopefully someone who's not actually a member of the "Troma Team" will come around and write another book about it.
January 17, 2015
My old boss, Lloyd Kaufman of Troma Films, tells tales and spins yarns while sprinkling in some advice on low-budget filmmaking and bucking the system. I have to promote my own book here, B-MOVIE BLUES, a comic picaresque based on my experiences as Lloyd's secretary and script supervisor. Lloyd pisses all over script supervisor's in ALL I NEED..., but I don't take it personally.
April 5, 2022
Ak očakávate knihu, ktorou vám Kaufman vysvetlí, ako točiť úspešné filmy podobné tým, ktoré vyšli pod Tromou, tak áno, na jednej strane to dostanete. Na druhej strane je to ale z väčšiny dokonalá zbierka zážitkov z celého procesu tvorby týchto filmov, vtipných dialógov a fotiek, návodov ako doma pripraviť to či tamto, aby to vyzeralo realisticky.. A čítalo sa to naozaj skvele.
October 4, 2016
I laughed out loud multiple times reading this one. I can't say you really learn much of anything about filmmaking, but as a brief history of Troma, this book works. Plus, my copy was personally signed by Lloyd himself. Definitely recommend.
August 10, 2017
If you ignore the sexism that was bound to appear, it makes for an amusing read, shedding some light on how the hell Troma manages to stay alive and keep making movies. Terrible ones.
December 14, 2024
I love filmmaking like this.
November 23, 2017
I can see that this man has the biggest sword in him dug by the entertainment buisness, other than make the B-movie empire known as Troma, Kaufman put on the set locations and played the Hobo in Rocky, then Went with John Travolta to several places to find the right disco clubs for the film, as apposed to being the ''shit-boy'' in production(one who cleans the bathrooms on a daily basis.) and never got one inch of rememberence from it. He then with Oliver Stone, Stan-lee, and various others go out and create media they thought people would like so It built the first-full independent studio (which his office happened to be saddly enough a broom closet.) and changed the face of entertainment even though people didn't want them to!(...Laugh dammit!) any way, he is the man behind creatig New Jersey's first superhero of superhuman size and strength: The Toxic Avenger, as well as poultryguiest, Class of Nukem' high, Sgt. Kabukiman N.Y.P.D., terror firmer, Surf Nazis must die!, Rabbid Grannies, Trey parker and Matt Stone's Cannibal the musical!. (you still reading.... O. K. ) well it is the first Independent-movie studio and it lasted forever and still the studio cranks out original fantastic abominations after another spearheaded by Kaufman still to this day. This is also the Funniest Auto-biography I've ever read, he is very honest and forcefully goes through the process of even making this book who is questioned by his publisher and Penguin Putnam if it needs to be realeased this way, basically they battle with him as he writes diary like through not only all of troma, but whatever his publisher Barry is thinking, and expaining how the man is losing brain cells over Kaufman independently writing whatever he can on the pages. I shook this man's hand, he autographed my book for free ''To C. J., a god.'' then by reading his book, he pulled me to the side then with serious conversation he gave me a card stating the offer of all Troma movies on mobile, then pointed out that film-lessons are in the site as well and he reccomended that if I was interested. This happened to fast and All I could do was act formally toward the man, he thanked me as well as everybody for the ''45 year support for Troma that is still kicking.'' and I thanked him for the said oppertunity, he felt tickled by that, so yeah 5 stars..
March 3, 2018
While this definitely wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be, it was as weird. This expectation was of course buoyed by my love of "The Toxic Avenger" and understanding of the obnoxious and outrageous nature of Troma founder, Lloyd Kaufman. Still, there is a heart and earnestness to his advice and worldview that remained entertaining throughout, and it was definitely worth the read. I learned a lot about independent cinema in the nineties, though Kaufman often goes off-topic, doesn't relate well with his readers, and only wrote this book for hardcore Tromites who already know a lot about these film productions.
P.S. A word of advice to anyone who wants to take this with them to work, to read on their break: Don't. There are a lot of sexual and gory pictures in this book, and you will have to cover most of your page with your bookmark.
P.S. A word of advice to anyone who wants to take this with them to work, to read on their break: Don't. There are a lot of sexual and gory pictures in this book, and you will have to cover most of your page with your bookmark.
January 6, 2025
Phenomenal book if you're into Troma films or filmmaking in general. Should be required reading for anyone in one of those groups. The only thing keeping it from being 4 or 5 stars is there's a bunch of sections with black backgrounds that bleed into the white text and a whole lot of it is unreadable. The ebook is also that way. So, there's a large chunk of the book that I was unable to read. I really wish they'd do a new version of this and fix that.
September 27, 2022
This book is a great memoir and provides good insight into how Troma makes movies and how independent movies in general get made. It's both about Kaufman's life and about how to make movies, at about a 70%/30% split. It's funny, honest, and brutal, and Kaufman is open about just about everything.
We are fortunate to have him.
We are fortunate to have him.
August 11, 2018
It was okay. Reading it made the Troma films a lot more interesting. There are several funny parts in the book, to me anyway. The author has a pretty messed up sense of humor which helped keep me reading. A nice, easy read if you like Troma’s films.
October 25, 2022
Smart in the right ways, stupid in the right ways, and very down to earth. If you want to know anything about DIY filmmaking and using your limitations as strengths, this is the best possible place to start.
September 2, 2018
I have always loved this book. Laugh out loud funny but always informative and interesting.
December 15, 2018
“My shit was so enormous it hurt my butthole coming out. But then I was finished, and it felt good” - the only life affirming fart-joke-based-metaphor I have ever read. Thank you, Lloyd.
June 24, 2021
Funny how-to book on making low-budget independent films.
December 20, 2022
One of the most entertaining books about the film industry I've ever read, and certainly one of the best of you vibe with Troma humour. Increasingly surreal and self-knowing as it goes on. Like a book version of Charlie Kaufman's Adaptation, but with dick, fart and sex jokes.
October 30, 2013
"Troma May let you down when it comes to a lot of things, but never, ever, will we fuck you over when it comes to a crushed skull."- Lloyd Kaufman
For the first three or four chapters I was reading thinking 'well, this is about what I expected, some funny, though totally gross out stories of Kaufmans early years and some meta commentary as he talks with the 'editor' of his book (I doubt it was really him and I feel like a jackass having just typed it), But nothing really past a shallow but fun look at indie film the Troma way.
But then something interesting happened, Kaufman revealed himself bit by bit and then altogether that he is a serious minded artist, somewhere, maybe, and a decent man to his family and even sometimes his colleagues (ok May be the later is stretching it but who knows). Between stories chronicling the making of the major hits and misses of the Troma catalogue, along with dips into Cannes, Troma crusaders, and even his wife's battle with breast cancer - it all amounts to showing "hey, this is what I know about film. and life, and poop, especially poop, and vomit, but sometimes the film thing".
And despite or actually because he deceives you in to thinking not much 'real' how to make film discussions, he does get into the nitty gritty, about getting or not getting permits, location managing and scouting (what he calls the worst job in film) And stunts and dealing with actors in rehearsals and egos and nudity and explosions and holy shit did that guy die in the car crash?!!
It's what started out as a fun but unremarkable tome and turned into equal parts brilliance, subversion (complete with footnotes, LOTS of them), idiocy, bad jokes, hilarious jokes, insanity, rants into manic violence, tenderness, and admissions of guilty stupidity and massive blame to others, Kaufman is an original and still is out to break all the rules while being a cheap sob sometimes that won't give in even (94 beacuse) it could get easy. It's not the most inspirational thing ever, but Many parts are, and the ending is a blistering attack on himself, the state of Hollywood in the 90s (Lord knows what he thinks of it NOW by comparison but I'm sure he's doing better now than he was then before bigger internet and dvd) And what independent cinema is. Like Kauffman himself, it's a wonderfully schizophrenic read equal parts MAD magazine, Hunter S. Thompson, a toad, and Mel Brooks' slightly shitty but just as goofy and Borshbelt comic inspired theater cousin.
For the first three or four chapters I was reading thinking 'well, this is about what I expected, some funny, though totally gross out stories of Kaufmans early years and some meta commentary as he talks with the 'editor' of his book (I doubt it was really him and I feel like a jackass having just typed it), But nothing really past a shallow but fun look at indie film the Troma way.
But then something interesting happened, Kaufman revealed himself bit by bit and then altogether that he is a serious minded artist, somewhere, maybe, and a decent man to his family and even sometimes his colleagues (ok May be the later is stretching it but who knows). Between stories chronicling the making of the major hits and misses of the Troma catalogue, along with dips into Cannes, Troma crusaders, and even his wife's battle with breast cancer - it all amounts to showing "hey, this is what I know about film. and life, and poop, especially poop, and vomit, but sometimes the film thing".
And despite or actually because he deceives you in to thinking not much 'real' how to make film discussions, he does get into the nitty gritty, about getting or not getting permits, location managing and scouting (what he calls the worst job in film) And stunts and dealing with actors in rehearsals and egos and nudity and explosions and holy shit did that guy die in the car crash?!!
It's what started out as a fun but unremarkable tome and turned into equal parts brilliance, subversion (complete with footnotes, LOTS of them), idiocy, bad jokes, hilarious jokes, insanity, rants into manic violence, tenderness, and admissions of guilty stupidity and massive blame to others, Kaufman is an original and still is out to break all the rules while being a cheap sob sometimes that won't give in even (94 beacuse) it could get easy. It's not the most inspirational thing ever, but Many parts are, and the ending is a blistering attack on himself, the state of Hollywood in the 90s (Lord knows what he thinks of it NOW by comparison but I'm sure he's doing better now than he was then before bigger internet and dvd) And what independent cinema is. Like Kauffman himself, it's a wonderfully schizophrenic read equal parts MAD magazine, Hunter S. Thompson, a toad, and Mel Brooks' slightly shitty but just as goofy and Borshbelt comic inspired theater cousin.
February 23, 2014
“All I Need To Know” is Kaufman’s study on his own career in film spans his entire lifetime in this book that serves partially as an autobiography and partially as an industry manual about running an independent film studio in the face of money hungry industry standards and power broking. Kauffman does an excellent job in outlining the successes and achievements that he has made in his lifetime, and he should be praised for its significance, impact, and energy that he has exerted in the face of an uphill battle in Troma securing a place in the American Idiom.
I loved this book, and Kaufman’s humor and energy appear in abundance, but it seems that the book is a little all over the place, blending industry and Troma history, Kaufman’s history working, humor, personal events that do not go into many specifics, and interpersonal relationships with Hollywood and a myriad other points into a great shortlist of anecdotes - but they seemingly lack any cohesiveness. This may very well be the reason that he went on to write the “...Your Own Damn Movie” series, as those tend to have more specifics toward one particular topic.
The book is a great deal of fun, however, and there is no doubt that Kaufman is a visionary and a genius. He has certainly cemented his place in film, America, art, writing, and just about every venture he has undertaken. This book makes it clear that he wouldn’t be where he is were it not for his business partners, filming crews, actors, and most importantly his family. My only issue with this book is that it seems like it is attempting to tackle too much in one volume - as a matter of fact, I didn’t even know this was meant to be an autobiography until I was told it and read it myself - but it is certainly a must for any aspiring filmmakers that they can beat the Hollywood machine with just a little ingenuity and hard work. With his body of work and success, Kaufman has certainly proven that.
I loved this book, and Kaufman’s humor and energy appear in abundance, but it seems that the book is a little all over the place, blending industry and Troma history, Kaufman’s history working, humor, personal events that do not go into many specifics, and interpersonal relationships with Hollywood and a myriad other points into a great shortlist of anecdotes - but they seemingly lack any cohesiveness. This may very well be the reason that he went on to write the “...Your Own Damn Movie” series, as those tend to have more specifics toward one particular topic.
The book is a great deal of fun, however, and there is no doubt that Kaufman is a visionary and a genius. He has certainly cemented his place in film, America, art, writing, and just about every venture he has undertaken. This book makes it clear that he wouldn’t be where he is were it not for his business partners, filming crews, actors, and most importantly his family. My only issue with this book is that it seems like it is attempting to tackle too much in one volume - as a matter of fact, I didn’t even know this was meant to be an autobiography until I was told it and read it myself - but it is certainly a must for any aspiring filmmakers that they can beat the Hollywood machine with just a little ingenuity and hard work. With his body of work and success, Kaufman has certainly proven that.
September 17, 2023
I read this book because my son currently loves the Troma aesthetic (I also watched the Toxic Avenger first film with him). I kind of suspect, and yeah hope, that he grows out of it, but then again Kaufman seems pretty well stuck to his adolescent shtick. The book rolls with a loose humorous flow, and mock battles between Kaufman and his editor, and of course titillation and scatology for all.
Just gets old for me...I basically hear a huckster in action, although I appreciate the idea of a DIY approach, and I understand why in this age of CGI, my son and others would be drawn to "real" special effects. The book by the way is light on film-making tips. I wish I still had it so I could find the page where he's talking about his art and then quickly moves to the push for money-making.
I'm sorry but I hear a huckster way more than an auteur in this, but I tried. The name dropping of some other directors though was interesting, as was the way Kaufman wound up on the payroll for some big ticket cinematic events.
Frankly, I'd be more interested in reading his wife's autobiography. Or finding books for my son on modern techniques for non-CGI work in films, robotic/puppetry stuff might be what he ends up angling for, and actors reacting to something actually in front of them as opposed to a green screen, might pay off for a better film for all. Or will all actors just end up being CGI'd too, then even I may travel the TROMA path.
Just gets old for me...I basically hear a huckster in action, although I appreciate the idea of a DIY approach, and I understand why in this age of CGI, my son and others would be drawn to "real" special effects. The book by the way is light on film-making tips. I wish I still had it so I could find the page where he's talking about his art and then quickly moves to the push for money-making.
I'm sorry but I hear a huckster way more than an auteur in this, but I tried. The name dropping of some other directors though was interesting, as was the way Kaufman wound up on the payroll for some big ticket cinematic events.
Frankly, I'd be more interested in reading his wife's autobiography. Or finding books for my son on modern techniques for non-CGI work in films, robotic/puppetry stuff might be what he ends up angling for, and actors reacting to something actually in front of them as opposed to a green screen, might pay off for a better film for all. Or will all actors just end up being CGI'd too, then even I may travel the TROMA path.
July 23, 2016
Lloyd Kaufman chronicles the early days of Troma Studios, leading all the way up to the release of Tromeo & Juliet. The book is written very much in the style of Kaufman's humor, which comes across as oddly charming. Who would have thought such a keen comedic mind was behind so much of the trashy lowbrow comedy Troma is known for?
Well, there's a lot of that humor in this book too, but it's a bit sharper. Despite his seemingly juvenile nature, Kaufman manages impart some useful knowledge about filmmmaking and the film industry in general. If I learned anything from this book, it's that Lloyd Kaufman is not nearly as idiotic as his goofball persona may lead one to believe. Behind the bowtie and Day-Glo socks is a pretty savvy mind, who managed to keep Troma Studios alive against all odds for 25+ years. While one may argue that this is largely thanks to Kaufman's business partner, Micheal Herz (and Kaufman would probably wholly agree with this), it's also due to Kaufman's vision and ability to market a brand.
So in summary, there's a lot more to learn from this book than one would expect, and I highly recommend it to any aspiring filmmakers (along with the books If Chins Could Kill by Bruce Campbell and Rebel Without a Crew by Robert Rodriguez).
Well, there's a lot of that humor in this book too, but it's a bit sharper. Despite his seemingly juvenile nature, Kaufman manages impart some useful knowledge about filmmmaking and the film industry in general. If I learned anything from this book, it's that Lloyd Kaufman is not nearly as idiotic as his goofball persona may lead one to believe. Behind the bowtie and Day-Glo socks is a pretty savvy mind, who managed to keep Troma Studios alive against all odds for 25+ years. While one may argue that this is largely thanks to Kaufman's business partner, Micheal Herz (and Kaufman would probably wholly agree with this), it's also due to Kaufman's vision and ability to market a brand.
So in summary, there's a lot more to learn from this book than one would expect, and I highly recommend it to any aspiring filmmakers (along with the books If Chins Could Kill by Bruce Campbell and Rebel Without a Crew by Robert Rodriguez).
April 11, 2013
Lloyd Kaufman describes his movie-making theory and techniques in creating a B-movie empire using a lot of bad actors and a lone hero called the Toxic Avenger.
Troma Studios productions starred Surf Nazis, Nymphoid Barbarians, and a bunch of Chopper Chicks.
The chapter on special effects, "Is that a Crushed Watermelon You Have for a Head, or are You Just Unhappy to See Me?" discusses the special universe Troma creates its own universe out of gore and toxic magic.
At the end of this 1998 book is a list of Troma movies--I had no idea they had made so many! I have to admit I have seen a lot of them through the years. I mean, how sophisticated do you think movies like Chopper Chicks in ZombieTown or Bride of the Killer Nerd are going to be?
Long Live Troma, Indeed!
Troma Studios productions starred Surf Nazis, Nymphoid Barbarians, and a bunch of Chopper Chicks.
The chapter on special effects, "Is that a Crushed Watermelon You Have for a Head, or are You Just Unhappy to See Me?" discusses the special universe Troma creates its own universe out of gore and toxic magic.
At the end of this 1998 book is a list of Troma movies--I had no idea they had made so many! I have to admit I have seen a lot of them through the years. I mean, how sophisticated do you think movies like Chopper Chicks in ZombieTown or Bride of the Killer Nerd are going to be?
Long Live Troma, Indeed!
August 3, 2007
This is the book that started my fascination with Troma. Lloyd Kaufman is truly my hero along with the Toxie, my monster hero. This is a very well written and entertaining look into the life of an independent movie studio owner. Life is never boring in Tromaville. This is not a step-by-step guide to making movies but lesson Lloyd has learned over the years to make Troma the longest running truly independent film studio.
February 8, 2011
"The Godfather of Low-Budget", Lloyd Kaufman has successfully produced dozens of profitable movies over his over 30 year career. This is his story, told by him, of how he was able to do this. Even if you have no desire to ever be in the film industry, this book is an amazing and unique story of fulfilling one's dream, even if that dream is shot at 3 in the morning while a friend watches for police.
November 12, 2011
Mad. Written in a zany manic way it captured the way the studio is run and the voice of the independent cinema is most definitely Lloyd Kaufman. He went through a good portion of the movies he made and the trials and problems that come from making movies. I know have to go back and rewatch all the back catologue
February 6, 2008
Just like Bruce Campbell's autobiography, If Chins Could Talk, this book is essential reading for any film fan or aspiring filmmaker. Though it starts to get a bit tiresome towards the end, your supply of useless cultural trivia will shoot through the roof.
September 28, 2011
Fun stories about Troma studios/movies and some good practical advice about movie making. Easy to see there's a sharp guy hiding behind the wacko facade...easy to miss too! 4 out of possible 5 barrels of toxic waste!
June 20, 2012
This book has some laugh-out-loud sections, but Kaufman is trying way too hard to be "on" throughout this book. I also didnt need to know the minutiae of making Troma's campy films. Someone very involved in the film industry would likely enjoy this book more than me.
June 17, 2015
A hilarious irreverent autobiography that says lots about the man and his business. Veers off topic regularly and is chock full of elaborate lies, but is a very honest and straightforward at its core. My favourite autobiography by far.
January 4, 2018
As hilarious as this book is, it won't teach you how to make a movie. It gives you anecdotes on what Troma did, which is entertaining enough. My biggest problem is that a lot of the book feels like an advertisement for Tromeo and Juliet.
May 30, 2007
Loyd Kaufman is a gentleman, scholar, visionary, and all around god among men. Meeting him has been a highlight of my life and I am a better man for it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews