ADVENTURES IN THE B MOVIE TRADE

by Brian Trenchard-Smith

Follow the daredevil adventures of Anglo Australian film maker - and Ozploitation pioneer - Brian Trenchard-Smith through a 50 year career dedicated to giving his audience thrills, spills, laughs and gasps. "The Man From Hong Kong", "Turkey Shoot," " Dead End Drive In", "Siege Of Firebase Gloria", " Stunt Rock ", "Leprechaun 3 & 4," and Nicole Kidman's first film "BMX Bandits" have earned his work a cult following. His TV output includes "Silk Stalkings"," Five Mile Creek", "Tarzan", "Flipper", "Chemistry". The Fantaspoa Fantastic Film Festival in Brazil honored him with a Lifetime Achievement Award . Quentin Tarantino dubbed him his " favorite obscure director....great energy, great sense of humor ." Brian Trenchard-Smith's wry, insightful tales of the creative challenges of low budget movie making all over the world is both a personal journey and a portrait of his era.

Paperback

Published September 26, 2020

Reviews

[Ron Pettersson · Rating 5 out of 5]

At 580 pages, Brian Trenchard-Smith's mammoth work is a fascinating biography looking at 50 years working in B Cinema from cutting Trailors for Hammer, filming and editing Anti-Vietnam protests in Sydney in the late 60's. Suffering the wrath of Lindsay Anderson (for the Trailor of "If.."). Carving a place in the 70's "Ozpliotation" Cinema - from Adult Pseudo Comedy/documentary "The Love Epidemic" to Golden Harvest Co-Production of the Oz Action classic "The Man From Hong Kong". Collaborating with legendary "Mad Max" stuntman Grant Page on TV docos and feature films, to the calamity of making Turkey Shoot on a incredible shrinking budget. This and a lot more for those curious about Australian Film Industry in the 70's and 80's. There is tales of directing American straight to video horror in the 90's, and the struggles of putting together ultra low budget Cable TV films in the 2000's and beyond.
Brian Trenchard Smith shares his family background, incredible stories of his Parents War time experiences, his film education starting with his film education in Britian, to working in film projection to DYI filmmaking in High School to door knocking at Hammer Studios when starting out in the world of movie making. A life in filmmaking that spand many countries, a world of celebrities, encounters with film legends (great stories featuring Bruce Lee, Jimmy Wang Yu, and "Stone" Director and Actor Sandy Harbutt), working with Australian Media Moguls, giving Nicole Kidman her first major film role. Plus the book provides a lesson for would-be filmmakers on what makes a movie work, the demands of tight filmming schedules, and the importance of good actor relations on the set.
An ideal book for the lovers of Ozpliotation, or learning the art of low budget movie making, and why we love B Grade Movies.
Highly Recommended.

[Naomi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an incredible window into the roller-coaster industry of film and TV, whether you are an aspiring filmmaker, an old industry hand, a curious film lover, a die hard fan or just looking for a good read, I guarantee there is something in this book for everyone!

Brian Trenchard-Smith is a true film industry legend in every sense of the word, a very gracious teacher and all round gentleman with a legacy and career that spans the test of time. Anyone wanting to understand the magic of film making need look no further than through the iconic eyes of this amazingly talented, insightful, hard working, filmic artist.

This is a great holiday gift to yourself or for anyone wanting to curl up with a good book and a thrilling distraction from the everyday. Packed with comedy, action, personal anecdotes and just a touch of poignant drama that promises not to disappoint! You definitely get your moneys worth in laughs and re-reads with this brilliant book!

[Aaron · Rating 5 out of 5]

A non-stop, supremely candid account of Trenchard-Smith's incredible output of B-movie productions, complete with his travels from the U.K. trailer-cutting that got him first employed (and recognized) through to his directing Australian epics like "Turkey Shoot". The decade of the 90s brings even more insane adventures: kid's flicks, Gay TV network projects, Lifetime movies, "Leprachauns" 3 and 4, plus mind-boggling adventures into religious films and the kind of straight-to-video work that Trenchard-Smith describes--hilariously--as both challenging and what separates the men from the boys. Namely, extremely low budgets, arrogant actors and horrendous schedules, accompanied by the kind of seat-of-your-pants imaginative troubleshooting that Orson Welles, himself, considered real film-making. And he still made his movies on budget and on time. A hard to put down spectacle in itself, this book delivers.

[Jon Hewitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous read, particularly the early years! BTS is a very rare breed (outside of a studio system) - a feature film director with a very long career and heaps of credits, including all the sploitations from oz to god! Revealing and funny. Highly recommended.

[Steve Latshaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brian Trenchard-Smith’s ADVENTURES IN THE B MOVIE TRADE is, hands down, the best autobiography of a film director I have ever read. It’s big (580 pages), rich with information, photos, and stories (both amazing and apocalyptic) all weaved together with the author’s own wry sense of humor. it’s a breezy read like a really good novel yet filled with such detailed description of time, place and people that you feel as if you’re right there with Brian on the set. This tome is actually three books in one: 1. The compelling saga of a gifted and prolific filmmaker who broke into the business on his own terms, stayed in the business taking risks not for the faint of heart and created some of the most memorable films of the last 4 decades (Don’t believe me? Ask Quentin Tarantino). 2. A unique look into the Ozploitation era of Australian film from the perspective of someone who was right there in the thick of it. 3. A How To Primer for aspiring filmmakers – how to break in, how to stay in, how to sell, how to build a career, how to cast, and how to handle producers, actors, crew , the script and the camera. How to make it work when faced with a short shooting schedule and a shorter budget. How to recover from and build on mistakes, And most importantly, how to have fun doing it. Finally, it’s a book from a director who loves film. He shares the great films and filmmakers that influenced his own body of work. If you’re familiar with his resume… great films like DEAD END DRIVE-IN and THE SIEGE OF FIREBASE GLORIA, this book will allow you to revisit his work with fresh new perspective. If not, you’ll run for the nearest streaming platform or BluRay supplier to load up. And when you do, hang on… you’re in for the ride of your life.

[Kristian Smock · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOOOOW!! What a great book, man!!! 😎👌💕 Brian Trenchard-Smith has put together such a fantastic memoir chronicling his incredible career in show business. He delivers the goods and so much more, which will surely satisfy his fans. The behind-the-scenes aspect of his productions is truly fascinating, but the book also goes far beyond his own filmography. Trenchard-Smith educates readers on the history of the Australian film industry, which he was a key player. He beautifully articulates the intricacies that make for good editing from his many years of cutting trailers for major Hollywood films. He also provides valuable insight into show business and what it takes to be a successful independent publisher and filmmaker. And Trenchard-Smith accomplishes all of this by always being fun, down-to-earth and entertaining. It's never a boring or pretentious read. Much like the best of his films, it's tight, fast-paced and a helluva a good time. The design and layout of the book is also top notch with lots of great art and pics to compliment the brilliant, witty narrative. Fans and film enthusiasts alike will be absolutely delighted by this book. I really can't recommend it enough. Enjoy!!

[Brian Trenchard-Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

When reviewing my own book, all I will say is that ADVENTURES IN THE B MOVIE TRADE will make an ideal Holiday Season gift for young people who aspire to a career in movies and television. Similarly older book lovers with a taste for autobiographies, and cinema history will get hours of fun. You'll certainly get a few laughs.