Review by Michael Varrati
To fully appreciate the scope of author Lloyd Kaufman’s approach to his latest addition to his film school series of books, Produce Your Own Damn Movie, it is best to take a moment to consider Lloyd Kaufman, the man.
For fans of horror and exploitation cinema, Kaufman’s name is one
that you should inarguably and without question know. As the
recognizable head and co-founder of Troma Pictures, Kaufman has long
been a champion of independent film and budding filmmakers. Behind the
camera he has directed and written such cult classics as the
internationally recognized
Toxic Avenger series of films,
Terror Firmer, and the recent zombie chicken cluckstravaganza,
Poultrygeist: Night of the Chicken Dead (
review).
Through his work with Troma, he has been on the ground-floor of the
launching of some of the most notable names in Hollywood, including
Kevin Costner, Marisa Tomei, and the creators of
South Park,
Trey Parker & Matt Stone. Simply put, through his commitment to
no-holds barred art and his sweat-inducing dedication to his craft,
Kaufman should be, and often is, considered an influential elder
statesman in genre filmmaking, and serves as someone to who a new
generation of filmmakers can look as they make their way in the savage
world of movies.