This is the funniest and most informative book I think I have ever read. Kaufman and his fellow Troma empoyees present valuable information on how to make your own movie while making it so funny you never get bored reading it. I couldn't put it down until I read the entire thing. Recommend this to all your friends, and if you are even remotely a troma fan, would like to make your own independent film, or are just looking for a damn funny book to read than this book should definately find it's way into your collection.

Lloyd Kauffman Does it again with his brand new filmaking book Make Your Own Damn Movie. Its a very valuable resource to the up and coming independent movie maker as well as a very funny and very entertaining book to those not interested in making a film. This book delivers with step by step instructions from Lloyds own career from a 30 year span of producing incredible films from little to no budget. I feel Lloyd is an inspiration to me personally and people can come away with that feeling from this book. He is a genius with a lot to say about movies as well as his biting social commentary. Any True Troma fan should be embarassed if they have not picked this up yet. So What are you waiting for? Buy The Damn Book and Make Your Own Damn Movie!

have only read about half of it thus far and the info is right on target. man knows what he's talking about, been at it for thirty years, i guess. my only objection is all the feeble stabs at bathroom humor (although some of the stuff, when Kaufman is not trying to be funny, is on the floor hilarious, because he speaks the truth: filmmaking is a crazy process). The other thing that bugged me, and it's fairly minor, some of the chapters are in white lettering on black background, etc. and makes it hard to read--but not the entire book is this way so don't worry. get the book for the information to be GLEANED and you can make any type of low-budget film you wish.

bottom line: terrific book by Lloyd Kaufman and his cohorts, even though the guy makes schlock. worth the money for the information. FUN AND ENTERTAINING. CHEAPER THAN FILM SCHOOL.

I have to confess that I'm not a huge Troma fan. In fact the first Troma film I saw the whole way though in one sitting was Tromeo and Juliet, the same night I met Lloyd (who is gem in real life, though I can see him being a terror on the set). All that being said, I loved the book. Lloyd and James Gunn (and Barry in the footnotes ;-P) have crafted a great work that drifts in and out of fantasy and reality with green toxic goo spewing forth.

You don't need to be a fan to enjoy this. The book is approached with the same love that is crafted into every Troma film (I have since caught up on the films I was missing). The writers care about what's contained on the pages, but treat it with loving irreverence. The insights into the industry are dead on (especially the Ratings Board). And the tips for sex with small rodents were eye opening (ok... the last part is not in the book, but if you found that funny this book is definitely for you).

There is a lot to be learned from Lloyd's ramblings. Whether your a filmmaker, a fan or someone who enjoys a good(bad) b-movie every now and then, give it a try!

Despite its advertising, this is not really a "how to make independent film" book, rather it gives a behind-the-scenes look at one of the most successful independent film companies around today. The opening chapter entails a day in the life at the Troma. The details of the calamity seem to be very exagerated, but I subseqeuntly discovered (from valid sources) that that's how it really is there. Mr. Kaufman (co-founder of Troma along with Michael Herz) is a fine story teller. He talks about how Troma started, first aquiring low budget films, then venturing out to make their own. He explains the necessity of always keeping your film crews fed (witness his account on his filming of Troma's War), the execution of those crazy and dangerous stunts, and those beautiful, big breasted women, or Tromettes, for those in th know. Mr. Kaufman comes across as a nice guy who's driven to make movies no matter what, even it that means losing your mind and temper along the way. Many of the movies they release (of the horror, sex comedy, action adventure variety) are admittedly not very good, but there are some that have wit and heart such as THE TOXIC AVENGER and TROMEO & JULIET that shows that TROMA is a force to be reckoned with. It's a very fast read. My only complaint is that there were not enough stories, but the ones presented were pure, unadulterated, Troma. Big boobies and all.

Lloyd Kaufman is to the aspiring film maker,a god of direct to video cinema. Having been part of the legendary movie studio Troma, that has given us such unforgettable fare as Toxic Avenger and the Class of Nuke 'Em High, and their respective sequels. But to simply mention those titles among the plethora of others, would make it seem that Troma is a small company, which while the budgets may be small, the company itself is much much larger. For someone such as myself wishing to learn about independent film making, to get this first hand view of what Lloyd Kaufman went through is invaluable. I myself have fashioned my beginning career as a screenwriter by trying as best I can to model myself after the man. But here it is, an entire book that lays it out to you. A no holds barred, full account of how he made it in Troma. And best of all, Lloyd has gone about presenting this subject matter in a matter unlike other books on film making. In other words, this is not a bland and generic book, without strong author's voice, not another boring manual like book, this is a book that tells it like it is. For anyone that wishes to work in the movie industry I cannot recommend this book enough to you. And for anyone that wishes to just have a good read, this is the book for you too.