Lloyd Kaufman has been a major innovator in the indie film industry since the ’70s, and now his company, Troma Entertainment, is entering the world of online streaming with their new service Troma Now.
The notoriously irreverent filmmaker took to Reddit yesterday to discuss his biggest Hollywood fans, his most famous films and even the state of current reality television (and how he would improve upon it.) Check out some of Kaufman’s most entertaining answers below.
What do you think of the current state of “midnight movies”? Would you like to see them make a comeback?
I think they are making a comeback. Not so much at theaters but at places like Tromadance/other festivals, college film societies, and lots of bars. I specialize in showing movies at bars because I am an alcoholic.
Could you create a Troma today, with Netflix/YouTube etc? Would it be easier?
That is a great question, no. Today is harder, Netflix does nothing today to support independent cinema. The marketplace is controlled by a very small number of media conglomerates. The good news is that you do not need a lot of money to create something amazing, check out Troma’s “Father’s Day,” which was made with under a 25k budget. This is due to young filmmakers having a solid grasp of this new digital age, which I myself need to work on still. The “Return To Nuke’Em High” budget is 400k per volume, for example.
Will Troma Now get an Android TV/Apple TV apps in the future? What do you think about the dwindling relevance of physical media?
Go ahead and watch “VHS Massacre” on Troma Now (working on the apps!). I am a believer in new technology in the same way I would not use a buggy whip to get around town, I would use a car. I believe digital looks better than 35mm which is why I shot the volumes of “Return To Nuke’Em High” digitally, not in film.
Read More: Frightpix Launches ‘Lloyd Kaufman Presents’ Streaming Collection
I want to say how sorry I was to hear about Joe Fleishaker’s death. Did he have a role in “Return to Nuke ‘Em High Volume 2”? Looking forward to checking out Troma Now!
Spoiler Alert: You will see Joe Fleishaker and the late Lemmy Killmister in “Return To Nuke’Em High, Volume 2.” We will be dedicating Vol. 2 to the memory of these two wonderful Troma friends.
What are a few of your favorite scenes or elements in Troma films?
Penises! Farts! Explosive Diarrhea! Lesbians! Fighting against the conspiracy of elites! And of course, certain Hideously Deformed Creatures of Super Human Size & Strength!
Hey Lloyd, big fan! I’ve seen quite a few of your movies but “Poultrygeist” may be my absolute favourite – do you have any memorable experiences from working on that one?
The entire experience was a nightmare of the most horrible kind. If you’d like to see it, go to Troma Movies on YouTube and watch the feature length behind the scenes documentary “Poultry in Motion: The Truth is Stranger than Chicken”. You will see fist fights, people getting on bended knee asking for hands in marriage, as well as Uncle Lloyd being an asshole!
Read More: ‘Dolphinman Battles The Sex Lobsters’ Trailer: Kabukiman Terrorizes Tromaville
Hi Lloyd! What have been some directors or specific movies that inspired how you make your own?
Chaplin, Keaton, Stan Brakhage, Jean Renoir, Fritz Lang, Samuel Fuller, Roger Corman, comic books by Stan Lee (who is a good friend and with whom I wrote a screenplay in the early 70s). Today I am inspired by directors who were inspired by me: Trey Parker, Quentin Tarantino (who inspired me to make “Return to Nuke ‘Em High” a two-part event film), and Takashe Miike. Most recently, John Brennan’s “Kabukiman’s Cocktail Corner” changed my whole worldview.
What do you think of reality TV? Its more or less today’s cheap, popular exploitation media?
I believe that reality TV could be terrific, but unfortunately it aims at the lowest common denominator. They all seem to be scripted and want to appeal to Kim Kardashian. We are developing a reality show starring Kim Kardashian and Kim Jong Un. It’s called “I Love Myself, I Love My Ass.”
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Related stories'Veep's' Tony Hale Says Show's Producers Give Actors Freedom to 'Play With the Material' During Reddit Ama'Dolphinman Battles The Sex Lobsters' Trailer: Kabukiman Terrorizes TromavilleJeremy Saulnier Ama: 'Green Room' Director Dissects Power of Realistic Violence & Seven More Reveals...
The notoriously irreverent filmmaker took to Reddit yesterday to discuss his biggest Hollywood fans, his most famous films and even the state of current reality television (and how he would improve upon it.) Check out some of Kaufman’s most entertaining answers below.
What do you think of the current state of “midnight movies”? Would you like to see them make a comeback?
I think they are making a comeback. Not so much at theaters but at places like Tromadance/other festivals, college film societies, and lots of bars. I specialize in showing movies at bars because I am an alcoholic.
Could you create a Troma today, with Netflix/YouTube etc? Would it be easier?
That is a great question, no. Today is harder, Netflix does nothing today to support independent cinema. The marketplace is controlled by a very small number of media conglomerates. The good news is that you do not need a lot of money to create something amazing, check out Troma’s “Father’s Day,” which was made with under a 25k budget. This is due to young filmmakers having a solid grasp of this new digital age, which I myself need to work on still. The “Return To Nuke’Em High” budget is 400k per volume, for example.
Will Troma Now get an Android TV/Apple TV apps in the future? What do you think about the dwindling relevance of physical media?
Go ahead and watch “VHS Massacre” on Troma Now (working on the apps!). I am a believer in new technology in the same way I would not use a buggy whip to get around town, I would use a car. I believe digital looks better than 35mm which is why I shot the volumes of “Return To Nuke’Em High” digitally, not in film.
Read More: Frightpix Launches ‘Lloyd Kaufman Presents’ Streaming Collection
I want to say how sorry I was to hear about Joe Fleishaker’s death. Did he have a role in “Return to Nuke ‘Em High Volume 2”? Looking forward to checking out Troma Now!
Spoiler Alert: You will see Joe Fleishaker and the late Lemmy Killmister in “Return To Nuke’Em High, Volume 2.” We will be dedicating Vol. 2 to the memory of these two wonderful Troma friends.
What are a few of your favorite scenes or elements in Troma films?
Penises! Farts! Explosive Diarrhea! Lesbians! Fighting against the conspiracy of elites! And of course, certain Hideously Deformed Creatures of Super Human Size & Strength!
Hey Lloyd, big fan! I’ve seen quite a few of your movies but “Poultrygeist” may be my absolute favourite – do you have any memorable experiences from working on that one?
The entire experience was a nightmare of the most horrible kind. If you’d like to see it, go to Troma Movies on YouTube and watch the feature length behind the scenes documentary “Poultry in Motion: The Truth is Stranger than Chicken”. You will see fist fights, people getting on bended knee asking for hands in marriage, as well as Uncle Lloyd being an asshole!
Read More: ‘Dolphinman Battles The Sex Lobsters’ Trailer: Kabukiman Terrorizes Tromaville
Hi Lloyd! What have been some directors or specific movies that inspired how you make your own?
Chaplin, Keaton, Stan Brakhage, Jean Renoir, Fritz Lang, Samuel Fuller, Roger Corman, comic books by Stan Lee (who is a good friend and with whom I wrote a screenplay in the early 70s). Today I am inspired by directors who were inspired by me: Trey Parker, Quentin Tarantino (who inspired me to make “Return to Nuke ‘Em High” a two-part event film), and Takashe Miike. Most recently, John Brennan’s “Kabukiman’s Cocktail Corner” changed my whole worldview.
What do you think of reality TV? Its more or less today’s cheap, popular exploitation media?
I believe that reality TV could be terrific, but unfortunately it aims at the lowest common denominator. They all seem to be scripted and want to appeal to Kim Kardashian. We are developing a reality show starring Kim Kardashian and Kim Jong Un. It’s called “I Love Myself, I Love My Ass.”
Stay on top of the latest breaking film and TV news! Sign up for our Festivals newsletter here.
Related stories'Veep's' Tony Hale Says Show's Producers Give Actors Freedom to 'Play With the Material' During Reddit Ama'Dolphinman Battles The Sex Lobsters' Trailer: Kabukiman Terrorizes TromavilleJeremy Saulnier Ama: 'Green Room' Director Dissects Power of Realistic Violence & Seven More Reveals...
- 6/16/2016
- by Kate Halliwell
- Indiewire
Troma's Return to Nuke 'Em High: Vol. 1 is enjoying tremendous success, and the legendary Mr. Troma himself, Lloyd Kaufman, sat down with Dread Central along with stars Asta Paredes, Katie Corcoran and Clay von Carlowitz to discuss the making of the film.
It must be noted that interviewing Mr. Kaufman and the cast members of Return to Nuke 'Em High: Vol. 1 all together on Skype is almost like participating in a sitcom as you watch it unfold in front of you.
Beginning with a virtual tour of the Troma offices (complete with video proof that Michael Herz does exist, or was that Joe Fleishaker?) that consisted of Kaufman carrying his laptop around and pointing it at whatever he wanted to show, it was clear early on that this was not going to be a typical interview. The group was candid and loved chiming in on each other's answers. We'll try...
It must be noted that interviewing Mr. Kaufman and the cast members of Return to Nuke 'Em High: Vol. 1 all together on Skype is almost like participating in a sitcom as you watch it unfold in front of you.
Beginning with a virtual tour of the Troma offices (complete with video proof that Michael Herz does exist, or was that Joe Fleishaker?) that consisted of Kaufman carrying his laptop around and pointing it at whatever he wanted to show, it was clear early on that this was not going to be a typical interview. The group was candid and loved chiming in on each other's answers. We'll try...
- 1/22/2014
- by Scott Hallam
- DreadCentral.com
Troma fans, it’s time to rejoice. To reward their loyal fans over the past forty years, Troma Entertainment is releasing Poultrygeist: Night Of The Chicken Dead, online and free for download on their Youtube Channel. The film is getting raves from EW, Nyt, and more, and definitely deserves a viewing (possibly after a few cocktails). It’s definitely changed my Friday night plans.
Here’s the press release for more info on the film, Troma, and more!
September 18, 2012, New York, NY - Greetings from Tromaville! Troma Entertainment is proud to announce that Poultrygeist: Night of the Chicken Dead, is now available for free online and is creating buzz! In a recent article, Buzzfeed raved about the film, calling it “some of the strangest body-horror this side of David Cronenberg”. To thank their fans for almost 40 successful years, Troma has made Poultrygeist, along with its behind-the-scenes documentary Poultry in Motion,...
Here’s the press release for more info on the film, Troma, and more!
September 18, 2012, New York, NY - Greetings from Tromaville! Troma Entertainment is proud to announce that Poultrygeist: Night of the Chicken Dead, is now available for free online and is creating buzz! In a recent article, Buzzfeed raved about the film, calling it “some of the strangest body-horror this side of David Cronenberg”. To thank their fans for almost 40 successful years, Troma has made Poultrygeist, along with its behind-the-scenes documentary Poultry in Motion,...
- 9/21/2012
- by Andy Greene
- FamousMonsters of Filmland
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