His name is Lloyd Kaufman. For fans of cult cinema and indie filmmaking, the name rings like a doorbell to some of the unusual most twisted films ever conceived by the human mind. To us, the man has been a proponent of what we advocate here on Cinema Crazed: Independent Filmmaking to the very core. Sick and tired of the bloated and corrupt submission guidelines and festival scene that is the Sundance Film Festival, every year for twelve years, Lloyd Kaufman and Tromaniacs throw the the TromaDance film festival.
There’s no entry fee. There’s no ticket price. The only catch is to bring your best film and be ready for some fun. This year we were honored to grab an opportunity to interview Mr. Lloyd Kaufman during his press junket for Tromadance storms New Jersey, and we’re honored to speak to the man who has pushed the very ideals of independent filmmaking for decades and, unlike other filmmakers of his ilk, has actually stuck to his guns even his age where he’s become a bona fide icon among the masses of cult fans, indie filmmaking fans, and horror buffs across the world.
FV: Thanks for agreeing to the interview during your busy schedule Mr. Kaufman.
LK: My Pleasure!
FV: You were cited as one of the first to embrace the DVD format, how has the switch to Blu-Ray been for Troma?
LK: There has been much yelling and gnashing of teeth, but we at Troma know the importance of embracing new mediums, even while sales for physical copies of movies are plummeting. We also discovered an ingenious system for making Blu-Rays by melting down old Laserdiscs. Troma also has become much praised for this “Brown Ray” medium. See Tromeo and Juliet and Class of Nuke ‘Em High- they are award winners!
FV: What films are you most looking forward to for Tromadance this year?
LK: We have not announced yet. Please see TromaDance’s Website for more information, though! Legendary animator Bill Plympton will be a special guest. I am looking forward to that.
FV: Out of all of the annual Tromadance festivals, which one has been your favorite?
LK: The one that didn’t end up with me being thrown into a local Sundance, er, Park City police station’s drunk-tank.
FV: With the economy as it is these days, do you find it’s becoming harder and harder to make movies?
LK: Even during a great economy independent filmmaking is a constant struggle. But necessity is the mother of invention, and like some sort of mutant cockroach, we continue to soldier on. Thanks to our good friend the digital age, you can make more for no money now, but hiring off your art- that’s the problem.
FV: With economic times as they are does it becomes tougher and tougher to throw the Tromadance festival every year?
LK: No, last year Tromadance expanded from Park City Utah to Asbury Park New Jersey. This simultaneously cut costs, and brought us to a more welcome environment, since Toxie hails from Tromaville, NJ.
FV: Tromadance is consider the antithesis to Sundance, are you a fan of Slamdance?
LK: Slamdance is not free like Tromadance, but its pretty sweet. However, every time some new free-spirited film festival emerges, it seems like the Hollywood elite find new ways to warp it so they can make a buck rather than celebrate art and independent film making. Slamdance has suffered from this but has resisted.
FV: How welcoming is New Jersey to the antics of Troma and Tromadance?
LK: Much like the band Journey, New Jersey has graciously welcomed us with open arms. We are being attacked by far fewer villagers with pitchforks and torches than we were in Sundance controlled Park City.
FV: With the upcoming remakes and reboots of flagship Troma films, do you think Troma will garner more attention from mainstream fans?
LK: You must be referring to mega-million dollar re-makes of Toxie, Mother’s Day, and Class of Nuke ‘Em High! We don’t see it so much as getting the attention from the mainstream, it’ll be more like infecting the mainstream with our mind-altering cinematic substances!
FV: What are usually the guidelines for entering a film in Tromadance?
LK: If you can pick up a camera and make movie, you can be accepted into Tromadance. Tromadance does not discriminate or give VIP treatment to anyone, we select all types of films, from family films to Manson Family films.
FV: With your experience in the business, is it easy to tell the difference between two kids screwing around with a camera and someone trying to make an honest to goodness movie?
LK: Those who read boons and have some education and travel experience usually make the superior films. It also helps to watch a shitload of classic films. Film history did NOT begin with Star Wars, by the way!
FV: With no entry fees allowed do you experience a glut in film submissions every year, or is the flow of submissions fairly steady?
LK: The flow varies just like my menstrual period. Every year we receive an enormous number of films from all over the world with the amount rising each year.
FV: Have you ever seen a film submitted for Tromadance that was watched and made you think “Now this is ridiculous!”?
LK: One time my doctor sent footage of my own colonoscopy as an entry.
FV: Are you interested in pursuing another graphic novel, ala The Toxic Avenger And Other Tromatic Tales?
LK: Right now we’re working on a Poultrygeist comic by long time Troma contributors Bryan Meyers and writer Shane Swenson.
FV: Finally, what advice do you have for aspiring filmmakers out there reading this interview who want to make a movie but are too hesitant to?
LK: Do what you believe in. Read my books “Make Your Own Damn Movie,” “Direct Your Own Damn Movie,” and “Produce Your Own Damn Movie.” They will motivate and inspire you. And remember: To thine own self be true.