Rating: 
Summary: The Only Filmmaking Book Worth Reading!!
Review: Every filmmaking class should have one required reading title only: "Make Your Own Damn Movie!" by Troma's Lloyd Kaufman. I learned more from this book than I ever could have from all of the filmmaking books that were thrown at me in college combined. Mr. Kaufman gives an honest, straightforward, and many times gritty introduction into the world of true independent filmmaking. The book tells it like it is, giving the reader exactly what they need to do in order to get their films made...even if what they need to do is not very pleasant...(which is more fun than pleasant methods, don't you think?)Not only is Lloyd Kaufman the smartest, most original and true independent filmmaker around, he is also absolutely hilarious. Even if you are not a filmmaker, READ THIS BOOK! It's really funny and is great for anyone who enjoys movies, especially those of Troma. And then after you read "Make Your Own Damn Movie!", read "All I Needed to Know about Filmmaking I Learned from the Toxic Avenger" if you already haven't. It's also awesome!
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Summary: Make Your Own Damn Movie Is A Troma Fans Dream!
Review: Where Could I Start With Such An Excellent Book? This Book Is a Troma Fans Dream. Not Only Is This Book An Valuable Resource For Up And Coming Indie Filmakers Its an Incredible Inspiration To everybody. Lloyd is a genius and incredibly interesting with a lot to say about everything. His First book should be every troma fans must read list #1. And The second is even better. LLoyd's sense of humor is great. This book is a great blend of filmaking advice as well as some amusing stories and essays from troma team and much much more. I feel LLoyd doesn't get enough credit for the incredible work he does and I felt the need to speak out. So take it from one of his biggest fans. BUY THIS BOOK NOW! You won't be disappointed!
Rating:
Summary: Not for dreamers or wannabes
Review: This book in equal measure shows the why, how to, with what, and how to go abouts, in the world that is indie film. It's frankness is refreshing and it's honesty will either turn you away from the dream or cement your determination to create art. Don't think of it so much as a step by step guide, if you're looking for that go and get "film making for dummies", instead think of it more as a personal account of a film schlockmister who tells you that with unswerving determination, dedication, and an unfalling ability to let "no" roll off your back as well as having the conviction it takes to learn to defficate in a paper bag, that you as well can "Make Your Own Damn Movie."
Rating:
Summary: The Best Out There for Indies Everywhere
Review: OMG... this was the best... best ... best. As a struggling Indie, this book gave me the proper kick in the ass to move beyond the shorts that I've been doing and actually tackle a feature length film. Thanks Lloyd! YOU ROCK
Rating:
Summary: Reading this book will get you laid.
Review: I went and picked up the book at the store and the chick checking me out thaught i was some hoyty toity film buff and 3 hours later.. boom! got laid. thank you lloyd Kaufman, your my new hero. Sorry jesus, your now #2.
Rating:
Summary: It's All About The Art
Review: My own media career started when I got my own five minute spot on the local UPN broadcast morning news/feature show. They handed me a Hi-8 camera and told me to "Vary your shots. And don't use the zoom." Then sent me out into the world to make television. Three years, and two cameras, later FOX bought the station, and I was back on my day job, but with a 3 chip camera.
I knew I still wanted to communicate all this great stuff in my head, without being trapped by the "FOX model". I had read an other book written by a guy who made one documentary and was passing himself of as an expert on movie making and distributing on the cheap. I was unimpressed.
A coworker introduced me to TROMA and I bought (full price) Make Your Own Damn Movie. Kaufman has been doing this as a life mission. According to him, his work has been marginalized, rejected, scorned, ridiculed, ignored and sent to the back of the bus (or video store). He has for some reason kept on doing it. And he has attracted legions of fans and cult followers. Seemingly driven by some unholy need based on what, one hopes, was nothing more sinister than maybe an unhappy childhood. Or maybe he just never fit in a straight job. Reading this book makes clear that he has a passion to create art. Art without definition, without a model, without a ton of bland, sell your soul, Hollyweird money.
M.Y.O.D.M. lets you know that it can be done. Kaufman doesn't hold back. He dosn't tell us that it is easy. He goes into detail, sometime graphic, about the amount hard work it takes to realize your art. The book is filled with practical tips for everything from how to tear off an arm, or two, to how to get a location, how to enlist other people to work on your vision (without paying them) to how to distribute and get your work in front of people.
While the tons of practical advice is great, what M.Y.O.D.M. really does for me, is the inspiration. Work with what you've got, keep going, don't listen to them, MAKE ART.
Buy this book. Buy TROMA movies. Tell your video store to rent TROMA movies. And when my movie comes out, buy that too.
Thank you for reading my review.
Kjell "Adventure Team" Rode
Rating: 
Summary: You Don't Have To Be A Director To Read This Book
Review: YOUR MOTIVATION: 1) You have enrolled in film school, and you want to have your reel started before your first class, 2) You are IN film school and feel like only the brown-nosers will get their films made, 3) You graduated from film school and realize that Philosophy majors are more employable than you are, 4) You can't even name a film school, you realize these days blockbuster movies are rubbish, and you want to do something about it. If you were a potter, you would throw pots. A poet would scribe verse, a songwriter scores tunes. Movie makers make movies, and motivated movie makers read "Make Your Own Damn Movie!" If you haven't thrown a pot, written a poem, or jotted down a tune before attending college, you have no business declaring the major. The same goes with movie making, now especially that consumer equipment and Internet collaboration can allow neophyte movie makers to produce on a teenager's allowance. You won't make commercial movies on that budget, you might not even make a good movie, but you will learn something from every movie you make until you finally "get it right". Lloyd Kaufman has been getting it right for over thirty years in the independent film business; right being defined by Troma Studio culties and admirers. If the selected audience enjoys the movie, it is a good movie. It might even be a great movie. Movie critics only know what appeals to the public or the artists, not necessarily what appeals to you. So Lloyd's advice to go out there and make your own damn movie can meet no real opposition, only criticism. The real movie maker chews each morsel of criticism ten times and spits out script. Movie makers doing it as long as Lloyd have also spit out books. Film schools spit out journeymen that must still find a niche, find (or write) a script, find financing, and find an audience. Makers of their own damn movie make the time, scrounge for props, hornswoggle actors and crew for a pittance, work in primitive conditions, torture celluloid or magnetic tape, and get that movie MADE. Lloyd will tell you how if you let him. My motivation is to find or make movies that my friends will enjoy. Hollywood has become churlish, their product has become tedious. I have read this fine book, I'm making friendships with like minded people, and together we will make our movie. The audience will decide who they are and if it is any good.
Rating:
Summary: Best guide to filmmaking I've ever read.
Review: This is the most informative and funny book you will ever read about filmmaking. It gives extremly good advice, and offers fun entertaining stories about the trials and tribulations of being an independant filmmaker. It educates and never over-complicates. I love Troma, I love Lloyd, thank you for this book, it's served me well in my attempts at independant cinema.
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Summary: THE INDY FILM BOOK YOULL DIE WITHOUT!!!
Review: the yorkatron (me) a poor misunderstood action sports film maker. I have made the first and only action sports horror movie. the first thing i bought for the production was lloyds book "MAKE YOUR OWN DAMN MOVIE" i figured mr kaufman was someone who could give me the insight i needed to see my film through. i was right. kaufman takes you through every aspect of film making and what it takes to finish something worthy. walking you though aquiring financial backers to post production and marketing. The best resource you could own in the hair pulling world of film. buy it! you thank him. I did.
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Summary: Toxie loves you!!!
Review: Lloyd is God! Long live TROMA!! Toxie loves you!!!
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