All I Need To Know About Filmmaking I Learned From Toxic Avenger - LLyod Kaufman & James Gunn

"All I Need to Know About Filmmaking I Learned from The Toxic Avenger" is a book co-written by Lloyd Kaufman, the co-founder of Troma Entertainment, and James Gunn, who later became a well-known filmmaker responsible for directing movies like "Guardians of the Galaxy." Published in 1998, the book offers a humorous and informative look at the independent film industry, drawing insights from their experiences working on the cult classic film "The Toxic Avenger."

This is the true story of the moviemaking maverick who co-founded an independent studio almost Forty years ago in a humble broom closet... who used raw hamburger, Karo syrup blood, and Bromo-Seltzer vomit to create films of questionable artistic and moral value... who battled the MPAA rating board to bring his outrageous vision to the screen... who rejected Madonna after an audition... who defied the Hollywood system and slapped the face of the industry... and who built a B-movie empire filled with Hard-Bodied Lesbians, Surf Nazis, Kabuki Cops, Nymphoid Barbarians, and a lone hero known as The Toxic Avenger. This is the story of Troma Studios. A story of guerilla filmmaking at its cheapest, of the American Dream torn limb from limb, and of topless starlets menaced by obscene rubber puppets.

In the book, Kaufman and Gunn share practical advice, anecdotes, and tips for aspiring filmmakers, covering various aspects of filmmaking, from pre-production and financing to production and distribution. The authors use their experiences with "The Toxic Avenger" and other Troma films to illustrate key lessons and provide a behind-the-scenes look at the challenges and triumphs of independent filmmaking.

While the book is lighthearted and often humorous, it contains valuable nuggets of wisdom for filmmakers looking to navigate the complexities of the movie business. "All I Need to Know About Filmmaking I Learned from The Toxic Avenger" has become a cult favorite among aspiring filmmakers and fans of Troma films, offering both practical advice and entertainment for those interested in the world of independent cinema.