Who
is Troma?
Troma Entertainment is the oldest continually operating fully independent
movie studio in the world. Since 1974, Troma has produced, acquired
and distributed more than one thousand feature films from all regions
of the globe and in all genres. Best known for the Toxic Avenger,
Troma has helped bring to the world the best and brightest talents
in entertainment, ranging from master Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki
(Troma's 1993 release of his My Neighbor Totoro was the first
Miyazaki movie to be given a wide American theatrical release) to
American humorists Matt Stone and Trey Parker (Troma's 1996 release
of their Cannibal! The Musical would shine the spotlight
of their incredible humor almost two years before their deserved success
with "South Park"). Troma-produced films have also been
the starting ground for such actors as Academy Award® winners Kevin
Costner (Sizzle Beach USA), David
Straithairn (When Nature Calls) and Marisa Tomei (The Toxic
Avenger), as well as Chris Noth (Waitress!), Samuel
L. Jackson (Def by Temptation), Gates McFadden, Fergie from THE BLACK EYED PEAS (Monster in the Closet), and Vincent D'Onofrio (The
First Turn-On), and MORE!
Troma's World Headquarters is at 36-40 11th Street, Long Island City, NY 11106.
Can I Get a Tour of the Troma Building?
As we are a working operation, we ask those who wish to visit the
Troma Building to schedule a tour in advance with our tour
guide, who will gladly take you through the sounds, the smells
and the history that is Troma Entertainment. Tours usually last
about ten to fifteen minutes, and are available Mondays through
Fridays between 12PM and 6PM.
Working for
Troma
Q: What jobs are available at Troma and how do I get one?
A: We post job openings at our Jobs in Tromaville
Page. Should you find a position you feel is suitable for
your talents, you should send a cover letter and your resume to:
Troma Entertainment
36-40 11th Street
LIC, NY 11106
or FAX at: (718) 391-0255
Unpaid internships are almost always available at Troma. Contact our intern
department and view our Internships Page to answer more of your questions if you are interested in being an intern.
Q: How old do I have to be in order to work for Troma?
A: Unfortunately, due to the repressive Puritanical society
in which we live, you must be 18 years old to work for us. Please
keep us in mind and contact us when you are old enough to be drafted
into an immoral war, vote the bastards who oppress us out of office,
and legally enjoy Troma.
Q: "How can I be in a Troma movie?"
A: Troma is currently casting for their upcoming production Poultrygeist! You can visit the Poultrygeist! website for more information.
Troma also constantly shoots introductions and other materials for
their DVD's. If you are an actor or actresses in the New York City
area, you can always send your cover letter, resume, head and body
shots to:
Troma Entertainment
Attn: Casting Department
36-40 11th Street
LIC, NY 11106
Q: "Does Troma hire interns?"
A: Yes, we do. We frequently hire interns who work on an unpaid
position. Many schools will give credit for such internships. You
must first check with your school to see if such an arraignment is
available to you. If so please send your resume to the address above.
Q: "I have a band and we would like to know if Troma could
use our music for a movie?"
A: If you have original music that you would like
to submit to Troma send a cassette or CD to:
Troma Entertainment
Attn: Soundtrack Music
36-40 11th Street
LIC, NY 11106
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Theatrical
Release Dates for Our Movies
Q: "When and where can I see Troma movies in a theater?"
A: Troma movies are playing in movie theaters
all around the world at any given moment. The Screening
Calendar is updated frequently and will give you all the information
you need in order to see a Troma movie in a dark room with sticky
floors (no, we mean a movie house, not the webmaster's bathroom)
Q: "How do I get my
local movie theater to show a Troma movie?
A: Getting our movies on to the screens
across the nation will have to be a joint effort. What we suggest
you do is this; you and your friends start calling art house cinemas
and ask if they could show a Troma movie. Mention the website if they
need more information about the movies. If they get enough calls they
are going to realize that Troma movies are something people are willing
to pay money to see. Most importantly, do not let tell them you are
calling on behalf of Troma, because in reality, your not. You are
calling as fans who are genuinely interested in seeing this picture.
After all, that is the truth. Drop the hint. Plant the seed. After
you guys bombard them with a few calls, send us an e-mail and let
me know how it went. This method has worked before and when one thinks
of it, is in the truest form what independent film is all about, people
who love to make movies for people who love to watch movies with out
having to bother with the big global conglomerates just to get it
in a projector someplace.
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How do I get an autograph from Lloyd Kaufman?
The only way (other then coming here to the Troma Headquarters in NYC) is to send an 8"x10" Self Addressed Stamped Envelope to:
Troma Entertainment, Attn: Lloyd Kaufman Autographs
36-40 11th Street
LIC, NY 11106
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Getting Lloyd
to Come to Your Town
Q: How do I get Lloyd Kaufman to visit my town so I can
shake the hand of the man who put the fun in dysfunctional?
A: One would think being President and Founder of a movie
studio means long days sitting behind a desk, wheeling and dealing
on the phone, keeping the pillows on the casting couch fluffed all
the while being served by a gaggle of yes men. Well, in truth, it
is that, yet somehow Troma President Lloyd Kaufman finds time to hit
the road in order to promote his book "All I Need to Know About
Filmmaking I Learned From the Toxic Avenger". One should check Lloyd's Itinerary to see
if and when he will be making a stop near you. If there is a theater,
book store, video store, college or women's penitentiary that you
think would welcome a visit from Lloyd, Toxie, Sgt Kabukiman, and
the rest of the Wonderful World of Troma characters, you should do
the same thing as when trying to get a theater to show a Troma movie.
Contact the venue, convince them that Lloyd is one of pop cultures
must beloved icons (he is, you know) and his presence will certainly
attract a decent number of fans who are desperately searching for
ways to spend money.
Q: How do I book Lloyd and/or the Troma Team for appearances
at an event?
A: To book Lloyd and/or the Troma Team for appearances, email: Our Booking Department in New York
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Getting
Your Local Video Store to Stock Troma Videos
Q: How do I get my local video store to carry Troma movies?
A: Getting you local video rental outfit to carry
Troma movies is very much like getting your local theater to show
our films. Contact the store, tell them about our website if they
more information. Tell them what fine quality Troma movies are and
how they are popular the world over. If the stores proprietor are
wise, they will create a Troma section.
Release Dates for Our Videos and DVD's
Q: When will (enter movie title here) be released on video/DVD?
A: All new releases for video and DVD are featured
in the New Release section of the Troma Studio Store and the Movies
section of Troma.com In some cases advance notice by as much as month
or more will be given to some titles. In many cases one could order
a movie before it is released to ensure that they will be the first
on the block to be the proud owner of the latest Troma presentation.
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The Price
of Our Videos and DVD's
Q: Why don't you ever run a sale at the Troma Studio?
A: We run sales all the time! As soon as you enter
the Troma Studio Store any sales or promotions we are running will
be announced right there.
Q: Why should I pay more for a movie from the Troma website
when I can get them cheaper on other sites?
A: When you buy directly from Troma, you are directly
helping to support independent cinema in the purest form. When we
sell a movie directly through our website, we do not have to divide
the sale up with anyone else, and we can use those monies to make
and acquire more of the movies you like to watch. Also, we very often
stuff a few extras in the packages that we send out, things like mini
posters, catalogs, stickers or whatever we have laying around.
Placing
an Order at the Troma Studio Store
For a more comprehenive index of inquiries, please see the Official Troma Studio Store FAQ's.
Q: "How do I place an order at the Troma Studio
Store?"
A: Placing an order at the Troma Studio
Store is very easy. First, select which section of the store you wish
to shop, be it Troma, Roan, EG Sports or TromaDance. From each section,
you may continue to select various choices for DVD, VHS and other
formats.
If you know the name of the movie you are looking for you can enter
it in the Search Field on the upper right hand side.
Once you have located the item you wish to buy, simply click Add
To Cart. You can continue shopping, or you can click on your Cart
to change the quantity of the items you ordered. Once you have placed
all the items you wish to purchase, click the checkout button to begin
completing the order process. You will need to be a registered user
of the Troma Studio Store to complete an order. We ask for certain
information when registering for the Troma Studio Store in case we
need to contact you by email or phone in case of a problem with your
order, and to send you a tracking number once the ordered has been
processed and shipped. Any incorrect information may delay our getting
your order to you in a timely fashion, so please enter all contact
information accurately. Troma Entertainment has never and will never
sell your personal information to anyone.
When you get to the Check Out page fill out the form there. It is
here where you will get the total for shipping as well. Its always
a good idea to print out this form before submitting it to us.
Q: How safe is my credit card information on the web?
A: Using your credit card on the net is much
safer than anywhere else. When you use your credit card in a store
or restaurant, there is no telling how many people will see your card,
the records or imprints. When you use a credit card at the Troma Mall,
only one person will see the card information, our webmaster and store
operator.
Credit card fraud is a serious charge. A company that is connected
with such activity could face fines and penalties so severe that they
could be effectively closed down. Troma has been around for over 30
years, we are not going to risk our reputation over a fast buck. Credit
card fraud is also very hard to get away with. Credit companies are
very effective in investigating complaints and always are able to
discover who the culprit is. All of our employees who handle our orders
know this.
Q: How much are the shipping charges on an order?
A: Shipping in the United States: $4.00 for
first item; $1.50 for each additional item. NY State residents are
charged 8.625% sales tax on items and shipping fees.
International: Varies
based on country. Shipping prices and delivery times may vary
when shipping to cities outside the continental US.
It should be noted that in the case of video and DVD sets, these
items are NOT considered one unit. If you order a set that includes
three videos, you will be charged shipping on three items. If you
have ever ordered a set, you will see, the items are packaged separately
and not sold like a "box set".
Q: How long does it take for an order to be shipped?
A: Troma ships most orders between 2 or 3 working days after
receiving them, unless an item is out of stock. To find out whether
an item you ordered is in stock, please contact Customer
Service. Shipping
prices and delivery times may vary when shipping to cities outside
the continental US.
An Order
Already Placed at the Troma Studio Store
For a more comprehenive index of inquiries, please see the Official Troma Studio Store FAQ's.
Q: I placed an order at the Studio Store and:
a) it has not arrived yet.
b) the wrong movies were shipped.
c) some of the movies were missing.
d) some of the movies were defective.
A: We here at Troma pride ourselves in the efficient manner
our shipping department handles orders. However, from time to time,
mistakes can be made. If for whatever reason there is a problem with
an order you placed, e-mail our Customer
Service department. Include in your letter the question along
with your name, address, telephone number and e-mail address as you
entered them on your order. We also must know the exact date of
your order. This is very important. In order to help you we must
find your original order. Saying you placed the order "sometime
in the end of May" will not help because we get thousands of
e-mail's, including orders, every week.
Q: I read on another website there was a sale at the Troma Studio
Store. But when I went to order the movies they were priced more than
what I was told.
A: Many websites that promote sales on the web announce our
sales. They post once but do not always take down the announcement.
It is always a good idea to double check the prices before you order.
Q: How soon after placing an order can I cancel it?
A: The majority of our orders ship the next business
day after we receive payment. If, for whatever reason, you wish to cancel
your order, you must do so immediately for we do not accept returned packages and / or merchandise.
Q: I ordered some movies from the Troma Studio Store
and now I got a letter from our custom office that there is no invoice
in the package and I need one in order to get my package.
A: This is a common problem for our customers who live
overseas, especially in Europe. What we suggest doing is when you
fill out the order form, print it out. This can serve as your invoice.
Q: I don't own a credit card. Can I order with check or
money order?
A: The Troma Studio Store accepts Visa, MasterCard, money orders and
PayPal (Domestic Orders only). Should you wish to pay by Money Order, please follow the instructions
during checkout for money orders.
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The Casts of
Our Movies
We do not give out the address, phone numbers or e-mail address of
any cast remember who appears in a Troma movie. Nor are we able to
pass messages on to a cast member. Some of the people who have appeared
in our pictures have fan websites where you may be able to contact
them. Check out our Links page for more
information.
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An Original
Idea for a Film or a Screenplay
Q: "I have this great idea for a movie. It's all
about...."
A: Troma's production schedule is currently full and
we are unable to accept any new screenplays.
Q: "I have a movie I made and am wondering if Troma would
be interested in it"
A: If you have a completed film and
would like to know if Troma would be interested in distributing it,
please send a VHS or DVD (NTSC preferred) to
Troma Entertainment
Attn: Acquisitions
36-40 11th Street
LIC, NY 11106
We can not return any tape or DVD sent to us, so please do not send
your only copy!
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If the Toxic
Avenger and Sgt. Kabukiman Were to Have a Fight, Who Would Win?
Watch Citizen Toxie to find out!!!
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Why aren't videos and
DVD's shown in wide-screen format?
Many people would like to know why our films are not shown on wide-screen
format, particularly in regards to our DVD's. They assume that because
the top and bottom of the screen are not cropped that they are being
deprived of some crucial cinematic element. In fact, when the major
studios crop these shots, the only thing you are not seeing is the
lights and microphones.
Lloyd Kaufman chooses to shoot in what is known as full-aperture.
This is the way it was shot, exactly as Lloyd saw it in the camera,
and has not been re-formatted in any way. Furthermore, the shot is
just as wide as wide-screen, only Troma includes the top and the bottom
of the picture as well. It is an artistic decision and the shots are
framed for this aspect ratio. Should a director request their films
be shown with the black bars, we naturally would honor the request,
as we did with Dario Argento on The Stendhal Syndrome.
Q: So then why put out a widescreen version of The Toxic
Avenger?
A: Because many of our fans have asked for it.
Q: Are there any Troma DVD's that are presented in a 16x9
anamorphic widescreen transfer?
A: At this time, only Mad Dog Morgan is presented
in a 16x9 anamorphic widescreen transfer.
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Do Troma DVD's run on all players?
All Troma DVD's have no regional coding, and should play on any DVD
player able to play NTSC encoded disks. Some PAL countries, such as
the UK and France, have some Troma titles with specific region 2 coding,
but to play the American disks, you will need a DVD player that has
NTSC-to-PAL converters.
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How do I become a Tromette
of the Month?
All Tromette of the Month applicants must be at least 18 years of
age.
If you would like to be considered as a Tromette of the Month, send
our friendly webmaster a couple pictures of yourself, the more Tromaesque the better. Our
Tromette Nomination Committee will screen all potential candidates
for style, poise, congeniality and uniqueness. Once the committee
has made their selection for the month, we will need to get from you
12 to 16 pictures that you'd want for the Tromette gallery, along
with a short bio about yourself and something about what your favorite
Troma film is or why you like Troma, etc. In order for us to post
any of your pictures, Tromettes are required to show top nudity & sign a release agreement.
Q: Why don't you do a Troman of the Month?
A: Because most men are afraid of being judged
at the same level of real Tromen like Lloyd Kaufman, Mark Torgl or
Larry McGinley. But if any man thinks he has what it takes to be a
Troman of the Month, follow the same instructions above.
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How can I have my site linked at Troma.com?
We get many requests from other webmasters to add links to their sites.
And as much as we would love to give everybody a little bit of extra
publicity, we must be selective about who we link to. Only those sites
which have some kind of Troma-related material will be considered
for inclusion.
Please send any link request to our webmaster,
who will look over your site.
How did you get into filmmaking?
Through my old college roommates Robert Edelstein and Eric Sherman! They
were crazy cinephiles and got me hooked, and if not for them, I would be a
social worker teaching prostitutes with hooks for hands how to finger
paint! Our beds were foot-to-head, so every night I smelled the aroma of
their Godard-stinking feet...which of course began to intoxicate me in the
end! I had fallen victim to their Clockwork Orange like tactics and soon
enough I was quoting Cashiers du Cinema in my sleep!
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What was your favorite film to work on?
That's a tough one, because I love all my babies equally. If I had to
choose though, it would obviously be the "Toxic Avenger", since that's
when my radioactive toxic blood started to boil the most! The original title
was"Health Club", and it allowed me to include all the things I was
interested in at the time (and still am): Frankenstein, Hail the
Conquering Hero, New Jersey, and the Environmental Movement! It is very
dear to my heart because it is one of the first horror films to have
slapstick to the extreme, while still being heart-warming! It also helped
me put our beloved Tromaville on the map!
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You have literally been involved in almost every aspect of
filmmaking, what is most the enjoyable for you?
I love it all! Just being a Filmmaker means you have to do everything
anyways, so that's what I love to do. It's easy to say Directing, but when
I make my own damn movie, I do everything, and one thing can not happen
with out the other: Direct, Write, Produce, Shoot, Star in...sometimes I
even get my own coffee!
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What is your favorite horror film of all time?
That's a tough one! Frankenstein is way up there, (as far as the Universal
Horror pictures go), because unlike Dracula, he wasn't an out-and-out bad
guy. Frankenstein was also a big influence for the "Toxic Avenger"! One
subtle similarity is the little girl who befriends Frankenstein with
Toxie's girlfriend (The only small differences being that she is blind,
blonde, well-endowed, and would enjoy rampant sex with the Toxie). I'm
also a big William Castle fan, and remember as a kid the skeleton soaring
out to the theater for "Hause on Haunted Hill", and the seat buzzers
sending waves of pleasure up my young body for the "Tingler"! Sometimes
the gimmicks could be disappointing when they didn't live up to the hype
like in the ads, but no where else could you get such an experience! I
learned a lot from the gimmicks of William Castle, for as David Friedman
once put it, "it's about selling the sizzle with the steak."
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What do you think about all of the remakes in mainstream horror?
That brings me back to the previous question. The remake of House on
Haunted Hill may have had some good points, but it's steak simply did not "Sizzle". It also all depends on whose doing it and if they are being
respectful to the original film makers intentions and vision! It helps if
the original filmmaker gives the project their blessing. My brother
Charles Kaufman's 1980's classic "Mothers Day" is actually in the process
of being remade by Darren Lynn Bousman right now, and he couldn't be
happier!
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What do you like most about the horror conventions?
The tromatic fans of course! Troma's foundation is it's fan-base, and
after almost forty years we are still running strong thanks to you guys!
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To date you've been involved in more than 100 films, where do you
see your career heading?
Right now I am the Chairman of IFTA (Independent Film and Television
Alliance) and am trying to pave the way for you young filmmakers out there
to fight the good fight against Media Consolidation!
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What are you working on now?
I have a few scripts in the works, and the top of my list right now is
Toxie 5! Troma is always looking for new radioactive blood though, so any
up and coming screen writers out there should send their features over to
our Acquisitions department!
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