B-Movie Celebration Blog

GOLDEN COB Changes Location to Studio 10 Theatre

2009-09-24T20:04:00.000-07:00

Okay folks , you pick up all your passes at either the drive in or Studio 10

The location of the coveted Golden Cobs will be at Studio Ten, Auditorium Five at 5:30

Last Minutes Additions to The B Movie Celebration

2009-09-24T17:35:00.000-07:00

Due to high demand we are offering an additional showing of Black Christmas and the
following cult classics.

All new shows will be on Sunday at 4:00 PM

Kill, Baby, Kill a horror film by director Mario Bava.The film is set in a modern-day Carpathian village where a series of murders occur in which the victims are found with gold coins embedded in their hearts.

Night of the Living Dead, directed by George Romero, is a 1968 independent black-and-white zombie film. Ben (Duane Jones) and Barbra (Judith O'Dea) are the protagonists of a story about the mysterious reanimation of the recently dead, and their efforts, along with five other people, to survive the night while trapped in a rural Pennsylvania farmhouse.

House on Haunted Hill is a horror film B movie directed by William Castle, written by Robb White, and starring Vincent Price as eccentric millionaire Fredrick Loren. He and his fourth wife, Annabelle, have invited five people to the house for a "Haunted House" party. Whoever stays in the house for one night will earn $10,000 each. As the night progresses, all the guests are trapped inside the house with ghosts, murderers, and other terrors.

Lloyd Kaufman Roast Cancel and Guests Not Appearing

2009-09-24T05:41:00.000-07:00

Due to lack of tickets sales (5) The Lloyd Kaufman Roast has been cancelled, Please check www.bmoviecelebration.com for an up to date listing. As well funding for subsidizing the travel of the guests never materialized.

As a result of this many of the guests previously announced will not be appearing.

The Guest who will be appearing are;

Kelley Baker
Mark Burchett
Jim O'Rear
Travis Irvine
Ervin Ross
Lola Wallace
Lloyd Kaufman
Paula Waterman

and Mark Poole

A Salute To William Girdler

2009-09-22T18:22:00.003-07:00

A salute to Louisville's most prolific filmmakers, William Girdler .We are featuring two of Girdler's Works GRIZZLY and DAY OF THE ANIMALS in tribute to this true pioneer.

Though largely ignored by mainstream film buffs, and sorely under-appreciated by trash genre devotees, William Girdler Sr. remains one of Hollywood history's most prolific directors. Born Oct. 22, 1947 in Jefferson County, KY, William Brent Girdler's movie career dawned with the 1972 release of Asylum of Satan. His contributions to the film industry spanned six years and included nine movies, six screenplays, and several music scores. A tragic helicopter crash ended his life at the tender age of 30. Girdler died while scouting locations in the Philippines for his next film, making him a true martyr for his craft. He's probably best known for Grizzly, a bleak Jaws knockoff starring a giant fuzzy bear. Grizzly is a true mainstay of late-night television, along with the Eco-sensitive Day of the Animals and the Tony Curtis tour de force The Manitou.Bill Girdler hailed from a rather prominent Louisville family and his passion for cinema was cultivated at an early age. After serving in the Air Force, he formed "Studio One" with best friend and brother-in-law J. Patrick Kelly, who remained Bill's business partner throughout his career. The company initially focused on TV commercials, but it soon shifted its attention to cinematic pursuits via Asylum of Satan. The company later changed its name to "Mid-America Pictures" when Girdler's films began to reap impressive box-office receipts. Friends and colleagues agree that Girdler's love affair with filmmaking reached obsessive proportions. Although he fostered no illusions in respect to the quality of his own films, he thrilled at seeing his efforts hit the big screen. Bill put everything he had into his movies, even when times were bleak and trying.His body of work embraces a wide variety of genre themes, including blaxploitation, slasher, political suspense, and supernatural horror. While all of Girdler's movies are memorable, they range in quality from hypnotically mediocre to fabulously ham-handed on an Edward D. Wood scale. His films always feature a brand-name star, with a list of leading players that includes Pam Grier, Leslie Nielsen, William Marshall, and Christopher George. Girdler's plots were simple and gimmicky, similar to Twilight Zone episodes only stretched out to feature lengths. To his credit, Girdler often based his own stories on a scrap of odd trivia or some eccentric news tidbit. When all else failed, he'd just take a huge horror hit of the time and mold it into his own unique vision of entertainment; a vision that was a bit dated even by seventies' standards. No matter what the subject or genre, Girdler's distinct approach to filmmaking is recognizable throughout all of his movies. Some insist this approach is just plain bad. Others say his approach is charming, as it is fueled by a heartfelt passion for classic filmmaking. Friends allege that his "make 'em fast and cheap" directorial style stemmed from Girdler's premonition that he'd die by the age of 30. The morbid claim is validated by statements Girdler gave to local newspapers. Associates say Bill's preoccupation with his own death was so acute, he often made comments indicating he was in a race against time to build his film repertoire. Girdler shot five of his nine movies on-location in his hometown of Louisville, KY, which was no small feat considering the Hollywood-centric nature of his chosen profession. Even when he was granted the opportunity to film his efforts elsewhere, he always brought his Kentucky comrades with him. It is frequently said that Girdler never forgot a friend or a favor.

Comfort Inn in Shelbyville and The Ashley Drake in Franklin Official lodging for the B Movie Celebrationb

2009-09-20T10:07:00.000-07:00

We are please to announce that the Comfort Inn in Shelbyville and The Ashley Drake Inn in Franklin are the official accomodations for the B Movie Celebration

36 W Rampart St
Shelbyville, IN 46176-9472

PLEASE CALL (317) 398-8044 FOR RESERVATIONS

and The Ashley Drake Inn

668 E Jefferson St
Franklin, IN 46131-2519

PLEASE CALL (317) 736-0199 FOR RESERVATIONS

And the Winners Are Summer TromaDance

2009-09-19T07:32:00.001-07:00

We are pleased to announce the final schedule for this years SummerTromaDance

Film Schedule For Indiana TromaDance

Friday September 25^th

5:00 Arkusan Marttinson

52 minutes

6:00 Face Eater

Running time: 98 minutes

7:45 The Eternal Pitfall of Prokofiev

Running time: 12 minutes

8:00 Redneck Carnage

Running time: 99 minutes

9:45 How To Deal With Telemarketers

Running time: 5 minutes

9:55 Soul Robbers From Outer Space

Running time: 63 minutes

Saturday, September 26

10:00 Shadow People

Running time: 81 minutes

11:25 Fuzzy and Wild

Running time: 3 minutes

11:30 The Golden Nazi Vampire of Absam 2: The Secret of Rollitz Castle

Running time: 46 minutes

12:20 Dilemma

Running time: 12 minutes

12:35 Zorg and Andy

Running time: 67 minutes

1:50: Relationship Card

Running time: 5 minutes

2:00 Rise of the Evil Pancakes

Running time: 52 minutes

3:00 Pros and Cons

Running time: 77 minutes

4:25 Joy

Running time: 90 minutes

6:00 The Red Machine

Running time: 82 minutes

7:30 Love Hate Tragedy

Running time: 35 minutes

8:10 Bikini Girls On Ice

Running time: 82 minutes

9:40 Zombie Abomination - The Italian Zombie Movie Part 1

Running time: 100 minutes

Sunday, September 27

10:00 Vampire City

Running time: 71 minutes

11:15 Dark Secrets

Running time: 10 minutes

11:26 She Think She Sees Zombies

Running time 2 minutes

11:30 The Union

Running time: 15 minutes

11:50 Faceless

Running time: 8 minutes

12:00 Melvin

Running time: 62 minutes

1:10 Bartender…Another Round

Running time: 5 minutes

1:18 So Mad About You

Running time: 12 minutes

1:35 Twist of Fate

Running time: 90 minutes

3:10 Can’t or Won’t Not

Running time: 45 minutes

4:00 Chaos In Outer Space

Running time: 72 minutes

5:15 Dean LeCrone Vs. The Mutants of Comic Con

Running time: 41 minutes

6:00 One Minutes

Running time: 73 minutes

7:20 Every Day I Pray It’s My Last

Running time: 2 minutes

7:25 Thantamorphose

Running time: 3 minutes

7:30 Zombie Atrocity – The Italian Zombie Movie Part 2

Running time: 100 minutes

9:15 Whale of a Bible Tale: Genesis 18:16

Running time: 13 minutes

9:30 The Path To Torment

Running time: 82 minutes

And The Nominess Are

2009-08-17T20:06:00.001-07:00

Here are the finalists for the Golden Cob Award to be presented during the B Movie Celebration

Golden Cob Award Nominee for Best Scream Queen.
Debbie Rochon
Monique Dupree
Monique Parent

Golden Cob Award Nominee for Best B Movie Actor.
Monique Parent
Bruce Campbell
Jim O'Rear

Golden Cob Award Nominee for Best Efx.
Mega Shark vs. Giant Octopus
Ray Harryhausen
Tom Devlin

Golden Cob Award Nominee for Best Director.
Ed wood
Jim Wynoorski
Mark Poole

Golden Cob Award Nominee for the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Herschel Gordon Lewis
Lloyd Kaufman
Roger Corman

Golden Cob Award Nominee for the Bob Wilkins Award for Lifetime Achievement for Horror
Hosts.
Count Gore De Vol
Elvira
Vampira
Sammy Terry

Golden Cob Award Nominee for Rising B Movie Star.
Elske McCain
Tucky Williams

Golden Cob Award Nominee for Best Writer (screenplay).
Mark Poole
Tim Friend
Carl Salminen
Bob Starr

Golden Cob Award Nominee for Best Soundtrack.
Chris Kahler
Cleavage Field for Pussy Pussy Bang Bang
John Carpenter -Halloween

Golden Cob Award Nominee for Best DVD Release.
Bikini Bloodbath Carwash
Mega Shark vs. Giant Octopus
Poultrygeist
Werewolf in a Womens Prison

Golden Cob Award Nominee for the Emerging B Filmmaker Award.
Jen Tonon
Julie K. Smith (Vampire in Vegas)
Lola Walace

Golden Cob Award Nominee for The Super Fan Award.
Nic Brown (B Movie Man)
Forrest J. Ackerman

Popatopolis:How To Make A Movie In Three Days Opens The B Movie Celebration

2009-07-09T23:01:00.000-07:00

In 20 years
He's directed more films than Martin Scorsese,
He's produced more profitable movies than Jerry Bruckheimer,
And he's infuriated more actors than Alfred Hitchcock.

The ultimate B Movie Documentary, focusing on B Movie Giant Jim Wynorski (and B Movie Celebration Mentor) and his attempt to make a feature film in 3 days.He's directed seventy feature films, but he's never made one... in THREE DAYS .Jim cuts the shooting schedule, has the actors cook their own food. A documentary featuring B-Movie legends Roger Corman, Andy Sidaris, Julie Strain, Julie K. Smith and Stormy Daniels, Popatopolis follows Jim Wynorski as he begins to film one of his many opuses "Witches of Breastwick"

Jim's frenetic pace demands 100 setups per day (the Hollywood standard is 20), and he reduces his electric package to just two lights so he can concentrate on the task at hand.A great overview of a true master at work and in many ways a laser sharp dialectic on the state of B filmmaking today.

This film was directed by Clay Westervelt, LA based filmmaker and B Movie Celebration Veteran.A portion of this film was shot at the 1st Annual B Movie Celebration

Come join us as we celebrate the work of the one, the only Jim Wynorski. This film is a riot.

Nominate Your B Movie Greats for The Golden Cob Award

2009-07-04T11:07:00.000-07:00

CLICK BELOW TO NOMINATE

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=zxWXnI5_2bgtYqr0yt4vnnfA_3d_3d

Hey Folks! It's time for you to get out your thinking caps and send your suggestions for nominees! The 2009 B Movie Celebration is looking for people and films to honor in this year's Golden Cob Awards. So think about the films, filmmakers, actors, actresses and rubber suited monsters you've loved from B Movies and nominate some of them!

B Movie 2009 Commercial

2009-05-19T11:47:00.000-07:00

Announcing The Line Up For This Years B Movie Celebration

2009-05-13T16:34:00.001-07:00

Abby
Black Christmas
Black Horizon
Blacula
Chopping Mall
Creature from the Black Lagoon
Cyclone
Dark Star
Dire Wolf
Dr. Goldfoot and the The Bikini Machine
Forbidden Planet
Gas!
Godzilla King of the Monsters
Grand Theft Auto
Halloween
The Hideous Sun Demon
Hollywood Chainsaw Hookers
Horror of Dracula
I Was A Teenage Frankenstein
Ilsa She Wolf of The SS
Invasion of the Body Snatchers
Journey to The Sevenh Planet
Knightriders
Leeches
Lost Empire
Ma and Pa Kettle at Waikiki
Meteor
My Bloody Valentine
Night of the Comet
Night of The Grizzly
Phantom Empire
Piranha
Planet of The Apes
Puppetmaster Toulon's Revenge
Q
Quatermass and the Pit
Rolling Thunder
Sorority House Massacre
Surf Nazis Must Die
Tales of Terror
The Birds
The Crazies
The Day of the Triffids
The Dunwich Horror
The Fly
The Good The Bad And The Ugly
The Raven
The Silencers
The Thing from Another World
The War of the Worlds
Them
They Saved Hitler's Brain
This Island Earth
To Sleep with a Vampire
Toxic Avenger
Tromeo and Juliet
Westworld
Zombie

The New 2009 B Movie Celebration Celebration Poster

2009-03-14T14:34:00.000-07:00

Isn't it cool...See

you in September

Mark Your Calendar

2009-01-31T20:07:00.001-08:00

Yes folks we are doing it again, The B Movie Celebration 2009 September 25th - 27th in SouthernIndiana....be there. This year promises to be bigger better and much more fun (if thats possible. Our old regulars are back. This years much more film education and more films.

Next Year';s B Movie Celebration

2008-10-03T17:04:00.000-07:00

September 25th, 26th and 27th 2009 in Franklin Indiana

Take A Bow Another Great B Movie Celebration

2008-10-03T16:16:00.000-07:00

from our friend B MOVIEMAN

Here’s a riddle: when is a film festival not a film festival? The answer is when it is a celebration. One might say that is symantics, but if you ask Bill Dever, the man behind the annual gathering of B Movie fans and flimmakers in Franklin, Indiana called The B Movie Celebration, he’d say it isn’t just the choice of one word over another. “A film festival is an event where filmmakers try to sell their product. This [B Movie Celebration] is more than that. It’s a chance for people with a love of B movies and independent films to come together and share the joy these films bring to them.”

The small town of Franklin, Indiana once again offered a warm welcome to people from all over the country (and even a few from outside it) to join in three days of movies, seminars, and parties all about the fun “B-side” of cinema. Mayor Fred L. Paris was on hand for the opening gala and charity auction on the event’s first night. The charity auction was a new part of the celebration this year. Numerous filmmakers, writers, and artists contributed items to the silent auction held to benefit victims of recent flooding in the town. “We [the town of Franklin] appreciate all the support we’ve received from the people involved in the B Movie Celebration.” said Mayor Paris as his wife bid on one of the donated items in the auction.

The highlight of the gala was when special guest host Sarah “The Queen of Trash” Dunn

Sarah Dunn the "Queen of Trash" was one of the event hosts. She

also enjoys towering over B Movie website writers like myself.

was made an honorary citizen of the town and the day was named “Sarah Dunn Day”. Sarah and her partner Mr. Lobo host the “Cinema Insomnia” show in San Francisco. They’ve been involved in the B Movie Celebration since its birth and when she heard about the flood that caused so much destruction in Franklin, Sarah started work immediately, arranging contributions for the auction both from her own works and from those of her many artist friends in the San Francisco Bay area. The statuesque Dunn said, “This town really is my second home” and was seen shedding a few happy tears as she accepted the small token of Franklin’s appreciation for the work she had done on behalf of her adopted home.

Other events at the B Movie Celebration included a directors’ roundtable discussion where film makers Jim Wynorski (CHOPPING MALL, TRANSYLVANIA TWIST), Tom Holland (FRIGHT NIGHT, CHILD’S PLAY), Lloyd Kaufman (POULTRYGEIST, THE TOXIC AVENGER), Greydon Clark (SATAN’S CHEERLEADERS, WITHOUT WARNING), Jim O’Rear (THE DEEPENING, SCREAM FARM) and Kelley Baker (BIRD DOG, THE GAS CAFÉ) gathered to discuss the art and business of filmmaking. The panel discussion was lively and showed the different styles of the filmmakers whose one common thread was their love of making movies.

Harry Manfredini, the musical master who introduced the world to the unique and instantly recognizable theme of the FRIDAY THE 13TH series, held workshops for budding filmmakers on how to avoid common mistakes when scoring their films. Screenwriters Ron Aberdeen, Jim O’Rear and Carl Salminen gave their takes on screenplay writing during “Coffee with Three Great Writers”. Aberdeen also held workshops on screenplay writing that covered the things you won’t find in the books as well as how to market a screenplay once it is written. Other speakers held seminars covering subjects ranging from “Net Neutrality” to “How to Use the Military in Your Films” and many aspiring filmmakers took full advantage of these opportunities to learn some secrets from the people inside the industry.

The workshops, film screenings and other festivities were all held in downtown Franklin, with the majority of the events being centered around the Johnson County History Museum and the Artcraft Theater. Across from the Artcraft, the city allowed organizers to set up as stage and host a huge “beach party” complete with live bands, beach balls and grass skirts. When the sun went down, the giant beach party turned into something akin to a drive-in without the cars as people pulled up a blanket or lawn chair and sat to watch films such as ATTACK OF THE CRAB MONSTERS that were being shown on an outdoor movie screen brought in just for the event.

Of course the gala dinner, charity auction, panel discussions, workshops and seminars were all great fun and informative, but they aren’t the real heart of the B Movie Celebration. That honor is reserved for the movies themselves. Over fifty films played at venues all over central Franklin. Modern B movies such as SUKIYAKI WESTERN DJANGO and CYXORK 7 played along side of fifties classics like WAR OF THE WORLDS, THE BLOB and INVADERS FROM MARS. Other classics from the 70’s and 80’s such as Greydon Clark’s rarely scene sci-fi classic WITHOUT WARNING and Jim Wynorski’s killer robot rampage CHOPPING MALL showed off the talents of the filmmakers in attendance. In fact with so many movies to choose from the hardest thing about the celebration was deciding whether to see a classic western like Sergio Leone’s FOR A FEW DOLLARS MORE or something more “cerebral” like Wynorski’s CLEAVAGEFIELD (which had its world premiere at the event).

There were also plenty of independent films to choose from if viewers were in the mood for something new. This was thanks in part to the inclusion of Lloyd Kaufman’s Tromadance Film Festival as part of this year’s Celebration. Tromadance allows independent filmmakers to show their work to the public at no cost so there was no charge to attend any of the Tromadance screenings which included films like WEREWOLF IN A WOMEN’S PRISON and THE AWAKENING. One independent film shown as part of the B Movie Celebration that got

B Movie Man Nic Brown with the legendary Jim Wynorski outside

the Willard at the B Moive Celebration.

a great deal of positive feedback was THE TREK by Lola Wallace and Tom Devlin. This film took your typical lost in the woods story and turned it neatly on its ear much to the surprise and joy of the audience.

Between all the movies and other activities, B movie fans and filmmakers alike could often be found sitting on the patio of The Willard, the local watering hole. While Harry Manfredini entertained a group of fans with stories about his experiences scoring movies, Jim Wynorski, Greydon Clark and Tom Holland discussed how to get a film made in today’s market and still make a profit, while some astute independent filmmakers sat nearby taking notes from the candid conversation.

Amid all of this Bill Dever sat smiling at a table as he talked to some of the other B movie fans gathered in Franklin. “This is what it’s all about, watching fun movies and hanging out with people that make and love them.” Dever reflected and he was right. There is something uniquely special about the B Movie Celebration that sets it apart from the crowd. That something is the “Celebration.” This event is not just a gathering or a festival, but a true celebration of one of the under appreciated arts: the art of the B movie.

B Movie Gala and Auction

2008-09-10T17:46:00.000-07:00

A relaxed dining atmosphere where you can meet and mingle with some of the top names in the B Movie stratosphere. Ask questions, swap stories and learn at the feet of the masters. Plus the food is pretty damn tasty.Then get ready ready for a B Movie auction to end all B Movie auctions.You can make bids on items ranging from memorabilia, Props, dinners with directors and actors to having parts named after you in a B Movie donated by B Movie Luminaries such as Robert Englund, Roger Corman, Gunnar Hansen, Jim O'Rear, Tom Holland and John Huff. Bid on great B Movie Art and vintage Movie posters from the sixites, seventies and eighties. Great Stuff. Great People, Great TimesAll proceeds will go to benefit Johnson County Flood relief efforts.This will be an event you won't want to miss.The B Movie Gala and Auction with be held Friday September 26th at The Johnson County Museum of History 135 N Main Street Franklin IndianaAbout The B Movie Celebration:Franklin Indiana will be hosting the Second Annual B Movie Celebration September 26th thru 28th, 2008. The Celebration will feature screenings of over 50 classic B movies, 20 Educational seminars and the World's Largest Beach Party, featuring the music of The Moon-Rays. And we really need your help getting the word out. The Celebration will feature screenings of over 50 classic B movies, Many in glorious 35mm. Our line up this year, which has been curated by B Movie Legend Jim Wynorski. Plus The First Edition of Summer TromaDanceGreat GuestsTom Savini, Lloyd Kaufman Jim Wynorski (of course), Conrad Brooks from Plan Nine From Outer Space , Tom Holland Director of Fright Night, Independent Horror Director Jim O'Rear , Composer Harry Manfredini and many many more. The Best Hosts, Mister Lobo, Queen of Trash, Will The Thrill, Monica Tiki Goddess The World's Largest Beach Party With the Moon-rays The planets greatest B- Movie surf band will turn this small Mid Western City into a rockin Hepcat beach party. The Moon Rays were born of a concept brought on by the recording of the theme from WGN's Creature Features TV show andf the rest is legend. Join them in Franklin Indiana September 27th as we see summer out with a bang,For more information ( http://www.bmoviecelebration.com/ )

A Summer/Fall Night With Lloyd Kaufman-Sweet

2008-08-14T10:37:00.000-07:00

Last years winner of The Lifetime Achievement award, Lloyd Kaufman makes a triumphant return to The B Movie Celebration with TromaDance in tow. Join Lloyd for an informal gathering in celebration of his life and his work.

Stanley Lloyd Kaufman never really wanted to make movies, but wanted to work in Broadway musicals. During his years in Yale, though, he got introduced to "B" pictures and the works of Roger Corman. Lloyd later got the opportunity to executive-produce a short movie made by a fellow student. The film, called "Rappacini", got him even more interested in movies. He bought his own camera and took it with him to Chad, Africa, were he spent his summer. There he shot a 15-minute film of a pig being slaughtered. That was his first movie, and was the birth of what was later to become known as Troma Films. He showed the footage of the squealing pig being killed to his family, and their shocked reaction to it made him wonder if making movies that shocked audiences would keep them in their seats to see what would happen next. He wanted to be a director right then and there, so he got a couple of friends at Yale and made his second movie, The Girl Who Returned (1969). People loved it, and he went straight to work on other films, helping out on projects like Joe (1970), Rocky (1976) and Saturday Night Fever (1977).

Lloyd put in a lot of long, hard hours in the film business, just to be in the credits and to get money for his next project, a full-length feature. It was a tribute to Charles Chaplin, Harold Lloyd and the classic era of silent-film comedy. Even though Lloyd hated the movie when it was finally completed, people seemed to love it. He formed a studio called 15th Street Films with friends and producers Frank Vitale and Oliver Stone. Together they made Sugar Cookies (1973) and Cry Uncle (1971), directed by John G. Avildsen. A friend from Yale, Michael Herz, saw Lloyd in a small scene in "Cry Uncle" and contacted him to try to get into the film business, too. Kaufman took Herz in, as the company needed some help after Oliver Stone quit to make his own movies. Michael invested in a film they thought would be their biggest hit yet, Balash Ha'Amitz Shvartz, Ha- (1973) (aka "Big Gus, What's the Fuss?"). It turned out to be a huge flop and 15th Street Films was ruined. Lloyd and Michael owed thousands of dollars to producers and friends and family members who had invested in the picture. Lloyd, trying to find a quick way to pay off the bills, made _Divine Obsession, The (1975)_, and with Michael formed Troma Studios, hoping to make some decent movies, since they only owned the rights to films they thought were "crap". They were introduced to Joel M. Reed, who had an unfinished movie called "Master Sardu and the Horror Trio". The film was re-edited and completed at Troma Studios (which actually consisted of just one room) during 1975, re-titled and released in 1976 as The Incredible Torture Show (1976) (aka "Bloodsucking Freaks"). It was enough of a success to enable them to pay the rent so they wouldn't lose the company.

Lloyd later got a call from a theater that wanted a "sexy movie" like "Divine Obsession", but about softball (!). The resulting film, Squeeze Play (1980), used up all the money Troma had earned from "Bloodsucking Freaks" and, as it turned out, no one wanted to see it--not even the theater owner who wanted it made in the first place (he actually wanted a porno movie). Just when things looked their darkest, they got a call from another theater which was scheduled to show a film, but the distributor pulled it at the last minute. Troma rushed "Squeeze Play" right over, and it turned out to be a huge hit. Lloyd, Michael and Troma eventually made millions from it, and had enough money to buy their own building (which still remains as Troma Headquarters). Troma then turned out a stream of "sexy" comedies--i.e., Waitress! (1982), The First Turn-On!! (1983), Stuck on You! (1983)--but there was a glut of "T&A" films on the market. Troma noticed that a lot of comedies were being made, and decided to make one, too, but much different than the rest. After reading an article that claimed horror movies were dead, Lloyd got the idea to combine both horror and comedy, and Troma came up with "Health Club Horror"--later retitled and released as The Toxic Avenger (1985), a monster hit that finally put Troma on the map. Lloyd Kaufman and Troma have become icons in the cult-movie world, and Troma has distributed over 1000 films. Lloyd has continued his career as a director in addition to producing, and Troma has turned out such films as Monster in the Closet (1987), Class of Nuke 'Em High (1986), Combat Shock (1986), Troma's War (1988), and Fortress of Amerikkka (1989). Lloyd himself is working on Poultrygeist: Night of the Chicken Dead (2006), which follows an army of undead chickens as they seek revenge on a fast food palace.

TromaDance and The B Movie Celebration, like Cheese and Crackers

2008-07-30T21:59:00.000-07:00

In November of 2007 at the American Film Market in Santa Monica, Lloyd Kaufman, TromaDance Founder, and The Indy Co-op announced the creation of a new, expanded version of TromaDance taking place September 26-28 in Franklin Indiana. This announcement heralded the transformation of the TromaDance festival into a fully MidWest-based, immersive film experience that includes a larger screening schedule, panel discussions, and various hands-on workshops covering a variety of topics pertinent to today's emerging filmmaker.

The goal of Summer TromaDance is to provide filmmakers with the skills to create truly independent cinema."The B Movie Celebration is very excited by its association with TromaDance. TromaDance has been the incubator of so many great film artists. Independent film finds its highest expression on the screens of TromaDance. We are excited and grateful at the same time," says Tom Barker, co-founder of The B Movie Celebration.Franklin, Indiana, is the home to both Summer TromaDance and The B Movie Celebration this year. Franklin is not stranger to film, having at one time residents such as Robert Wise, director of The Sound Of Music, Majorie Main of Ma and Pa Kettle fame, and Max Terhune, B Movie Western star of the 30's 40's and 50's.

Lloyd Kaufman, President of Troma Studios and Founder of TromaDance says, "We at Troma are so honored that the B Movie Celebration is incorporating TromaDance into its big tent. This is a great way to celebrate TromaDance's 10th Anniversary as the ultimate people's film festival." Last year at The B Movie Celebration, Lloyd Kaufman was presented with its Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his work in independent cinema.

Submit Your Films Now

You may send your film (along with the official entry form, available at
http://www.indyfilmco-op.org/2008tromadancesummer.pdf
to the following address:

TROMADANCE ENTRIES
c/o The Indy Film Co-op
99 East Monroe Street
Franklin, Indiana 46131

About TromaDance
TromaDance is the first film festival wholelheartedly devoted to filmmakers and fans. Unlike every other film festival, filmmakers do not pay to submit their films. Entrance to the screenings is free and open to the public. There are no VIP reservations or preferential treatment. TromaDance is a chance for everyone who has ever picked up a camera to have their work seen without compromises. TromaDance is very proud to be the first and the only film festival of the people, for the people, and by the people.www.tromadance.com

About Indy Film Co-op
The Indy Film Co-op, is a virtual independent film co-operative made up of 2200 global members. Begun three years ago, the Co-op has become a global center for film education, networking, and alliance building. The Indy Film Co-op is a sponsoring body for both Summer TromaDance and the very successful B Movie Celebration.www.indyfilmco-op.org

The Second Annual B Movie Celebration

2008-02-14T16:37:00.000-08:00

Franklin Indiana will be hosting the Second Annual B Movie Celebration September 26th thru 28th, 2008. We are asking for your help to get the word out. The Celebration will feature screenings of over 50 classic B movies, 20 Educational seminars and the World's Largest Beach Party, featuring the music of The Moon-Rays. Our Film Line Up The Celebration will feature screenings of over 50 classic B movies, Many in glorious 35mm. Our Line Up, which has been curated by Jim Wynorski Includes: SHOGUN ASSASSIN FORBIDDEN WORLD DEATH RACE 2000 HOLLYWOOD BOULEVARD THIS ISLAND EARTH TARANTULA CARNIVAL OF SOULS NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD NIGHT OF THE COMET BEYOND THE VALLEY OF THE DOLLS THE GIANT BEHEMOTH QUEEN OF OUTER SPACE WORLD WITHOUT END RUSS MEYER'S UP FROM HELL IT CAME ATTACK OF THE CRAB MONSTERS NOT OF THIS EARTH(the black and white original) THE BEAST FROM 20,000 FATHOMS THE 7TH VOYAGE OF SINBAD EARTH VS. THE FLYING SAUCERS WITHOUT WARNING SCREWBALLS GALAXY OF TERROR HOUSE THE CRAWLING EYE ATTACK OF THE 50FOOT WOMAN PSYCHO JOURNEY TO THE SEVENTH PLANET INVISIBLE INVADERS ATTACK OF THE GIANT LEECHES TERMINAL ISLAND NIGHTHAWKS MYSTERIOUS ISLAND(61) ONE MILLION B.C. INVADERS FROM MARS(53) TO TRAP A SPY HOLD THAT GHOST ABBOTT AND COSTELLO MEET FRANKENSTEIN TWINS OF EVIL THE VAMPIRE LOVERS LUST FOR A VAMPIRE THE TIME MACHINE WAR OF THE WORLDS A Retrospective of The Films of Jim Wynorski Against the Law-Wynorski Film Demolition High -Wynorski FIlm 976-Evil II -Wynorski Film The Haunting of Morella-Wynroski Film Chopping Mall-Wynorski Film Transylvania Twist -Wynorski Film A Lifetime Achievement Award to Stuart Gordon From his 1985 debut as a cult director with Re-Animator to his 2002 H.P. Lovecraft film "Dagon" Stuart Gordon has consistently delivered quality horror to the masses, and is now considered by many of us to be one of the most important exploitation film-makers of the past 30 years. Gordon will likely always be best remembered for "Re-Animator," but his other films have always been great works. We are please to honor him, His films Include Re-Animator (1985) Robot Jox (1989) Daughter of Darkness (1990) The Pit and the Pendulum (1990 film) (1990) Fortress (1992) Space Truckers (1996) Dagon (2001) King of the Ants (2003) Edmond (2005) Stuck (2007) Other great guests Tom Savini, Jim Wynorski (of course), Conrad Brooks and many many more. For more information For further information please go to http://www.bmoviecelebration.com/ or please email us at info@indyfilmco-op.org/ Hope to see you in Franklin Indiana September 26th thru 28th, 2008

Second Annual B Movie Celebration

2008-02-14T16:15:00.000-08:00

WE ARE BACK...A NEW CELEBRATION FOR 2008

2008-01-22T15:25:00.000-08:00

Come on, get your 3-D glasses, put on some surf music and head to Franklin, Indiana home of The B Movie Celebration.

The 2007 edition (our first) was a resounding success, 2008 promises to big bigger and better. It's taking place September 26th Thru 28th, during a glorious Indiana indian summer. Some of our old friends are back Jim Wynorski, Tom Savini, John Huff, Mister Lobo and of course our beloved Queen of Trash, and wining his way in from the coast, Will The Thrill Viharo and Monica Tiki Goddess. with even more names to be announced shortly. This year we are having several film curated programs , most in glorious 35mm.

So mark September 26th thru 28th on your calendar. See you in Franklin

Take A Bow-Until 2008

2007-08-20T21:53:00.000-07:00

The curtain has fallen, the popcorn has been swept up and we have finally have seen our guests home. The Co-op has grown so much due to the efforts of our collective of members. I want to thank our dear guests for their friendship and their mentorship, Jim Wynorski Lloyd Kaufman Dave Schlatter Tom Savini Mister Lobo The Queen of Trash (who by the way is a lovely gal) Conrad Brooks Eric Chatterjee Mark Burchett Jeff Dunn Ron Aberdeen John Huff Jay Edwards Dan Hall Jim O'Rear Peter John Ross Adam Shephard Randy DeFord At one point its was mentioned if a meteor was to hit Franklin, the B Movie industry would lose 50% of its practitioners. Our noble and fierce brother Steve "Papaw" Pyatte. We love you and will always remember the pioneering work you have done. We all owe a large debt of gratitude to our many volunteers, I will list them in no particular order. You people have shown your love for movies and the people who make them. We are so very proud to know you and work alongside you Carolyn Doyle Dave Rose Don Becker Tom Barker Jim Mannan Lee Vervoort Robin Panet Kehaulani Haydon Juanita Robson Roby Robson Allen Barket Joyce Barker Frank Gullo Corey Miller Jack Rooney Maura Buckle Thanks you to our great facilities Franklin College- Martha Clark-Pfifer ArtCraft Theater- Rob Shilts Johnson County Musum of History- Sarah Rogers Again the curtain has fallen....please take a well deserved bow. Viva La Co-op See you next year

2007-08-15T20:29:00.000-07:00

The B Movie Celebration begins August 17th in Franklin Indiana. This Celebration is a film fest of epic proportions. Part Film School, Part Film Festival and all Circus...you don't want to miss The B Movie Celebration. Fan of old school horror flicks? A fan of camp and cheese? A fan of black and white science fiction flair? Then feast your eyes on some of the films to be shown in this three day event:

The Films
Barbarella The Blob, The Cry of The Winged Serpent , VIVA Forbidden Planet Man From Planet X The Terror of Tiny Town Toxic Avenger Three Barbecues The Cars That Ate Paris Damnation Alley Fall of The House of Usher I Married a Monster Cyxork 7 The Fly 587 The Great Train Robbery Chopping Mall Death Race 2000 Killer Klowns from Outer Space , Evil Dead , The Thing Cannibal Flesh Riot Horrors of War Tromeo and Juliet A Boy and His Dog Count Dracula and His Vampire Bride Dawn of The Dead Legend of the Sandsquatch Lost Skeleton of Cadavra Rabid Poultrygeist House on Haunted Hill Frankenstein vs. the Creature from Blood Cove Faster Pussycat Kill Kill Detour Flash Gordon Conquers The Universe Puppetmaster White Zombie Lost Empire Devil Rides Out, The Eat My Dust I Was A Teenage Werewolf 587 The Great Train Robbery The Stuff Big Baf Mama2 Lil' River Rats and the Adventure of the Lost Treasure, The Guyver Plan Nine From Outer Space Not of This Earth Bride of Frankenstein Re-Animator Soylent Green Return of The Swamp Thing
And Many more

Great Guests
Lloyd Kaufman, Founder of Troma Studios , *also recipient of LifeTime Achievement Award Jim Wynorski, Director of Over 75 B Movie Classics Tom Savini, Special Effects Make-up Innovator Conrad Brooks, Star of The Original Plan Nine From Outer Sapce Ron Aberdeen, U.K., Screenwriter Mister Lobo and Queen of Trash, Stars of Syndicated TV show CINEMA INSOMNIA Jim O'Rear Director Peter John Ross Director Horrors of War Dan Hall Director 587 Lil River Rats John Huff Writer Director Cyxork7, CHIPS and Kolchak:The Night Stalker Jay Edwards, Director/Producer Adult Swim, Stomp! Shout! Scream! Eric Chatterjee Indy Director Mark Burchett Indy Director Jeff Dunn Indy Director
and again many more

Great Seminars
RON ABERDEEN - THE WRITERS BOOT CAMP ANATOMY OF A MICROCINEMA B FEATURE; POST PARTUM DIRECTORS ROUNDTABLE- JIM WYNORSKI, LLOYD KAUFMAN, JIM O’REAR EFFECTS FOR B MOVIES MAKE YOUR OWN DAMN MOVIE MY LIFE AS A B DIRECTORONE ON ONE WITH TOM SAVINIVIRGIL FRANKLIN -MUSIC COMPOSITION FOR B MOVIESWORKING IN THE B's WRITERS ROUNDTABLE

The Cry of The Winged Serpent

2007-07-30T15:35:00.000-07:00

The B Movie Celebration today announced that it had secured the rights to screen Cry of The Winged Serpent. The film produced by Roger Corman's Concorde-New Horizon tells the story of young man is given an amulet that can call upon the power of the mythical Winged Serpent which he uses to get revenge on those who have oppressed his people. Directed by Jamie Wagner and starring Maxwell Caulfield (Grease 2, Empire Records and La Femme Nikita) as well as Robert Beltran (Star Trek, Nixon and Night of The Comet).Jim Wynorski and Concorde New Horizon has gifted us with Cry of The Winged Serpent says Don Becker, The Indy Film Co-op Producer of showing and we are exceedingly grateful Cry of The Winged Serpent will be shown on the screens of The Historic ArtCraft Theatre at 9:30 PM August 17th in Franklin Indiana as part of The B Movie Celebration. A celebration of all cinematic B things being held August 17th thru 19th in Franklin, Indiana, the garden spot of the Mid West. The B Movie Celebration is an event unlike any other. Part film festival, part educational symposium and part circus. Over sixty classic B feature film films will be shown, including 'Forbidden Planet", "Night of The Living Dead" and "Death Race 2000". Appearing at The Celebration, will be Troma Studio founder Lloyd Kaufman, B Film Legend Jim Wynorski, Effects Guru Tom Savini and numerous other practitioners of the B movie art form. Tom Barker, of The B Movie Celebration, " What we want to build here is a tradition for Franklin, a tradition for the Mid West and a tradition for all fans of B Movies, now having a world premiere of a Hollywood feature film, well that?s just butter on top of the popcorn" Please go to http://www.bmoviecelebration.com/ and check out our schedule, you won't be sorry. You also can purchase tickets online at http://www.bmoviecelebration.com/

2007-07-27T19:16:00.000-07:00

The Indy Film Co-op is proud to have a Brownsburg resident, Steve ‘Papaw’ Pyatte, as Master of Ceremonies for the B MOVIE CELEBRATION during the weekend of August 17th through 19th in beautiful Franklin, Indiana. Pyatte is a self-professed fan of classic B science fiction and horror films. Just what is the B MOVIE CELEBRATION? Steve Pyatte explains. “Sixty classic B movies, B movie icons Kaufman, Wynorski, Savini and Brooks, loads of B filmmaking seminars, tons of filmmakers, screenwriters, special effect artists and actors galore, added to the hundreds and hundreds of B movie fans coming from everywhere - all gathered in one place to celebrate B movies and to simply have some fun.” The B MOVIE CELEBRATION is an event unlike any other and is not to be confused with a film festival. This weekend promises to be better than a three-ring circus for any B movie fan. Included in the great line up of over sixty feature B films to be shown are the classics, ‘The Day the Earth Stood Still’, the ‘Bride of Frankenstein’, 'Forbidden Planet", "Night of The Living Dead" and "Death Race 2000". Special guests appearing at The B MOVIE CELEBRATION will be Troma Studio founder Lloyd Kaufman, B film legend and maverick director, Jim Wynorski, special effect make-up guru Tom Savini and ‘Plan 9 from Outer Space’ B movie great, Conrad Brooks. Kaufman will be receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award. Other special guests include Midnight Movie Host, Mr. Lobo, horror director Jim O'Rear, . Pyatte states, “I am truly honored to have been asked to emcee this one of a kind event to celebrate B films and some of the pioneers associated with bringing them to us. To be onstage with these great inspirations will be a highlight of my career as a filmmaker.”“To those who attend, I promise that the B MOVIE CELEBRATION will be a fun weekend you will never forget. A fabulously fun weekend of B films.” says Pyatte. To see the complete schedule for the B MOVIE CELEBRATION or to purchase tickets please visit http://www.bmoviecelebration.com./ For further information email mailto:info@indyfilmco-op.org

Lloyd Kaufman to Receive Lifetime Achievement Award

2007-07-06T19:36:00.000-07:00

The B Movie Movie Celebration is pleased to announce that the recipient of its first lifetime achievement award is Lloyd Kaufman of Troma Studios. A day long retrospective of “The Best of Troma” will be shown as well a a presentation by the King of B’s himself Lloyd Kaufman. The retrospective hosted by actor Steve “Papaw” Pyatte will occur on August 18th, 2007 at the historic ArtCraft Theatre in Franklin, Indiana.

In January 2000, Kaufman founded the TromaDance Film Festival in Park City, Utah. Determined to give independent film back to the people, Kaufman established a festival where there is no entry fee to filmmakers to submit their films, nor is there any admission charged to audience members. The TromaDance Film Festival presents a broad spectrum of films and film styles, creating an opportunity for everyone to put their own personal vision on film and have it seen. Kaufman is also a tireless innovator, constantly using new developments in technology to foster the growth of independent art. Kaufman has also earned the respect and trust of his peers in the independent filmmaking community. He has served as Executive Vice Chairman of the American Film Marketing Association (AFMA). Thanks to his vision of independent cinema’s future on the Internet, Kaufman was asked to help create and currently chairs AFMA’s New Technologies Opportunities Committee.

Welcome to the B-Movie Celebration!

2007-06-25T07:37:00.000-07:00

We're glad you're here.