In these pages Roger Corman, the most successful independent filmmaker in Hollywood relates his experiences as the director and/or producer of such low-budget classics 'Attack of the Crab Monsters, The Little Shop of Horrors, The Raven, The Man with the X-ray Eyes, The Wild Angels, The Trip, Night Call Nurses, Bloody Mama, Piranha,' and many others. He also discusses his distribution of the Bergman, Fellini, and Truffaut movies that later won Academy Awards in the Best Foreign Film category. Corman alumni—John Sayles, Martin Scorsese, Jack Nicholson, Vincent Price, Francis Ford Coppola, Peter Bogdanovich, Peter Fonda, Joe Dante, and Jonathan Demme, among others—contribute their recollections to give added perspective to Corman's often hilarious, always informative autobiography.
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From Publishers Weekly
Independent filmmaker Corman ( The Beast ; The Little Shop of Horrors ) wrongly argues here that his is not "one of the more significant careers in film history." Having helped launch directors Francis Ford Coppola, Peter Bogdanovich and Martin Scorsese, and actors Jack Nicholson, Bruce Dern and Sylvester Stallone, he is certainly one of the motive forces in American movies today. In this revealing autobiography, written with the coauthor of Papa John , Corman tells amazing tales of shooting full-length films in mere days with budgets under $100,000, and states his conviction that cinema is a fusion of art and money--which explains, he believes, why Americans do it so well. This account of Corman's life and career includes reminiscences by those who have worked with him: performers, directors, assistant producers, writers. The book is a significant contribution to the history of American movies. Photos not seen by PW.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
From Library Journal
As a screenwriter, producer, and director, Corman is responsible for making many of the most god-awful?but profitable?stinkers in cinematic history. Still, he launched the careers of many other, more talented artists, e.g., Jack Nicholson, Robert DeNiro, Martin Scorsese, and Francis Coppola, and where would Mystery Science Theater be without him? Here he reveals the secrets of his quite remarkable career in a "disarmingly modest fashion" (LJ 5/1/90). A solid volume for all film collections.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
By Mperor
Format:Paperback
I just think Corman's a King of Movies, period. Filmmaking is filmmaking - one calls it doing it cheap, the other can say it's just doing it economical. After all, filmmaking is an expensive 'hobby', and without sound financial foundations for the independent filmmaker, bankruptcy is pretty much assured.
This book was truly a pleasant read. Unlike many 'guru' books, Corman does not hold back to share minute, specific and concrete details about his experiences and anecdotes with the reader - this is particularly relevant to many independent filmmakers.
He tells you specifically what he did, when the lead actress' agent threw a fit and asked him for more money at the last minute. He dropped the actress, made the second lead the lead, and then moved every actress one role up. How can you put shots of a burning house when you don't have money to burn down a house? Stay on the lookout for fires happening in your area, and rush to the scene and film it - and then REUSE IT every time you need a burning house in any of your subsequent films to save shooting time and film stock. How do you go on vacation at the same time as work? Well, set your films in the vacation destination of your dreams and have your financiers pay you for it. The book is full of great tips and funny anecdotes similar to these, and are both entertaining and educational.
Written in a funny, casual and inspiring language, this book is truly a must have for any independent filmmakers out there. Even if you don't learn a thing, you can still just enjoy reading about the experiences of this great man, who was never afraid to stand up for himself and tell others off in order to protect his dreams, fun and aspirations.
This book was truly a pleasant read. Unlike many 'guru' books, Corman does not hold back to share minute, specific and concrete details about his experiences and anecdotes with the reader - this is particularly relevant to many independent filmmakers.
He tells you specifically what he did, when the lead actress' agent threw a fit and asked him for more money at the last minute. He dropped the actress, made the second lead the lead, and then moved every actress one role up. How can you put shots of a burning house when you don't have money to burn down a house? Stay on the lookout for fires happening in your area, and rush to the scene and film it - and then REUSE IT every time you need a burning house in any of your subsequent films to save shooting time and film stock. How do you go on vacation at the same time as work? Well, set your films in the vacation destination of your dreams and have your financiers pay you for it. The book is full of great tips and funny anecdotes similar to these, and are both entertaining and educational.
Written in a funny, casual and inspiring language, this book is truly a must have for any independent filmmakers out there. Even if you don't learn a thing, you can still just enjoy reading about the experiences of this great man, who was never afraid to stand up for himself and tell others off in order to protect his dreams, fun and aspirations.
By John Gennusa
Format:Paperback
i love this book. i love this man. i love what he has done with very little money and some big....imagination. i love women, cereal, movies, and water. and i love roger corman too.
cinemajohn
for
the jack e. jett show
Format:Paperback
First, this is really a 1990 book, and all information pertains to 1988 and prior. I enjoy exploitation films and this book adds to my enjoyment. Many films today are boring and darkly filmed. Just a bunch of special effects done on a computer. It's nice to know that many of Roger Corman films are still available. Maybe not at you local Wal Mart, but they do appear on TV occasionally. This book provides information to further my appreciation of what Roger Corman was able to accomplish during his life-time. Well through 1988, anyway.
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4.1 out of 5 stars
Most recent customer reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
Actually....
When you read the book you'll find that he states on more than one occasion that a film he produced lost money. I guess it was more than a dime, so he ain't lying.
Published on Aug 11 2003 by Gary
5.0 out of 5 stars
Mandatory reading for all retro buffs
Comprehensive, informative and extremely entertaining. Provides a fascinating insight into the career and personal thoughts of the world's most commercially successful independent... Read more
Published on Mar 16 2003 by bruce john patience
4.0 out of 5 stars
Interesting but kind of shallow.
Considering the book is about Roger Corman the shallowness might be understandable.
The book is a retrospective of some of his movies and a little bit of the life he spent around... Read more
Published on Mar 21 2002 by James Manson
4.0 out of 5 stars
A thoughtful book about crab creatures and criminal bikers
A terrific book, loaded with great stories and anecdotes about the world of low-budget film making-- from its heyday in the 50's and 60's, to the 1980's, when the industry kind of... Read more
Published on Jan 2 2002 by Joseph P. Menta, Jr.
2.0 out of 5 stars
How To Be Paid For Telling The Same Thing Again And Again...
...Without Adding Any New Useful Information About All The Flicks On Which Roger Corman 70's & 80's Reputation Is Built# Anyone Willing & Able To Tell Behind-The-Scenes... Read more
Published on Jun 7 2001
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fascinating, inspirational look inside indie film making.
This book reads like one of Corman's movies plays out: fast, to the point, and when the monster's dead, the movie (or book) is over. Read more
Published on July 6 2000 by Blake Watson
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Smartest SOB in Hollywood
Based on this memoir, Corman isn't exactly what you would call modest. But then, his achievements speak for themselves, so his opinion of himself isn't inflated, either. Read more
Published on July 20 1999
5.0 out of 5 stars
You Can't Get Better
It is obvious from this book that Roger Corman is a true movie producer. He makes movies because he loves them. Many filmmakers such as Scorsese, Ron Howard, Coppolla, etc. Read more
Published on Dec 10 1998
5.0 out of 5 stars
The title of the book says it all.
If you like to watch Roger Corman movies, this book is for you. It gives you behind the scenes info on all of his best known films; if you don't like his movies, this book is... Read more
Published on Nov 11 1998
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