TROMA FILMS - Interview with Josh Petraglia - Music - http://maxpages.com/aeazine/TROMA

How long have you been working with Troma, Inc.? What aroused your interest in working with them?
One year, which is a lifetime, people tend to come and go here. What had aroused my interest to work at Troma was fond memories I had as a kid watching Toxic Avenger and Class of Nukem High. However, before I went for an interview at Troma I went to the www.troma.com site to read about the company, and I found it very interesting to see that Troma had shared the same ideals that I had towards the film industry.

When you were interviewed to hook up with Troma how long was it beforyou hooked up with them?
About 3 weeks.

Since starting work for the company what have been your duties?
To be driven insane. No actually I started out as being an assistant to president of Troma studios and creator of the Toxic Avenger, Lloyd Kaufman. I would book travel, set up appointments, meetings, usual business stuff, however, I later became the Marketing Director and head of conventions and promotions, and I also became a sort of publicist for Mr. Kaufman creating a Troma tour for him ot promote our new films.

Which Troma films have you worked on altogether since joining forces with Lloyd Kaufman and the gang?
I actually haven't worked on any Troma films yet. When I was just hired the Troma Team had just finished rapping up Citizen Toxie: The Toxic Avenger Part 4. However I have been involved in a television comedy series that Troma airs on Channel 4 in London, called Troma's Edge TV. On Troma's Edge TV I get to play a demented hillbilly character called Farmer Josh.

How many horror / science fiction appearances do you guys make evey year, just about? Would you say they've been increasingly successful as Troma has become more popular? Judging by fan reaction at conventions which Troma films are the most asked about?
Troma attends as many conventions as possible. I myself am the head of conventions for Troma Entertainment and I try to hit at least 20-30 a year. Troma is extremely popular at the fan shows and are always in some sort of trouble. I remember one time at a show in Chicago, the Trome team hosted Strip twister with the fabulous tromettes. We had played twister in the middle of the selling aisle and had a crowd of over 400 people watching three hot tromettes tangled in a twist. This went over quite well with the fans, however the convention staff tended to disagree. So you can say that Troma has become increasingly popular at the fan shows. The films that are most asked about are definitely Terror Firmer, Citizen Toxie, South Park's creators, Trey Parker and Matt Stone's, Cannibal the Musical, The Toxic Avenger, oh and Butt Crack.

Describe the most recent projects you guys have released in theaters. Since the release of TOXIC AVENGER IV: CITIZEN TOXIE and TERROR FIRMER how large a response have they received? Upon their release at various film festivals what sort of an experience was it to unveil these pictures?
Terror Firmer has been in theaters now for over 2 years and still has excellent theatrical success. Citizen Toxie is just starting to play the Festival circuit. Citizen Toxie has played at The Stiges Festival in Spain, the Brussels International festival of Fantasy, Horror, and Science Fiction Films, and the Amsterdam Festival of Fantasy Films. Troma also plans to showcase Citizen Toxie at the Cannes Film festival in France this coming May. The responses of these releases are hillarious. There is nothing more funny than going to a theater and seeing a Troma movie. It is a unique experience. Everyone screams, laughs, and chants and is having just plain old fun. To unveil these pictures at premieres is amazing to see how hard people laugh, and enjoy Troma films.

What are some of the major film festivals where Troma have appeared and had movies premiered at? You guys were at the Cannes Film Festival? What sort of an experience did you guys have there?
I have mentioned a few in the last question. The are so many festivals that Troma attends, like Brussels, Amsterdam, Stiges, Cannes, and also Fantafestival in Rome. Troma also has its very own film festival called TromaDance which is held at thesame time and location as the Sundance film festival. TromaDance is truly independent in the sense that it gives the filmmaker a chance to submit his/her movie with no entry fee. TromaDance is also free to attend. The event is held in Park City, Utah every January.

Of all the movies released by Troma, which ones are your personal favorite? In what way do they appeal to you the most? Which "other-than-Troma" films do you enjoy? Are you personally a bigger fan of horror or science fiction, or does it not matter either way?
My personal favorite Troma movie is the Toxic Avenger, however I'm very partial toward Terror Firmer. Other than Troma films, I enjoy Jaws, Clash of the Titans, Indiana Jones, Trick or Treat, The Warriors, Mean Streets, Goodfellas, Raging Bull, Taxi Driver, Noises Off, Honey moon in Veags, Up in Smoke, etc. I'm also big into horrors such as Friday the 13th, Halloween, Nightmare on Elm Street, and Texas Chainsaw Massacre. I like all sorts of films and tend to not stay in just one genre.

Are you a huge fan of underground heavy metal? What bands are you listening to these days? Have you been to see these bands perform live?
I'm actually a big fan of heavy metal. I lean more toward older bands such as Iron Maiden, Sabbath, King Diamond, Slayer, old school Megadeath, Ozzy, Anthrax, Manowar. The list could go on forever. I've actually seen all of these bands perform. Currently I'm listening to Dream Theater, Rush, Yes, Spock's Beard, Mr. Bungle. I listen to a variety of different music. I'm a musical junkie, I have been playing bass for over 14 years and I'm currently recording with my new band this summer.

Have you gotten chances to meet any members of the bands you most admire? If so, which bands have you met and what kind of experiences were they to hang out with them?
Yes, actually I have met Dream Theater a few times, and I've also met Billy Sheehan, the best bass player in the world, and my main influence. That was an amazing experience. I have also met members of Slayer, Type O Negative, but who hasn't met them? I have met Manowar on several occasions and used there old touring equipment. I have also met a
slew of popular hardcore bands through playing, but however this question doesn't pertain to that becuase I don't admire hardcore. Metal or Die MuthaFucker!!!!!!

What's the story behind you guys hooking up with Lemmy Kilminster of Motorhead for the filming of TROMEO AND JULIET? Did you by any chance get to meet Lemmy in person while filming the movie?
I never got the priveledge of meeting Lemmy at a shoot, however I do know that Lemmy is a Troma fan and has appeared in not Only Tromeo and Juliet but Terror Firmer, and Citizen
Toxie.

Troma films have many lovely ladies starring in them, expressing themelves aesthetically in quite different ways than shows like BAYWATCH portray the way women are supposed to look. In what ways, if any, do you feel that Troma films present an alternative to the media's conception of how women are supposed to appear? What is your opinion of the FOX television show DARK ANGEL in that regard?
I feel that the Troma alternative to the media's conception of the way woman are supposed to be is that in Troma films you actually get to see women naked. I think Dark Angel needs to do the same.

The official website says that Eminem is a huge fan of your movies. What's the story behind that?
Troma does not actually know if Enimem is a fan. What you read on www.troma.com is simply a joke for the fans' amusement.

What's your personal view of the whole Napster thing and how it could affect both the Internet and the music industry?
I think Napster is great. You can find any type of song that you want and its free. Everybody loves free shit. I think it already has affected the music industry in the respect that many music listeners are downloading albums rather than buying them in stores. I personally am glad and hope to see the Music Industry die. The music industry feeds us what they think is good. It should be up to the listener to decide what to listen to, not some corporate elite that doesn't have a clue about music. However there will have to be some way in which the artists can receive money for a download of their album.

Where do you see the horror / sci fi / gore industry headed in the years to come?
I personally think that the horror/sci-fi will always survive. As long as there are people in the world who have interest in things, there will be a fan base for horror/sci-fi.

Which science fiction television shows and films, if any, have you been watching often? Which ones have you watched in the past did you enjoy greatly?
I haven't had time recently to watch anything on television, but in the past I have enjoyed Sci Fi classics such as Tron, Close Encounters, ET (I guess), Alien 1&2, Clash of the Titans (not really Sci Fi), Twilight Zone (Of course), The Philadelphia Experiment & Explorers.

Any new projects you guys are working on that we should look out for?
I really can't state that now, however I think the Troma fans will be in store for a real treat.

What's your personal view of the issue of censorship in America? What efforts have been made on the part of Troma to speak out against it?
I think that it sucks!!!! Troma lobbied outside of a democratic party in NYC against censorship. It actually went quite well.

What would you say is Troma's highest goal at this point?
To not go broke. To get more people involved into Troma films.

Anything you wish to sign off with?
Dave you rock!!!!!!!!!!!!

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