True Indie

Life and Death in Filmmaking

By: Don Coscarelli

Narrated by: Don Coscarelli

Length: 11 hrs and 51 mins

Publisher's Summary

This program is read by the author.

From Don Coscarelli, the celebrated filmmaker behind many cherished cult classics, comes a memoir that's both revealing autobiography and indie film crash course.

Best known for his horror/sci-fi/fantasy films including Phantasm, The Beastmaster, Bubba Ho-tep, and John Dies at the End, now Don Coscarelli’s taking you on a white-knuckle ride through the rough and tumble world of indie film.

Join Coscarelli as he sells his first feature film to Universal Pictures and gets his own office on the studio lot while still in his teens. Travel with him as he chaperones three out-of-control child actors as they barnstorm Japan, almost drowns actress Catherine Keener in her first film role, and transforms a short story about Elvis Presley battling a 4,000-year-old Egyptian mummy into a beloved cult classic film.

Witness the incredible cast of characters he meets along the way from heavy metal god Ronnie James Dio to first-time filmmakers Quentin Tarantino and Roger Avary. Learn how breaking bread with genre icons Tobe Hooper, John Carpenter, and Guillermo Del Toro leads to a major cable series and watch as he and zombie king George A. Romero together take over an unprepared national network television show with their tales of blood and horror.

This memoir fits an entire film school education into a single audiobook. It’s loaded with behind-the-scenes stories: like setting his face on fire during the making of Phantasm, hearing Bruce Campbell’s most important question before agreeing to star in Bubba Ho-tep, and crafting a horror thriller into a franchise phenomenon spanning four decades. Find out how Coscarelli managed to retain creative and financial control of his artistic works in an industry ruled by power-hungry predators, and all without going insane or bankrupt.

True Indie will prove indispensable for fans of Coscarelli’s movies, aspiring filmmakers, and anyone who loves a story of an underdog who prevails while not betraying what he believes.

©2018 Silver Sphere Corporation (P)2018 Macmillan Audio

Critic Reviews

"A smart, insightful, and entertaining look at the bizarre roller coaster life of an indie director. If you don’t love this book...you’re already dead.” (Rob Zombie)

“A must-read for fans of horror, lovers of independent cinema, and people who respect tenacity, determination, and perseverance. True Indie is a charming, entertaining, and insightful look at the life and work of a bold and brazen filmmaker. It hits the mark like a speeding, double-spiked chrome ball.” (J.J. Abrams) 

True Delusion

True Ego is another good title. 70+ chapters of discourse on making movies with studio backing all while touting indie status. Then truly groan worthy chest thumping about how he inadvertently created EBay and Nightmare on Elm Street. I would recommend this book to no one. Try Bruce Campbell's memoirs instead. They are better in every way and far more informative about filmmaking and the industry. Here you learn how to get a $250,000 loan from your dad at 19 to make your first feature film. Then take it through post production with the help of Universal Pictures. A painful waste of almost twelve hours.

FIVE OUT OF FIVE SILVER BALLS

If you have any interest in indipendent filmmaking, you can't go wrong with this inspiring and emotional memoir by one of our most original filmmakers. Loved it.

Amazing!

Whether a Phantasm phan, a film nerd, or someone who likes a motivational story...True Indie is for you. This is a great story by a talented, determined and accomplished filmmaker. I couldn’t stop listening but was sad when it was over. Being a biography, hearing the author read it made the story feel real and authentic. You can feel the passion and heartache as Don Coscarelli revisits his the highs and lows of his fascinating career.

essential for aspiring filmmakers

coscarelli charms you consistently throughout it's runtime, and offers up some valuable advice and insightful anecdotes to those trying to make it on their own.

Good insight from a humble filmmaker

Don Coscarelli doesn’t have the best voice for audio books, but that’s the only strike I can give this book. That being said, his genuine nature and and calm demeanor are definitely on display as he recounts his many stories and anecdotes from his past. He shares some good insight for filmmakers and provides a keen perspective from the indie film maker perspective.
I can’t say for sure that non-fans will find this very appealing, but if you are a fan of any of his films, I would recommend this.

Amazing!

Simply amazing! An absolute gem of a book that gives insight to longtime fans, and genuine wisdom for aspiring filmmakers. A must read for film fans and filmmakers everywhere!
R.I.P. Angus Scrimm!

Every Horror and Movie Fan Will Love This Book

Don Coscarelli does an amazing job telling the story of his film career directing off the beaten path films. Really makes you feel like you are right there in the trenches with him during his journeys in film and struggles getting his pictures made. A must listen!

an unecpected great experience

this was not what I expected but a truly great story. I learned much more than I expected and it was really helpful before me

My favorite audiobook of all time!

I discovered this audiobook while searching for books on independent filmmaking. I listened to the sample and knew I would enjoy this selection so I bought it. From the very beginning I was hooked. I had never heard of Don Coscarelli, had never watched any of his movies as the horror genre had never really been my thing. I should mention that I’m almost 55 years old so most of his movies were available to me at the time they were new releases. As I listened to the book outlining the production of all the films I just had to see them and have been doing so one by one. I’m now a huge fan! Don’s storytelling in the book is just wonderful and listening to his read of the book is perfect. His warmth and genuine character come through from the first words. It’s my hope that he writes another book and does the reading as I just enjoyed this so much. It is easily my favorite audiobook ever! If you have an interest in filmmaking or just love the films of Don Coscarelli you will really enjoy this book. On a side note: I bought the hardcover too!

Not what I was Looking for

If you think of an Indie filmmaker as a young well-to-do California kid with unlimited connections- then this may be inspiring to you. The story was alright and entertaining at times, but I think of an Indie as someone who films everything as they learn their craft. Living on Ramen and inside a cheap apartment, writing and failing, shooting video on $200 camcorders, working your heart out for 85 likes on Youtube- and doing that while no one believes in you, not even yourself. The title of this should be " How I wrote and produced a Popular Horror movie -and some other films".

It's not always about the movie.

A very honest and emotional story ftom a truly gifted director. He puts people above product!
What's not to like?

A great tale of true indie filmmaking

Dons journey is one that is terrfiyign and heartening simultaneously. Beautifully read by Don its a compelling listen and a must for filmmakers.

Fascinating and in-depth!

Amazing to listen about a “true indie filmmaker”. Loved the anecdotes, trail and tribulations of making low budget and high end budget filmmaking. Great performance by the writer himself with moments that are genuinely touching and heartfelt, and tense on others. If you love films and the world of filmmaking, give this a listen!

Great listen

Don Coscarelli's Great memoir takes us on Journey on his film making life..
Great audio and well read by Don himself

Great read for both film-makers and movie buffs

Packed with interesting facts on just how difficult it is for the independent film-maker to work in the movie business. Often funny and never boring, Don's true stories of creating his films cover the changing landscape of the movie-making business over 40+ years. From student to independent, to studio and back to independent he covers the range of people he's loved and admired to the people he's disliked and endured. This for me will be a book I go back to again and again!