True Indie

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) 

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.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

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.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Beautiful Book

Being a big phantasm fan I had to check this out and it does not disappoint. Don provides a lot of great insightful and inspiring information about being an indie filmmaker. Highly recommend this for anyone interested in filmmaking.

Boyyyyyyyyyyy

I was only a one year old when Phantasm was released in 1979. When I began watching scary movies I would find myself rewinding the VHS multiple times to see the door bust open, appliances sliding and the sound of “Boy!” Or the memorization of the line “you play a good game boy but the game is finished, now it’s time you...

This book was very enjoyable. I felt like I was seated at a table and having a direct conversation. There is a lot of nostalgia and renewable scenes that are mentioned. Took me back to when I wanted to be in horror movies just due to the influence of this movie and others like it. I would’ve worked for free just to be in a phantasm film and meet the y’all man. I gave up on trying to act but eventually met Angus Scrim. I was beer to horror cons and approached him with my vhs after her left the panel. He told me I was supposed to go the the autograph table before giving me the look (boyyyyyy), and grabbed my vhs and signed the cover anyway. Very memorable moment.

But back to the book. I have seen almost all of the films mentioned. And now have a better idea of what it looks like to write, direct, pitch, and market a film. This inside look at films that I am familiar with makes Don the teacher, us the student and his films the textbook. I highly recommend!

A great memoir on life in the indies

Don Coscarelli's book is mostly what you would expect from a filmmaker, starting with his influences as a kid and leading up through the life he carved out for himself as a totally independent filmmaker. Along the way we learn how his projects came about, some of the difficulties he had in shooting them and a great many of the difficulties he had in distributing his work. There isn't a great deal of insider info on the Phantasm series, but Coscarelli has a good word for everyone and it's a bonus to hear his story told in his own words and voice.

awesome

This is a great inspiration. A awesome look at a indie filmmaker. This makes me want to work harder.

Great for fans of Phantasm orFilmmaking in general

Don Coscarelli has had a long and varied career writing and directing movies, but he's never gotten much help from the studio system of Hollywood, nor has he gotten the respect he's deserved. He's had to fight and scrap every step of the way. And lucky for us, he has persevered where many others would've thrown in the towel.

This book delves into the successes and setbacks of his career in an informative and engaging way. I loved learning about the ins and outs of guerilla film making. A highlight was learning about what a douche Mark Singer was on the set of Beastmaster. I get the feeling that Coscarelli held back on his Mark Singer stories because he's a stand-up guy and doesn't want to excessively bad-mouth his past associates. But the stories we did get were eye-opening. If I ever get the opportunity to share a beer with Coscarelli, I'm definitely going to grill him for more Singer dirt.

I was also fascinated to learn of Coscarelli's long friendship with some up and coming folks you may have heard of like Quentin Tarantino and Roger Avary. His stable of film making friends is as varied and interesting as his film output.

Coscarelli does a great job at reading his own book and I found myself reluctant to stop listening. He's humble, funny and a great story teller. He also makes some damn good movies. I look forward to watching whatever his next project is.

A lovely look into a filmmakers career

As an aspiring filmmaker, this was surely a treat. Don Coscarelli is such a brave and hard-working individual who has dealt with many hardships yet overcame so many obstacles. What a life story and career. Excited for what comes next from him.

If this doesn't inspire you to make your movie...

Nothing will. Seriously. Don's insights and inspiring stories demonstrate the love of the film community and the bitterness of the business. It's filled with heart warming victories born of tenacity and hard knocks defeats a film maker is powerless to change. BOY ;)

An amazing ride!

A wonderful journey into indie film making. Don reads his own tale with great care and emotion. It feels like you are sitting in the room with him while he spins his yarns! A great read and listen! I highly recommend it!

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?

1 of 1 people found this review helpful