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) 

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.

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!

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.

phantasm

this book introduced me to the phantasm series and was incredibaly well done thank you

Great Insight Behind a Talented Director

If you’re a movie fan, or more specifically a horror movie fan, this inside look at a very talented directors history and process is fascinating. Highly recommended if you’re a Coscarelli fan.

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

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!

Great fun, fascinating industry stories.

The very first review that shows up of this book trashes it and calls Coscarelli arrogant and egotistical. Bizarre. No reasonable person could read this book and think that. I remind myself that Hollywood and that world in general is full of wannabees and desperate people with axes to grind about all kinds of things I cant imagine. The book is a fascinating collection of personal stories and industry anecdotes and advice that is even-handed and often self-deprecating on Coscarelli's part. I loved hearing behind the scenes stories from each of his movies, not just Phantasm. I laughed out loud many times and felt a lot of things when it came to Coscarelli describing Angus Scrimm's passing or other important incidents. Well done. Even though I listened to the audiobook, I liked it so much i e decided to go get a print copy too.

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.