Troma Intern Blog 1#:
The days working in the basement were fucking hell! But it was the best I time I ever had in my life. It was like the Walt Disney vault down there except that you won't see Jim Henson's body laying around. Everybody upstairs thought that getting that place done was gonna take the whole summer, we got it done in one and a half months. Ah yes, the basement. A treasure trove of lost forgotten Tromabilia, prints, reels, original art work, costumes and props all badly stored. Not only that but the place was unorganized to the degree of animation cells, poster art and reels were water damaged. Since Macdonalds moved next door there were rats that infested the area so good people upstairs spent a lot money in extermination. It worked, but every day was working in asbestos, rat poisoning and cockroaches...for free!
Troma Intern Blog 2#:
This piece is about Rob. A former intern who actually didn't enjoy it and Matt thought to interview him on his last days. Last I heard, the boy is out in the real world selling concert tickets on Ebay. Either way, I hope things are going good for Rob because he was funnier than shit.
Troma Intern Blog 3#:
This is the infamous interview starring me where after a month and a half of interning there I was granted an interview. We just got done with the basement and inventoried it and Matt(the one that works, not the one who conducts these interviews) was putting in his two weeks. Matt was pleased with the work I done with the rest of the interns in the basement and my work ethic that he called me up to see if I want to take his place. I was working at the Angelika Film Center ( and still am) when he called me and my sister has been hammering me to get a second job. I already knew how hectic the job is and also adding that to my job at the Angelika was quite a balance. I didn't refuse, but after I got the call I went to Battery park and to look at the sunset to clear my head and try to set things straight. It worked, but it took a whole evening to figure it out. I always wanted to work for Troma ever since I was kid and this was my opportunity. Matt said this would get your foot in the door in the film industry, which I knew was full of shit, but it closer to anything I ever came to. Shit man, and I was fucking 20. Anyway, I already knew the interview process from previous jobs and friends who have been interviewed by Michael Herz. Plus, not only I was being interviewed but Mike Uhlir( check Troma Intern Blog #5) who was a graphic intern and wanted the graphic design job...instead they gave it to someone else. So anyway, my interview was second to Mike, and all the stories I heard about Michael Herz's interview was pretty overrated. For some apparent reason he was telling me stuff I already knew and kept repeating himself and laughed at certain things I said. Not in a cruel way, but more like "Who fuck is this kid". He kept on telling me it's piss pay or low pay and a lot of responsibility, and I said I was cool with that. He siad the work is impossible(of course they always say that) and I said "I've been interning here for a month and half and you guys always say that and I'm like who the fuck finds this shit impossible. It's not impossible, it can be done its just a lot". And he started laughing. To tell you the truth it was good to see him crack a smile but I was serious and needed work at the time. But anyway, the process went okay and he like my somewhat of a resume and kept it...but in the end they gave it to Mike Uhlir. After sticking around and seeing Mike doing the job and suffering, I think Mr. Herz was right and was doing me a favor. I thank him for that!
Troma Intern Blog 4#:
This is the truth of countless low-budget filmmakers submitting their films to Troma and they put it through the test and let Interns watch them for tromatic elements like breast, gore and possibly a plot. But sometimes that never happens and we get mindless, hackfilled somewhat entertainment that no one else will pick up except for Troma. As bad as some acquisitions are, when I started their was some pretty good ones that they tried to acquire the rights to. Anyway, the majority is that most acquistions suck so always have low expectations and you might a gem.
Troma Intern Blog 5#:
This one features Mike Uhlir and the last of days for the creator of these wonderful shorts, Matt. Once Mike got the job and wanted to expand on his ideas of using the animation cells the interns found in the basement he also got interviewed. While working the second floor he never really got a chance to do anything with the animation cells and things went kind of horrible and he just decided to quit. But leaving a huge hole for me and Joe(new intern who will be featured and also got Mike's job), instead Mike is going to come in for free and do them, just like me. It sucks man, he was pretty cool dude and he was reason why I was so happy that I didn't get the job. I guess that saying from Luis Bunuel was right, never do anything for money that you would do for free, or else its slavery for money!
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