“CITIZEN TOXIE” ARRIVESTHANKS TO GRASSROOTS EFFORTSOF TROMA FANSFans Take Initiative to Book & Promote Theatrical Release of 4th Toxic Avenger Installment For nearly 30 years, Troma Entertainment has represented truly independent cinema around the world. Troma has weathered changes in distribution, technology, and taste and is still going strong. While other independent studios like Orion and The Shooting Gallery have fallen by the wayside, despite having millions of dollars at their disposal, Troma has soldiered on with a marketing budget of approximately $3.98. Now with Troma’s latest movie, Citizen Toxie: The Toxic Avenger Part IV, rolling out to an estimated 250-300 screens around the country, the question arises: what is the secret behind this schlock success story? One answer is Troma’s extremely loyal fan base. For a studio simply to have fans is unusual enough. But Troma fans are a breed apart. Creative, independent, and always ahead of the curve on new ideas, Troma fans want to see their favorite film company succeed and will stop at nothing to lend a hand. Fans demanded an online Troma presence and Troma responded by becoming one of the first studios anywhere with its own website (www.troma.com). Fans told Troma to get into DVDs when the format was still in its infancy. And fans contributed ideas for characters and scenes they’d like to see in Citizen Toxie: The Toxic Avenger Part IV, the latest chapter in Troma’s flagship series. Now, with Citizen Toxie in the can, fans are again rallying to Troma’s side to cut through the major-studio-dominated mainstream fare that has a stranglehold on theatres worldwide. Fans have contacted theatres in Portland, Seattle, Chicago, Boston, and around the country in an effort to see Citizen Toxie the way it was meant to be seen, in the theatre. “Hollywood studios have had a virtual monopoly on theatrical distribution for some time,” explains Troma president and Citizen Toxie director Lloyd Kaufman. “There are a few independent theatres left but a lot of them aren’t willing to take a chance on something as out there as Citizen Toxie. Our fans are smart enough to see this happening and they contact these theatres themselves. Once theatre owners know there’s a demand for the movie, they play it and are amazed at how well it does.” The fans’ devotion extends beyond merely convincing theatres to book the film. Kaufman says, “Troma is a very, very small company and can’t afford the kinds of ad campaigns that major studios do all the time. So we need to do low-cost, grassroots publicity to promote our movies. Our fans understand this and take the initiative to promote Citizen Toxie wherever it plays. In Baltimore and the Boston area, fans contacted local bars to organize Troma Nights to celebrate the premiere. They’ve contacted the media and booked me as a guest on top-rated drive-time radio shows in places like Dallas. They’re even willing to put up with the Troma Team and I using their homes as a flophouse while we’re in town for the premiere. Whatever success Troma has had over the years is owed directly to the fans’ support and enthusiasm.” Indeed, Troma enjoys a rapport with its fans unparalleled in cinema. The fans enjoy Troma’s movies and admire the company’s maverick image. In return, Troma treats its fans with respect and gratitude, actually listening to and implementing their suggestions. With this “power to the people” ethos firmly in place, Troma is prepared to carry the banner of truly independent art and cinema into the 21st Century. For additional information on Troma and the theatrical release of Citizen Toxie, please contact: Doug Sakmann Adam Jahnke TROMA ENTERTAINMENT, NY TROMA ENTERTAINMENT, LA 733 9th Avenue 1601 N. Las Palmas Avenue New York, NY 10019 Hollywood, CA 90028 212-757-4555, ext. 25 323-468-0830 FAX: 212-399-9885 FAX: 323-468-1156 Email: doug@troma.com Email: ajahnke@troma.com |