Shpadoinkle: The Making of Cannibal! the Musical

by Jason McHugh

This "making of" book takes the reader on a journey with producer Jason McHugh as he embarks on a quest to create the soon-to-be cult movie, Cannibal! The Musical, with his college buddies Trey Parker and Matt Stone, along with a first-class crew of CU Boulder film geeks. The tales and lessons don't end with the film's completion, as McHugh lays out steps taken to get press coverage, crash the film festival scene, find representation, land a TV pilot, and eventually get distribution. The readers gets front row seats to McHugh's theatrical "Four Wall" campaign and the journey involved in taking the film property to live stages around the globe.

This anecdotal adventure offers stories and advice for the up-and-coming creative doer as well as the need-to-know-it-all fan who just wants to hear some bloody old stories from back in the days before South Park blew up Hollywood.

Genres: Nonfiction

152 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2011

Reviews

[Jackie Stargrove · Rating 4 out of 5]

McHugh is definitely more interested in sharing stories and giving advice rather than writing as an art and that makes this feel super-approachable and friendly. Half the book is about making the movie and the other half is the journey to get it to screens small, large, and eventually the stage, with a fair amount of relevant diversion. I won’t blame him for the edit but it could have used a little tightening from the editor as there were a few weird errors here and there. Still, I’m so glad that the life of this bizarre little movie has yet to slow.

[Lela · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's not the best written book you'll find but that doesn't diminish the enjoyment of it. Cannibal! The Musical is such a massively fun and unique movie, it's great to read the just as unique story behind the making of and distribution surrounding it. From the inspiration, filming and school tribulations, festival fiasco, to taking it to Hollywood, this needed to be a book.
Jason McHugh's style of storytelling and humor really bring it to life and I hope to look forward to more books he may choose to publish in the future.

[Mekenzie Larsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cannibal! is one of my favorite movies and I've seen it about 1,000 times. For reals. Now that that's out of the way, there's lots of cool information here about making your own movie, from raising funds to press to festivals to distribution. And I loved reading about the hijinks the boys used to get into. Now I wish I knew people who'd be down for shooting a low-budget horror film in the woods.

[Alfred · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book. Highly recommend for both aspiring film makers and lovers of the movie!

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

A+ for enthusiasm, that's for sure! This was like sitting with Jason McHugh in a bar as he fills you in on his latest project. In that regard this is a very enjoyable book.
The book feels rushed or maybe a bit like a Cliffs Notes version of a longer, more detailed work. I didn't expect some snotty critic's examination of Citizen Kane but I did want more and I finished a bit disappointed. But just a bit.
Overall this is a charming little book that made me pop in my DVD copy of the film and I suppose that is one of the goals.

[Lainie Deutsch · Rating 4 out of 5]

it’s a shpadoinkle day!

great read for fans of cannibal, and for people interested in making silly movies. enjoying read, as well as a glimpse into matt, trey, jason, and the rest of the cast and crew. shpadoinkle!

[Andrew F · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book detailing the creation, distribution and then theatrical exhibition of a cult classic. Very readable and imbued with the personality of Jason Mchugh through and through. Recommended.

[Parker · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Being naïve with a slice of controlled anger can really help a creative person get a project to the next level. The chip on your shoulder is a gift, so use it wisely."