Hello. Robert Long here, and I am the creator of Smash or Trash Independent Filmmaking. It is dedicated to the three Dons in the movie industry: Don Dohler (The Alien Factor), Donald F. Glut (The Empire Strikes Back), and Don Coscarelli (the Phantasm franchise).

Founded in 2008, Smash or Trash Independent Filmmaking started out as a book project; it evolved into a website where the fast-paced, always-changing world of independent filmmaking could be updated regularly! It was birthed from my love of independent film productions and my desire to help fellow filmmakers make better movies.

This was accomplished through the hundreds of interviews, movie reviews, and articles that I’ve posted over nearly two decades. On top of that, I had started a YouTube channel that celebrated independent films through reviews. While I have had several superb guest writers and presenters help out, this is largely a one-person operation. I’ve had to be a Jack of all trades, yet a Master of none.

Check out the website to see the fruits of these labors. I mean, I have covered some of the biggest up-and-comers of the last 20 years! Interviews with independent film pioneers like Don Dohler (Cinematic Magazine) and Tom Sullivan (Evil Dead). There are wonderful interviews with original Terrifier (2018) cast members David Howard Thornton, Jenna Kanell, and Matt McAllister. There are articles on a lot of indie film heavy hitters - including Kevin Kangas, Leanna Chamish, and George Stover!

It’s that time of the year that I need your help. The hosting fees for the site - among other related expenses - have come due. I’m still a non-profit (believe me, I’d love to see that change in the future) and the combination of my stroke - and my computer going belly up - has slowed me down. Things are finally back on track, but I’m coming up short on the finances. This is where YOU come in.

In 2024, I raised enough to keep the website and YouTube channel going thanks to people like you. As my thanks, those 2024 people are still producers on my videos. By pledging $5 to $10 to this GoFundMe, you can help me to raise enough to get the HUGE backlog of creative content up in 2025! Videos on how I built movie miniatures, tons of how-to articles, videos on movie bloopers, videos on how to do indie special effects, many more interviews from veterans in the field, and a place where we continue to pay tribute to those in the business that have gone before us. I’ll even post about the work I’ve done trying to bring Timewarp Films’ DEAD HUNT to Blu-ray!

So many thanks if you can help me out. You will be credited as contributors and producers on Smash or Trash’s 2025 posted videos and articles! At the very least, share this GoFundMe event and go to YOUTUBE to like and subscribe to my new video channel. As I said, I have lost access to my former YouTube channel and want to make this new one even bigger and better!

Here’s to 2025!