Review: How I Made a Hundred Movies in Hollywood and Never Lost a Dime
Game Changer explores non-roleplaying books that have had an impact on me as a designer, gamemaster, and player.
Roger Corman made movies fast, cheap, and entertaining, proving that creativity and momentum matter more than big budgets or perfect conditions. His approach is exactly what gamemasters and designers need when trying to keep a campaign moving, adapt to the unexpected, and make the most of whatever resources they have. If you’ve ever overprepared, hesitated too long on a creative choice, or struggled to keep a game from dragging, this book is a lesson in getting out of your own way.
Core Ideas & Takeaways
Corman’s philosophy is simple. Work with what you’ve got, keep the story moving, and never let perfection slow you down. His films had tight schedules, tiny budgets, and wild ideas, but they kept audiences engaged because they never wasted time. The best stories come from embracing constraints, not waiting for ideal conditions.
Momentum is everything. Whether you’re making a film or running a game, a well-timed twist, a sudden complication, or an unexpected character decision can be the difference between something that feels alive and something that falls flat. Corman knew how to grab attention and keep it, and that skill translates directly to roleplaying.
How It Applies to Roleplaying
Gamemasters can take a lot from Corman’s approach to storytelling. Keep things moving, say yes to surprises, and never let the game stall because you’re worried about getting something exactly right. If a session slows down, throw in a new challenge. If players do something unexpected, roll with it. The best games are the ones that stay focused on energy and engagement, not the ones where every detail goes according to plan.
For designers, this book is a reminder that limitations fuel creativity. Some of the best roleplaying systems keep mechanics simple so players and gamemasters have more room to improvise. Complexity doesn’t always add depth. Corman’s career proves that focused, streamlined design leads to stronger experiences than overproduced or bloated systems.
TLDR
Corman’s book is part memoir, part filmmaking guide, and part creative manifesto. It’s funny, sharp, and full of lessons for anyone who tells stories under pressure. If you want to run better games, design better systems, or just get better at making quick creative choices, this book is worth reading. It’s a reminder that creativity thrives when you stop overthinking and start making things happen.
Corman, R., & Jerome, J. (1990). How I Made a Hundred Movies in Hollywood and Never Lost a Dime. Da Capo Press.
