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Robert Rodriguez | |
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"I just love movies"
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Inspired in Eighth Grade by John Carpenter's 'Escape from New York' Robert Rodriguez started shooting movies on his dad's old Super8 camera, before graduating to a video camera that allowed him to shoot a hundred times as much for the same price as the film. Editing between two domestic VCRs he made best use of his 10 brothers and sisters as cast and crew, building up a catalogue of action comedies. After shouldering his way into UT-Austin's Film Department by beating movies shot by their students he finally managed to lay his hands on 16mm film equipment. Shot on 16mm and edited on video for a mere $800 he produced the eight-minute short 'Bedhead'. Determined that if he was going to break into Hollywood he wasn't going to panic when he got there he decided to film an early feature script himself and sell to the Spanish video market allowing him to practice for a profit. Shot in 20 days with a borrowed 16mm camera with best friend Carlos Gallardo (the film's lead) and no small measure of determination and energy 'El Mariachi' was a feature length movie made for $7000. After visiting Hollywood agencies (on the off chance that they would be interested in the film) Rodriguez signed to Colombia. There he edited 'El Mariachi' and began to start work on 'El Mariachi II : Desperado'. Caught in studio turmoil at Colombia he was brought in at the last moment to shoot a teen-rebel movie for cable TV. The $1.3 million movie 'RoadRacers' gained Rodriguez the reputation of being a fast worker with 78 camera set-ups in one day (20 being good going usually). Desperado arrived $200,000 under budget at a mere $3.1 million. (presumably he was thinking of making another 28 El Marichi's with the shortfall). Further info. on 'Desperado', 'From Dusk Till Dawn' and 'The Faculty' coming soon. |
with links to the Internet Movie Database |
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The guy's written a book!! 'Rebel without a Crew (Or, How a 23-year-old-Film-maker with $7000 Became a Hollywood Player)'. The follow up to 'Rebel without a Crew' called 'Roadracers : The Making of a degenerate hot rod flick' is available in the UK. It continues his diary, covering the production of cable TV movie Roadracers. A brilliant (if short) read. Let's hope the diaries keep getting published - I can't wait for one on Desperado. Extra Bits : His first film, 'Bedhead' is available on the El Mariachi/Desperado dual DVD which also includes a full director's commentary on both films. Extra Bit : There is a 'Making of' documentary for From Dusk Till Dawn called Full Tilt Boogie which was funded by Quentin Tarantino. It was bought by Miramax and is currently sitting on a shelf somewhere. Rumours have suggested that this is because of some less than flattering scenes involving George Clooney. There is a suggestion that it may appear on the upcoming Canadian 'From Dusk Till Dawn' Special Edition DVD. Now shooting : Umm...well there seems to be a new project reported every week, from wrestling pics, to kid comedies to prequels and sequels for From Dusk Till Dawn. I have heard that the third El Mariachi film is on its way though - 'Once Upon a Time in Mexico'. Cool! On the Web
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Content by Dale. Page last updated August '99.