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RR

Robert Rodriguez

04/17/25

@ Lex Fridman

I shot 'El Mariachi' on a 16mm camera without knowing how to use it, relying on phone calls for guidance.

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LF

Robert Rodriguez: Sin City, Desperado, El Mariachi, Alita, and Filmmaking | Lex Fridman Podcast #465

@ Lex Fridman

Robert Rodriguez: Sin City, Desperado, El Mariachi, Alita, and Filmmaking | Lex Fridman Podcast #465

04/17/25

Related Takeaways

RR

Robert Rodriguez

04/17/25

@ Lex Fridman

I shot 'El Mariachi' in one take to save costs, expecting that some parts might not come out, but I was willing to reshoot if necessary.

RR

Robert Rodriguez

04/17/25

@ Lex Fridman

When I was making 'El Mariachi', I didn't speak Spanish, which added an inspiring layer to the story of creating a film in a language I didn't know.

RR

Robert Rodriguez

04/17/25

@ Lex Fridman

I made Bedhead, an award-winning short film, using a windup camera, which opened my mind to making a feature film for $8,000, leading to El Mariachi.

RR

Robert Rodriguez

04/17/25

@ Lex Fridman

I was fortunate that my camera malfunctioned during 'Mariachi', which led to better sound quality than I would have achieved otherwise.

RR

Robert Rodriguez

04/17/25

@ Lex Fridman

I started making films with a Super 8 camera and editing on a VCR, which taught me how to edit in my head and be resourceful with what I had.

RR

Robert Rodriguez

04/17/25

@ Lex Fridman

I shot Desperado digitally in my house in 1994, which was unheard of at the time. I insisted on editing it myself because it was crucial for me to have that creative control.

RR

Robert Rodriguez

04/17/25

@ Lex Fridman

For Mariachi, I wrote the script based on what I had available, like a pitbull, a turtle, and a bus, which gave the film its production value.

RR

Robert Rodriguez

04/17/25

@ Lex Fridman

I reverse engineered the trailer for 'Machete' to create the movie, using the shots from the trailer as a guide for the film's scenes.

RR

Robert Rodriguez

04/17/25

@ Lex Fridman

I thought if someone actually picks up my film, they'll be surprised by the action I included, even though I initially made it for practice.