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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.

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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

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 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

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

RR

Robert Rodriguez

04/17/25

@ Lex Fridman

'El Mariachi' contains a tragic love story, which adds depth to the narrative, making the audience emotionally invested in the characters.

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 was determined to hire a real Latin actress for 'Desperado', which was challenging due to the lack of roles available for Hispanic actors in Hollywood at the time.

RR

Robert Rodriguez

04/17/25

@ Lex Fridman

Creating my own Latin star system was essential for my films, as it allowed me to cast authentically and tell stories that resonate with my voice.

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.