Rebel without a Crew
Or How to Inspire a Generation of Independent Filmmakers.
I’m still working my way through Robert Rodriguez’s book about how he became a Hollywood player after writing, directing, producing, and everything else-ing “El Mariachi”. He sold his body to medical research to help raise the funds for the movie, filmed it all in Spanish in a Mexican border town, and tried to sell it the Spanish-language video market to get practice making movies. He ended up getting signed to a multi-movie deal with Columbia, winning the Sundance Audience Award, and putting out a string of successful films.
His book chronicles the fun and troubles of making a feature length motion picture in a way that clearly demonstrates how incredible the circumstances are. Included is the famous “10-minute Film School” in which Rodriguez gives advice to young filmmakers on how to make their own films.
Now understand, Rodriguez had been making short films with his siblings on video for years. He probably made almost 200 short movies in that time before trying to tackle a full-length movie. These years of practice are what led to him getting signed and getting famous. However, he is right that anyone can make a movie. His years of practice allowed him to make a good movie. So for all you aspiring filmmakers out there (me included). Practice, practice, practice. Find a way to practice making movies until you get better. You’ll make dozens of unwatchable shorts, a few truly bad films, and maybe, eventually, you’ll make a movie that will make Rodriguez take notice of you.
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