S01E01 Notecards & Origins

Summary

In this insightful video, Robert Rodriguez shares the behind-the-scenes journey of making his $7,000 feature film 'Red 11'—a project that mirrors his earlier low-budget success with 'El Mariachi.' Drawing from his personal experiences as a 'human lab rat' for medical research to fund 'El Mariachi,' Rodriguez challenges aspiring filmmakers to work under extreme budget constraints, documenting his entire process. He discusses his creative approach to writing, directing, and working with minimal resources while mentoring his son, Racer, and emphasizing the value of creativity in overcoming limitations.

Takeaways

• 😀 Robert Rodriguez's journey started with his low-budget film *El Mariachi*, which had only a $7,000 budget and no crew, setting the foundation for his future in indie filmmaking.
• 😀 Despite *El Mariachi* being a practice film, its success became a template for no-budget filmmaking and inspired many aspiring filmmakers around the world.
• 😀 Rodriguez wrote a book, *Rebel Without a Crew*, based on his production experience for *El Mariachi*, which became a popular guide for indie filmmakers.
• 😀 The *Rebel Without a Crew* TV series was created as a challenge to aspiring filmmakers, pushing them to work with similar limitations as Rodriguez did when creating *El Mariachi*.
• 😀 To celebrate the 25th anniversary of *El Mariachi*, Rodriguez made another $7,000 feature, *Red 11*, in just 14 days, showcasing the modern approach to making a low-budget film.
• 😀 *Red 11* was inspired by Rodriguez’s personal experience as a subject in medical research studies, an idea he had been contemplating since 1993.
• 😀 Rodriguez involved his son, Racer, in the writing of *Red 11*, mentoring him and fostering a sense of collaboration on this personal project.
• 😀 The process of writing a script for a low-budget film, according to Rodriguez, involves writing around available resources, using what’s readily available to save money.
• 😀 In his filmmaking process, Rodriguez emphasizes the importance of writing a script using simple methods, such as note cards, to organize scenes and structure the narrative.
• 😀 Rodriguez stresses the value of maintaining a balance between structure and free-form creativity in writing, allowing the script to evolve as new ideas emerge.
• 😀 For *Red 11*, the story revolves around a filmmaker who owes money to cartel investors and enters a medical research facility to pay off his debt, leading to thrilling and mysterious events.
• 😀 Rodriguez believes that limitations, such as working with a small budget or limited resources, fuel creativity and lead to more innovative, exciting filmmaking outcomes.

Q & A

What inspired Robert Rodriguez to create his first feature film, *El Mariachi*?

Rodriguez was inspired to make *El Mariachi* as a practice film, with no expectations of success. He had a small budget of $7,000, a borrowed camera, and no crew. Despite these limitations, the film became a success and set the foundation for no-budget filmmaking.

What role did Robert Rodriguez's book *Rebel Without a Crew* play in the indie film world?

*Rebel Without a Crew* is based on Rodriguez's journals during the production of *El Mariachi*. It became a handbook for aspiring indie filmmakers, offering valuable insights into making low-budget films and creatively overcoming limitations.

How did Robert Rodriguez come up with the idea for his latest film, *Red 11*?

Rodriguez came up with the idea for *Red 11* based on his personal experiences of participating in medical research studies to fund *El Mariachi*. The project was inspired by a chapter from his book *Rebel Without a Crew*, which detailed these experiences.

How does Robert Rodriguez approach scriptwriting for low-budget films?

Rodriguez writes scripts around what is available. He uses note cards to outline scenes and structures the story incrementally. This approach helps him stay focused on what can be achieved within the constraints of a small budget.

What does Robert Rodriguez mean by 'working with limitations'?

Rodriguez believes that working with limitations fuels creativity. Instead of seeing a lack of resources as a setback, he uses it as an opportunity to innovate and find creative solutions to problems, which ultimately makes the film more authentic.

How does Robert Rodriguez involve his family in his filmmaking process?

Rodriguez collaborates closely with his family, especially his son Racer. Racer was involved in writing the script for *Red 11* and also acts in the film. Rodriguez sees this as a way to mentor and teach the next generation of filmmakers while fostering creativity within his family.

What is the significance of the $7,000 budget in the creation of *Red 11*?

The $7,000 budget for *Red 11* is a deliberate choice by Rodriguez to revisit the challenges of his early filmmaking days, much like he did with *El Mariachi*. The budget forces him to be resourceful and creative, echoing the mindset that fueled his first success.

Why does Robert Rodriguez emphasize the importance of the 'page 12 event' in storytelling?

The 'page 12 event' is a key turning point that keeps the audience engaged. Rodriguez uses it as a rule of thumb to ensure the story maintains momentum and mystery, marking a shift from the first act to the second, and ensuring the plot doesn't stagnate.

What challenges does Robert Rodriguez face when making a low-budget film like *Red 11*?

Rodriguez faces the challenge of balancing the many aspects of filmmaking, including writing, directing, and working with limited resources. He also deals with the pressures of working quickly and efficiently, which requires creativity and adaptability to overcome obstacles.

How does Robert Rodriguez view the mistakes and accidents that occur during filmmaking?

Rodriguez sees mistakes and accidents as part of the filmmaking process, often giving a film its unique charm. He believes that the ability to adapt and improvise when things go wrong is what makes a film fresh and authentic, regardless of budget.