A Look at Robert Rodriguez

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“I can make a big-looking movie for very little money by just being resourceful, being creative, using the rubber band versus a lot of technology, and not being ashamed about it.” ~ Robert Rodriguez

Who says you can’t make a successful movie without spending millions of dollars? Robert Rodriguez, a successful Chicano film director, knows all about pinching pennies while making a film. Just ask him, he’ll be honest with you. Robert Rodriguez is known for directing, writing, and editing some of the biggest Hollywood movies. What sets him apart from other big directors is his ability to cut costs and remain close to his Chicano roots.

Growing up in a big family makes one inclined to save money and make do with what you have. Rodriguez was no exception. That trait is still evident today as he continues making movies. Yes, the budget has grown as he has grown as a director; however, he still knows how to cut corners and save money. Perhaps that is why his movies are so creative. According to Rodriguez, “When you cut down the money you’re using, you’re forced to be more creative” (Hay 14).

At 23 years of age, Rodriguez knew he wanted to get started working on a film that would open doors for him. He knew the big directors such as Orson Welles and Steven Spielberg started in their twenties. Rodriguez states, “I’m twenty-three years old. Orson Welles made Citizen Kane when he was twenty-five. Spielberg made Jaws at twenty-six. So I’ve only got about two or three years to make by breakthrough film” (Rodriguez 23). The only problem was money. To earn the money to make his first film, Rodriguez became a human lab rat for Pharmaco Research Hospital in Austin, TX. There, he would lay the foundation for his trilogy of movies.

Robert Rodriguez is highly known for El Mariachi, Desperado, Once Upon a Time in Mexico, and the Spy Kids movies. By looking at each of these movies separately, we can see how Robert Rodriguez developed as a director. From El Mariachi to Spy Kids, we are able to see that Rodriguez stays close to his roots by casting mostly Hispanic actors/actresses, and we can begin to understand why not all movies need big budgets to be successful.

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