what is your take on how Rodrizuez shoots his films?

C

c.g._eads

Veteran
Just got done watching Once Upon A Time In Mexico's DVD commentary and learning a lot about Rodriquez in general. First of all, the fact that he wrote this film in like two weeks, preppred it in three weeks and shot it in seven (half the time it usually takes to shoot a movie like this) is a little jarring - I've never been a huge Rodriquez fan, though I follow him, like many others do, because of his inspiring story and they way he broke into the business. Still, it seems like he's way more interested in having fun on his sets, learning things, and shooting as fast as humanly possible, than he is about the actual quality of the film. He talks so much about how the way he shoots a film - fast, the way he approaches a film - fast, are the most ideal ways to spark his creativity, yet in doing so, he seems to put what many believe to be the most essential piece of the film -- the script -- on the bottom of the priority list. Isn't this contrary to what filmmakers are taught?

For instance, when he got this movie together, a sequel to Desperado, he hadn't even checked if Salma Hayek was available. When he called her and found out she was only available for a couple of days and not enough to include her in the entire movie, he just said, "Okay, boom, I knew at that point that I would only include her in a couple of flashbacks." He was so sure that her not being available was like some sort of sign that she was meant to be in flashbacks that he didn't even consider not putting her in at all (or using another actress). As it is, her involvement in the movie is rather confusing and pointless - but to Robert Rodriquez, it was genius, cause he solved a problem with creativity.

I love the way he just goes out and does it, in the face of fear, even if he's not entirely sure what he's doing but it seems more and more like his lifetime obsession is not to tell the most beautiful story ever told, but rather find a way to shoot an entire feature in one day. I'd love to see a movie of his where he really sat down and gave it James Cameron-type preparation just to see what would happen.
 
I find his story inspiring but his films do fall somewhat flat. My personal favorite of his is Sin City, which of course is an adaptation of Frank Miller's work, so everything was there for him.
 
Though I agree with Blaine about most of his stuff falling a little flat, I have to admit that I'm a fan of his system. His laid back approach to the task at hand, coupled with his efficiancy is pretty inspiring. I also like the fact the with desperado, he used a video camera to storyboard his shots, since he can't draw. I like to shoot quickly myself, so I tend to be drawn to the methods of directors like Rodriguez and Eastwood, who favor quick shooting times.
 
RR is a great inspiration; his mantra is consistent; the technology is available, start making movies.

As an artist I find him below average. He doesn't seem to have 'it'; the gift.

His best films have been From Dusk Till Dawn and Sin City; one had Tarantino's stamp all over it and the other is a virtual cookie cut out of Miller's graphic novel

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Sin City is my favorite so far; Grindhouse should be a ton of fun. But Rodriguez is no Autuer. I find him to be one of the most overrated and underskilled filmmakers working, but when your writing and producing (and DP ing and Directing and Editing and composing ....) your own films, who cares ?

It would be a dream., but after 9 Major feature releases, I think we've seen the level he'll achieve, and it ain't in the greatness arena.
 
"I just Added motercyles in post"

Thats one of the lines i remeber from watching that... Anyone else thing that he is making it sound just a little bit easier than it really is?
 
I think his style was a great marketing tool for EL MARICACHI, but to me, it doesn't work anymore. I am tired of him talking about how fast you can make a flick.

That doesn't mean he isn't an inspiration. I have his book "Rebel Without a Crew" and I've read it cover to cover at least a dozens times and one of my must haves in my filmmaking library.

DESPERATO and ONCE UPON A TIME IN MEXICO are a jumbled mess. To be honest, I couldn't tell you right now, if my life depended on it, what the plot lines are in those two movies.

He has the money and the clout to do whatever he wants. He needs to slow down, and concentrate on the quality and story now. He isn't a 23 year old guerilla filmmaker selling his body to science to fund his next film anymore.

On a sad note, rumor has it that he and his wife have separated.
 
It would be a dream., but after 9 Major feature releases, I think we've seen the level he'll achieve, and it ain't in the greatness arena.
Click to expand...

Who knows?

How long did it take Eastwood to go from shooting spaghetti Westerns to making really great films?
 
As most of you know, I am a HUGE Rodriguez fan! I do agree, his scripts aren't DEEP or amazing by any stretch. But I ALWAYS think his movies have a pace and visceral feel to them that just makes them FUN! I love his shooting style of fast, fast, fast, but good... I use this style in most of my films... mainly for budgetary reasons... I am a firm believer in a great script though, and honestly, I'd rather not write my own stuff, since I KNOW I am not a really talented writer... I think part of being a great filmmaker is bringing people who can make you better around you... one thing Robert might take a look at...
 
Brandon Rice said:
As most of you know, I am a HUGE Rodriguez fan! I do agree, his scripts aren't DEEP or amazing by any stretch. But I ALWAYS think his movies have a pace and visceral feel to them that just makes them FUN! I love his shooting style of fast, fast, fast, but good... I use this style in most of my films... mainly for budgetary reasons... I am a firm believer in a great script though, and honestly, I'd rather not write my own stuff, since I KNOW I am not a really talented writer... I think part of being a great filmmaker is bringing people who can make you better around you... one thing Robert might take a look at...
Click to expand...

Well put

I can't argue with that

RR is one of those filmmakers that just inspires me.
 
Wtf? John Hudson is back?

On topic, though -- That's what you can get away with when you have the money. You can make YOUR film and not have to worry about getting the script up a few levels so you can get the money to shoot it.

Can't say that I'm a super Rodriquez fan, but I do love Sin City and The Faculty.

Wow, though. Script in Two weeks? is he lying?
 
I'm not a fan, though I can't say the guy isn't h-o-t, hey, it's a girl thing. I have
two of his dvd's because they were on a blow-out sale at Circuit City, otherwise
I wouldn't have bothered.

I think he taught us a few things: You can shoot fast (his motto), you can be
a one-man-band (writer, director, dp, producter, editor, composer), and you can
make films with little money.

He also taught us: Shooting fast may not always be a good thing, being a
one-man-band isn't always the best thing, making films with little money and
having them released in theaters is always a good move.

If he can inspire you to go out and film, well hey, THAT'S a good thing.

Charli
 
Joe Kras said:
Who knows?

How long did it take Eastwood to go from shooting spaghetti Westerns to making really great films?
Click to expand...


hmmm..depends on which of his spaghetti westerns you are talking about.

Anything done by Sergio Leone is nothing short of a classic, as he was one of the greatest director/filmmakers of our time.

In my humble opinion, the Leone/Eastwood movies are masterpieces.
 
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