So, Here's a picture!
Let me tell you a little about how I learned about this hero of the film industry. I was reading this wonderful book that will expose my intellect to any of you who didn't know already, "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Screenwriting". The book talks about many aspects of film, from the history of film to how to write one. In one of the sections it brings up Robert Rodriguez, who was just a 23 year old film student from Texas. He also singlehandedly changed the way films are made today. The book spoke about Rodriguez submitting himself to medical testing for a month to save money to make his own film. He took that money and made a short film called "El Mariachi".
That's about all the info I was given from that book. His story inspired me though and kept me motivated as I started my journey in screenwriting and film making. The other day, I was at
a friend's house and I noticed a book on his shelf entitled, "Rebel Without a Crew" By Robert Rodriguez. I jumped at the opportunity and read the entire book in two days. It's a compilation of his journal entries from the time he thought of making the film on through it's sale to Columbia pictures and up to it's fantastic triumph at the Sundance Film Festival.Now, that being said, let me tell you a little about Robert Rodriguez, his story, and why he has become sort of an 'Idol' to me in the film making industry.
Robert Rodriguez was an average college student. His grades weren't great and he made money by drawing a daily comic for the local newspaper. He loved film though, practicing by recording on a VCR attached camera and editing between two different VCRs. He couldn't get into film school at the University of Texas (You should all know how I feel about this school) so he made a short film on his own and beat the UT film students. He approached the dean, showed him his work and the dean admitted him despite his grades. He made another short named 'Bed Head' and ended up winning over 13 different film festivals. He felt he won those because of the experience he had making shorts. His logic was if he was hired to direct he would direct a full length film, and in order to avoid the fall out of a second 'bad' film as a new director, he should practice making feature length films in the Spanish market. He went in for his testing and wrote the screenplay while he was in the institution. He got out, ran down to Mexico with a borrowed camera, and filmed his friend running around a small border town. He edited it in the local cable station pulling all nighters!
He finally drove to LA for 2 weeks to try to sell it to the spanish market, but no one wanted to pay what it was worth ($30k - $40k in their minds). One company offered them $25k but they waited to see if they could get something better. With a little spare time they had, Robert went to a local talent agency and met with an agent there. He gave his assistant his demo tape and just asked for suggestions. He met with him the next day, and after sending an English subtitled copy back they offered to be his Agent. He ended up selling it to Columbia for $150k and 50% of all VHS sales. That included a 3 year exclusivity deal. It took them about a year to reedit the film for the big screen and he made $2k a week in per diem (Which he pocketed as he slept in his office and showered in the studio gym). Mariachi ended up making about $150 million in theatres and landed Rodriguez the opportunity to make the films he wanted to. He has penetrated the market and makes his films so fast and so cheap EVERYONE wants to work with him. He was given a budget of $40 million to make Spykids, and made it for $25 million! People love the guy.
I can only hope to accomplish those kinds of things in my life time, and with my career! I'm excited to be a part of this wonderful field!
As for an update on my career, I wrote a short film with Mike Hall and we filmed it recently, due to some technical difficulties we have been unable to edit it, but after one more day of refilming a few scenes we will have it edited and entered into some film festivals. I'm also excited to be working with some great local filmmakers on their projects. It's an honor for me to be asked to help! I'm looking into writing and directing more short films and expanding my abilities as much as posible.
Also, with in the next Month, I should be Co-Owner of PMMaedia, llc. Mike Hall and I came up with the idea in February of 2008 and we've really been working hard to make it a reality!
Check it out, let us know what you think!
-Phil
