- Paperback: 285 pages
- Publisher: Faber and Faber (19 Feb 1996)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 057117891X
- ISBN-13: 978-0571178919
- Product Dimensions: 21.3 x 13.5 x 2.3 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 447,543 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Description
Product Description
In the world of American independent film-making, no one has landed on the cinema map with more explosive force than Robert Rodriguez did with El Mariachi. And he did so with only one camera, no crew, and a budget largely raised by subjecting himself to medical experimentation. Written in an exceptionally witty and straight-shooting style, this book will render conventional film-school programmes obsolete. Exploding the conventional wisdom that you need at least a million dollars to make a feature film, Rodriguez clearly demonstrates the countless ways to do for free what the pros spend thousands on without a second thought.
Rodriguez also offers an insider's view of the amazing courtship he enjoyed with Hollywood. He presents an entertaining tour of the Hollywood deal-making machine as he navigates his way through studio meetings, pitch sessions, and power lunches with the biggest names in the industry. Candidly divulging the tactics and tempting lures the warring studios used to win him over, he admits that he barely escaped with his movie and his soul intact.
Rebel Without a Crew is both one man's remarkable story and an essential guide for anyone who has a celluloid story to tell and the dreams and determination to see it through.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
As a film fan and someone with a creative urge, the story of someone making a movie on a miniscule budget was a compelling one and you won't realise just how extraordinary it is until you read this book.
Any exact details I tell you about the way Robert Rodriguez financed, filmed and sold El Mariachi will just spoil this book, as most of it just beggars belief, but it is basically his diary from the time and, as is displayed in his movies, Rodriguez is an entertaining story teller with a very easy and glib style and his love of movies shines through without ever losing track of reality (you won't find any glossy fairytale-esque takes on Hollywood and the movie industry). You get the feeling that this is a very lucky but very normal guy just living out his dream and it so refreshing to get such honesty from books like this.
By the end of it all you can't help but feel that you too could go and make a movie on a shoestring but it also reassures you that your dreams are possible if you're willing to put the effort in and see it through and in this age of nay-sayers and miserable pessimism (best displayed in recent British rock groups) it is a joy to hear someone give you a qualified 'yes you can' message and it is that which broadens this books appeal from beyond the prospective movie maker to anyone who has a longing to do anything creative and although it helps if you do have an interest in movies you don't have to worry about jargon busting.
At the end of the day this is a compelling story and the fact that it is a true story only adds to its mystique. Entertainingly written and wholly inspiring this book will make you dream again.
Any exact details I tell you about the way Robert Rodriguez financed, filmed and sold El Mariachi will just spoil this book, as most of it just beggars belief, but it is basically his diary from the time and, as is displayed in his movies, Rodriguez is an entertaining story teller with a very easy and glib style and his love of movies shines through without ever losing track of reality (you won't find any glossy fairytale-esque takes on Hollywood and the movie industry). You get the feeling that this is a very lucky but very normal guy just living out his dream and it so refreshing to get such honesty from books like this.
By the end of it all you can't help but feel that you too could go and make a movie on a shoestring but it also reassures you that your dreams are possible if you're willing to put the effort in and see it through and in this age of nay-sayers and miserable pessimism (best displayed in recent British rock groups) it is a joy to hear someone give you a qualified 'yes you can' message and it is that which broadens this books appeal from beyond the prospective movie maker to anyone who has a longing to do anything creative and although it helps if you do have an interest in movies you don't have to worry about jargon busting.
At the end of the day this is a compelling story and the fact that it is a true story only adds to its mystique. Entertainingly written and wholly inspiring this book will make you dream again.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
This is the best film-makers book about. There is no messing, this is true inspiration. "Get a camera, make a film", Rob manages to deliver this painfully simple advice in a most amusing way and the book will leave you wanting to do just that. It also includes the classic advice: Buy a crap tripod, just so you look professional, then don't use it. Static shots are stilted and boring, hold your camera and keep everything moving, it's much more exciting. I suppose you have to understand that the man makes action films, but there you go. A wonderful, well writen read. Nice one Rob.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Not knowing what to expect prose-wise from a film-maker famous for stylised violence, this text was a pleasant surprise; Rodriguez is erudite, funny (especailly in his recollection of selling himself to medical science to fund the film)and his obvious enthusiasm rubs of on you. He is honest, self-deprecating, and thankfully ego-free. This was one of the most entertaining reads I have ever read about film, made better because of the complete lack of pompous piety that Hollywood is famous for.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Worked for the time, not as relevant today...
This has been on my reading list for ages, although I'm not the biggest fan of Rodriguez (I only really like From Dusk till Dawn and Planet Terror) I've always admired his style,... Read more
Published 8 months ago by Mike Andrew Dawson
The Patron Saint of Guerrilla Film making
Robert Rodriguez is a real gift to the aspiring filmmaker: reading this book, in conjunction with watching 'El Mariachi/ Deserado' and 'Once Upon a Time in Mexico' (Each of these... Read more
Published 23 months ago by Super Drumkit Dominator
Not just a great book about filmmaking, just a great book
I bought this book expecting an arrogant, smarter-than-you account of how breaking into Hollywood is so easy everyone should do it. I was wrong. Read more
Published on 21 Mar 2002 by R. Grant
This book is the bible for any aspiring film maker.
Rodriguez is a hero for our age. On a measly budget, with only a 16mm Arriflex he borrowed from his mates, he has managed to make a modern action masterpiece. Read more
Published on 26 Oct 1999
Young film makers bible
Rebel without a crew is a truly inspiring book for anyone interested in the film making industry. The book tells the story of how Robert Rodriguez made his first film with no... Read more
Published on 3 July 1999
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