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Rebel without a Crew [Paperback]

Robert Rodriguez
4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)

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Book Description

26 Sep 1996

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.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.


Product details

  • Paperback: 304 pages
  • Publisher: E P Dutton & Co Inc (26 Sep 1996)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0452271878
  • ISBN-13: 978-0452271876
  • Product Dimensions: 13.8 x 2.1 x 20.6 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 295,493 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7 out of 5 stars
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Funny, informative and inspiring 7 Nov 2002
Format:Paperback
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.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
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.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
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.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars Passion and Guts
When you've read this book you will sell your house, buy a camera and go out and shoot film. The book is passionate, instructive and essential reading for the fledgling filmmaker. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Jan Vance
3.0 out of 5 stars 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 19 months ago by Mike Andrew Dawson
5.0 out of 5 stars Makes me want to go out and make movies!
I love this book! It is the kind of thinking that happens when you are just out there doing what you love the most. Read more
Published 21 months ago by Hani Khaursar
5.0 out of 5 stars Warning: not a filmmaking book.
The sole reason you're buying this book shouldn't be because you want to learn about filmmaking. If you're interested in that, you're better off watching his '10 minute film... Read more
Published on 17 Dec 2010 by Yarasmodai
5.0 out of 5 stars 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 on 25 Jun 2010 by Super Drumkit Dominator
5.0 out of 5 stars Best Filmmaking Book Ever!
Okay, so I've only reda about 10, but this is by far the best I have ever and probably will ever read. It starts at the beginging and ends at the pre-production of the sequel. Read more
Published on 25 Dec 2006 by M. N. Mosley
5.0 out of 5 stars Does what it says on the tin
Robert Rodriguez has set out to tell the tale of how he parlayed a $7,000 16mm movie into a Hollywood career. Read more
Published on 19 Jan 2006 by Stephen West
4.0 out of 5 stars 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
5.0 out of 5 stars GREAT! - What an amazing power a book can have!
... this book is amazing! ... it's the story of true passion and love for filmmaking. No matter what! ... Read more
Published on 19 Sep 2000 by shiraz@digitalartist.net
5.0 out of 5 stars 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
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