Robert Rodriguez Files

Edgar Rice Burroughs'
Frazetta Doubleday Book Club ed.

JOHN CARTER OF MARS
Paramount Film Project: Pre-Production Series

\ Robert Rodriguez:

Read the Variety Release
http://www.erbzine.com/mag6/0648.html

Recommended interview on The Onion AV site:
http://www.theonionavclub.com/avclub3829/avfeature_3829.html

Rodriguez is an enthusiastic pioneer in theshooting of films with high definition progressive scan digital cameras on digital film. In response to the old film axiom: "Creative people aren't technical; technical people aren't creative. They always need each other, and they're always on opposite sides of the room." Rodriguez said: "That's why nothing gets done. I've abandoned film forever. You can't go back. It's like trying to go back to vinyl after you've got recordable DVD.".
Robert Rodriguez Bio on the Internet Movie Data Base Site: See films worked on and 26 photos
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001675/

Robert Rodriguez was born and raised in San Antonio, Texas, USA ~ 20 June 1968. At a very young age he showed an interest in cartooning and filmmaking and devoted all his time to this developing fascination. Finally it resulted for him in making real movies, and just first of them - Mariachi, El (1992) - made him the legend of independent ultra-low budget filmmaking. His further career is a sign for young filmmakers that even the most wild dream may come true if you are brave enough to follow your own path. Since then Robert has written, directed, and/or produced up to 10 cool movies, such as Desperado (1995), From Dusk Till Dawn (1996), Faculty, The (1998) and Spy Kids (2001).

Companies and Personnel Involved in the ERB Mars Project

Par-based Alphaville Prods., partnered with Rodriguez's Troublemaker Studios

Producers will be Alphaville toppers Sean Daniel and Jim Jacks with Rodriguez and producing partner Elizabeth Avellan.

Scripted by Mark Protosevich ("The Cell"), the film may be called "A Princess of Mars" or "John Carter of Mars."

See the Mariachi Script
Read 10 MINUTE FILM SCHOOL by Robert Rodriguez

Rodriguez is a pioneer in shooting his films with high definition progressive scan digital cameras on digital film,

His action sequences have been compared with those of John Woo.

Has worked with and is influenced by his friend, film god Quentin Tarantino

His work has been compared to Leone’s spaghetti Westerns: A fist Full of Dollars and For a Few Dollars More.

Gets amazing results on a low budget

He is involved in all aspects of film making: writing, directing, producing, post-production, music scores,

Considered the top Hispanic film maker in Hollywood

Famous for doing it his way... without creative suggestions from fans or outside sources

He made one of the most entertaining, and well put together, low budget films of all time, El Mariachi. With \\$7000 of his own money, (much of it earned working as a guinea pig for a pharmaceutical company) he wrote, shot, directed, edited, mixed sound, and sold a very tight little Spanish action film to an American audience.

Spouse Elizabeth Avellan (1990-present) (sons' names: Rogue, Rocket, Rebel, and Racer Rodriguez)

Wrote a book named "Rebel Without A Crew", about his experience making the movie "El Mariachi".
Brother of Elizabeth Rodriguez, Christina Rodriguez, David Rodriguez, Rebecca Rodriguez and Angela Lanza.
Went to St. Anthony's High School.
Studied at St. Anthony's University, The University of Texas at Austin.
He earned most of the $7000 it cost to make El Mariachi by subjecting himself to experimental drug studies.
In April of 1996, headed the list of "25 Most Powerful Hispanics in Hollywood", published by Hispanic Magazine.
Cousin of 'Alvaro Rodriguez (I)' .
In May 1999 Robert Rodriguez was honored with the Outstanding Young Texas Ex Award by ExStudents' Association.
Sons: Rocket Valentin, Racer Maximilliano, Rebel Antonio.
One of the experimental drugs that was tested on Rodriquez was a "speed healer." He has two divots in his arms as a result of the removed sample.
Frequently uses Antonio Banderas, Salma Hayek, Cheech Marin, Danny Trejo, and Robert Patrick.
Famous for working and delivering on relatively low budgets. His most expensive movie cost $35 million, most are budgeted $20 million or lower.
Has final cut and final approval of all marketing materials in his contracts.
Ranked #80 in Premiere's 2003 annual Power 100 List. Had ranked #94 in 2002.
Set up a symphony orchestra in his garage to record the score for Spy Kids 2.
He wrote two scripts for "Predator 3". One took place at at ship in the 17th century, The second one was about Swarzeneggerz and Glovers characters being taken to the alien planet, as trophies.
Turned down the chance to direct Kevin Smith's script for Superman Lives.
His production company was called "Los Hooligans", named after the comic strip he drew in college, but it is now titled "Troublemaker Studios".
Left the Writers' Guild of America (WGA) in late 2001, citing the organization had "too many rules and just take your money."
Kevin Smith also pursued Rodriguez to helm his controversial religious satire Dogma (1999). Rodriguez turned it down, insisting that the project was so personal that Smith ought to do it himself.
He was going to direct The Mask of Zorro but when Elizabeth got pregnant he dropped the project to spend time with his family. He also turned down Wild Wild West and X-Men because he didn't want to put up with all of the red tape and other assorted crap that comes with making a $100 million picture for a big studio.

FILMOGRAPHY
Director/Editor/Producer/Camera Operator/Post Production/Editor/Writer/Composer

FILM
Once Upon a Time in Mexico (2003)
Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over (2003)
Spy Kids 2: Island of Lost Dreams (2002)
Spy Kids (2001)
Faculty, The (1998)
From Dusk Till Dawn (1996)
Four Rooms (1995) (segment "The Misbehavers")
Desperado (1995)
Mariachi, El (1992)
Bedhead (1991)
Kill Bill: Vol. 2 (2004) (post-production) (additional music) (thankyou credit)

TV
Inside Troublemaker Studios (2004) (V)
Ten Minute Cooking School: Puerco Pibil (2004) (V)
Ten Minute Flick School: Fast, Cheap and in Control (2004) (V)
10 Minute Film School (1998) (V)
10 More Minutes... Anatomy of a Shootout (1998) (V)
Roadracers (1994) (TV)
... aka Rebel Highway (1994) (TV)

Actor - filmography
Delayed (2002) .... Robert Jimenez
Bullfighter (2000) .... Bull Boy
Famous (2000) .... Punk #2

... aka Lisa Picard Is Famous (2001) (USA)

Discussion of The Rodriguez Films

El Mariachi (1992) This movie is a fantastic example of what $7,000 can do. Rodriguez was writer, director, producer, camera, sound, and everything else. The only reason he didn't star in it was because there would be no one to hold the camera. And speaking of producing, a large part of that seven thousand was earned from Rodriguez giving himself up to science projects. The story follows a man who has come into a small town looking for work as a mariachi. Mistaken for a killer, who carries his guns around in a guitar case, a local gang chases him down and tries to kill him. Also interesting: most of the guns used were water guns and the few real ones were borrowed from the local police department. (Written and directed by Robert Rodriguez)

Desperado (1995) A huge budgeted sequel to El Mariachi. The time the mariachi comes back to the town that took everything he loved for some revenge. The gang that tried to kill him and ended up killing his girlfriend in the first movie is the target in this one. El Mariachi was so well received as an independent film, that funding for this big commercial project came along very easily. Again, the action is huge and explosive. Very fun to watch. This film also established relationships between Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino, and Rodriguez and ever lovely Salma Hayek. Big ups to Salma. I love you, girl. (Written and directed by Robert Rodriguez)

Four Rooms (1995) It's hard to express feelings for this film. On one hand, there's nudity. On the other, it sucked. Rodriguez directed the third of four segments titled "The Misbehavers". The story is about a couple of bad kids stuck in a hotel room while their parents attend a New Year party. Rodriguez’s contribution was certainly on of the better efforts in the film, but couldn’t save this stinking ship. (Segment written and directed by Robert Rodriguez)

From Dusk Till Dawn (1996) Totally bitchin' movie. One of action's greatest. After making buddies with Tarantino in Desperado, the two teamed up for this film. It starts off as a rough gangster movie and ends up as a vampire killing romp. With some of the greatest Tarantino dialog and some of Rodriguez’s finest action, this movie was bound to be cool. I believe that Leonard Maltin put it best as "a celebration of excess". How true. (Directed by Robert Rodriguez)

The Faculty (1998) Another great action/horror movie from Rodriguez and this time you could throw in a little of the sci-fi. The movie is about a high school that is quickly taken over by some sort of alien parasite. A small handful of unaffected students remain and it's up to them to save to world. This script was actually pulled off of a five-year stint on the shelf before screenwriter Kevin Williamson was given the job of spicing it up. If you've enjoyed Rodriguez’s earlier works, you'll surely like this one too. (Directed by Robert Rodriguez)

From Dusk Till Dawn 3: The Hangman's Daughter (2000) This straight to video feature is a far cry from the first film, but leaps and bounds better than the second. Actually, this prequel pretty well follows the story line of the first one, only this one is about the origins of Santanico Pandemonium. It is set back in the old gunslinging west and ends up in a brothel where the vampires live. Check it out if you liked the first one. (Story written by Robert Rodriguez)

Spy Kids (2001) I'm all about Robert Rodriguez. And when I heard that he was doing this movie I thought that it was great that he was trying to expand his career and not confine himself to be a genre filmmaker. I thought this all the way into the theater. I also understand that this movie wasn’t exactly aimed at my demographic, but could it have been any stupider? I mean damn. I enjoy kids movies as much as the next guy, maybe more. But this movie was rough to watch. It was inspired by Rodriguez’s short segment in his earlier project, Four Rooms, and is about two kids that venture out to rescue their captured spy parents. This is the last movie that Rodriguez shot on film. He did his post production work at George Lucas’s Skywalker Ranch, and was there introduced to the advantages and freedoms of digital filmmaking. (Written and directed by Robert Rodriguez)

Spy Kids 2: The Island of Lost Dreams (2002) Well, surprisingly enough this sequel was actually more enjoyable than the first film. It was no cinematic classic by any means, but is wasn’t all that bad. It tells the story of the Spy Kids next adventure through an amusement park, under the sea, an to a mysterious disappearing island. there a mad scientist has created a device that can either control or destroy the entire planet. He just wants to be left alone to tinker with his devices in place, but when word get out about his invention his cloaked island starts crawling with all ages of spies. This is Rodriuez’s first digital film and only the second to be shot on the high definition progressive scan digital camera (the first being Lucas’s Attack of the Clones). We give Rodriguez credit for the amazing roles he takes on in this and every picture he works on, and this film is no exception. Here he has almost a dozen credits and even co-wrote the songs for the film’s soundtrack. (Written and directed by Robert Rodriguez)

Spy Kids 3: Game Over (2003) As the tagline says “Third Mission. Third Dimension.” This film is literally a 3-D virtually reality adventure. An evil toy maker has developed software to take over the minds of the planet's youth and it’s up to the Spy Kids to thwart his efforts. They are transported into the game (at which time the audience is prompted to dawn their classic blue and red cardboard glasses) and they have to defeat the program level by level. As it is now Rodriguez’s mainstay of filmmaking, the entire project was shot on digital film, but the vivid images and colors are bleached out by the cheap and gimmicky 3-D glasses. The film has not been as well received as the other two Spy Kids movies, and lets hope that it marks the end of the franchise. (Directed by Robert Rodriguez)

Once Upon a Time in Mexico (2003) Being the third film in the series (El Mariachi 3 or Desperado 2), this film holds little in common with the previous two besides similar characters. The first film is a story about mistaken identity. The second of revenge. Both revolve around one character, El Mariachi. The third film is so packed with different characters and subplots that is seems that our good friend El is merely playing a supporting role. The story centers around a powerful druglord’s attempt to overthrow the Mexican government and is told via a number of different characters views. It’s not he best film in the series, but overall it is pretty enjoyable. The action is explosive and the camera work is fantastic. Rodriguez found a lot of freedom in the digital cameras he used, and he seems to revel in it. But, by the time you’ve figured out what everyone is up to, and why they are up to it, you find it wasn’t worth the effort. Rodriguez’s friend and fellow God of Filmmaking Quentin Tarantino suggested the film and the title. He pointed out the similarities between Rodriguez’s career and that of Sergio Leone. He compared Rodriguez’s El Mariachi and Desperado to Leone’s A fist Full of Dollars and For a Few Dollars More. Tarantino said that the logical progression would be Once Upon a Time in Mexico to balance with Once upon a Time in the West. (Written and Directed by Robert Rodriguez)

ACOUSTIC SPACES ~ Austin Texas

www.acousticspaces.com

The new sound system includes BSS Audio's Soundweb system, Crown Audio's Studio Reference One amplifiers and Pioneer's Cinema Series. The room now meets Dolby and THX standards, allowing Rodriguez to mix entire soundtracks from predubs to print masters in surround. The new mixing stage hosts two Pro Tools|HD systems with the option to install three more during final mixing.

Interesting Web Sources

http://www.godamongdirectors.com/rodriguez/faq/totalfilmrod.txt

http://www.godamongdirectors.com/rodriguez/faq/aol.html

http://www.godamongdirectors.com/rodriguez/faq/sony.html

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/entertainmentstorydisplay.cfm?storyID=3542242&thesection=entertainment&thesubsection=film&thesecondsubsection=general

http://www.moviepoopshoot.com/news/mar04/25.html

http://www.exposure.co.uk/makers/rodrigez.html

http://www.darkhorizons.com/news04/040129c.php

http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Makeup/4303/rodriguez.html

http://www.acousticspaces.com/

http://www.austinchronicle.com/issues/dispatch/2002-10-18/pols_feature10.html

http://www.tvtome.com/tvtome/servlet/PersonDetail/personid-91808

http://filmforce.ign.com/articles/455/455681p1.html

http://filmforce.ign.com/articles/430/430561p1.html

Mark Protosevich

The scriptwriting chores have been assigned to

Mark Protosevich
Agent: CAA’s Scott Greenberg, atty. Steve Warren of Hansen, Jacobson, Teller, Hoberman, Newman, Warren, Sloane & Richman, LL
whose previouis credits as a screenwirter and co-producer include
The Cell: (2000)

Starring Jennifer Lopez
and

The Imposter (2002)
Starring Gary Sinise and Madeleine Stowe,

See another sample script by Mark:
I am Legend
Screenplay by Mark Protosevich
based on the novel by Richard Matheson
http://www.wordsfromhere.com/scripts/novels/legend.pdf
Review

Mini Bio from Cinema.com
Mark Protosevich

After his arrival in Los Angeles, Protosevich worked as a feature film development executive for Columbia Pictures, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, and producers Dawn Steel and Scott Rudin.

The Cell also marked Protosevich’s screen writing debut. Since writing the sci-fi thriller, he has adapted Allan Folsom’s novel The Day After Tomorrow for producer Richard Zanuck, and he has adapted Richard Matheson’s classic horror novel, I Am Legend. The film version of the post-apocalyptic tale will be produced by Steve Reuther’s Bel Air Entertainment and released by Warner Bros., for whom Protosevich then scripted what was to be the fifth installment of the Batman series.

After a rewrite of Jan DeBont’s proposed alien western Ghost Riders in the Sky, Protosevich adapted the Philip K. Dick short story Impostor for director Gary Fleder. Originally intended as one-third of a sci-fi trilogy (including Danny Boyle’s Alien Love Triangle), Impostor is now expanded to feature-length.

Josh Duhamel

One rumour has it that Emmy-winner Josh Duhamel (Win a Date with Tad Hamilton!, TV's Las Vegas) has been considered for the title role.

Bio Info from IMDB

Born in Minot, ND, 14 November 1972 ~ Height: 1.88 m
He starred in the yet-to-be-released independent film "The Picture of Dorian Gray" in 1999, then ABC called him to test for the role of Leo du Pres. To Josh's shock, ABC executives wanted him so much that they postponed the character's first air date by more than a month to accommodate his schedule.
He lives in New York City.
He wanted to be a dentist from the time he was a sophomore in high school.
Josh's father, Larry, is an ad salesman, and his mother, Bonny, is a teacher.
Josh gave up his dream to become a dentist when his grades were not good enough to get in a dental college. As a result he moved to California where he got discovered while posing for fashion magazines.
Turned down the role of Dusty Donovan on "As the World Turns" in 2002, saying that he would return to daytime only on "All My Children."
January 2004: announced on ABC's "The View" that he is now engaged to longtime girlfriend Kristy Pierce.

The Mummy's Jim Jacks and Sean Daniels will produce John Carter via their Alphaville operation. Jacks reportedly wants at least three of the most popular books (including Gods of Mars and The Warlord of Mars) "to be made into pics of a scope akin to The Lord of the Rings and Star Wars, but were impossible to make before, because CGI (technology) wasn't there.'"
.

www.erbzine.com/film/rodriguez.html