#465 – Robert Rodriguez: Sin City, Desperado, El Mariachi, Alita, and Filmmaking

Apr 17, 2025 3h 35m

About this episode

Robert Rodriguez is a legendary filmmaker and creator of Sin City, El Mariachi, Desperado, Spy Kids, Machete, From Dusk Till Dawn, Alita: Battle Angel, The Faculty, and his newest venture Brass Knuckle Films. Thank you for listening ❤ Check out our sponsors: <a href="https://lexfridman.com/sponsors/ep465-sc">https://lexfridman.com/sponsors/ep465-sc</a> See below for timestamps, transcript, and to give feedback, submit questions, contact Lex, etc. Transcript: <a href="https://lexfridman.com/robert-rodriguez-transcript">https://lexfridman.com/robert-rodriguez-transcript</a> CONTACT LEX: Feedback – give feedback to Lex: <a href="https://lexfridman.com/survey">https://lexfridman.com/survey</a> AMA – submit questions, videos or call-in: <a href="https://lexfridman.com/ama">https://lexfridman.com/ama</a> Hiring – join our team: <a href="https://lexfridman.com/hiring">https://lexfridman.com/hiring</a> Other – other ways to get in touch: <a href="https://lexfridman.com/contact">https://lexfridman.com/contact</a> EPISODE LINKS: Robert’s X: <a href="https://x.com/rodriguez">https://x.com/rodriguez</a> Robert’s Instagram: <a href="https://instagram.com/rodriguez/">https://instagram.com/rodriguez/</a> Brass Knuckle Films: <a href="https://brassknucklefilms.com/">https://brassknucklefilms.com/</a> Rebel without a Crew (book): <a href="https://amzn.to/3G7gtQJ">https://amzn.to/3G7gtQJ</a> Rebel without a Crew (audiobook): <a href="https://amzn.to/3Ri5wyc">https://amzn.to/3Ri5wyc</a> SPONSORS: To support this podcast, check out our sponsors & get discounts: Invideo AI: AI video generator. Go to <a href="https://lexfridman.com/s/invideoai-ep465-sc">https://invideo.io/i/lexpod</a> Brain.fm: Music for focus. Go to <a href="https://lexfridman.com/s/brainfm-ep465-sc">https://brain.fm/lex</a> NetSuite: Business management software. Go to <a href="https://lexfridman.com/s/netsuite-ep465-sc">http://netsuite.com/lex</a> Shopify: Sell stuff online. Go to <a href="https://lexfridman.com/s/shopify-ep465-sc">https://shopify.com/lex</a> LMNT: Zero-sugar electrolyte drink mix. Go to <a href="https://lexfridman.com/s/lmnt-ep465-sc">https://drinkLMNT.com/lex</a> OUTLINE: (00:00) – Introduction (10:04) – Explosions and having only one take (17:39) – Success and failure (26:28) – Filmmaking on a low budget (38:41) – El Mariachi (50:10) – Creativity (1:12:06) – Limitations (1:18:22) – Handling criticism (1:34:32) – Action films (1:45:53) – Quentin Tarantino (1:55:52) – Desperado (1:56:54) – Salma Hayek (2:01:40) – Danny Trejo (2:06:55) – Filming in Austin (2:13:05) – Editing (2:22:35) – Sound design (2:27:43) – Deadlines (2:31:14) – Alita: Battle Angel (2:39:36) – James Cameron (2:52:39) – Sin City (3:06:48) – Manifesting (3:18:12) – Memories and journaling (3:27:56) – Mortality PODCAST LINKS: – Podcast Website: <a href="https://lexfridman.com/podcast">https://lexfridman.com/podcast</a> – Apple Podcasts: <a href="https://apple.co/2lwqZIr">https://apple.co/2lwqZIr</a> – Spotify: <a href="https://spoti.fi/2nEwCF8">https://spoti.fi/2nEwCF8</a> – RSS: <a href="https://lexfridman.com/feed/podcast/">https://lexfridman.com/feed/podcast/</a> – Podcast Playlist: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrAXtmErZgOdP_8GztsuKi9nrraNbKKp4">https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrAXtmErZgOdP_8GztsuKi9nrraNbKKp4</a> – Clips Channel: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/lexclips">https://www.youtube.com/lexclips</a>

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