El Mariachi was filmed such a low amount because: 1. It was filmed in Mexico - Significantly lower labor costs 2. It was originally filmed on 16mm film - It was later transferred to 35mm by Columbia Pictures. 3. read more
El Mariachi was filmed such a low amount because: It was filmed in Mexico - Significantly lower labor costs; It was originally filmed on 16mm film - It was later transferred to 35mm by Columbia Pictures. Rodriguez himself wrote the script; he didn't pay a screenwriter. There are no real "special effects" in the film. read more
Before Robert Rodriguez created the El Rey Network in 2013, he came up with the contest: He would task burgeoning filmmakers with executing their first features in two weeks for just $7,000, the same limitations that produced his storied debut. read more