Robert Rodriguez Quotes

Often, people who want to make interesting films simply don't have the money to do it.

Plan B is really a little garage band of three people, and our mandate has been to help get difficult material, that might not otherwise get made, to the screen and to work with directors we respect.

I didn't have a lot of independent film connections. It really took until the digital film revolution came along that I realized that I could do it myself.

I've been blessed with enough wealth that I can make a film myself up to a certain budget. So one way I thought I would reinvent myself was just to make these very small, personal films that I've financed myself.

More personal films, you could make them, but your budgets would be cut down.

We had a tiny budget for 'The Greatest,' which was the opposite of 'Wall Street.' We just kind of went in and did it. You've got four or five takes and then you've got to move on. We didn't even have trailers to stay in or anything.

There's something I really love about independent filmmaking. Everyone is a little bit more close-knit, and you rely on people a little bit more. The bigger the budget gets, the more everyone toes the line in their department.

All studio movies are the middle of the Bell curve. The only way to do something is to do it yourself. And the only way to do that is to not take any money from anyone or take as little money as possible from anyone and that's it.

If you want to make movies you need to think on a micro-micro level and figure out how to make them for nothing with people who really care about your movie and really want to make it.

Someday, I'd like to sit down with a small group of people, in a relaxed environment, and make a film that feels more independent. That way we can be a little more free in terms of storytelling and subject.

Independent filmmaking burns off a lot of storytelling fat.

I think you do independent movies because you're looking to cut away from commercial movies.

My dream is just to make zero-budget movies for the rest of my life, because I love that environment.

With an independent film, you have a little more freedom, and you also have less money, so you're sort of struggling to get it done, to get something that works. With a big studio, everything is there for you, and it's easier.

With 'Sweetback,' I just put it together a little bit at a time. I didn't do it on anybody's grant. I did it like any other young executive - by cheating and stealing!

I think, in general, independents don't have a lot of access to really good scriptwriters or actors or actresses, so they're very limited in what they can do.

How can you compare 'Hollywood Shuffle,' financed through the director's credit cards, and 'Apocalypse Now?' You have to take into consideration the conditions under which it was made.

'Eagle vs Shark' is a little film I could take risks with and make mistakes on.

Making an independent film is so different.

I feel that if you want to make films, you have to be willing to make it without a fee. You get a deferment, I guess.

On an independent film where you're working with just a handful of people, you don't have to explain anything because no one cares. You can do whatever you want. There's no one there to tell you not to do it.

It is difficult to make movies on your own terms and also to make a film and convince somebody to have faith in it.

If you're making a smaller movie, you're almost obligated to do something unexpected and surprising.

I consider myself an independent filmmaker.

When you produce and direct your own film you havethe somewhat consoling feeling that the producer will kill for you.