Robert Rodriquez is a well-known Hollywood director today, but back in 1991-92 he was a film student with a borrowed camera and a dream. With hardly any money and with a scraped-up cast and a crew of one (himself) he made “El Mariachi,” a quirky, light-themed-but-violent movie that caught Hollywood’s attention and made great money in general release. This book describes how Rodriquez did it, and for film students is a must-read of epic dimensions.

Underneath the story is a critical message: instead of aspiring to something (“I want to make movies”) DO something (“Make a movie!”). The best lesson of the story is how hard Rodriquez works, the sheer effort he put into creating his movie; and the well-earned rewards he garners when the movie catches lightning in the form of Hollywood notice. Like another “self-made” film-maker, Quentin Tarantino, Robert Rodriquez has gone on to stupendous success, and reading this book, you will understand why. And perhaps ask yourself, “how bad do I want it!?” Rodriquez wanted it bad and got it.