Lately I’ve been listening to a lot of Director Commentaries as I’ve been prepping to do my own film and am in dire need of advice, tips and encouragement. Aspiring and professional filmmakers should collect as many director commentaries as possible as they are filled with valuable behind the scenes tidbits as well as loaded with insight into the filmmaking and writing process. You hear how films took decades to come to fruition and gets solid advice from the greatest actors, writers, producers and directors.
One of those commentaries was that of the 1995 action hit Desperado. The low budget film has been on my list of commentaries to listen to because it is one of the greatest examples of low budget filmmaking in history. Its director Roberto Rodriguez offers so much valuable information on how to make a $7000 film look like a $7M film and then make a $7M film look like a $70M film. Rodriguez went on to make a slew of money making hits after Desperado and is one of the most sought after and influential writer/directors of the current time.
During the commentary Rodriguez briefly mentions that Salma Hayek had to screen test and that studio heads suggested he use “a blonde” which he was totally against as Rodriguez had written the part for her. Executives were immediately won over after seeing her test and the rest is mariachi history.
The film made its $7M budget in opening weekend, $25M total US box office, over $55M worldwide and who knows how much it made from VHS and DVD rentals and sales. From 7 to over $75M is an amazing leap that made Rodriguez the most wanted man in Hollywood and Banderas and Hayek into household names.
As disappointing as it is to hear this happened, it’s good to know it all worked out and people saw the light as Hayek became the first Mexican actress to be a lead in a Hollywood film since Dolores del Rio. Jennifer Lopez, Eva Longoria, Patricia Velásquez, Zoe Saldaña are just some of the names that came after Hayek’s appearance. She continues to be a major player in Hollywood with appearances in Eternals, House of Gucci, and an upcoming project currently being filmed called Without Blood that is directed by Angelina Jolie.
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