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Tim Ferriss

Robert Rodriguez, The Wizard of Cinema Returns — The “Fear-Forward” Way of Life, How to Overcome Self-Doubt, Learning to Love Limitations, and Counter-Intuitive Parenting That Works (#804)

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“Living is reliving.”
— Robert Rodriguez

Robert Rodriguez (@rodriguez) is a film director, screenwriter, producer, cinematographer, editor, and composer. 

While a student at the University of Texas at Austin in 1991, Rodriguez wrote the script to his first feature film while sequestered at a drug research facility as a paid subject in a clinical experiment. That paycheck covered the cost of shooting his $7,000 film El Mariachi, which won the coveted Audience Award at the 1993 Sundance Film Festival and became the lowest budget movie ever released by a major studio. Rodriguez wrote about these experiences in Rebel Without a Crew, a perennial guide for the independent filmmaker.

Rodriguez went on to write, produce, direct, and edit a series of successful films including Desperado, From Dusk Till Dawn, The Faculty, the Spy Kids franchise, Once Upon a Time in Mexico, Frank Miller’s Sin City, and We Can Be Heroes and collaborated with director James Cameron on the film adaptation of Alita: Battle Angel. His films have grossed more than $1.5B at the box office.

In 2000, Rodriguez founded Troublemaker Studios in Austin, Texas. He recently directed the Lady Gaga/Ariana Grande video “Rain on Me” and episodes of The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett and launched Brass Knuckle Films, an investable action film slate. If you’ve ever wanted to pitch Robert Rodriguez a film idea or get profit participation in action films and sequels, he’ll tell you all about it.

Please enjoy!

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, Podcast Addict, Pocket Casts, Castbox, YouTube Music, Amazon Music, Audible, or on your favorite podcast platform. The transcript of this episode can be found here. Transcripts of all episodes can be found here.

This episode is brought to you by Cresset prestigious family office for CEOs, founders, and entrepreneurs; AG1 all-in-one nutritional supplement; and Wealthfront high-yield cash account.

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Robert Rodriguez, The Wizard of Cinema Returns — The Fear-Forward Way of Life, How to Overcome Self-Doubt, Learning to Love Limitations, and Counter-Intuitive Parenting That Works

This episode is brought to you by AG1! I get asked all the time, “If you could use only one supplement, what would it be?” My answer is usually AG1, my all-in-one nutritional insurance. I recommended it in The 4-Hour Body in 2010 and did not get paid to do so. Right now, get a FREE Welcome Kit, including Vitamin D3+K2 and AG1 Travel Packs, when you first subscribe. Visit DrinkAG1.com/Tim to claim this special offer today and receive your 1-year supply of Vitamin D—a vital nutrient for a strong immune system and strong bones!

This episode is brought to you by Cresset Family Office! Cresset offers family office services for CEOs, founders, and entrepreneurs. They handle the complex financial planning, uncertain tax strategies, timely exit planning, bill pay and wires, and all the other parts of wealth management that would otherwise pull me away from doing what I love most: making things, mastering skills, and spending time with the people I care about. Schedule a call today at cressetcapital.com/Tim to see how Cresset can help streamline your financial plans and grow your wealth.

I’m a client of Cresset. There are no material conflicts other than this paid testimonial. All investing involves risk, including loss of principal.

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Want to hear the first time Robert Rodriguez was on the show? Listen to our conversation here, in which we discussed journaling as a crucial component of personal and professional life, keeping crew morale high during a project, how applied creativity dissolves the separation between work and play, the legendary financing of El Mariachi, overcoming budgetary and technological constraints, maintaining momentum when lack of resources is no longer a creative driver, and much more.

What was your favorite quote or lesson from this episode? Please let me know in the comments.

SELECTED LINKS FROM THE EPISODE

  • Connect with Robert Rodriguez:

Twitter | Instagram | Threads | Facebook

The transcript of this episode can be found here. Transcripts of all episodes can be found here.

Books

Companies, Projects, and Platforms

Robert’s Films and Shows

Other Films and Shows

Products

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People

SHOW NOTES

  • [00:00:00] Start.
  • [00:08:19] Recounting what’s happened in the 10 years since Robert’s last appearance on the show.
  • [00:11:23] The freedom of limitations.
  • [00:14:08] Fruit-bearing “failures.”
  • [00:16:09] How Robert stumbled onto his own brand of counterintuitive parenting.
  • [00:18:42] How fan investing for Brass Knuckle Films works.
  • [00:23:59] How to effectively pitch a movie idea.
  • [00:26:55] The time to start your art is now. Aim high.
  • [00:33:00] The value of learning by doing.
  • [00:43:31] The power of labels to elevate or diminish our ambitions.
  • [00:47:51] Why lack of access is a myth.
  • [00:49:08] No human doubts — when not knowing is half the battle.
  • [00:54:25] Fear forward past the confines of the comfort zone.
  • [00:59:02] Interactions with the enigmatic Rick Rubin.
  • [01:01:53] Harnessing the creative spirit: action first, inspiration second.
  • [01:07:00] Living is reliving: why Robert wants you to start journaling.
  • [01:15:38] “Don’t just parent. Partner.”
  • [01:22:47] In defense of what some call nepotism.
  • [01:28:27] Why the double R naming scheme in the Rodriguez household?
  • [01:30:04] Tribe talk.
  • [01:33:38] Robert’s favorite exercise-related life hack: the rock walk.
  • [01:36:15] Parting thoughts.

MORE ROBERT RODRIGUEZ QUOTES FROM THE INTERVIEW

“A lot of times, when you can do anything, you can’t do anything.”
— Robert Rodriguez

“Two of my biggest movies came directly from a movie that you would consider a failure. … Sometimes the only way across the river is to slip on the first two rocks.”
— Robert Rodriguez

“You’re not ready for anything life has thrown at you, but you become ready on the spot. Why is it that we think art and life should not be the same?”
— Robert Rodriguez

“You used to ask me, ‘How do you get so much done?’ It’s like I set the bridge on fire and then I run across. Otherwise, it’s not enough at stake. If you have a way out … you’ll take the escape route.”
— Robert Rodriguez

“They say knowing is half the battle. What’s the other half? Not knowing. I think that’s more important. That’s where the magic is. You don’t know what the other half is.”
— Robert Rodriguez

“Creative spirit … doesn’t have hands. It’s waiting for you to get off your ass and pick up the pen, and then it can help take over. … That’s why I say always take action. Don’t wait to be inspired. Action first, inspiration second.”
— Robert Rodriguez

“Living is reliving.”
— Robert Rodriguez

“Don’t just parent; partner.”
— Robert Rodriguez

“I don’t take any job, any assignment, unless it’s going to involve my children, because life is so good that way. You’re checking all the boxes. You’re preparing them for life. You’re learning from them, they’re learning from you, and it’s family time.”
— Robert Rodriguez

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Rachel
Rachel
11 months ago

Tim- the timing of this, the ‘no’ project, and more, omg- I couldn’t even explain it to you… it would be too bazaar. I feel like I’m the one who’s tapped in right now!

And Robert is like… my imaginary/invisible mentor? haha. Of all your interviews that I’ve listened to and of all the people’s advice I could choose, Robert is the guy I’ve put on my shoulder (metaphorically, of course). Rebel without a Crew has been by my side for the last two years.

This interview (and again, the timing) was such a treat. Huge thanks to you both!! <3

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Bowen
Bowen
10 months ago

Tim, long time listener first time caller. This interview was incredible. Favorite lines: 1) Burn the bridge then run across it 2) action first inspiration second 3) God doesn’t have hands. Wildly inspiring, I used to work in tech and got an MBA a few years back but always wanted to be a filmmaker…I took the plunge two years ago and (partially) credit your podcast with pushing me in the creative direction. Just finished the first project I’m actually proud of, and keeping Robert’s advice in mind for the next. Thank you for having these conversations!

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