Robert Rodriguez the director who became famous for making El Mariachi, with an ultra-low budget of 7k documented his experience ins 1995 book Rebel Without A Crew, which is now being adapted into a six-part series by Go90 and El Rey Network. Rodriguez gave five first-time filmmakers the chance to replicate his own near-impossible feat. Bola Ogun is one of the five first time filmmakers who mark the 25th anniversary of El Mariachi. Bola talks to indieactiivty about how she will single handedly write, shoot, an edit a feature length film in 14 days.
indieactivity: How did you qualify for Rebel Without a Crew?
Bola: For the show, they required everyone to have a feature script and a couple of shorts. They really liked The Water Phoenix’s underwater and visual effects work.
indieactivity: What is it like making a feature with 7k?
Bola: HARD! But that’s a given. I learned so much through this process. You have to get really creative with your solutions since you don’t have money to fix any problems. Friends are also a huge key to success when doing something this low budget because they’ll be there to help you get it done no matter what.
indieactivity: How many hours did you log during shooting?
Bola: We didn’t have a lot of time on this project. Since it’s a first season show, there were a lot of time limiting challenges that came up. But that makes finishing the film so much sweeter!!
Scarlet Moreno Bonnie-Kathleen “BK” Ryan, Bola Ogun, Josh Stifter, and Alejandro Montoya Marin,
indieactivity: What is it like working with Robert Rodriguez?
Bola: I think I’ll be calling him my Film Papa from here on out [Laughs]. He’s amazing and incredibly inspiring. He was a cheerleader to all five of us and his right hand woman Cecilia Conti was the same. They truly lift people up and help you through the impossible.
indieactivity: How does he direct? Do give a specific scenario?
Bola: We weren’t able to drop by Robert’s set on Red 11, but I can tell you he directs with great enthusiasm!
indieactivity: Robert Rodriguez is pretty much a homebuddy, how does he start to create?
Bola: I don’t know his specific process. But I know he finds ways to stay in a creative state. He cooks, paints, and composes music among other things. Even though it’s not writing, it keeps his imagination working.
indieactivity: What is the production process like on Rebel Without a Crew?
Bola: We had roughly 2-3 days of pre-production, 14 days to shoot during production. Super quick!
indieactivity: What is special about Rebel Without a Crew?
Bola: On Rebel Without A Crew, the other filmmakers, Scarlet, BK, Josh, Alejandro, and I created a special bond going through an insane process that only we understand. As a director, you rarely get a chance to make a film in tandem with other directors. That was an incredible gift!
indieactivity: What advice did Robert Rodriguez give you?
Bola: MEDITATE! I was so stressed out during this process and always felt too busy to just sit. But he helped me realize how important it is to just take a moment out of the day to slow down. Now I meditate often.
indieactivity: What did you constantly experience working on Rebel Without a Crew that haunts you?
Bola: I don’t think anything “haunts” me. I constantly ran into obstacles, and I learned to take them less seriously and go with the flow. In the end, everything will be alright.
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