Machete

[renec]

I noticed as the credits rolled by that Robert Rodriguez was listed as a rerecording mixer (as well as vfx supervisor, editor, composer, etc etc etc).

Its not listed that way on IMDB however.

There were definitely some strange mix decisions made in the film, though I'm having a hard time separating the camp from the serious throughout it. In some scenes the sound of the machete was dramatically louder than the adjacent explosions, and there was a scene about 3/4 of the way through where about 5 full frame gunshots were barely there.

very strange.

[charles maynes]

that is the sonic traffic control of a film mix.... RR is very involved on many aspects of his films, so those credits are not just vanity items.

[TimTyler]

Originally Posted by charles maynes

...those credits are not just vanity items.

Rodriguez's self-credits have always bugged me. He often credits himself in camera, vfx, music and sound positions.

I think it's pretentious and professionally immature. Film credits are recognitions and thanks to the crew from the filmmakers, and to me it appears like RR is just patting himself on the back like a self-grandiosing film student.

He should give himself opening credits for producing and directing, and any other contributions he make to his films should remain uncredited.

Does he think he's the only director that participates in the post process? It comes with the job, Bob.

[charles maynes]

Originally Posted by TimTyler

Rodriguez's self-credits have always bugged me. He often credits himself in camera, vfx, music and sound positions.

I think it's pretentious and professionally immature. Film credits are recognitions and thanks to the crew from the filmmakers, and to me it appears like RR is just patting himself on the back like a self-grandiosing film student.

He should give himself opening credits for producing and directing, and any other contributions he make to his films should remain uncredited.

Does he think he's the only director that participates in the post process? It comes with the job, Bob.

In most cases I would agree, but RR doesnt fall into that group- He does do the things he says he is, and often functions as the composer of the music as well- it may seem self aggrandizing, but he is not just taking credit because he can.

[minister]

Originally Posted by TimTyler

Rodriguez's self-credits have always bugged me. He often credits himself in camera, vfx, music and sound positions.

I think it's pretentious and professionally immature. Film credits are recognitions and thanks to the crew from the filmmakers, and to me it appears like RR is just patting himself on the back like a self-grandiosing film student.

He should give himself opening credits for producing and directing, and any other contributions he make to his films should remain uncredited.

Does he think he's the only director that participates in the post process? It comes with the job, Bob.

From what I've been told by people who were there, he actually does these things. He writes music, he has a small Dub Stage where he mixes his films. He really is doing the things he lists and not merely "directing" them.

[renec]

Originally Posted by charles maynes

that is the sonic traffic control of a film mix.... RR is very involved on many aspects of his films, so those credits are not just vanity items.

I get what traffic control is in that context. What I'm describing seemed out of place though. Its not as though there was anything else taking up sonic space when the guns were firing, for example. It was as though no one spotted sounds for those couple of gunshots, despite that being the only action going on in that moment.

ditto the strangely quiet explosions. that was the focus of the shot and the moment, and yet it was just volume ridden very low for some reason.

[charles maynes]

that is stuff that is quite subjective- If I had a penny for every effect that I cut, That was approved ahead of time by the director, which was then not played in a mix, I would have enough money to not have to work again.

RR does a lot on the sound side of the film- he actually picture edits a lot too - and does sound editing ALOT on his films- the credits are not vain.

[renec]

Originally Posted by charles maynes

RR does a lot on the sound side of the film- he actually picture edits a lot too - and does sound editing ALOT on his films- the credits are not vain.

RR has been writing, shooting and cutting his own work from the very beginning, on top of composing and performing the score with Chingon.

I certainly wasn't questioning whether he actually had his hand on the mix and the sfx edit. In fact I'm positive that he did. That was what I was commenting on.

[TimTyler]

I'm sure RR does all the stuff he credits himself for.

I just thinks it is obnoxious that his name is all over the end credits.

I bet if he drove himself to set he wouldn't credit himself as a driver.

[Jfriah]

I'm a fan of Rodriguez and the work he does (and the work HE does, if you get my drift). I thought Machete was a great example of a fun 'fantasy film'. Sure I'm judging because my cineplex had a missing front right speaker, but still...

I'll admit I had to convince my brain to 'go with it' when Machete was merely moving his, well, machete and touching curtains and stuff and it was the classic 'sword draw' sounds, etc.

As for the credits, I'm a big fan of credit where credit is due and can fully believe he does do the positions he lists himself in. Tim, if he did drive himself to set (which he likely did), he SHOULD credit himself as driver. His film, his dollars, he can put himself in the credits if he wishes to.

But director, writer, producer, composer, mixer... no offense to drivers or teamsters but he probably chose those particular credits for a reason.

Ever see 'El Mariachi'?

And I am neither facing off here nor defending; but how is giving yourself screen credits when you actually did those positions professionally immature? Just put 'a Robert Rodriguez film' and leave it at that? He's put in a lot of time and cash over the years and he can pay for his credits if he wanted to. "Participates in the post process" is different than sitting at the console or Pro Tools rig and actually doing the stuff, which he does.

Anyway...I digress...


Jeff

p.s. I don't think there's much to decide between camp and 'serious', renec. Not in my mind. But perhaps I'm viewing it differently.

[pechnatunk]

No inside knowledge here.
But much respect to Robert Rodriguez - watch the special features to "Once Upon a Time in Mexico".
They were quite inspiring.

Akin to advice I got years ago (and didn't really follow)

If you wanna make movies buy a camera - don't go to film school.

[E Baxter Put]

I have worked with Robert and he does do a lot of the things he credits himself for (and I think you can tell!)

I can't tell if the audio for the trailer is intentionally bad or just

[Jfriah]

That's th---- ONE of the beauties of this film--- has people thinking 'is it serious? is it cheese?'