Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez Talk Cinematography on El Rey's 'The Director's Chair' as 'Sin City 2,' 'Matador' Finale Approach
What do filmmakers Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez have in common -- besides their love of grindhouse, spaghetti westerns and kung fu and other films that have generated a cult-like following. But renegade filmmaker Rodriguez wanted to delve further and see what makes his pal and fellow collaborator Tarantino tick, feel alive on set and determine what makes the cut.
On Wednesday, Aug. 13 at 9 pm ET/PT, "El Rey Network Presents: The Director's Chair" will feature the first installment of Rodriguez's interview with his long-time friend, frequent collaborator and one of cinema's most influential filmmakers, Tarantino.
"In Volume 1 of this compelling interview (Vol. 2 airs Wednesday, Aug. 27, 9 pm ET/PT), Rodriguez explores Tarantino's film career through the lens of their 20-year friendship, using never-before-seen personal footage to discuss topics from screenwriting and camera placement," according to El Rey.
Rodriguez learns that one of Tarantino's secret weapons for directing stems from his own creative arsenal.
"I started off as an actor and actually the only training I've ever done has been as an actor. I always knew that that would be one of my biggest strengths...dealing with actors, and writing the characters and getting the best of them and being able to talk actor talk," Tarantino said.
Tarantino highlighted the power of working with actors, directing them and the feelings it conjures, especially when up close and not just looking from behind the camera lens.
"If you watch the acting right next to the camera, right in front of the actors, it's as if they are acting just solely and utterly for you. When you say cut, they all turn and look at you...'what do you think?' he explained with a profound sense of gratitude.
Tarantino is known for films such as "Kill Bill," "Pulp Fiction," "Django Unchained," "Reservoir Dogs" and "Inglourious Basterds." Rodriguez is known for his films "From Dusk Till Dawn," "Sin City," "Sin City: A Dame To Kill For," "Spy Kids" and "Desperado." More recently Rodriguez launched his TV series "From Dusk Till Dawn" and his partnership with Roberto Orci on "Matador," both on El Rey Network.
El Rey's "Matador" and "Sin City: A Dame to Kill For"
In other Rodriguez news, El Rey Network announced that Rodriguez, whose highly-anticipated film "Sin City 2: A Dame to Kill For," hits theaters Friday, Aug. 22, will return to the Los Angeles set of the spy thriller "Matador," to direct the season finale (airing Oct. 7 at 9pm ET/PT).
To kick off the show, Rodriguez, who is network chairman, founder and executive producer of the original series, directed the series premiere. According to El Rey, the show has been "touted by 'People' as 'worth watching' and called 'ludicrously entertaining' by New York Magazine. The soccer player-by-day turned spy-by-night drama/comedy from award-winning writer and producer Orci ("Mission Impossible 3," "Star Trek" and "The Amazing Spider-Man 2") was recently picked up for a second season.
Check out two insightful clips featuring Tarantino and Rodriguez on "El Rey Network Presents: The Director's Chair," which airs Wednesday, Aug. 13 at 9 pm ET/PT.