Chapter Eleven, "Postproduction, Take 3" Summary and Analysis

Postproduction turns out to be a never ending journey and the title of this chapter, "Postproduction, Take 3," says it all. According to Rodriguez, the main reason for this is the incompetence of professionals and the waste of money that film companies incur on a regular basis.

Columbia Pictures organizes a test screening of El Mariachi, where the audience will be asked particular questions about the movie. Because Liz cannot accompany him, Rodriguez decides to treat his old friend, Tommy Nix. During the test, the audience's response is so positive that Columbia executives are now convinced that Rodriguez should write a sequel.

There's more good news—the movie has been invited to the Sundance Film Festival. Columbia is also talking about releasing El Mariachi nationally, which Rodriguez feels conflicted about. He is not...