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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What enhances Rodriguez' technical skills?
(a) learning how to handle all the postproduction details
(b) learning how to raise money
(c) learning how to operate a camera
(d) learning how to do makeshift lighting

2. What are the weapons used in the film?
(a) army surplus guns
(b) guns rented from a pawnshop
(c) real guns borrowed from the police
(d) plastic toy store guns

3. Why does Rodriguez turn down volunteer help on making his movie?
(a) He thinks it will be bad luck.
(b) He does not have money to feed anyone.
(c) He fears they will take credit for his work.
(d) He does not want a witness in case the movie is a failure.

4. What short Rodriguez film wins the University of Missouri Fine Arts Competition?
(a) The Mariachi
(b) The Last Carnival
(c) Redhead
(d) Bedhead

5. How does Rodriguez plan to make single shot weapons appear to be semi-automatic?
(a) through digital manipuation
(b) though a soft filter lens
(c) through prop enhancement
(d) through careful editing

6. What comes of the efforts to get Lina Santos, a Mexican movie and TV star, to act in El Mariachi?
(a) She still will not commit to being in the movie.
(b) Her agent demands too much money.
(c) She agrees and then backs out.
(d) They never get in to see her.

7. Why is Rodriguez exhausted before going to Pharmaco?
(a) traveling back and forth to Mexico
(b) working hard on his short films and working two jobs
(c) staying up late every night editing
(d) trying to keep his grades up at the University of Texas

8. What does the budget for transferring the film to video come in at?
(a) $500 less than the original budget
(b) twice what Rodriguez had estimated
(c) half of the original budget
(d) only $100

9. Who helps with shooting the chase scene?
(a) the local police
(b) local teenage drivers
(c) low riders
(d) NASCAR drivers

10. What daring thing does Rodriguez do in Hollywood?
(a) takes an ad out in Variety
(b) sends his tape to ICM
(c) walks into the office of the president of Warner Bros.
(d) goes on Jay Leno Show

11. How do Rodriguez and Gallardo meet all the people who end up helping them?
(a) through an agency
(b) through advertisements
(c) by accident
(d) at the film school

12. What do they use for a dolly to move the camera in some scenes?
(a) Rodrigues wearing roller blades.
(b) Rodrigues riding on a tricycle.
(c) Rodriguez sitting in a wheel chair.
(d) Rodriguez on a skateboard.

13. What makes it necessary to improvise?
(a) the lack of experience
(b) the lack of funds
(c) the lack of time
(d) the lack of actors

14. Because of working with limited equipment and on a tight budget, what skill does Rodriguez develop?
(a) improvizational filming skills
(b) location negotiation skills
(c) steady handheld camera skills
(d) previsualization skills

15. What are Gallardo's contributions to making El Mariachi?
(a) composing the music and doing the sound effects
(b) securing permission, using his relations, and finding actors
(c) editing the script and doing the titles
(d) carrying equipment and setting up lights

Short Answer Questions

1. Short on money, how to Rodriguez and Gallardo arrange their trip to Los Angeles?

2. What is the first scene Rodriguez completes as he writes his screenplay?

3. What is the significance of June 20th for Rodriguez?

4. In LA, what do Rodriguez and Gallardo do to find a buyer?

5. What program does Rodriguez apply for at Pharmaco?

(see the answer keys)

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