Guns of El Chupacabra - Zen Filmmaking

This film is an ideal example of the style of filmmaking developed by Scott Shaw and Donald G. Jackson, known as Zen Filmmaking. Zen Filmmaking is a distinct style of filmmaking where the primary concept is that no scripts are used in the creation of a film.

Perhaps one of the most distinctive elements of this film, in regard to Zen Filmmaking, is that the film begins by presenting its characters in a traditional storyline fashion. Approximately thirty minutes into the film, a documentary film crew is introduced into the plot. From this point forward, the film shifts between storyline and documentary until the two plot lines collide and the film becomes part theatrical presentation and part documentary. From this, the audience is left questioning where one style of filmmaking begins and the other leaves off. In addition, much of this film is shot using the hand-held camera technique, which is also a distinctive element of Zen Filmmaking.

As is the case with all of the films created by Donald G. Jackson and Scott Shaw, this film follows a non-linear storyline. Another unique element of this film, and a technique used in many Jackson/Shaw productions, is that the various segments of this film are preceded by full screen, white on black, screen credits announcing an upcoming plot twist.