"ONCE" the movie (not film)

NathanPresley

NathanPresley

Well-known member
I just saw the Movie "ONCE"

it wasn't all THAT great, but the music was good, the Visual side isn't very
good. Its obviously not shot on film. the budget for the film was only " $150,000 "

http://www.foxsearchlight.com/once/

they've already made back 5 million back, its was pretty interesting to see
if your interested in being a filmmaker

Can anyone tell me what they shot this movie with ?
 
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This was a good film. Talk about low-budget though. This was worse than Clerks as far as the technical side. Everything handheld. No lighting whatsoever. Even when they were indoors.

But the movie wins you over with the two leads. You really like them and really want to follow them on their journey. Interesting note on the budget. They say it was $150,000 now. But I dug back into some old interviews they gave before they were invited to Sundance. Mysteriously, the budget back then was closer to $60,000. They couldn't have... ahem... fibbed their budget so as to get a better asking price at Sundance could they? No, that would never happen.

Watching this film I would be surprised if it cost a penny over $60,000. It really is terribly shot. But as long as you know that going in, it's an enjoyable movie.

p.s. I think there's already a thread about this film.
 
I enjoyed 'Once' based on the strength of the music and the storyline. Indeed wasn't the prettiest movie ever shot but it did the job in terms of telling a story.

Curious about the actual budget as well. Perhaps the jump was how it went from Festival ready to release ready in terms of clearances and deferments, etc.

-Martay
 
Yeah there were some shots that I was like "they are breaking the rules!!!"

I mean I have not shot anything worthwhile, but the scene when He invites her to lunch and they area eating and the camera is sitting outside...no polarizing filter and you can see the reflection on the glass of people walking by. I said to myself "used for effect?"

Now the first time they meet her daughter and they walk to her apartment and my god is it dark. I would not be happy with that footage.

I glad I am taking the time to research proper technique and avoid some of the mistakes made by them.
 
The scene where they sing the very first song, in the music store, with her playing piano, is my favorite scene of the year. The way she looks up to him, to keep pace but at the same time check him out, was beautifully done.

"Once" is said to stand for, "Once I get this guitar, THEN I'll be able to be a singer." "Once I get a more secure job, THEN I'll be able to focus on my writing." "Once I buy that camera or that money, THEN I'll make my movie." It was a very powerful message as he was explaining it, and therefore very inspiring. What are we waiting for?
 
just saw this tonight and loved it. usually films shot like this (ie. open water, etc.) are distracting, but it didn't bother me the slightest bit. great little film with tremendous music. what an inspiration to turn off the tv and start making films, a great reminder that story and performance are waaay more important than technical issues
 
This movie is only 'poorly shot' from a lighting standpoint. Shot selection and composition are spot on mostly, and the audio is excellent. Proves the axiom that audiences will forgive a multitude of visual sins if the audio is perfect.
 
This was a fantastic film.

Technically and visually competent at best but full story and execution. Shows us exactly what can be done here and now.

No excuses anymore !
 
Just saw this yesterday.

Yes, the movie was low budget, and yes, it was, once again, a mini dv film shot in a "Dogma" handheld approach. But, damn it, was it a great piece of cinema.

This all works fantastically well simply because the story is down to earth, unpretentious, realistic when it needs to be, and concentrated on the "heart" of the characters.

We have a glimpse of the real world around them, which, shot in Mini-DV, looks "Realistic" and intimate- looks and feels personal. This blends so well with the intimate and personal music of "the guy", that it all just takes us on a very fullfilling movie experience.

Simple, effective, unpretentious, heartfelt (and inspiring!) cinema.

Really worth watching!

EDIT- I do not usually buy movie soundtracks, but sufice to say, it was the first thing I did after seeing the movie... However, I suggest everyone to see the movie BEFORE getting the soundtrack...
 
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having been thinking about this movie, and the more I think about it, I cannot help but recommend it more and more.

This is a piece of cinema that is irrepetible- it is really unique.

Unique, because this is a product of so many extraordinary circunstances and improvisation mixed with pure, raw talent from the director, musicians/actors and incredible chemistry, that its just a -dare I say it- prime example of the art of cinema.

GO see it, buy it, comment on it. Fantastic. I just can't put the damn soundtrack down!
 
i agree with you, spz, this was an awesome film. the male lead was tremendous.
i also bought the soundtrack and wondered how in hell are these guys not famous already? the music is so good! the lead leaves his entire heart in it. he holds back nothing. where has he been "hiding"? maybe he's better off though, the media would prob destroy him, they'd rerender him into some old regular kind of formulated pop star. i think this is why i loved this film and the music, it is surely not formulated or contrived or made for the masses. it is not for a pollster. it is what it is.

it's honest!

see it now!


--------- spoiler ----------

there were many great scenes but i loved the scene towards the end where the father listens to his son's ( the lead's) music and smiles... man, what a smile, it was such a realistic wow kind of reaction. the whole story was solid, i loved that they went for it and in short order they got to put a cd together. and how cool was the recordist's reaction? he was like, yeah they are going to suck and this is going to be a short bit of recording before i wish i could just throw 'em out, to, OMG, these guys rock!

i think i had the same kind of reaction myself. the beg was just weird and the camera is shaky and its too dark and the lead is some kind of maniac and what the hell is this about, but then he starts to sing and holy cow, wait, he's good, real good, and he isnt a maniac, he's really living, feeling! damn! this movie is good! real good!
 
Happy to see people singing this movie's praises, but I think we should maybe temper people's expectations. Part of the joy of the film is discovering this little gem yourself, and if people keep hearing how awesome it is they might go in with expectations too high. It's a great little film, but it is little and delicate and should be approached without too much build up.
 
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