THE INSPIRATION FOR ONCE & FOR ALL

I’ve always been a huge fan of the Foo Fighters. in 2007, when they were about to release their album Echoes, Silence, Patience, I got my ass handed to me when I was dumped by my girlfriend of four years. Being a filmmaker and musician (I’ve played the drums for 20+ years) I buried myself in music, and particularly that new Foo album. Playing the songs on my drum kit and as loud as I could in my car, ESPG was on constant repeat. Over time, the musical notes transformed in my head as I visualized scenes from my old relationship that matched the lyrics to each song. I felt like I was on to something, but I didn't know what.

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On a whim, I began to write these scenes into a screenplay format, I didn't have a plan for production, I just knew getting it onto the page was cathartic. Inspired by concept album/films like The Wall and Tommy, I set a goal for myself to keep the song track listing in order as the story progressed. I had this funky (risky) thought… “Well, no one has done anything like that lately, so why not express my pain and chaos along with the music of my favorite band?”

 

Don’t get me wrong, I knew it was insane to go do something like this, inspired by one of the biggest rock bands in the world, but I was driven by my passion and had to get this idea out of my head and into the world.  So I said what the hell, I’ll give it a shot.

 

I was able to enlist an amazing group of actors, cinematographers, crew, and locations, many of who came out for next to nothing.  I believe they could see my passion (or madness) and did what they could to play a part.  Since I self produced the film with my savings, I was not only writer/ director, but producer, grip, electric, camera op, PA, editor and yes, actor.  Anything to save a buck.

 

In the end, initial production was approx 25 days.  The project worked through post for 6-8 months before we scheduled a few more days of pick-up shots and then another few months of editing and VFX got it to what it is now. 

 

I can look back on the process and be truly grateful for how it helped me to heal from the lost relationship, made me aware of (some of) my demons, and introduced me to an amazing group of people who I still often work with today.  I’ve gotten many different responses about OAFA, but what I am most proud of is being able to mix an amazing album of music (that was never meant to be a concept album) and tell a story that most people can relate to. 

 

We do crazy things when we’re in love and when we loose love, and for me, being able to share my crazy with an audience… and possibly introduce them to a kick ass album by my favorite band, is a crazy I’m proud to keep.

 

Cory Reeder

writer/ director/ producer

Once & For All