Last week, film student and junior Isabel “Izzy” Pick shared her feature film “Everything but Eli” with the Lawrence community. This is Pick’s first feature film and is a cross between a documentary, found footage and a concert film. The film depicts third-year Eli Hooker Reese (stage name Eli Orion) and his band The Everything as they prepare for their concert in SOL House (which occurred last May). I was able to sit down with both Pick and Orion and gain insight on the film’s production both in front of and behind the camera.
Pick got the idea to do a documentary focusing on Orion after seeing him perform with Lyle’s Tree (another band Orion is a part of) in SOL House. “He just had a certain, like, photogenic quality about him,” she said. “[He] has a certain charisma.” Pick approached Orion about her idea and he and his band went along with it. Throughout last May, Pick interviewed Orion and filmed the band’s rehearsals leading up to their concert in SOL House. The narrative then evolved as Pick edited the footage together. As production went on, the film evolved and became what it is today.
Pick’s biggest inspiration for this film is the 1962 French New Wave film “Cleo from 5 to 7.” Pick specifically took inspiration from how the film looked at youth culture at the time and how the main character’s small story fits into a greater historical context. “At first, that’s kind of what I wanted this film to be, and I feel like it is somewhat. But now, I believe that the film is more of an emphasis on [Orion] as a person, less so his environment.” Pick originally wanted the film to be more fantastical and abstract with more set pieces and a theatrical feel; however, after filming, Pick realized that it would be better to have her film more grounded. “I’m happier with how the project turned out over what I originally envisioned,” she said.
I was curious about how Orion and his bandmates responded to having their rehearsals filmed. According to Orion, it was quite easy. “[Pick] was super non-intrusive with the filming,” he said. “My favorite part was actually the fact that I was so unaware of what filming was occurring, because then I got to look back on the movie and experience what that part of my life felt like from more of a detached position.” That is another part of the film that is so interesting to me: the fact that it has captured these small moments in time. The film serves as both a time capsule for Orion and his bandmates and gives viewers a behind-the-scenes look at The Everything.
For Pick, the most difficult part about creating this film was figuring out what footage to cut out. A lot of footage was filmed for this film, and Pick had to figure out how to cut it down into a cohesive narrative. “I showed it to my sister, what I had so far […] she was like, ‘There’s so much footage that you have like, there’s too much.’” Throughout the editing process, Pick had to figure out what scenes would be important for both the narrative and the audience. I think she did a great job trimming down all her footage to the most important parts to tell her story. The element that Pick is proudest of is the film’s visuals, an element that I thought was done really well, especially at the end during the concert at SOL House where the lighting and scenery was on point.
So what’s next for Pick and Orion? Well, you can follow Orion on Instagram @eli.0rion and check out his website eliorion.com for updates on his music and tours. As for Pick, she is planning to screen the film to professors in the film department for feedback before submitting to film festivals. Both are going to continue working on their amazing art, so definitely keep a lookout for any future work released by them!
For final statements, Orion said that he would “like to thank [Pick] for making something meaningful that understanding me.” Pick’s final statement was to “support YDSA [Young Democratic Socialists of America] as well as SDS [Students for a Democratic Society] […] especially during these dark times.” Please be kind and support your fellow classmates who are queer, immigrants and/or people of color.