Isaiah Saxon has spent his career creating art that celebrates the natural world. As the co-founder of Encyclopedia Pictura, Saxon has long been a storyteller with a mission. His work includes music videos, short films and his first feature film, “The Legend of Ochi,” which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival.
Saxon’s Art
Before launching his filmmaking career, Saxon’s life was deeply intertwined with the environment. He spent years farming and building houses at Trout Gulch, a self-sufficient community in Northern California. Working closely with the land and nature has influenced his creative work, grounding his art in ecological themes.
Saxon’s art, which he posts on Tumblr, demonstrates a keen environmental awareness. It conveys the fragility of nature and the resilience required to protect it. In October 2020, he released the short film “Earth Crisis,” which explores themes of grief and environmental collapse. Featuring beautiful animation and writing, the film establishes themes that he continues to portray in his newest work.
The Journey to “The Legend of Ochi”
Saxon’s debut feature film with A24, “The Legend of Ochi,” follows a young girl named Yuri as she learns to fear the mysterious creatures called Ochi. But when she stumbles upon an injured baby Ochi, she embarks on a journey to return the creature to its home.
“The Legend of Ochi” began as a screenplay Saxon wrote at the Sundance Screenwriting Lab in 2015. Saxon was influenced by the tone of Roald Dahl’s “The Witches” and similar works. He also enjoys films about kids and their relationships with animals, which is what “The Legend of Ochi” is about. Yuri and the baby Ochi embark on their own journey, decorated with the environmentalist themes prevalent in Saxton’s early artwork.
To achieve a realistic-looking fantasy world, Saxon relied heavily on practical effects, handcrafted sets and his own visual effects. He did not rely on AI tools or any shortcuts. Even though he has such an extensive background in art and animation, some still claim that the film used AI. Saxon was quick to shoot down those comments, refuting them and expressing frustration, as he has dedicated his life to this art.
Saxon’s Advice for Aspiring Filmmakers
When Saxon was asked if he had any advice for students tackling their first feature film, his response was simple but impactful: “Don’t read the screenwriting books. Just watch a lot of movies and then try to find the weird voice that comes out of you.”
Saxon encouraged young filmmakers to embrace originality, rather than imitating their favorite films or filmmakers. Quoting George Saunders, he said, “Rather than trudging up Hemingway Mountain and failing, just put your little flag down, even if it’s a little molehill, and put your name on that.”
Saxon’s own journey embodies this advice. By staying true to his vision and trusting his instincts, he was able to create “The Legend of Ochi,” which is deeply personal to him and yet still universally relevant. He spent years writing and perfecting this film to become what it is today, and it is incredible. “It’s worth taking the leap,” Saxon said. And if his journey is any indication, that leap might just lead to something extraordinary.
