Travis Lee Eller opens up about his role in ‘Elkhorn’, his passion for Westerns, and his hat-making venture
Travis Lee Eller is no stranger to captivating performances, and his role in the upcoming second season of Elkhorn is no exception. The Western series, based on real events, sees Eller playing Joe Ferris, a character who is pivotal to the story’s historical narrative. In this exclusive interview with Film Daily, we delve into Travis’s thoughts on his role, his love for Westerns, and how his side project, Ugly Outlaw Hats, has added another creative layer to his career. From behind-the-scenes fun to the details of his latest season on ‘Elkhorn’, Travis offers us an inside look into his world, both on and off the screen.
Travis, could you please tell us more about your role in the ‘Elkhorn’ TV series?
‘Elkhorn’ is based on true events. I play Joe Ferris, the town shopkeeper. He’s based on the real person who befriended Teddy Roosevelt in Medora, North Dakota when Teddy came westward to try his hand at being a cowboy. Joe knows practically everyone in town. He’s friendly but stern, honest and loyal, and is an important figure in the community who wants nothing but peace in this territory of turmoil.
How does it feel to work on the set of Western film and TV projects?
Western myths await you
I love it! I’m drawn to not only the history of the West but also the mythology of it all. That time period, those characters are really fun to explore. Perhaps it’s because I’m fascinated by those simpler and yet harder times. The struggle to survive and what it does to a person, the hardships they had to endure day to day must have been unbelievable. It’s an interesting headspace to explore. I’m also just a huge fan of the Western landscape, from cactus to mountains—I just love working in that environment.
You also collaborate on various Western film and TV projects through your Ugly Outlaw Hats company. Could you tell us more about that?
So I began making hats in 2018. My brand name is Ugly Outlaw Hats. I’ve developed a reputation for the way I distress my hats, make them look used and worn, and for this reason, a few filmmakers and actors have reached out to me to make them something for their Western projects. I also made my own hat for my show, ‘Elkhorn’. It’s a hobby of mine that I absolutely love and has allowed me to make a lot of great connections in the business. I believe the right hat can really make a character stand out. I’m always up for collaborating with people on a project and will work hard to give someone the look they want.
Behind the laughter lies camaraderie
Are there any funny behind-the-scenes stories you’d like to share?
There’s no story in particular to share, but I can say that when the cast and crew of ‘Elkhorn’ get together on set, we have a pretty good time. We’ve gotten pretty comfortable with each other and are familiar with each of our personalities. There’s a lot of jokes and making fun of each other. It’s all in good fun. One of our Directors/Director of Photography, Jim Orr, has a pretty amusing saying if you mess up either in a scene or behind the scenes. He likes to say, “I remember my first time on set,” which almost always cracks me up.
You’ll also be appearing in the new season of ‘Elkhorn’. When and where can the audience watch the series, and who would you recommend it to, especially for those who haven’t seen it yet?
Adventure awaits this fall
Yes, I’m almost finished filming the second season of ‘Elkhorn’. We are scheduled to finish sometime in May, and I believe it will air in the fall, possibly October, on the INSP channel. There will be eight episodes of action that further explore the stories of Teddy Roosevelt and the town of Medora, North Dakota. This new season promises to be a little different than the last, with more storylines. I would say for anyone who’s never seen it, give it a try, especially if you like Westerns. It’s a show meant for the viewer who likes good, clean entertainment. If you can’t watch it on INSP, it can be found on various streaming platforms.
