When preparing for the tour following the making of Yield in 1997, Pearl Jam enlisted Cameron Crowe to film the
documentary,
Single Video Theory. The camera work in this 40 minute
documentary is minimalistic, but efficienct, and really adds to the piece as a whole. This is a rock documentary that has everything a Pearl Jam or rock lover could ask for. It goes over Jeff Ament's artwork that he methodically performs for every new album, along with interviews with all of the
bandmates. The gold of Single Video Theory, is the interaction between the bandmates while rehearsing. Who knew that Eddie Vedder smokes? What everybody should know is the history between Stone and Eddie, and the long list of creative differences that the pair has shared for the past fifteen years of being in Pearl Jam together. It is especially provocative to see Stone and Eddie share moments that could explode like arguments in a marriage, but instead Eddie usually takes the high road and backs down, or the more climactic footage was cut. Either way, Cameron Crowe and the PJ boys come through in making a great video that entertains with full-length songs and complete inter-band discussions.