Steve James (producer)
Encyclopedia
Steve James is an American film producer and director of several documentaries, including the award-winning Hoop Dreams
and Stevie. He is also the director of the 1997 feature film Prefontaine. His newest film, The Interrupters
, a portrayal of a year inside the lives of former gang members in Chicago who now intervene in violent conflicts, will be released in 2011 after premiering at the Sundance Film Festival. The film is his sixth feature length collaboration with his long-time filmmaking home, the non-profit Chicago production studio Kartemquin Films
, and is also his fifth feature to be accepted into the Sundance Film Festival.
He is a graduate of Southern Illinois University Carbondale
, studying with Charles Harpole
. His work, he tells journalist Robert K. Elder
in an interview for The Film That Changed My Life
, was strongly influenced by the film Harlan County, USA
.
James also pulls influence from the original definition of the term cinéma vérité
as it applies to the Rouch/Morin method of filmmaking. Just as with Rouch and Morin, the "people on camera and we in the audience are continually reminded that a film is being made, that we are watching a film." We are reminded of this through James' presence on screen as well as his cinematic editing techniques, in order to obtain, what he believes is a more accurate depiction of truth.
Hoop Dreams
Hoop Dreams is a 1994 documentary film directed by Steve James, with Kartemquin Films. It follows the story of two African-American high school students in Chicago and their dream of becoming professional basketball players....
and Stevie. He is also the director of the 1997 feature film Prefontaine. His newest film, The Interrupters
The Interrupters
The Interrupters is a 2011 documentary film, produced by Kartemquin Films, that tells the story of three violence interrupters who try to protect their Chicago communities from the violence they once employed...
, a portrayal of a year inside the lives of former gang members in Chicago who now intervene in violent conflicts, will be released in 2011 after premiering at the Sundance Film Festival. The film is his sixth feature length collaboration with his long-time filmmaking home, the non-profit Chicago production studio Kartemquin Films
Kartemquin Films
Kartemquin Films is a not-for-profit organization that was founded in 1966 by Gordon Quinn, Jerry Temaner and Stan Karter, three University of Chicago graduates who wanted to make documentary films guided by their principle of "Cinematic Social Inquiry." They were soon joined by Jerry Blumenthal...
, and is also his fifth feature to be accepted into the Sundance Film Festival.
He is a graduate of Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a public research university located in Carbondale, Illinois, United States. Founded in 1869, SIUC is the flagship campus of the Southern Illinois University system...
, studying with Charles Harpole
Charles Harpole
Charles Henry Harpole, Ph.D., is a scholar of cinema and mass communications and a film maker. He received his doctorate from New York University and has a long career as a professor, having taught at the University of Georgia, New York University, the New School, Southern Illinois University, the...
. His work, he tells journalist Robert K. Elder
Robert K. Elder
Robert K. Elder is an American journalist, author and film columnist.- Early life and education :A Montana native, Elder interviewed Ken Kesey for his high school newspaper. The author encouraged Elder to attend his alma mater, the University of Oregon, which Elder did two years later...
in an interview for The Film That Changed My Life
The Film That Changed My Life
The Film That Changed My Life is a non-fiction collection of interviews compiled by American journalist, author and film columnist Robert K. Elder...
, was strongly influenced by the film Harlan County, USA
Harlan County, USA
Harlan County, USA is an Oscar-winning 1976 documentary film covering the "Brookside Strike" or "Bloody Harlan", an effort of 180 coal miners and their wives against the Duke Power Company-owned Eastover Coal Company's Brookside Mine and Prep Plant in Harlan County, Kentucky in 1973...
.
There've been many documentaries over the years that have powerfully impacted me. I think this one came along at the time when I was more interested in being a feature filmmaker than a documentary filmmaker. So it came along at the beginning of a process of moving from an interest in feature film to documentaries, and that’s where my career has taken me. It came along at the right time for me. It helped me see, “Ah, this is more what I want to do.”
James also pulls influence from the original definition of the term cinéma vérité
Cinéma vérité
Cinéma vérité is a style of documentary filmmaking, combining naturalistic techniques with stylized cinematic devices of editing and camerawork, staged set-ups, and the use of the camera to provoke subjects. It is also known for taking a provocative stance toward its topics.There are subtle yet...
as it applies to the Rouch/Morin method of filmmaking. Just as with Rouch and Morin, the "people on camera and we in the audience are continually reminded that a film is being made, that we are watching a film." We are reminded of this through James' presence on screen as well as his cinematic editing techniques, in order to obtain, what he believes is a more accurate depiction of truth.
Filmography
- The InterruptersThe InterruptersThe Interrupters is a 2011 documentary film, produced by Kartemquin Films, that tells the story of three violence interrupters who try to protect their Chicago communities from the violence they once employed...
in 2011 (with Kartemquin Films) - No Crossover: The Trial of Allen Iverson in 2010 (ESPN 30 for 30 project) (with Kartemquin Films)
- At the Death House DoorAt the Death House DoorAt the Death House Door is a 2008 documentary film about Carroll Pickett, who served as the death house chaplain to the infamous "Walls" prison unit in Huntsville, Texas. It was produced and directed by the team of Steve James and Peter Gilbert...
, in 2008 (with Kartemquin Films) - The War TapesThe War TapesThe War Tapes is the first documentary film of the 2003 invasion of Iraq to be produced by the soldiers themselves. The film follows three New Hampshire National Guard soldiers before, during, and after their deployment to Iraq about a year after the invasion...
, 2006 (Producer) - Reel Paradise, in 2005
- The New AmericansThe New AmericansThe New Americans is a seven-hour American documentary, produced by Kartemquin Films, that was originally broadcast on American television over three nights on the Public Broadcasting Service in late March 2004....
, in 2004 (Executive Producer, Nigerian story director) (with Kartemquin Films) - Stevie, in 2003 (with Kartemquin Films)
- Joe and Max, ... aka Joe and Max - Rivalen im Ring (Germany), in 2002 (TV)
- Passing GloryPassing GloryPassing Glory is a 1999 basketball-drama film, written by Harold Sylvester, and directed by Steve James. This movie stars Andre Braugher, Rip Torn, and Sean Squire. The film also features a speaking role by Arthur Agee, the subject of the documentary "Hoop Dreams", also directed by Steve James...
, in 1999 (TV) - Prefontaine, in 1997
- Hoop DreamsHoop DreamsHoop Dreams is a 1994 documentary film directed by Steve James, with Kartemquin Films. It follows the story of two African-American high school students in Chicago and their dream of becoming professional basketball players....
, in 1994 (with Kartemquin Films) - Higher Goals, in 1993 (with Kartemquin Films)
- Grassroots Chicago, in 1991 (with Kartemquin Films)
- Stop Substance Abuse, in 1986