James

Went to class a bit, then went out to Lockhart for some amazing barbecue with the Piersons, a good friend Jack McWilliams, and documentary filmmaker Steve James (Hoop Dreams). Steve's a great guy, he's really into what he does, and he still really loves basketball. I could imagine after making Hoop Dreams where you're basically involved in watching basketball practices, games, editing basketball footage you could get sick of it. Steve didn't.

Then, later, the Master Class hosted Steve. He showed footage of a movie he's been editing (not directing). It's another Iraq movie, but this one looks to be really good. We watched about 20 minutes and everybody in the room was hooked. I'll definitely be checking it out.

Steve talked about his work, from Hoop Dreams to the War Tapes to a few other works in between. For such an interesting documentary filmmaker, and one of the more respected ones, it's surprising to hear that it wasn't his original intent to make non-ficition films. Good to remember for the future. Steve has such an involvement in his films, he really submerges himself into it, this makes it really great to hear him talk about it, he still cares about the people he's made films about, he really tries to be involved. Can't say that about many.

Steve and John mixed it up a bit when talking about Reel Paradise, the documentary about John and his family in Fiji, it was really good-natured though, and fun to watch.

Next up for the Master Class is Mark Cuban.
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