Career Highlights

• Co-Directors and Co-Producers Steve James and Peter Gilbert join ThinkTalk to discuss their film AT THE DEATH HOUSE DOOR
• AT THE DEATH HOUSE DOOR takes a look at the death penalty in the state of Texas through the eyes of a prison chaplain, Pastor Carroll Pickett, who has presided over 95 executions at "Walls Unit" in Huntsville, TX
• Previously, James Directed/Produced/Edited the award winning documentary HOOP DREAMS, with Gilbert serving as Producer and Director of Photography
• James won film festival awards at Sundance, Amsterdam, and Philadelphia for his documentary STEVIE
• Gilbert executive produced the Sundance Festival Grand Jury and Audience Award winning film GOD GREW TIRED OF US

Steven James and Peter Gilbert collaborate for the second time in their 2008 documentary film, At the Death House Door. At the Death House Door takes a look at the death penalty through the eyes of Carroll Pickett, chaplain at the death house in a Texas prison who has presided at over 95 executions. James and Gilbert co-direct and co-produce this film, previously working together on the award-winning Hoop Dreams, a documentary of Steven James’ where Gilbert served as Producer and Director of Photography.

Steven James, graduate of Southern Illinois University Carbondale and long time associate of Kartemquin Films, has produced and directed several documentaries, winning film festival awards at Sundance, Amsterdam, and Philadelphia for his documentary Stevie. Peter Gilbert was the executive producer of his documentary, God Grew Tired of Us, winner of the Sundance Festival Grand Jury and Audience award.

Steve James and Peter Gilbert join ThinkTalk host Nellie Yangmi to discuss their 2008 documentary film At The Death House Door. The pair also answer questions from students including why they chose to take on the death penalty, how they secured financing for their film and what challenges they faced while making a film on such a controversial issue.