“that films are defined by their subject matter first and foremost and not in terms of great filmmaking does do some disservice to the artistry of documentary storytelling. The documentary community is at a critical place because we haven’t figured out how to reconcile this.”

“Filmmaking is largely about the editing process and finding a theme or storyline”

“It’s a process of learning to follow the puck. You can’t make the puck go where you want it to go, because you’ll never be able to make your film. You have to follow the puck and let it lead you. And the puck, of course, is the story.”

Not a lot of biographical detail around - even his date of birth is a calculation rather than a definite.  We do seem to know that he graduated from Harvard University in 1983 and that he also attended the University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts.  He came to notice with The War Room, which he produced and which tells the story of Bill Clinton’s Presidential campaign.  It was named Best Documentary Film of the year by the National Board of Review.  This was the first of many awards that he has collected for his work in film and on television.