lifestyles
Dreams one basket at a time
By Andrew Gilman Illustration by Nathan Olson
making dreams come true takes on a whole new meaning for Steve James.
And for the dreamer-turned-director of the documentary "Hoop Dreams," life is good.
Now he's bringing his dream to Kansas. James will discuss his film at 8:30 tonight in the Kansas Union Ballroom. The event is free.
The film tracks two Chicago teens and their basketball careers from eighth grade through high school.
ying pick-up basketball one day while at graduate school at Southern Illinois." James said. "I had an ennibury."
Steve James, director of the acclaimed documentary "Hoop Dreams," will share his experiences with the University of Kansas tonight.
"Making 'Hoop Dreams' was an intense process of discovery.The film is about the burdens of dreams."
Steve James
Director of "Hoop Dreams"
From there he went to Chicago and began shooting for his future.
"For me, this is my 'Hoop Dream,'" he said.
The Genesis of Hope
One dream died out, but another began. Basketball gave way to filmmaking.
James grew up in Hampton, Va., always hoping for an opportunity to play pro basketball. Like so many others James played high school ball. He also was fortunate enough to play one year as a walk-on at James Madison University.
"I decided that film was my new passion," he said.
James went on to receive a bachelor of science degree in communication arts at JMU and later earned a master's degree of fine arts in film production at Southern Illinois University.
"Making the movie was an intense process of discovery," he said. "The film is about the burdens of dreams."
First, he discovered Arthur Agee and William Gates, who became the subjects of the movie. Soon after, James was a part of their lives.
"Part of the value of making the film was the fact that I was able to get close to the families," he said. "I think we all got something out of the experience."
For Gates and Agee, it was an intense desire to use basketball to get ahead. For James, it was an intense desire to tell the story of the two hopefuls: "The film became part of the dream," he said.
Movie as Inspiration
"I thought it would be a good idea for them to see the movie," said Wayne Van Dine, coach at Wyandotte High School in Kansas City, Kan. "It's good to build more camaraderie, and it gives them something to relate to."
The film may have inspired the team. The Bulldogs, under the direction of their first-year coach and a new nucleus of players, qualified as one of eight teams for the Kansas State Basketball Tournament.
"It helped give the team a realistic view of what occurs," Van Dine said. That realization is exactly what James was aiming for when making the film — a reinforcing of a dream, but at the same time a no-nonsense angle to the
enigma of chasing something that probably won't come true.
Says Sean Pearson, KU basketball player, who is seen in the movie: "It shows that you can't put all your eggs in one basket. There's a lot that you don't realize."
But when making the film, James realized it.
"It's about real life, and it's complicated," James said. "I could see one taking the view that if you believe in yourself and work hard, good things will happen to you. We don't set out to lecture. We raise some questions to think about, like the business of sports and the opportunity of achieving not only basketball success, but the American dream."
"Hoop Dreams" is a success story. A success for Agee and Gates: Both received a free education because of their basketball abilities. And a success for James, who received an Academy Award nomination for best editing.
Beyond the game
James reflects on what the film did for everyone involved.
"Hoop Dreams" screenings
"It changed my life in a good way," he said. "It's opened up other prospects for me. There's been interest in Hollywood."
Noon today at Alderson Auditorium in the Kansas Union
- Following tonight's 8:30 lecture at the Woodruff Auditorium in the Kansas Union
7:30 p.m. Saturday at Woodruff Auditorium in the Kansas Union
All screenings are free.
As for Gates and Agee: "I'd like to think that we played some role in exposing them to some of their career dreams." James said.
No matter what would of happened with Gates, Agee or his own efforts, James said he was satisfied with the product he had put together.
"The day we finished filming, I sent a note to Peter Gilbert," James said, referring to the film's producer. "I told him that regardless of how the film turns out, it was worth it. I meant that, even if it hadn't done well. But I really didn't expect what it did."
But that's what dreams are made of.
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Cultural Calendar
Exhibitions and Lectures
Exhibition — Design Craft Area Scholarship Exhibition, Sunday through April 21 at the Art and Design Gallery in the Art and Design Building.
Exhibition — Ethings of Peasant Life in Holland in the Golden Age, by Adriaen van Ostade, through May 14 at the Spencer Museum of Art.
Lecture — "Meadowlark School and Summer Adventure Camps: Whole Language, Child-Centered, Experience-Based Learning," by Pierre and Elise Clement, 7:30 p.m. Monday at the Auditorium in the Lawrence Public Library, 707 Vermont St.
Lecture — "Tibetan Art: Facets of the Diamond Path," by Doris Sirinvasan, 6 p.m. today at the Atkins Auditorium in the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, 4525 Oak, Kansas City, Mo.
Exhibition - Prints from the United States since 1945, through May 21 at the Spencer Museum of Art.
Performances
Exhibition - The Natural Beauty and Iconic Imagery of Mount Fuji, through August at the Spencer Museum of Art.
Exhibition — The Jade Studio: Masterpieces of Ming and Qing Painting from the Wong Nanp'ing Collection, through June 18 at Kress Gallery in the Spencer Museum of Art.
Lecture — "Architectural Journeys," by Antoine Predock, 3 p.m. tomorrow at the Auditorium in the Spencer Museum of Art.
Lecture — "Reflections on The Jade Studio," by Richard Barnhart, 7 p.m. tomorrow at the Auditorium in the Spencer Museum of Art.
Department of Music and Dance presents a Student Recital, featuring Ted Stamos, 7:30 tonight at Swarthout Recital Hall. Free.
University Symphony Orchestra will perform at 7:30 p.m. tomorrow at the Lied Center. Tickets $3 and $6.
Department of Music and Dance presents an Undergraduate Music Honor Recital, 7:30 p.m. Friday at Swarthout Recital Hall. Free.
Department of Music and Dance presents a Student Recital, featuring Ayren Dudrey Huslig, 3:30 p.m. Saturday at Swarthout Recital Hall. Free.
Department of Music and Dance presents a Faculty Recital, featuring Michael Kimber, 7:30 p.m. Monday at Swarthout Recital Hall. Free.
Kansas City Symphony presents a Night-
lights Pops Concert, 8 tonight at the Music Hall,
13th and Central streets, Kansas City, Mo. Tickets
$4, $8, $18 and $32.
Quality Hill Playhouse presents "Bagheads," 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 5 p.m. Sunday at 1221 Baltimore St., Kansas City, Mo. Tickets $14 and $16.