Gun Shot Wound takes a hard look at routine gun violence in America through the eyes of its trauma surgeons. The film examines the crisis through a public health lens and highlights hospital-based violence intervention programs designed to combat the epidemic. Every day in the United States, an average of 318 people are shot - about 116,000 victims each year. Most aren't involved in mass shootings, instead they're caught in the web of routine, almost invisible, gun violence. Gun Shot Wound show what really happens when someone gets shot and highlights how physicians and hospitals are not just treating patients, but going above and beyond to prevent gun violence.

The full interview:
Q: How and why did you become a documentary filmmaker?
A: I started my career at National Geographic Television in post-production, as a researcher. Fact-checking scripts was a great way to learn how scripts are crafted. As I rose up through the ranks, from researcher to story research to associate producer, I made a conscious effort to work with as many producer/directors as possible. Watching how various directors approached their stories and worked with characters in the field was an invaluable learning experience. I've been directing/writing documentaries for more than 25 years now and feel incredibly fortunate. It's an honor to have people trust me enough to tell their stories.

Q: What makes a good documentary?
A: A compelling story with strong characters.

Q: Why did you make "Gun Shot Wound" and what were the key challenges you faced making the film?
A: I've reached the point in my career where I want to make films that might have an impact, rather than just entertain. Routine gun violence is an epidemic in the United States and the issues surrounding firearms are polarizing here, I wanted to find a different approach to the topic and show an angle of the problem that viewers might not have thought about.

Gun Shot Wound was challenging to make on many levels. Getting permission to film in the hospitals - due to HIPAA privacy regulations - required a flurry of legal documents and a considerable amount of time. Our lawyers worked with the hospital's attorneys for about a year to acquire the necessary permissions. Once we received permission, I wasn't sure we would actually encounter gun shot victims and we spent time in the hospitals. Sadly, this was not a problem. Our experience shadowing a trauma surgeon in Philadelphia was instructive. During a 12-hour shift, she treated three gunshot victims. When Covid hit, it added another layer of complications for my crew and the characters we profiled in the film. Fortunately, we figured out workarounds and were able to finish the film.

Q: What's next for you?
A: Gun violence was a heavy topic to tackle. The health care providers we worked with were inspiring and I'm glad we were able to shine a light on their incredible work. Having said this, I'm looking forward to working on a lighter story.