PBS: The film begins with a childhood story from Ted Dotts and footage of a storm. It later ends with Ted speaking about death and similar storm footage. Can you explain this artistic direction? 

PAUL HUNTON: The dual imagery was a decision to show how Ted was the calm in any storm. The first storm is described as sort of a constant in physical weather in West Texas, but then Ted goes on to describe the racism of his family members and how he did not like it and wanted to rise above it. Ted consistently rose above the storms in the world whether it be racism in the south or the church, or discrimination of the LGBTQ community. Ted always rose above it to be inclusive and loving to every human he encountered. And finally, even in the face of death — the final storm — he was calm and walked bravely into it. 

PBS: What was it about Ted and Betty that compelled you to share their story and how did you learn of the couple?  

 PAUL: Ted hosted a local radio show called “Faith Matters” on our NPR station. I did not know he had cancer and our development officer, Sherril Skibell, told me that Ted had been diagnosed with cancer and was choosing to not seek treatment. We had received a grant from WETA to tell local “stories of cancer” as interstitials for “Cancer: The Emperor of All Maladies.” We were well under way when I found out about Ted and I immediately decided to reach out and ask if he would be willing to share his powerful story.  

Surprisingly, he was interested in being interviewed, as we were worried with his unknown timetable he may have not been willing to share that time with people he hadn’t met before. Our location was the church that Ted called home for many years, St. Johns. Ted was patient with us as we prepared and set up the interview. He was patient again with my questions and the interview lasted a little over an hour. To our surprise he even called someone to push another appointment to later to spend more time with us. The appointment was him counseling someone, which is amazing — that a man facing his own death was still taking the time to lift up his friends. 

 PBS: Though the focus of this story is about Ted, the audience has the opportunity to learn more about Betty and witness her strength through such a difficult and emotional time. What was it like working with her on this project? 

PAUL: Betty Dotts is the most incredible person I’ve ever met. We had interviewed Ted and it was apparent that no story was complete without talking to his wife and best friend, Betty. I had asked Ted if he thought it would be ok to interview Betty (he knew he had very little time left and I was hesitant to take up any more of their precious time together). Ted agreed and gave me the contact information to get ahold of her. We scheduled the interview for 11 days later. Ted died on the 10th day, Sunday, and beyond my own grief over the death of this amazing man I also thought it meant we would not get Betty’s interview.  

The morning of the scheduled interview my phone rang, it was Betty. She asked if I heard about Ted, I told her I did. She then said if Teddy thought she should do the interview she wanted to go ahead and do it. We interviewed her a little over 24 hours after Ted died. The emotions in the room were a lot to handle for everyone as Betty recounted a love and marriage that had lasted for decades among the chaos and turmoil of a church and humanity trying to find itself. Betty’s bravery is something I’ll always remember and something I don’t think I could do myself. She is an incredible person and someone I admire very much. 

PBS: When filming this, Betty mentions how Ted died on a Sunday morning when the sun was coming up. Do you remember where you were that day and what your reaction was upon learning of his passing? What do you feel is the most important part of Ted's message? 

PAUL: I was heartbroken but simultaneously hopeful. I am hopeful that I can face death with the bravery that Ted did. The only guarantee in life is that we will die; yet we as a culture and society rarely discuss it in any meaningful way. End of life decisions are being made around the clock across the world yet what that looks like and means for an individual or a family is hardly ever taught or understood in a way that would benefit humanity. Ted fought for civil rights in the ‘60s, for LGBTQ rights in the ‘80s, ‘90s and up until his death, and in his final moments he showed us all that death can be a beautiful and meaningful thing. He showed us that love conquers everything, even death.