Doug Pray is renowned for his work as a director of feature documentary films, capturing the essence of American subcultures and the stories of maverick individuals. In addition to his feature work, Pray has also directed a range of short films and documentary-style commercials for prominent clients and causes.
Born in Denver, Colorado, Pray is the youngest of four brothers. His childhood was marked by a unique blend of academic and artistic influences, as his father was a geology professor at the University of Wisconsin and his mother was a choir director and painter. Growing up in Madison, Wisconsin, Pray's upbringing laid the foundation for his future endeavors.
Pray currently resides in Los Angeles, California, with his wife and two children. His educational background includes a Bachelor of Arts in sociology from Colorado College and a Master of Fine Arts from the UCLA School of Film and Television.
Pray's debut film, Hype! (1996),is a highly acclaimed portrait of the Seattle music scene. The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, earning Pray recognition and inspiring him to continue working in the documentary genre.
