As a Mt. Lebanon High School student in the early 1980s, Jeff Stimmel dreamed of being a filmmaker while two of his friends, Paul A. Anderson and Riley McMahon, wanted to be musicians.

Little could the trio know that 25 years later, their talents would come together in the creation of an acclaimed documentary, currently being broadcast on HBO.

Entitled "The Art of Failure: Chuck Connelly Not for Sale,'' the film is about another former Pittsburgher. Mr. Connelly was a revered artist in the 1980s who fell out of favor with the art world for his sometimes self-destructive behavior and his refusal to compromise to advance his career and the financial interests of others, such as gallery owners and agents.

The 60-minute film, shot over six years, depicts Mr. Connelly, who grew up in Pleasant Hills, as a bitter, hard-drinking and prolific artist who lives alone in a dilapidated mansion in Phildelphia.

Mr. Stimmel, 41, the film's producer and director, hatched the idea at a sparsely attended exhibit of Mr. Connelly's work in New York City in October 2002.

"He's so talented you would think there would be more press or buzz," 'he thought at the time.

The deal was sealed when Mr. Stimmel, of Los Angeles, met Mr. Connelly and visited his home, which is filled with hundreds of unsold paintings.

"The rug was hardened by paint. Everything took a back seat to his painting,'' Mr. Stimmel said.

Unraveling the public rise and fall of the artist became the genesis of the documentary.

He contacted Mr. Anderson, now a professor of American Studies at the University of Michigan, to record his original songs from the 1970s and '80s for the film, and Mr. Riley, a musician in New York City, to serve as music producer and contribute some original songs.

For Mr. Stimmel, the film was a dream come true.

"He's been wanting to make movies since he was 6 years old,'' said his mother, Jeannine Stimmel. Mrs. Stimmel, of Mt. Lebanon, is a retired teacher. Jeff's father, William Stimmel, died last year.

It was while a film major at the University of Pittsburgh that Mr. Stimmel had his first big break: an internship with Mister Rogers Neighborhood in the summer of 1990.

From here, he made connections with filmmakers in town to shoot "The Silence of the Lambs,'' who offered advice and contacts for getting a foot in the business.

Over the next several years, Mr. Stimmel worked as a unit production manager, production assistant, location scout, and at other roles in the television and film industries.

For the 2000 film, "Wonder Boys,'' he was a location manager, suggesting Carnegie Mellon University for the classroom scenes and a house in Bloomfield for the home of the character portrayed by Michael Douglas.

While he produced some short, independent features along the way, the Chuck Connelly documentary is his biggest project so far.

Mrs. Stimmel, who viewed bits of the film over the years, said she has a soft spot in her heart for Mr. Connelly.

"As difficult as he is, there's a little boy in there that you just grow to love,'' she said.

The film premiered at the National Arts Club in New York City on June 17. Mr. Stimmel and Mr. Connelly -- who frequently battled during the making of the film, but said they are friends -- both attended.