Ian Bricke - Programmer, the Sundance Channel

The Sundance Channel has nothing to do with The Sundance Film Festival. Well yes it does. But not really. Same with the Sundance Institute. Sure, they share some of the same partners and vision but, really, they are entirely different things.

In 1981, the Sundance Kid assembled a group of friends to discuss new ways to enhance the artistic vitality of the American film. The result was the re-establishment of the offbeat Cinema Americana that had found a foothold in the studio decay of the late 1960s - the children of Cassavetes and Peckinpah: Soderbergh in 1989, Tarantino in 1991.

The Festival remains an anchor of the independent cinema trade; and they are starting to turn the corner now that every film they screen finally does not include Frank Whaley.

With the proliferation of cable, direct TV and satellite systems over the last few years, idiotbox viewers have increasingly more options. Channels such as HBO and Bravo! have experienced breakthroughs into the mainstream television markets traditionally dominated by CBS, ABC and NBC. Enter The Sundance Channel which is to independent filmmakers what Entertainment Tonight is to Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman - they need each other to survive.

Unlike MTV, however, The Sundance Channel pays money to the producers of their content. It's not NBC money, mind you, but you'll see a litte cash and probably have a very pleasant time dealing with Señor Ian Bricke.

This Scottish-American party crasher is the first step to your new future. He is the great wall of judgement at the Sundance Channel - think "last bouncer" à droit de Metallica's post-concert shower room. Ian graduated from Swarthmore College in Pennsylvania with a BA in English and quickly made a dash to the Village where he worked for the ultra-elite IFP on three consecutive IFFM's. He also worked at the fantastically successful, independent mentor and gender-bender production house Killer Films contributing to such projects as "Series 7" and "Hedwig and the Angry Inch". Monsieur Bricke (pronounced Brickey) has also found employ with SXSW, the Atlanta Film & Vid Fest, the New York International Latino Film Fest and has also served as a juror for the New York Expo of Short Film and Video and the Anchorage Film Festival.

Now you see how connected this fella is? What you can't tell is how caring a programmer he is. Wish that an email were returned promptly? Boom - check your Inbox. Desire some feedback? Hoohoo - you've got Bricke! He will get back to you. For those of you not used to reading such statements in type - Ian Bricke will get back to you. This guy can reject you and make you feel good at the same time.

Let's take a moment to reflect on that kind of power...