Site to Feature Five New, Election-themed Original Web Series, Daily Blog, Interviews and Webisodes of ’The Return of the War Room’
Celebrity Contributions From Robert Redford, Ted Nugent, Ralph Nader, and Isabella Rossellini
NEW YORK, October 6, 2008 – Sundance Channel today launched "Voices on the Election" a series of political blogs and exclusive content that will provide an independent look at the election on sundancechannel.com (www.sundancechannel.com/politics). At times humorous, at times serious, the "Voices on the Election" minisite will be a place for people to discover creative, artistic and irreverent perspectives on politics and the issues of the coming election. The site will feature five new original web series, several blog posts from Robert Redford, a daily blog written by Jamie Wong and Michael Turner and webisodes from ’The Return of the War Room".
"This year’s presidential election is one the most important and exciting times in our country’s history," said Christopher Barry, Senior Vice President Digital Media and Business Strategy. "We have always been supportive of independent ideas and visions, not only in the arts but across all mediums. American voters need a platform to discuss their views with their fellow peers and "Voices on the Election" is a user-friendly, wide reaching platform to do so."
The site will be updated several times a day and include contributions from celebrities and non-celebrities, news, op-ed pieces and original video related to the major issues of the election. The original web series will include:
- Attack Ads, a series of funny, irreverent, mock political advertisements by Amsterdam based comedy troupe Boom Chicago,
- Dave Hill’s Guide to Voting, which features fun tongue-in-cheek tips for surviving this election season by comedian Dave Hill;
- Project Vote, a series of mock U.S. primary elections held on the streets of Bombay, London and Mexico City by the Panty Raiders (Huffington Post Contagious Festival winner);
- Sometimes the Dream is Real, a mini-opera in three acts by comedian/songwriter David Driver (2008 Webby nominee) and
- The Naked Campaign, a series of animated, documentary vignettes profiling the presidential candidates by Gail Levin that features the work of New Yorker caricaturist, Steve Brodner.
The site will also feature daily blog posts from Jamie Wong, writer and political junkie who currently works at The Daily Show with Jon Stewart and from Michael Turner, political analyst for RNN’s, "Richard French Live," and "Real Politics Live". The site will also include several blog posts from Robert Redford and celebrity contributions from Ted Nugent and Ralph Nader. Guest contributors will provide a glimpse into their political views and provide information about causes and groups they support.
Sundance Channel also recently announced a special DOCDAY slate dedicated to the electoral process. Beginning at 9:00pm et/pt every Monday night from October 6 through November 3, Sundance Channel will present feature documentaries and original series about the men and women – and girls and boys – who seek public office in the U.S., be it as leader of the free world or as leader of their middle-school student body. The lineup includes the U.S. television premieres of three feature-length documentaries: Mary Lambert’s 14 Women (October 6th ); Chris Hegedus and D A Pennebaker’s The Return of the War Room (October 13th ), a Sundance Channel original production; and Vanessa Roth’s The Third Monday in October (October 20th) For more information, go to www.sundancechannel.com.
About Sundance Channel:
Under the creative direction of Robert Redford, Sundance Channel is the television destination for independent-minded viewers seeking something different. Bold, uncompromising and irreverent, Sundance Channel offers audiences a diverse and engaging selection of films, documentaries, and original programs, all unedited and commercial free. Launched in 1996, Sundance Channel is subsidiary of Rainbow Media Holdings LLC. Sundance Channel operates independently of the non-profit Sundance Institute and the Sundance Film Festival, but shares the overall Sundance mission of encouraging artistic freedom of expression. Sundance Channel’s website address is www.sundancechannel.com.
Rainbow Media Holdings LLC
Rainbow Media Holdings LLC is a subsidiary of Cablevision Systems Corporation (NYSE: CVC). Rainbow Media is a leading producer of targeted, multi-platform content for global distribution, creating and managing some of the world’s most compelling and dynamic entertainment brands, including AMC, IFC, WE tv, Sundance Channel and VOOM HD Networks. Through IFC Entertainment, Rainbow Media also owns and manages the following: IFC Films, a leading distribution company for independent film; IFC Productions, a feature film production company that provides financing for select independent film projects; and IFC Center, a three screen, state-of-the-art cinema in the heart of New York’s Greenwich Village. Rainbow Media also operates Rainbow Advertising Sales Corporation, its advertising sales company; Rainbow Network Communications, its full service network programming origination and distribution company; and 11 Penn TV, a company that manages Rainbow Media’s NYC studios and post-production facilities.