Will IFC’s acronym become as distant a memory as what AT&T really stands for the in 21st century? [Indie fuckin’ controversies®?] Reports AP’s David Bauder,“For much of its life, the Independent Film Channel was essentially content to show independent films. That wasn’t enough for Evan Shapiro. Since taking over as general manager two years ago, he’s sought to establish IFC as a haven for free speech, a network that relishes taking on controversial issues. His slogan for IFC is “TV, Uncut.” “If cable does what broadcast cannot, IFC needs to do what cable does not,” said Shapiro… One example is the recent documentary, This Film is Not Yet Rated, that explores the politics behind Hollywood’s movie ratings system. [Shapiro] reasoned that “if we don’t do this, we don’t deserve to be the Independent Film Channel.” IFC is also financing and showing series. “I think we attract far more libertarians than any other classification,” Shapiro said. “Mavericks, independents, libertarians the stay-out-of-my-business mentality.” It took a marketer,” Bauder touts, “to understand that IFC, which began operating in 1994 and is seen in a little more than 1/3 of the nation’s television homes, hadn’t done enough to distinguish itself from rivals like Sundance and Bravo… “Evan has earned his indie cred and earned respect within the industry by the films that he’s putting his money behind,” [indieWIRE’s Eugene] Hernandez said. “At the end of the day, it comes down to the projects.” … “It’s not enough to just have a lot of films on your network,” Shapiro said. “You have to curate it.’ … “One in 10 Americans tell the other nine what to do… and I’d rather talk to the one than the nine. I’d rather make Napoleon Dynamite than King Kong.” [The press release is at the jump.]

IFC CONTINUES ORIGINAL PROGRAMMING MOMENTUM WITH NEW SLATE OF SCRIPTED PROJECTS
Network Announces Pilot ZO2 and Deals in Development for Pornopolis,
Elevated and Bad Habits
IFC’s Hit Series The Minor Accomplishments of Jackie Woodman and
The Business Renewed for Second Seasons Premiering August 2007
New York, NY, January 10, 2007 – The Independent Film Channel (IFC), the first and largest network dedicated to independent film, reaffirmed its commitment to expand the network’s slate of original scripted programming with today’s announcement of a pilot project and multiple deals in development. The network has ordered a pilot for a new comedy, ZO2 from MarkMark Productions (Parco P.I.), as well as an extensive list of script orders for projects including, Pornopolis, Elevated and Bad Habits. In addition, IFC announced that its two hit series, The Minor Accomplishments of Jackie Woodman and The Business are returning to the network for a second season in August 2007.
“IFC is focused on, and committed to, developing our original programming slate with unique content that aligns with the network’s uncut, uncensored environment,” said Evan Shapiro, IFC’s Executive Vice President and General Manager. “We are beyond pleased with the critical-acclaim received from the first season of Minor Accomplishments and The Business and we look forward to continuing the momentum with more serial programming this year.”
“It is very gratifying to see that our vision for original production is attracting key talent in the creative community and we’re confident that our upcoming slate is going to yield outstanding television for the network,” added Debbie DeMontreux, IFC’s Vice President of Original Programming. “Minor Accomplishments and The Business are solid programming anchors that clearly resonate with our audience, and we’re very excited to bring them back for a second season. The deals we have in development are compelling projects that also embody the spirit of IFC and apply that raw, edgy entertainment that differentiates IFC’s programming within the television landscape.”
Today’s announcement builds on a successful year of original programming for IFC. In August 2006, the network debuted season one of The Minor Accomplishments of Jackie Woodman and The Business, both of which received overwhelming critical acclaim. IFC also released an ambitious slate of original documentaries and launched its first-ever theatrical release nationwide with its controversial documentary This Film Is Not Yet Rated, the breakthrough film from Oscar-nominated director Kirby Dick that offers an unprecedented investigation into the MPAA film ratings system and its profound impact on American culture. The film will make its network debut on IFC in March 2007. Additional projects scheduled for 2007 include original documentaries: The Bridge, a provocative, unflinching account of the suicides at San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge; Indie Sex, a documentary trilogy that explores the controversial, titillating and complicated topic of sex in cinema; Does Your Soul Have a Cold?, a compassionate look into the recent emergence of antidepressants in Japan; Darkon, follows the real-life adventures of an unusual group of weekend “warrior knights,” fantasy role-playing gamers whose live-action “battleground” is modern-day Baltimore. In addition, the network will debut season two of The Henry Rollins Show, kicking off with a one-hour special, Henry Rollins: Uncut from Tel Aviv, documenting Rollins’ two-night performance in the Israeli city, premiering April 13.
Following are descriptions of IFC’s upcoming scripted projects:
ZO2 — (pilot)
A loosely scripted improvisational half-hour comedy, ZO2 follows one band with a dual identity: a real-life heavy metal rock band by night (“ZO2”) that also moonlights as a kids’ birthday band by day (“Z Brothers”). The series is based on the real stories of the New York City-based band’s three rockers and the dual lives they lead. The pilot episode will explore the conflicts and comedy inherent in juggling these two lifestyles. Z02 is produced by MarkMark Productions.
Pornopolis
A one-hour dramatic script that chronicles the life of a seemingly average LA-based suburban family, however the parents happen to run a porn empire. Writers include Randy Barbato and Fenton Bailey for World of Wonder Productions (Inside Deep Throat) with Laura Cahill (Hysterical Blindness).
Elevated
A half-hour script for a workplace comedy set in a governmental counter-terrorism agency. Elevated is written by Jason Reich (The Daily Show).
Bad Habits
A one-hour dramatic script based on a group of people each struggling with various addictions from alcoholism to drug abuse to sex addiction. Written by Gary Lennon (.45, Blackout, Drunks).
Series Renewals:
The Minor Accomplishments of Jackie Woodman, Season 2 (comedy; 8 episodes; ½ hour)
This comedy series created by, written by and starring Laura Kightlinger (writer – Will and Grace, Roseanne) is an uncomfortable, herky-jerky romp through today’s Hollywood. Season two takes off right where the last season left off: Jackie Woodman (Kightlinger) and her best friend Tara Wentzel (Nicholle Tom) are still in search of their talents, some recognition, a purpose and a hangover-proof martini. The not-so-dynamic duo find themselves in a whole new array of circumstances… Will Jackie and Tara find what they’re looking for at an industry-wide film market? At a nightclub where Jackie’s mother’s country-western band is playing? In the pocket of Tara’s boss’s nephew’s jacket? In a café that Jackie used to frequent until it was overrun by narcissistic young mothers and their breast-feeding infants? As they seek the answers, Jackie and Tara will continue to blow opportunities…shatter illusions…slightly increase the pool of common suffering…and disappoint those who believe in them…all with the best of intentions, the worst of judgment and an utter lack of interpersonal skills. The Minor Accomplishments of Jackie Woodman is created by and starring Laura Kightlinger, written by David Punch and Laura
Kightlinger; Executive Produced by Randy Barbato and Fenton Bailey for World of Wonder Productions, Laura Kightlinger and David Punch, and Adam and Mark Kassen of Kassen Bros Productions; Consulting Producers: Jeremy S. Kramer and Hugh Davidson.
The Business, Season 2 (comedy; 8 episodes; ½ hour)
The Business, season two, follows the same ensemble cast of characters from season one on another misadventure in indie film-land. Having just received critical and commercial success with the release of their indie-horror film, “House of Fear,” the founders of the production company Vic’s Flicks are unsure of how to deal with their newfound and unfamiliar success. The Business stars and is executive produced by Kathleen Robertson, directed by Phil Price and produced by Brandi-Ann Milbradt, both of Philms Pictures Inc.
About IFC Television
The Independent Film Channel (IFC) is the first and most widely distributed network dedicated to independent film 24 hours a day, uncut, uncensored and commercial-free.
The network is part of IFC Companies — the only brand to operate in every area of independent film to include television, production, financing, distribution, digital, on-demand and exhibition. IFC Companies uses its unique cross-platform position to broaden the audience of independent film and to provide independent filmmakers with a strong voice. IFC Companies is a division of Rainbow Media Holdings, LLC.
About Rainbow Media Holdings LLC
Rainbow Media Holdings LLC is a subsidiary of Cablevision Systems Corporation (NYSE: CVC). Rainbow Media creates and manages some of the country’s most compelling and dynamic entertainment brands including popular national and regional television channels AMC, fuse, The Independent Film Channel (IFC), WE tv, and two FSN affiliated regional sports networks managed by Rainbow Sports Networks. The company also manages Mag Rack and sportskool, two original on-demand networks; VOOM HD Networks, the largest and most diverse suite of high definition channels available anywhere; IFC Entertainment, its film distribution, production and exhibition division; Rainbow Advertising Sales Corporation, its advertising sales division; and Rainbow Network Communications, its full service network programming origination and distribution company.

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