Patrik-Ian Polk is out to set the record straight (so to speak) that not all gay people are white. “After the recent boom in gay television with Queer Eye, Boy Meets Boy, Will and Grace, Queer As Folk, I really noticed the complete unwillingness of producers to feature positive black gay and lesbian characters in television and film. So, rather than sitting around feeling bitter and neglected, I decided to create a platform for these stories to be told,” commented Polk regarding his latest endeavor.
Noah, Alex, Ricky and Chance are a quartet of closely knit friends living life in Los Angeles. Noah (Darryl Stephens) is a struggling screenwriter embarking on a new love affair with newly out and much more successful screenwriter, Wade (Jensen Atwood).
HIV/AIDS counselor Alex (Rodney Chester) always keep it real with his clients but struggles to do the same with his hunky lover. Ricky (Christian Vincent) owns a trendy and hip clothing store on Melrose and is the playboy of the group, while college professor Chance (Doug Spearman) has recently married and adopted his partner’s three year old daughter less than a year after first meeting.
Full of humor, excitement and insight, NOAH’S ARC gives today’s black gay community a voice.
The NOAH’S ARC series will debut in the summer of 2004. NOAH’S ARC will also serve as the launching pad for several up and coming music artists.
Written, directed and executive produced by Patrik-Ian Polk, NOAH’S ARC is produced by Carol Ann Shine and Jasmyne Cannick.
NOAH’S ARC stars Darryl Stephens, Jensen Atwood, Rodney Chester, Doug Spearman and Christian Vincent.
For more information please visit www.noahsarc.net
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| Photo credit: Anthony Nouri Caravan |
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ABOUT THE WRITER/DIRECTOR
PATRIK-IAN POLK (Director, Writer, Producer), 30 and a Mississippi native, attended Brandeis University in Massachusetts and graduate film school at the prestigious University of Southern California School of Cinema-Television where he wrote and directed a number of short films. After a brief stint as a producer's assistant on Amblin Entertainment's television series, "SeaQuest ,DSV," Polk was immediately hired as a development executive at MTV's then-new Paramount-based feature film division, MTV Films. Polk actively participated in the development of such productions as the hugely
successful "Beavis and Butthead Do America" and the critically acclaimed and Oscar-nominated high school dark comedy "Election."
Next, Polk served as Vice President of production and development at Tracey and Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds’ Edmonds Entertainment/e2 filmworks. During his tenure there, Polk worked on the films, "Soul Food,” "Hav Plenty," and “Light It Up.”
Patrik-Ian Polk made his feature film directorial debut with PUNKS, an independent feature that he also wrote and produced. Often described as a male "Waiting to Exhale," PUNKS had its world premiere in January 2000 at the Sundance Film Festival as part of its prestigious American Spectrum series. The film delighted audiences and picked up many awards at festivals around the world and was released theatrically in November 2001. PUNKS was nominated for a 2002 Indie Spirit Award for best low-budget feature.
Polk is currently developing a comedy feature project entitled LADIES NIGHT for producer Lee Daniels (“Monster’s Ball”). He is also writing an original television movie for Lifetime Network and developing a feature adaptation of James Earl Hardy’s novel, “The Day Eazy E Died.”
ABOUT THE PRODUCERS
CAROL ANN SHINE is an independent producer who has produced numerous award winning shorts, documentaries and feature films. After graduating with an MFA from USC’s prestigious Film and Television program, where Shine produced a number of award winning films and documentaries, she went to work for Momentum Entertainment, a finance and production company founded with fellow USC alum. Shine worked as an acquisition and development executive at Momentum, in addition to independently producing films and documentaries. Shine has produced a number of award winning shorts including ‘Black Like Who?’ and ‘Letter to My Mother’ under Showtime’s Black Filmmakers program, ‘Walking Mele’, a Sundance 2000 competition short and Student Academy Awards national finalist, ‘Kings’ a Slamdance 2000 competition short and
winner of the Showtime Black Filmmakers Grant, and most recently ‘Milk and Honey’ also for Showtime. Shine’s independent features include ‘All the Trappings of Success’, ‘The Girls Room’, and ‘Dr. Benny’ as well as a host of music videos for groups including Darling Violetta and Brian Mitchell. Currently Ms. Shine is Executive Producer for a trilogy of short films for Showtime Networks that will air during the Soul Food final season of 2004. These shorts are the directorial debuts of cast members from the hit
series.
JASMYNE CANNICK (Producer, Publicist), 26 and a native of Los Angeles, studied communications and Africana studies while in college. She is an entertainment public relations and marketing professional with over five years of experience. Her portfolio includes independent films, film festivals, events, personalities and music artists. Ms. Cannick specializes in black media and gay media and is a member of the National Association of Black Journalists. Her civic affiliations include the Pan African Film and Arts Festival, OUTFEST Film Festival, the National Black Justice Coalition, At the Beach Los Angeles Black Pride and the Zuna Institute. Currently Ms. Cannick is representing several independent films.
Keith wrote on 9 March 2004
I'm excited about the series when will it start and on what channel? Good luck!
MRB - UK wrote on 9 March 2004
This is great, a gay series completely with black men, well, it's about time, this is long awaited... 'Bring it on'.
Eric wrote on 9 March 2004
I am very excited about Noah's Arc. I can't wait to get the series on DVD.
Rick wrote on 9 march 2004
I am eagerly anticipating this series. It will be a welcomed departure from white gay TV. One thing you guys did not mention is which network or Tv station will be airing Noah's Arc (?)
Terrence wrote on 10 March 2004
Please let us know which Tv will be airing this new phenomenon
Kea wrote on 18 March 2004
I am so excited about this new series.. It is about time someone did a series on the REAL lives of black gay men and what they go through.
