‘HitRecord On TV’ Chosen As Sundance Film Festival Offical Selection

LOS ANGELES (December 5, 2013) – “HITRECORD ON TV,” Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s re-imagination of the variety show, was chosen today by the prestigious Sundance Film Festival to be included as an official selection in the New Frontier program. The 2014 Sundance Film Festival takes place January 16-26 in Park City, Salt Lake City, Sundance and Ogden, UT.

On January 17, the eve of the TV premiere on Pivot (Pivot.tv), Participant Media’s television network targeting Millennials (18-34), Gordon-Levitt and his team will celebrate “HITRECORD ON TV” with a screening showcasing the first three installments, marking only the second time that a television series has been selected to participate in the Festival. Pivot will launch the series with two back-to-back episodes on Saturday, January 18 at 10pm ET/PT.

The eight-episode series will be far from traditional as Gordon-Levitt directs a global online community of artists who jointly create and develop distinctive art and media.

hitRECord launched at the 2010 edition of New Frontier at the Sundance Film Festival and has since generated short films, books, DVDs and a traveling interactive stage show that was featured at the 2012 Festival. The screening at the 2014 Festival will mark hitRECord’s third appearance in Park City.

“I can’t think of a better way to celebrate the premiere of “HITRECORD ON TV” than by a screening at Sundance — a place that means a great deal to me personally,” said Gordon-Levitt. “We launched hitRECord as a production company at Sundance back in 2010 at New Frontier and have been very fortunate to be invited back for screenings and events ever since. I’m so grateful for the continuous support Sundance has provided to HITRECORD through the years. It’ll be exciting to share our show with Park City audiences before it premieres on Pivot in January!”

“Joe and his team have pioneered a show like nothing else on TV with a collaborative production that embraces and celebrates the works of thousands of artists from every corner of the globe,” said Belisa Balaban, SVP, Alternative Programming, Pivot. “’HITRECORD ON TV’ is further proof of Joe’s incredible talent both in front of and behind the camera and we can’t wait to unveil it to Pivot’s audience and Sundance Film Festival attendees.”

Starring, created and directed by Gordon-Levitt and executive produced by Jared Geller and Brian Graden, “HITRECORD ON TV,” is a new take on the variety show, hosted by Gordon-Levitt who directs countless artists from his global online community — hitRECord — to create short films, live performances, music, animation, conversation, and more. Each episode focuses on a different theme as he invites and encourages anybody with an internet connection to join him and contribute.

The first three episodes are:

“RE: THE NUMBER ONE” – (Premiere Episode) Airs Saturday, January 18 at 10pm ET/PT
It’s no coincidence that the theme of the very first episode of “HITRECORD ON TV” is regarding “THE NUMBER ONE” — there’s a first time for everything and you never get a second chance at making a first
impression. Through a series of short films, animation, music, conversation (and, of course, more) host Joseph Gordon-Levitt and thousands of contributors from around the world bring you stories of first times, unity and solitude.

“RE: FANTASY”
What better way to kick off the second “HITRECORD ON TV” episode regarding FANTASY than with a big old fashioned musical number? Host Joseph Gordon-Levitt and guest Tony Danza lead a fanciful kick line to celebrate this week’s fantastical theme. The episode continues with an exploration into the neuroscience of fantasy and includes an animated musical twist on the familiar fairy tale, “Beauty and the Beast.”

“RE: TRASH”
Punk, junk and guilty pleasures are just a few words to describe the “HITRECORD ON TV” episode regarding TRASH. Host Joseph Gordon-Levitt kicks off the show with a raucous rock song saluting all you freaks and geeks. The show continues with the so-called “Pope of Trash” and filmmaker John Waters offering up his unique taste for the trashy. And, of course, there’s a pulpy short film about a trash collector abducted by aliens. (Obviously.)

About Pivot
Pivot (Pivot.tv), which launched nationally August 1st, is a television network from Participant Media serving passionate Millennials (18-34) with a diverse slate of talent and a mix of original series, acquired programming, films and documentaries. Pivot focuses on entertainment that sparks conversation, inspires change and illuminates issues through engaging content and, through its website TakePart.com, connects audiences to a wealth of content and customizable actions. Pivot is also changing the media landscape, available via traditional Pay TV subscription and integrating a Live and on demand streaming option via its interactive, downloadable Pivot APP. In both content and delivery, Pivot is TV for The New Greatest Generation. Follow Pivot on Twitter at @pivot_tv and on Facebook atfacebook.com/pivottelevision.

About Participant Media
Participant (participantmedia.com) is a global entertainment company founded in 2004 by Jeff Skoll to focus on feature film, television, publishing and digital content that inspires social change. Participant’s more than 40 films include GOOD NIGHT, AND GOOD LUCK, SYRIANA, AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH, FOOD, INC., WAITING FOR ‘SUPERMAN’, THE HELP, CONTAGION and LINCOLN. Through its films, social action campaigns, digital network TakePart.com and Pivot, its new television network for Millennials, Participant seeks to entertain, encourage and empower every individual to take action.