World Premiere
I Want My MTV
Tribeca TV
| USA | 86 MINUTES | EnglishDocumentary
A touchstone in the lives of millions of young people, as well as a home for musicians and filmmakers to display their frequently offbeat sense of artistic vision, upstart music network MTV burst onto televisions on August 1, 1981. Via a combination of the scrappy handful of young adults serving as hosts, the fly-by-the-seat-of-their-pants production style, and the music mini-movies that were the foundation of the original channel, MTV was like nothing Americans had ever seen before.
A nostalgic and thrilling ride, I Want My MTV takes its audience back to the beginning, when the idea of a television channel devoted solely to screening newfangled videos from music’s hottest stars seemed destined for failure. From DEVO and Cyndi Lauper to David Bowie and Madonna, the film provides a peek into how the videos that defined a generation, as well as how the team of young executives—now some of the most prolific and powerful leaders in American media—tasked with growing this seed of an idea, would quickly flourish into a beloved but often controversial cultural juggernaut. Features commentary from Sting, Tegan and Sara, Fab 5 Freddy, Jerry Cantrell, Tabitha Soren, and more.
—Liza Domnitz
After the Premiere Screening: A conversation with film directors Tyler Measom and Patrick Waldrop, MTV co-founders John Sykes and Tom Freston, former MTV CEO Judy McGrath, Darryl McDaniels of Run DMC, and original MTV VJ Mark Goodman Moderated by Jen Chaney (NY Mag).
A nostalgic and thrilling ride, I Want My MTV takes its audience back to the beginning, when the idea of a television channel devoted solely to screening newfangled videos from music’s hottest stars seemed destined for failure. From DEVO and Cyndi Lauper to David Bowie and Madonna, the film provides a peek into how the videos that defined a generation, as well as how the team of young executives—now some of the most prolific and powerful leaders in American media—tasked with growing this seed of an idea, would quickly flourish into a beloved but often controversial cultural juggernaut. Features commentary from Sting, Tegan and Sara, Fab 5 Freddy, Jerry Cantrell, Tabitha Soren, and more.
—Liza Domnitz
After the Premiere Screening: A conversation with film directors Tyler Measom and Patrick Waldrop, MTV co-founders John Sykes and Tom Freston, former MTV CEO Judy McGrath, Darryl McDaniels of Run DMC, and original MTV VJ Mark Goodman Moderated by Jen Chaney (NY Mag).
Cast & Credits
Directed by
Tyler Measom and Patrick Waldrop
Tyler Measom is the co-director and producer of numerous films including Sons of Perdition (Tribeca 2010) and An Honest Liar (Tribeca 2014). He has produced Take (Tribeca 2008), Jesus Town, USA, and the documentary Elder. Patrick Waldrop graduated from University of California, Berkeley and holds an MFA from UCLA School of Theater, Film, and Television. His debut short, Cosmic Debris, premiered at Tribeca in 2018.
Director
Tyler Measom, Patrick Waldrop
Producer
Kerri Borsuk, David Kennedy, Nick Quested, Tyler Measom, Patrick Waldrop
Screenwriter
Tyler Measom, Patrick Waldrop
Cinematographer
Tyler Measom
Composer
Matt Nathanson, Patrick Stump
Editor
Torben Bernhard, Tyler Measom
Executive Producer
Brad Abramson, Craig Wilkinson
Associate Producer
Djaka Souare, Brooke Wilkinson
US Distributor
A&E Networks
Cast
Sting, Billy Idol, Pat Benatar, Nancy Wilson, Bret Michaels, Darryl McDaniels
Panelists
Judy McGrath
The Emmy® award-winning Judy McGrath is one of the original members of MTV. She was eventually elevated to Chairwoman and CEO of Viacom, responsible for the creative and business direction of MTV, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, VH1, CMT, Paramount TV, TV Land, LOGO and Nick At Nite. McGrath formed the digital content studio Astronauts Wanted: No Experience Necessary. She is currently advising the Group Nine Media brands, including NowThis news, Thrillist, Seeker and the DoDo. She is on the boards of Amazon, VICE, the Global Poverty Project, and The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Mark Goodman
Mark Goodman has worked in music for over 40 years. He began in Philadelphia working at several radio stations.Then in 1980 he moved to New York to work at WPLJ. In 1981 Goodman joined this thing called MTV. On 8/1/81 it was Mark’s show that kicked off the channel! After MTV Mark studied acting and appeared in films and TV. He’s been a music supervisor. But for last 15 years Mark has been at SiriusXM. Hosting on the 80s channel and now hosting a live call in show weekdays on SXM’s talk channel about music called Volume.
Tom Freston
One of the founding team at MTV in 1980, Tom Freston became Chairman and CEO of MTV Networks in 1986 where he oversaw MTV, Nickelodeon, VH1, Comedy Central, and other television and digital businesses. He is a former Chef Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer of Viacom. Mr. Freston is Board Chair of the ONE Campaign, an advisor to Vice Media, the Raine Group, and Moby Media. He serves on several boards including Imagine Entertainment, Moby Media, Vice Media, and New America. He was inducted into the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Hall of Fame in 2010.
Darryl McDaniels
Darryl “DMC” McDaniels is co-founder of the legendary group Run-DMC: selling over 40 million albums and changing music history. In 2014 he started his comic book company, Darryl Makes Comics; in 2016 released a top selling autobiography “Ten Ways Not to Commit Suicide”. He is co-founder of the Felix Organization - a nonprofit that for over 10 years has worked to enrich the lives of children in the foster care system. He’s a 2009 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee, a 2016 Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, and has received numerous awards for his philanthropic work.
John Sykes
John Sykes, President of iHeartMedia Entertainment Enterprises, oversees strategic programming and business partnerships across television, digital and live events as well as creation of iHeartRadio-branded television programming and video content. Sykes is an executive producer of iHeartMedia’s nationally televised specials, including the iHeartRadio Music Awards and iHeartCountry Festival on FOX, the iHeartRadio Music Festival and Jingle Ball on The CW Network, and iHeartRadio Fiesta Latina on Telemundo. Sykes was a founding member of MTV. He spent 20 years at Viacom in roles including President of VH1, President of Network Development for MTV Networks and Chairman/CEO of Infinity Broadcasting.
Tyler Measom
TYLER MEASOM is the co-director/producer of numerous films including Sons of Perdition (Tribeca 2010) which tells the story of teenagers exiled by their polygamist community. He also co-directed and produced An Honest Liar (Tribeca Film Festival 2014) which looks at the life and lies of James “The Amazing” Randi. He has produced the films TAKE (Tribeca 2008) starring Jeremy Renner, the Showtime feature doc Jesus Town, USA and the documentary ELDER (Tribeca 2016) which tells the story of a gay Mormon missionary. He is currently co-directing, with Jared Hess, the documentary series The Salamander.
Patrick Waldrop
Patrick Waldrop, grew up in Easter Washington. He graduated from UC Berkeley and holds an MFA from UCLA TFT. His debut short, Cosmic Debris, premiered at Tribeca in 2018. Patrick works in narrative and documentary.
Contacts
International Sales Contact
Nafusah Quinn
A+E Networks
Hammersmith London, W6 9YN
Phone: 207 663 6105
nafusah.quinn@aenetworks.com
A+E Networks
Hammersmith London, W6 9YN
Phone: 207 663 6105
nafusah.quinn@aenetworks.com
Press Contact
* Rush Tickets available at venue except for
Beacon Theatre
Beacon Theatre
Rush will be offered when advanced tickets for a screening or event are no longer available at venues
other than Beacon Theatre.
The Rush system functions as a standby line that will form at the venue approximately one hour prior to scheduled start time. Admittance is based on availability and will begin roughly 10 minutes prior to program start time. Rush Tickets are the same price as advance tickets and are payable upon entry.
The Rush system functions as a standby line that will form at the venue approximately one hour prior to scheduled start time. Admittance is based on availability and will begin roughly 10 minutes prior to program start time. Rush Tickets are the same price as advance tickets and are payable upon entry.
