© WESTDOC: The West Coast Documentary and Reality Conference |
Steve Cheskin
Executive Vice President of Programming, TLC Steve Cheskin recently joined TLC as Executive Vice President of programming where he oversees program development, production, scheduling, acquisitions, packaging and operations for the network. Previously, he was at WE tv were he was instrumental in the ratings and delivery growth the network experienced and has aggressively expanded the network’s original programming slate. Series developed under his guidance have included “Secret Lives of Women,”“High School Confidential,” “Platinum Weddings” and “John Edward Cross Country.” Prior to WE tv, Steve enjoyed an 18-year career at Discovery Communications, Inc. Under his leadership, Travel Channel moved to a vertical scheduling strategy and launched a number of hit series, including “The World Poker Tour” which ignited TV’s poker craze. During his tenure, the network’s prime household delivery more than tripled and at the time of his departure 23 of the top 27 telecasts in Travel Channel’s history had been under his direction. |
Elliot Jacobson
Senior Vice President, Programming and Production, RLTV Elliot Jacobson is Senior Vice President of Programming and Production for RLTV, with responsibility for the design and execution of the network's programming strategy, Elliot oversees the development and production of all original programming, as well as the network’s acquisition, scheduling and digital media teams. Elliot has been instrumental in developing key talent relationships (Walter Cronkite, Florence Henderson) and Co-pro partnerships (AARP, NBC, AAA and US News and World Report) for the network and launched, NBC's "Meet the Press" on RLTV, the first time the perennial news flagship has aired outside of NBCU. An award winning producer and director, Elliot has written and produced factual and scripted show, commercials and the feature films: "Coyote" and "Sally and Mickey". |
Joel Ryan
Production Supervisor, Veria Joel Ryan began her television career with the development department of PBS’ flagship station, WNET-Channel 13 in New York. There, working on an on-air promotional piece, she took her first spin on a Quantel Paintbox, and was hooked. After several years in the graphics arena she migrated into video editing in 2003. Ryan worked as online and offline editor in network promotions at Prospect Studios in Hollywood (ABC) before she and her husband opened Dog Beach Design and Post. With Dog Beach, Ryan was on the edit team for the network documentary, Frosted Yellow Willows: The Anna Mae Wong Story (TCM), as well as co-lead editor on documentaries The Mardi Gras Indians, and The Lampshades, and countless promotional pieces. Her live broadcast experience includes ABC Sports and Good Morning America. Ms. Ryan joined the Veria network in 2008 and is currently Production Supervisor. |