As a SundanceTV veteran for over 14 years, Christian Vesper oversaw all international projects for the network, bringing the best of the world’s dramas to the U.S. Most recently, he spearheaded premier co-production partnerships for SundanceTV for two highly anticipated series: The Last Panthers, with Sky Atlantic and CANAL+, and Rebellion, with Zodiak Rights, RTÉ and Touchpaper TV.
Prior to his most recent role at SundanceTV, which he assumed in 2015, Vesper was senior vice president of scripted development and current programming, responsible for sourcing and developing original scripted projects for the network. He was instrumental in the development and production of the first three seasons of Peabody Award-winning Rectify, created by Ray McKinnon and executive produced by Mark Johnson and Melissa Bernstein, and the first season of the forthcoming Hap and Leonard, starring James Purefoy, Michael Kenneth Williams and Christina Hendricks. He also oversaw the much-buzzed about mini-series Top of the Lake, written and directed by Jane Campion, co-produced with the BBC and starring Elisabeth Moss and Holly Hunter.
Before that, Vesper was senior vice president, scripted programming, where he oversaw the day-to-day operations of SundanceTV’s programming and development. In addition, he played key roles in the acquisitions and development of the network’s original mini-series, including Golden Globe®-winning Carlos and the critically acclaimed Appropriate Adult and Restless.
Prior to that, Vesper served as director of acquisitions, programming and scheduling at SundanceTV, where he helped launch the acquisitions group, created the network’s DocDay programming destination and developed the 2003 Sundance Film Series, an initiative to acquire features that were released theatrically under SundanceTV’s guidance.
Additionally, Vesper has previously been involved in the acquisition of hundreds of titles for IFC and SundanceTV. Acquisitions for SundanceTV have included: Jean Xavier de Lestrade’s documentary The Staircase, series such as Slings and Arrows, Signe Chanel, City of Men and The Nominees, as well as films such as Loic Pringent’s Marc Jacobs, Michael Winterbottom’s In This World and La Vie En Rose and Peter Bogdonavich’s Runnin’ Down a Dream. IFC acquisitions have included series such as The Jon Dore Show, Arrested Development and Freaks and Geeks and the original horror seriesDead Set for IFC. Vesper was also executive producer of David Cross’ The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret.
Before joining SundanceTV in 2001, Vesper served as director of programming at HBO, buying independent films and documentaries for both HBO and Cinemax. Prior to HBO, he was vice president of business development at the entertainment industry start-up iFilm, acting as the liaison between the company founders and the film industry. Earlier in his career, Vesper served for six years as director of business and legal affairs at October Films andUSA Films, working on acquisitions, production, as well as October’s rapid corporate expansion and subsequent mergers. He began his career as a lawyer at the Wall Street law firm Brown & Wood in 1993.
Vesper earned his Juris Doctorate from the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor and his Bachelor of Arts degree in history from the University of California, Berkeley.
Filmography:
Sundance TV veteran Christian Vesper has joined FremantleMedia as executive vice president, creative director of global drama.
Vesper, who ankled Sundance TV in January after 14 years at the network, will report to FremantleMedia’s director of global drama Sarah Doole, while maintaining a base in both London and New York.
In the new role, he will work closely with FremantleMedia’s production companies as a development partner with a focus on bolstering the international scripted development slate. He will also cultivate his own projects within the company and will have the platform to connect leading international writers, producers, directors and actors with FremantleMedia’s production
“I’ve been a fan of Sarah Doole and the FremantleMedia team for quite some time,” said Vesper. “I’m impressed by what they’ve done in the drama space to date and can’t wait to continue this work with them. FremantleMedia has real global ambition with some of the best creative talent in the business around the world and I look forward to helping bring FremantleMedia’s vision for drama to global broadcasters and audiences.”
Doole added: “It’s a real coup to have Christian join FremantleMedia’s global drama team. He is one of the most creative and editorially talented drama executives working in the business today, with a contact book that is brimming with the industry’s best-known and most-respected names. I’m thrilled that he’s joining us and know that he will begin his brilliant experience to the role, helping us to build our international drama portfolio even further.”
During his time at Sundance TV, Vesper was responsible for overseeing all international projects for the network, spearheading premier co-production partnerships for Sundance TV. His credits include “The Last Panthers,” with Sky Atlantic and Canal+, “Rebellion” with Zodiak Rights, RTE and Touchpaper TV, “The A Word” with BBC One and Keshet and the critically acclaimed “Deutschland 83” with UFA Fiction and FremantleMedia.
He previously held roles at HBO, entertainment industry start-up iFilm, October Films and USA Films.
Vesper’s hire highlights FremantleMedia’s ambition to grow its in-house scripted activity. The company creates, produces and distributes programs such as “Idols,” “Got Talent” and “The X-Factor” (produced with Syco) and “Deutschland 83,” “Neighbors” and “Grand Designs.”
Sundance SVP Christian Vesper To Depart | Deadline | Jan 26, 2016
Christian Vesper, a 15-year SundanceTV veteran, is leaving the network this month.
Vesper most recently served as SVP, International Programming, Development, Acquisitions & Co-Productions, a position he was named to last year. He previously worked as SVP and VP Scripted Development and Current and director of acquisitions, programming and scheduling. Over the years, Vesper played a major role in the development and production of such SundanceTV shows as Carlos, The Honorable Woman, Top of the Lake, Rectify (which started at AMC before moving to SundanceTV), Babylon and
Vesper’s departure was confirmed to Deadline by AMC Networks, which last year realigned the AMC and SundanceTV networks under AMC president and general manager Charlie Collier.
Before joining SundanceTV in 2001, Vesper served as director of programming at HBO, buying independent films and documentaries for both HBO and Cinemax.