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David Check: Showrunner, Director

David Check:  Showrunner, Director

 

 

Introduction to David Check.   1:17 min.  Interview:  Raymond Elman.  Post-Production:  Lee Skye.  Music: Billy Torello,  Recorded via Zoom:  8/15/2023.

 

DAVID CHECK is a veteran of original programming, amassing over 25 EMMYs and a Peabody Award over three decades. After a 17-year run as the Executive Producer of MLB Productions, he now spearheads his own company, Check Point Productions, specializing in unscripted storytelling. Check served as executive producer on two 30 For 30 films: the Peabody-winning “Four Days in October”, and the critically-acclaimed “Brothers in Exile,” which was heralded by Sports Illustrated as the best sports documentary of the year. Check also played significant roles in two of the top-selling sports home videos of all-time: “Michael Jordan: Come Fly with Me,” (1989: Writer/Associate Producer) and “Faith Rewarded: The Story of the 2004 Boston Red Sox.” (Executive Producer).

After starting his career at NBA Entertainment in 1987, Check joined MLB Productions as its Executive Producer in 1998. He supervised over 70 hours of premium award-winning original programming annually, directing editorial and mentoring over 40 staffers. Infusing his production expertise into deal making, Check played a vital role in creating new programming opportunities. As such, he was instrumental in adding high profile partners to the roster of MLB Productions’ clients including FOX, ESPN, HBO, Showtime, EPIX, MLB Network, YES Network, SNY, and A&E Home Video.

In 2011, Check led the launch of the new Showtime series, “The Franchise” and presided over the production of the groundbreaking episodic that won a National Sports EMMY for Best Edited Series. At the same time, he helped jump-start and later steward a co-production between MLB and HBO-“Derek Jeter 3k”-which chronicled the Yankee Captain’s memorable journey to 3000 hits.

In March of 2015, Check started Check Point Productions. Soon after, Showtime Sports recruited Check to serve as Executive Producer/Writer of “A Season with Notre Dame Football,” a documentary series that featured 13 episodes over the course of 14 weeks. He returned in 2016 (Florida State) and 2017 (Naval Academy), immersing himself in all facets of production. Putting a premium on storytelling, quick turnaround content and access, “A Season with…” has been critically acclaimed.

Recently, Check has continued to produce premium long form content for Showtime, show-running a four part series on sports gambling, Action, that premiered in late March 2019. In the fall of 2019, he was the showrunner on Sneaker Center, an (8) part sneaker-culture series streaming on ESPN+. Simultaneously and perhaps most significantly, Check has expanded beyond the sports storytelling space, teaming up with acclaimed director Steven Soderbergh to serve as Executive Producer/Showrunner for a (5) part series on military justice. “Leavenworth” premiered on Starz in October of 2019.

– IMDb Mini Biography By: David Check

 

The videos below were recorded via Zoom, are organized by Success Factor, and run between 30 seconds and 6 minutes. Click on any video. You must be connected to the Internet to view the videos.

 

 

SEIZES OPPORTUNITIES:    5:00 min.

Where did you grow up and what was your first awareness of art of any discipline?

 

RESILIENCE:    1:51 min.

How do you account for your early success?

 

EXPOSURE TO BROAD INFLUENCES:   2:08 min.

I see that your daughter is also engaged with sports.

 

CREATES A UNIQUE PERSONAL BRAND:   5:35 min.

Tell us about your film, “Destination NBA: A G League Odyssey.”

 

INSIGHT & INSPIRATION:   4:35 min.

One of the basketball players in your film is Ryan Turell, an observant Orthodox Jew.

 

COLLABORATION:    2:59 min.

Have you considered turning Ryan Turell’s story into a feature film?

 

INSIGHT & INSPIRATION:    2:37 min.

Tell us about your experience of Michael Jordan.

 

CRITICAL THINKING:    1:44 min.

The term “showrunner” is a relatively new term.

 

STRONG DRIVE FOR ACHIEVEMENT:    1:29 min.

What is your experience with the current generation of young people who want to do what you do?

 

OVERCOMES CHALLENGES TO SUCCEED:    1:58 min.

What are some of your projects that make you most proud?

 

OVERCOMES CHALLENGES TO SUCCEED:    2:55 min.

What’s on your drawing board?