Patrik-Ian Polk is a multifaceted creative talent who has made a significant impact in the film and television industry. Born and raised in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, Polk attended the University of Southern Mississippi, where he earned his undergraduate degree in film and theatre.
He then pursued his graduate degree in film at the University of Southern California School of Cinema-Television, where he honed his skills as a writer and director. Polk's early career included stints as a producer's assistant on the television series "SeaQuest, DSV" and as a development executive at MTV Films, where he played a key role in the development of several successful productions, including "Beavis and Butthead Do America" and "Election".
Polk's next role was as Vice President of production and development at Edmonds Entertainment/e2 filmworks, where he worked on films such as "Soul Food", "Hav Plenty", and "Light It Up". He made his feature film directorial debut with "Punks", an independent film that he also wrote and produced. The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and received critical acclaim, winning several awards at festivals around the world.
In 2006, Polk created and executive produced the original comedy-drama series "Noah's Arc", which premiered on Logo and quickly became the network's highest-rated series. The show followed the lives of four black gay men in Los Angeles and was praised for its witty dialogue, relatable characters, and heartwarming storylines. Polk wrote and directed all nine episodes of the first season and went on to create two more seasons, which are available on DVD and for download.
Polk's most recent project is the feature film "Noah's Arc: Jumping the Broom", which is set to be released in October. The film is an adaptation of the popular television series and follows the lives of the same characters as they navigate love, relationships, and identity. Polk has also written and performed three tracks on the film's soundtrack album.
In addition to his work on "Noah's Arc", Polk is set to direct the feature film "Blackbird", based on the novel by Larry Duplechan. The coming-of-age high school drama is scheduled to begin production in November 2008 in Polk's hometown of Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Throughout his career, Polk has demonstrated a keen eye for storytelling, a deep understanding of his characters, and a passion for creating content that resonates with diverse audiences.
