ABOVE THE LINE PROGRAMMING - Key Persons
John Rice is an Emmy Award winning writer, director, producer and documentary storyteller with over 30 years of experience in the TV and video business. His distinct creative style and love of storytelling has led him to develop some of the most engaging and accessible programming on TV.
John started off as a DC lobbyist for the documentary trade association AIVF. He worked in NYC as an Executive Producer in corporate television programming for many Fortune 500 companies with a focus on the financial service industry. It's there that he developed his distinctive documentary style succinctly explaining complex issues and business ideas. John was elected President of the NYC ITVA, then the largest chapter of the leading business tv trade association.
He moved to Boston to work for Hearst/ WCVB TV in their Studio 5 production unit, working in a broad spectrum of programming genres such as TV series and specials, corporate videos, direct-to-consumer special interest home video series and many other special projects. While there, he continued to develop his creative emotional narrative style for numerous clients and networks. At WCVB, John won an Emmy for his stunning production of "The World of Norman Bridwell".
In 1997 John formed Above the Line Programming Group to pursue his passion as an independent producer by writing, directing and producing programming that tell some of the stories of our times. Above the Line's first original series was the unique Bicycle Journal, a series that took John all over the world for seven years capturing the emotional spirit and breadth of the world of cycling. John was also the show-runner and producer/writer on three series for HGTV, Kitchen Design, Dreamhouse and Bed and Bath Design. In addition, he created and produced the lifestyle documentary series New England Living and the extreme sport documentary series Northeast Adventures. His 2009 broadcast special American Business at the Crossroads on NBC featuring top CEO's and politicians like President Bill Clinton explored the state of the financial crisis with possible solutions going forward. Finally, John wrote, directed and produced the 3 part one hour syndicated broadcast medical series Cutting Edge for Gannett Broadcasting. Locations at the top ten hospitals in America looked at issues of great concern such as Obesity, Breast Cancer and Heart Disease.
Recently, John has developed and produced video projects for corporate and non-profit clients for multi platform/ mobile/ web/ social media uses. He recently completed a 65 video package for fitness company Cybex featuring new doc series, instructional videos, product promos, athlete profiles and APP videos airing on all their social media assets. John is also providing programming for the Hingham Historical Society social media and local tv channels including specials with David McCullough, documentary profile of the Hingham History Society, History Moments, Home Tour promos and other short form videos for bi-monthly social media posts.
John went to Emerson College and majored in TV and Film Production. He lives and works in Hingham, MA with his wife Beth, his daughter Ally and son Michael. Oh, let's not forget Gracie, the wonder dog. John likes to sail, cycle, read, listen to Indie music and travel with close friends. And, good conversation.