David Bartis

Film and television producer Dave Bartis is best known for his work on TV dramas. While working his way toward a B.A. in English and American literature at Brown University, Bartis teamed up with future film director Doug Liman to found a student cable station as well as the National Association of College Broadcasters (NACB), the premiere trade association for radio and TV stations that were staffed by students. Bartis passed the reins to NACB two years after graduation, but continues to have a hand in its success. For years Bartis worked as an executive in entertainment; he served as Quincy Jones Entertainment's Director of Programming before moving on to HBO Independent Productions, and eventually NBC Studios. In this capacity, he contributed to such popular TV shows as the fish-out-of-water sitcom "The Fresh Prince of Bel Air" and the campy buddy comedy "Will & Grace." However, Bartis desired to be more hands-on in the productions he oversaw, so in 2001 he and his long-time friend Liman formed their own production company, Hypnotic/Dutch Oven. Since then Bartis has built his career predominantly in television, executive producing the hit teen drama "The O.C.," the short-lived "Knight Rider" relaunch, and the spy drama "Covert Affairs." Though TV remains Bartis's main focus, he has executive produced a handful of films, including the urban legend-fueled thriller "Cry_Wolf" and the chilling docudrama "Fair Game," which dramatizes the outing of CIA agent Valerie Plame and was directed by Liman.