Rick Sebak

How I Do What I Do

Friday, July 21

2:00 pm

Ballroom I

   Rick Sebak isn’t sure yet how or where he’ll be buried. “ I used to think I would be cremated,” he said, “but working on ‘A Cemetery Special’ has made me think I’m more of a traditionalist. Now I know I would like an upright tombstone. Maybe an old console TV carved out of granite? Something unusual.”

Rick has been making unusual, celebratory television programs for more than twenty years now. His slightly wacky documentaries consider various aspects of modern American life and the unexpected charms of Pittsburgh. Audiences have learned to recognize his friendly narrative style and the quirky topics that he obviously loves.

He’s done an hour about hot dogs and hot dog shops across the United States. Another hour on flea markets. Ninety minutes about Pittsburgh’s great commercial neighborhood called the Strip. He’s put together programs about pre-Disney amusement parks, really good ice cream places, “Stuff That’s Gone” in western Pennsylvania, and, in a special called “Shore Things,” he documented some of the non-environmental reasons why people like to go to the beach.

Rick’s programs may make you want to travel. The New York Daily News has said, “Rick Sebak is not a filmmaker. He’s a brainwasher. He’s a brainwasher because you can’t watch one of his effervescent films without having a very strong urge to follow in his footsteps and experience firsthand the places he presents so compellingly.”

“He has a way of quickly capturing the essence of a place and its people. His documentary “Sandwiches That You Will Like” delighted viewers, tempted their taste buds and, in the process, convinced them to contribute to public television.

PBS stations around the country often rebroadcast Rick’s programs because audiences respond so favorably to the quirky blend of Americana, places and personalities.

You won't want to miss Rick Sebak!

                 Come to Pittsburgh, July 20 - 23 and experience Community!