WHO WE ARE
Max Lugavere and Jason Silva are the founding hosts of Current TV, the Emmy-winning TV network launched by Al Gore. Current TV has tripled its national distribution to over 50 million homes in less than two years, making it the fastest growing network in television history. The telegenic duo has stayed true to their roots by producing press-provoking content for the network as well.Lugavere, who hails from New York City, earned a degree in film and psychology from the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida.
Silva, from Caracas, Venezuela, earned his degree in film and philosophy alongside Max at the same school where they met and became best friends.
While in college, the two produced and starred in a video documentary/performance piece entitled "Textures of Selfhood" - an experimental film about hedonism and spirituality. "The Party-Philosophers" and "Intellectual Hedonists" of Current TV, aptly named by Angeleno Magazine, borrowed the name for the film from the Hedonistic Imperative, a website promoting the end to human suffering by philosopher David Pearce. The film made it to the desk of Current TV President of Programming, David Neuman, who referred to it as, "The Citizen Kane of the [4000 submission] applicant pool. " They were flown out to Los Angeles and offered full time jobs anchoring and producing content for the network.
Interview Magazine notes that Lugavere and Silva "embody the energetic, one-man-band approach [to storytelling] that the network aims to empower." The two have covered a wide range of stories from profiling a brave new singer songwriter before signing his publishing deal, a taped philosophical sit-down with director Darren Aronofsky, to uncovering illegal immigration and counterfeit IDs which earned them a featured appearance and interview on Anderson Cooper 360. Max and Jason, known by a first-name basis to millions of Current TV viewers, produce content in a voice that is distinctly unique, often juxtaposing a heightened filmmaking quality with bold and intelligent topics. The result is a compelling product, which according to The Internet Examiner, "Is proof that 'Current is getting it just right.'"
In addition to redefining journalism, media, and TV hosting, Max and Jason continue their philanthropic initiatives. Most recently, the duo hosted the first annual PANGEA Day on May 10th 2008, a live 4-hour program of film, music, and speakers broadcast worldwide to over 150 countries and with a projected audience of 500 million people. The goal of the event, created by filmmaker Jehane Noujaim and TED curator Chris Anderson, was to unite the people of the world through the power of film.
Lugavere and Silva have become a main source for fresh perspectives on New Media and are frequently invited to offer their expertise at events such as discussions on citizen journalism at the esteemed Paley Center for Media (formerly The Museum of Television and Radio), in both New York and Beverly Hills, as well as leading a panel on short-form film making at the South By Southwest Film Festival.
Max and Jason are featured as part of the GAP, Fall 2008 "ICONS" print campaign worldwide.
