Recent social and political changes remind us that the face of America continues to evolve, and USA Network is committed to exploring this ever-changing mosaic through their groundbreaking artistic initiative, entitled 'Character Project.'

'Character Project,' an extension of the network’s iconic “Characters Welcome” brand, celebrates America’s characters- the interesting, dazzling, and distinctive people, from all walks of life, who make this country extraordinary. We wanted to share with you information about the new book inspired by the Project, American Character: A Photographic Journey (Chronicle Books), which captures this exciting moment in our country’s history.

Slated for release in March 2009, American Character features 11 photographers’ provocative perspectives on America’s most compelling characters, as well as a foreword by internationally-renowned journalist Tom Brokaw. The photographers include legendary artists Mary Ellen Mark and Sylvia Plachy as well as Dawoud Bey, Jeff Dunas, David Eustace, Eric Ogden and emerging talents Marla Rutherford, Anna Mia Davidson, Joe Fornabaio, Eric McNatt and Richard Renaldi.

• Dawoud Bey: Photographed a diverse cross-section of young Americans near Chicago’s Columbia College where he has taught for many years.
• Anna Mia Davidson: Photographed portraits of sustainable farmers in Washington State.
• Jeff Dunas: Shot a color series in and around Los Angeles documenting the American summer experience.
• David Eustace: Shot portraits and landscapes as he traveled along the entirety of Route 50, one of the oldest transcontinental roads, stretching over 3000 miles from the Pacific to the Atlantic.
• Joe Fornabaio: Photographed individuals at barbershops and salons in the New York metro area in order to capture characters engaged in a classic American ritual— the haircut.
• Mary Ellen Mark: Documented festivals, parades and summer traditions in one of her favorite places to photograph: New York City.
• Eric McNatt: Photographed the “wild and wooly, quiet and intense, quirky and idiosyncratic spirit” of his hometown, Brownwood, Texas.
• Eric Ogden: Shot portraits of captivating and charismatic American musicians who all hail from Michigan, including Iggy Pop, Andrew W.K., Bootsy Collins, Deastro, Andre Williams, and Detroit Cobras.
• Sylvia Plachy: Captured the “spirit of the South” through a series of portraits and panoramas in Mississippi.
• Richard Renaldi: Photographed the character of Alaska on its 50th anniversary as a US state.
• Marla Rutherford: Shot portraits of individuals from around Los Angeles who had never before been professionally photographed.

A collaborative initiative between USA Network and the not-for-profit photography organization, Aperture Foundation, American Character has empowered the photographers with extraordinary artistic freedom. The result is a breathtaking portrait of America’s social landscape.

From high school football players in Brownwood, Texas and organic farmers in the Northwest, to residents of Alaska, famous left-of-center Michigan musicians (Iggy Pop, Sufjan Stevens, Bootsy Collins, etc) and the people connected by a single transcontinental road, the book celebrates the distinct characters and varied pockets of life that make our country great.

You can access embeddable video vignettes, featuring interview and behind-the-scenes footage of each photographer’s Character Project photo shoot through this YouTube playlist.

So, if you would like to win your very own 'American Character' Prize Pack, just answer this easy question: Talking of America, who became President as a result of the "Corrupt Bargain"?!

Send us your answers and if you're correct you'll be in the running to win one of these wonderful Prize Packs! Just send us an e:mail here before April 15th with your answer and the subject title CONTEST: AMERICAN CHARACTER PRIZE PACKS to: exclusivemagazine@flash.net

www.usanetwork.com

www.characterarcade.com

For more information on 'Character Project' or to purchase American Character: A Photographic Journey visit:
www.characterproject.usanetwork.com