About us.
RIISE creates bold original film and TV concepts that deftly integrate contemporary environmental themes into engrossing narrative, executed in artful, seamless ways not seen elsewhere. Drawing on a network of award-winning global talent, our unique screen projects skillfully use entertainment to provide mainstream audiences with the hope and confidence needed to build a better world today. Our scripted dramas lead with compelling stories and complex characters to hook viewers and provoke conversation long after viewing. Our unscripted formats lean into celebrity and fashion to showcase glamorous and desirable lifestyles within a framework of sustainability.
Upcoming scripted projects include collaborations with Rake creator Peter Duncan, Rabbit writer/director Luke Shanahan, and UK based writer and satirist Heydon Prowse. Entertainment and excitement are at the forefront of our dynamic, sophisticated stories; enthralling worlds where resolving climate change is positioned as a day-to-day opportunity embedded in the life of our protagonists and viewers both.
Unscripted formats include a studio show that profiles celebrities and their style; unpacking their fashion aesthetic and lifestyle with style experts and on-the-spot integration of treasured wardrobe items with sustainable pieces and accessories.
As a tentpole of RIISE’s vision, the format joyfully encourages guests and audiences to consider mindful purchases - without judgement or shame, and fully embracing the fun of fashion.
Leveraging wide knowledge and experience of the climate space and strong understanding of global geo-politics, RIISE works with the best creative talent on and off screen, with a laser focus on creating distinctive, progressive and captivating storytelling for global audiences.
Team.
Sara Bell
Drawing on insights gained in a global career spanning financial markets, energy and media, Sara is the CEO of RIISE and invites mainstream audiences into the climate conversation through compelling narrative. As CEO of an energy tech company, Sara was a successful litigant in the European court to prevent unlawful fossil fuel subsidies, and spent three months inside the headquarters of Equinor, Norway’s state oil company; as such, the inception of many RIISE concepts stem from Sara’s interaction with investors, politicians and big business operating in the upper tiers of global society.
Amy McCulloch
Amy heads up development at RIISE. A former series producer at Disney AUNZ, Amy created and wrote AACTA award-winning hosted comedy series, Hanging With Adam & Naomi. She created and produced several original scripted formats for digital and linear at Disney Channel. Amy spent three years in the Seven Newsroom and has worked across post-production for multiple programs at Seven Network, Endemol Shine and Fremantle.
Michael Carrington
Michael is an award-winning broadcast media executive with a career spanning the BBC and ABC, amongst others. A veteran of the BBC, Michael rose to run the Cbeebies channel and acted as Executive Producer on a number of programs including Lazy Town and Charlie & Lola. At the ABC Michael oversaw the commissioning and distribution of all drama, comedy, factual and children’s entertainment across the ABC’s television and radio networks. Michael has worked across creative development, production and commissioning in the US, UK, Europe and Australia.
Collaborators.
Peter Duncan
Peter is a highly regarded award-winning director and screenwriter, and the co-creator, writer, director and producer of Rake (2010-18). The series garnered multiple award nominations and wins, with Peter also writing the US pilot spin-off. Peter recently wrote and produced Operation Buffalo which premiered on ABC, and has a feature film about to commence production.
Heydon Prowse
Heydon is a BAFTA-winning writer, director and comedian. His TV work includes BBC3’s The Revolution Will Be Televised, which he wrote and starred in, winning a BAFTA, a Rose d’Or and a Broadcast Award over three seasons. Other comedies include Democracy Dealers on BBC3, Revolting on BBC2 and The Ministry of Justice on Channel 4. Heydon hosted and co-directed the BBC2 documentary The Town That Took On The Taxman, which gained international press coverage and was remade for Dutch television.
Nathalie Kelley
Nathalie Kelley is well known to global audiences for her roles in the hit series reboot Dynasty, The Baker and the Beauty, and The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift. With a background in social science and policy, Nathalie is passionate about advocating for climate change action and using her storytelling talent to create and share complex stories to inspire conversation and change.
Luke Shanahan
Luke is one of Australia’s most exciting young writer/directors. His dark thriller feature, Rabbit was released worldwide in late 2019 to critical acclaim. Luke’s visually arresting, high-end performance work encompasses dark comedy, emotional drama and fast-paced thrills.
Productions.
Deception
8 x One Hour
This taut legal drama explores the fall-out after an underage activist is thrown in prison for attacking a bulldozer at a protest. This teen anarchist is from a powerful Sydney family, set to be exposed by the chain of events set off by this one act of defiance. As key stakeholders in Sydney’s elite, political and criminal circles become ensnared, no one can foresee how this trivial act of political vandalism will destroy the lives of all.
Bay Crush
8 x Half Hour
Teen siblings Tori and Finn return to their coastal hometown after four years away, keen to reconnect with childhood friends (and crushes) but the city kids struggle to fall back in sync with the small beach town, and people, they left behind. Their experiences unfold against the backdrop of Byron Bay’s natural beauty and vibrant social scene. With fast-paced dialogue reminiscent of The OC and Dawson’s Creek, BAY CRUSH captures the essence of teen angst and longing; while the siblings compete for their dad’s attention.
Committed
8 x One Hour
A David vs Goliath tale in designer heels, this is the true story of Tempus Energy; a near-bankrupt UK energy tech company that pulled off one of the biggest disruptions to the fossil fuel industry. The show is based on weekly columns written by Sara Bell that chronicled the real events with a relatable, tongue in cheek humour. Fictional lobbyist Abby and her two cohorts are inspired by the real duo who undertake a bold scheme to suspend a massive fossil fuel subsidy scheme in the UK and disrupt energy markets.
Bad Intentions
8 x Half Hour
At a glittering, “cocktails for climate” event, Jenna and Ryan meet – they spark, banter and fall in love. She’s a beautiful, witty, tireless climate activist; he’s a charismatic, irreverent, handsome suit – who is vague about his job and why he’s at an environmental conference. They both sense they have no business falling in love with the other, but their real identities and agendas will have fall-out and consequences far beyond broken hearts.
House on Fire
Feature Film
In this political thriller set in the USA and Sweden, a Republican fixer, Mitch, has his life turned upside down when he’s hired to investigate a young Swedish activist. The high-profile climate advocate wields considerable power on the world stage and Republican operatives are convinced she’s a puppet for a shadow democratic organisation. With growing concern she could disrupt the upcoming US election, Mitch is sent to Sweden to take care of the girl... who is nowhere to be found.
Slay
Feature Film
The world of beauty and high fashion collides with horror in this slasher feature where one by one, models are gruesomely murdered by a killer who is always one step ahead, turning the glamorous event into a deadly game of survival. With every sequin and stitch hiding a jump scare, SLAY takes viewers on a spine-chilling ride backstage and down the runway where no one is safe, racing to a climax that unravels the shocking truth. SLAY plays with audience expectations, keeping them guessing about the identity of the killer until the very end.
My Secret Closet
8 x Half Hour
MY SECRET CLOSET is a fun and joyful look at how we can make positive fashion choices through the lens of a select group of Australian celebrities. Each episode features a celebrity guest who invites us into their closet, giving audiences a peek inside their wardrobe, insight into their individual style, and a look at their most fabulous and coveted items. Key favourite items are styled into new looks by our fashion team, using new sustainable pieces and accessories to revamp and breathe further life into each item. MY SECRET CLOSET helps to set the guest, and audience, on a joyful path to more conscious fashion.