Rize USA announces first US commissions
Sheldon Lazarus’ factual television production company Rize USA is pleased to announce its first series and one off documentary commissions for US cable networks.
The London and LA based company, which has just signed up with CAA for representation across the US, has secured 6 part primetime series 'High School Moms' (6x60’) for Discovery Fit & Health, and 'Bubble Skin Man' (1x60’) a one off special for TLC planned for transmission later this month.
'High School Moms' follows the real-life drama at a Colorado high school devoted exclusively to pregnant girls and teen moms. With nursing facilities and a day care center in the building, these girls are given every opportunity to continue their education while tackling the tasks of caring for a baby. Every day brings new challenges to the school's dedicated teachers and students, as the girls try to balance schoolwork, sonograms, diapers and dreams of a bright future.
The series is directed and produced by Jackie Waldock, and was commissioned by Rita Mullin for Discovery Fit & Health.
'Bubble Skin Man' follows 57 year old Chandra Winsu whose skin has been so badly ravaged by tumours that he is known as ‘The Bubble Man’. This astonishing documentary sees Chandra and his family search for a cure to this terrible disease that covers his entire body and impairs his daily life.
The film was edited by BAFTA winning Gwyn Jones (Wounded), and directed/filmed by Luke Campbell who previously directed high rated Channel 4 documentaries, Half Ton Mum, The Pregnant Man, Daredevils: The Human Bird & The Iceman, and most recently the last 2 series of An Idiot Abroad for Sky One. Luke was also Producer/Director on 'Accused: The 74-Stone Babysitter', and 'My Social Network Stalker', Rize’s first documentaries for Channel 4. The film was commissioned by Amy Savitsky for TLC.
Sheldon Lazarus, Executive Producer and Creative Director of Rize USA, said “Rize USA has now been 9 months in business and is going from strength to strength on both sides of the Atlantic. We are thrilled with our first productions for American broadcasters and have an exciting pipeline of projects for the future”.
Rize USA, co-venture between production and distribution group DCD Media and Sheldon Lazarus has recently launched a recruitment drive in the US to build up its development and executive team with new appointments expected to be announced over the course of 2012.