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Learning
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Laughing
Fly High Stories is a dynamic new voice in the sector of children’s media content. Writer Rachel Barnett-Jones and Director Jemma Gross are the co-creators of Fly High Stories and are passionate about creating accessible, engaging and heartfelt stories for screen, stage, online, games and audio - stories which children AND grown ups love to watch and play TOGETHER. All of Fly High Stories’ work can be defined by our one guiding principles, ‘Learning Through Laughing’.
We started life as a touring theatre company focussing on making high quality work for family audiences in the UK and abroad. In 2020 we re-envisaged ourselves as a company making original IP for all sorts of platforms. Supported, so far, in our work by Arts Council England, CreateUK, National Lottery Community Foundation, artsdepot, Harrow Arts Centre, Watford Palace and many other brilliant individuals and organisations.
We currently have a very exciting development slate of unique ideas which we can’t wait to share with audiences world-wide. We are in conversations with some major broadcasters and production companies and would also LOVE to talk to YOU (whether you’re a broadcaster, distributor, or creative freelancer, or are someone interested in our work), get in touch at info@flyhighstories.co.uk
Co-
Creators
Fly High Stories
Rachel is a prolific children’s theatre writer with 20 years of experience and over 60 commissioned plays, musicals and operas under her belt. As an educator she has delivered countless workshops and lectures to children of all ages on topics including creative writing, theatre producing, public speaking, and fundraising. As a producer (and mentor) she has worked on and supported numerous productions, nationwide tours, and international projects.
Whatever the project, Rachel puts the audience at the heart of her work, with emphasis on charting and respecting their emotional journey through the story. With a particular skill in making educational content interesting inspiring, and fun, Rachel is now taking her writing and producing experience into the world of Children’s Media.
Rachel has a specialist interest in empowering children to understand the science behind their Big Feelings through stories and songs.
Jemma Gross is an award winning screen, stage and audio director with over 40 productions under her belt. She directs with passion and wit and specialises in working with new writing and developing writers.
Jemma’s previous work has been commended for her keen eye for visual style and energy flow both through individual scenes and pieces as a whole. She is an expert dramaturg and crafts narratives both through text and visuals.
At the helm of a team, Jemma leads by putting kindness and common sense at the heart of everything she does with many talented creatives keen to work on her projects due to the spirit and sense of comradeship which she evokes.
Jemma has a special interest in bringing live and digital work together, and with Fly High Stories, creating work that empowers and encourages grown ups to plan, watch and learn with their children through laughing.
Elettra Pizzi
Associate Producer - Animation
Elettra is a Producer based in south London who produced several short films including award-winning THE DEAD ONES which was selected by Bafta, Oscar and EFA qualifying festivals and is now available on Shorts TV and Omeleto.
Her latest film THE ACT, by Thomas Hescott, is an LGBT love story set in 1965 London, on the eve of decriminalisation of homosexual acts starring Samuel Barnett and Simon Lennon.
Elettra loves to produce films with heart about complicated characters who’s ideals or nature are at clash with their given environments. Her first feature documentary, GUALTIERO MARCHESI: THE GREAT ITALIAN, was about the culture-shifting chef who rejected Michelin Stars. The film opened in March 2018 in over 70 screens in Italy, then selling internationally. She also produced COMING DOWN THE MOUNTAIN, a documentary on mental health post injury featuring international athletes and for ITV’s mental health series HARRY’S HEROES.
Her films have been funded by Arts Council England, Stefan Allesch-Taylor Fund and Genera Films and she has participated to the BFI Producers Lab.
In 2019 Elettra founded PEACH Producers’ Collective to unite UK based producers across film, tv and documentary and create a platform for Writers and Directors to find the right Producer.
Christopher Silvester
Website Designer & Freelance Production Manager
Chris Silvester is a Freelance Production Manager within the Theatre industry. Since 2017 he has branched out to create, he’s own website company Silvester Design, working with theatre professionals, theatres and small businesses to design their own websites and brand identity.
Using his contacts and technical knowledge has created a portfolio of work within the industry that many people visit daily including theatre’s such as Turbine Theatre in Battersea Power Station and the White Bear Theatre in Kennington. He has also worked with Theatre Companies to create a home base for their company with the likes such as Librarian Theatre, Boondog Theatre, Vocab Dance and more. Since 2017 he has also expanded into working with small businesses outside the industry such as Steve Odell a Jewellery Creator.
Silvester Design is an official WIX Partner, who works in partnership with them and the design community, to create innovative ideas and help mould Wix’s platform and internal applications, to improve services and product for our Clients.
As well as a website designer, Chris continues to work within the theatre industry as a Freelance Production Manager and a Resident PM for Tavaziva Dance and the Technical Manager at The Turbine Theatre.
Andrew Barnett-Jones
Associate Artist & Consultant
Andrew tells stories for a living; sometimes on stage, sometimes on the page, and increasingly often for the television. In 2016 he won the Children's BAFTA for "Best Writer" as part of the team on The Amazing World Of Gumball, in 2018 won the British Animation Awards' Writers Award for an episode of Counterfeit Cat and in 2020 won the Writers Guild of Great Britain Award for Best Children's TV Episode for the Danger Mouse Christmas Special, Melted (which was also nominated for the 2019 Children's BAFTA!).
As well as script-writing, he is also head writer and script editor, on series three of globally popular Mr Bean: The Animated Series, on three series of Miffy's Adventures Big & Small, on new Disney series Best Bugs Forever and the upcoming Viking Skool, on two series of live action comedy Danny & Mick, and also on the hugely popular preschool maths show Numberblocks.
John Last
Associate Artist & Consultant
John Last is an award winning actor, voiceover and director. Based in London, he has acted in films and theatre and his voice is regularly heard on UK TV for the likes of Channel 4, Discovery, itv & Channel 5
John recently worked with Noomi Rapace on Oscar nominated Director, Tom Van Avermaet's HEARTS OF STONE, Doctor Who’s Pearl Mackie and Marcella’s Nicholas Pinnock in Short Film ORIGAMI and also Irrfhan Khan's final film, ANGREZI MEDIUM.
Theatre-wise he finished a short stint at the National Theatre. He also appeared at the Bush Theatre with THE INTERROGATION OF SANDRA BLAND (Black Lives Black Words).
John was acclaimed as Leko in CHICKEN SHOP at PARK THEATRE and won awards for his own short film, KING JOHN (based on the Off West End Production).
John recently provided character voices for Audible's radio play, Assassin's Creed, alongside Riz Ahmed. You can listen below.
As well as voicing commercials, John has also voiced Promos and Continuity across television for the past 15 years. He recently has worked with high profile and well respected brands Channel 4, Discovery and Channel 5 and also helped itv2 win Channel of the Year and relaunched Virgin 1.
Fly
High
Core Team