First up, check out your nearest magazine supplier for this month’s issue of SFX magazine. There’s an article about Riese the series and an interview with co-creators Ryan Copple and Kaleena Kiff in their Red Alert section, complete with photos.

This past weekend, I attended a mini steampunk convention held by VSteam – the Vancouver Steampunk Society. I got to spend the afternoon with some of the finest ladies and gents in town, and give away Riese merch! Always a great time with VSteam, check them out at www.VancouverSteampunks.com for upcoming events!

As any con-goer will agree, the worst part of a convention is the being over part. Luckily, I found myself at Gatecon that evening!

Gatecon – a UK convention held in Vancouver, or better described: one big party! I certainly had a warm welcome, and would like to thank the organizers of Gatecon for allowing me to be a part of the fun, and give out even more Riese swag. Buttons galore! I met many people; some familiar, mostly new. You know who you are. Let’s do this again next year!

Upcoming Conventions

JULY 22-25
Next week, Team Riese will be at San Diego Comic Con! Join the show’s creators, Ryan Copple and Kaleena Kiff, on two panels – one at SDCC on creating a webseries, and one offsite at
Celebrate the Web. Don’t miss out!

AUGUST 27-29

Fan Expo Canada

Like SciFi? Horror? Anime, Comics, Gaming, Steampunk, RIESE? Then you better make plans to attend Fan Expo Canada in Toronto this August. Ryan Copple (Creator), Nicholas Humphries (Director/Producer), Alyssa Ciccarelli (Writer) and Christine Chatelain (Riese) will be there. We’ll have a panel, and there is a Steampunk sub-genre this year, giving you no excuse to miss out on the fun!

If there’s a convention or expo you would like to see us at, send me an email at alyssa@riesetheseries.com.

–
Aly

I’ve made you wait, so I’m just going to jump right into this. New ARG (Alternate Reality Game)! I can’t think of a more fun way to start off the summer then with a whole new game.

This time around, the game will be more of a roleplay story, still with some puzzle elements of an ARG, but the way you play the game will determine the outcome. A “choose your own adventure” type. It will take place in Eleysia. By the end of the game, you will have either joined the Sect, or the Resistance, or possibly exiled?

This is a new story, new gameplay, and is open to anyone, whether you have played these types of games before or not. I’ll post rules and guidelines shortly. The game will be played out on the Riese fansite forums – www.WanderersofEleysia.com Shelley, who runs the site, has kindly agreed to help out. Thank you Shelley!

The game will launch next Monday, July 5th. This week, get those creative gears oiled and thinking cogs tightened. Get ready to take on the role of an Eleysian citizen and enter a world where the Sect are in charge and every step you take is scrutinized and consequences are dire.

With a written piece, Rap541 has told a story from Fenrir’s point of view, and made it fun with the creative approach of Fenrir being interviewed by a reporter. Want to know the ins and outs of what goes through Fenrir’s mind? Read for yourself, and discover the secrets of Riese’s faithful companion.

“Faithful Companion” – By Rap541

Oh dammit, there’s some Sect bastards coming. I gotta cut this short. Riese needs me. When you’re the faithful companion…. that’s the job. And Riese is worth being faithful to.

_____________________

Thank you to everyone that submitted entries! We are amazed at the talent you guys have. It was exciting to announce these every day, and I’m a little sad it’s over. So let’s do one again soon. In the meantime, if you’re working on something and want to share, post it in the forums.

Alyssa

The contest concludes tomorrow!

You’ll have to watch to get the full effect of the darkness of the world Margaret captured in her character Carsa. Life in Eleysia just ain’t easy these days.

Here’s the info on Carsa:

Carsa grew up in a prominent Sect family. When she was fifteen years old, she witnessed a massacre of non-Sect members. She was immediately disgusted and spent the next few years secretly researching the cult of Lune. When Carsa was eighteen, she left home to be free of the Sect. After years of living with a group of Lune disciples who trained her to fight, she met the Resistance, under the leadership of Rand, and immediately joined.

Her past position with the Sect was a perfect cover for her to return back to her home and re-pledge her loyalty to the Sect. To explain her missing years, Carsa claimed her actions were that of rebellion, but had now seen the light of Sonne. She quoted doctrine, and pleaded to be brought back into the one true faith. Her family and country welcomed her back into the fold, letting her become a soldier among the Sect army, but some like Marlise were still skeptical… and rightly so, for Carsa would send secret communiques back to the Resistance with reports of enemy movements and orders.

Entry #4 tomorrow!

Congratulations to Trey with his Riese comic book script!  We couldn’t believe how detailed this entry was.  It is an exciting story, and I’ve posted a link to the file below for you all to read (in the forum. Cant seem to get a direct upload here).  And let Trey know your thoughts on the forum.  

Riese Comic

Alyssa here, Riesetheseries.com’s new Web Community Manager.  Before the “Where’s Ryan?” cries ring out, he’s still around, but very busy.  So, I’ve come onboard to ensure the Riese community sites are updated regularly, and bring you the latest news as I hear ‘em.

Any questions can still be directed at info@riesetheseries.com or you can contact me directly at alyssa@riesetheseries.com

I’m already on the forums (Aly), so come say hello!  Lots of fun things to come over the summer.  And this week, as promised, finally, more contest winners from our very first Fan Creation contest! 

Alyssa

Sharon Taylor (Empress Amara) found time out in her crazy schedule to answer the questions you guys asked from before! So, let’s just dive right in!

Q: What has been your favorite episode to shoot?

Sharon: My favorite episode so far is episode 10, which hasn’t aired yet.  I have a really great scene with Patrick in which I get to show a different side of Amara.

Q: Have you filmed anymore Smallville episodes recently?

Sharon: Yes, there is an exciting Smallville episode airing April 30th!

Q: Do you personally snoop around the internet to read what people are saying about the show/you? What is your reaction to the Riese community?

Sharon: I do check out what is being written about me now and then.  I’ve had other actors and producers say “never read what people say!” but sometimes I can’t help myself. The Riese community has been amazing so far.  As of right now, only 6 webisodes have aired and we already have some very dedicated fans.  Hopefully the word will keep spreading that Riese is a great show, and our fan base will keep growing!

Q: Will we get to see any of your kickboxing skills coming up? I’ve heard you’ve been teaching your castmates some kickboxing moves. How is that?

Sharon: Episode 6 featured some of my kickboxing skills and I had so much fun filming and rehearsing that long staff fight scene!
Christine Chatelain has been working out with me, so better watch out! Her roundkick is fierce.

Q: Don’t really have a question, Sharon – but look forward to seeing more of you in the Riese episodes to come and hopefully meet you. I am anxious to see how your character interacts with Riese. I loved the scene with you and Patrick.

Sharon: Thanks!  I’m excited for Amara and Riese to have a scene together one day.  It’s either going to be one heck of a cat fight, or we’ll turn out to be the next Thelma and Louise.  We’ll be driving around Eleysia in a Thunderbird convertible with The Sect chasing us.

Q: What do you find more interesting playing a Hero or a Villain?

Sharon: So far, playing a villain has been more fun.  I get to fight, manipulate and be sexy all in one character.

Q: What aspect of Amara drew you to want to play her?

Sharon: One of the show creators, Kaleena Kiff suggested I audition for the role of Amara, and I am so thankful to her for that opportunity.  I loved how intelligent and powerful the character is. Amara has turned out to be my most favorite character that I’ve ever played.

Q: Is there anything that you think your going to take with you from Amara’s personality?

Sharon: Doesn’t every woman have a little Amara in her already?

Q: Whats the differences between working on a webseries and tv?

Sharon: Each chapter of Riese was filmed the same way a TV episode would be filmed. The timing, shooting schedule and level of professionalism were all the same.

Q: Do you see yourself doing more webshows in the future? (lots more Riese or other stuff too)

Sharon: I would happily do more webshows in the future if the project was right for me.  Hopefully there will be a lot more Riese in our future.

Q: Do you have any shows online you watch?

Sharon: I don’t have any webshows that I watch, but I do go online to catch up on TV episodes that I’ve missed. Especially LOST.  It’s one of my favorite shows and you can’t miss one or you won’t know what the heck is going on in the following episodes!

Q: How did you get started as an actor?

Sharon: I was bitten by the acting bug in high school.

Q: What is your goal – where do you want to be in a couple of years in your professional career?

Sharon: In a couple of years I hope Riese will be a TV series and I’ll be on it.  : )

Q: Which actor(s)have you worked with in the past would you want to work with again in the future?

Sharon: I’d love to work with Jason Momoa again.  He was a lot of fun!  And I’ve really enjoyed working with Callum Blue on Smallville. He’s a great guy, and I’d jump at the opportunity to work with him again.

Q: What is it like playing such a feminine character?

Sharon: Amara is the most feminine character I’ve ever played and I am loving it.  I am often cast as the strong woman, but this time the strong woman has pretty hairdos and fancy dresses, so it’s a real treat for me.  It’s like playing dress up.

Q: Are you having fun being such a villian with more depth and room to play?

Sharon: The writers on Riese (Ryan, Kaleena, Alyssa) have given me so much juicy stuff to work with and I’m having a great time with it.  Wait until the rest of chapter 2 is revealed – Amara has so much depth that she’s downright dirty.

Q: If there had been another session of Atlantis were you suppose to be Ronon’s love interest?

Sharon: I’d like to think that’s the way it was going between Ronon and Amelia if there were a season 6 of Atlantis.  Ronon needs a girl and Amelia was a good match for him.

Q: Do you have any fun stories about your first convention experience?

Sharon: I did my first convention this past January at Chevron 7.4 and I was blown away by how kind and respectful the convention fans were.  I met a bunch of really cool people in England, and the themed dance parties at night were a blast. I love to dance.

Q: Are you still involved with theatre?

Sharon: Yes, but I don’t have any theatre shows lined up at this time.

Q: What kind of music do you listen to?

Sharon: I love music that makes you want to move, so I really enjoy dance music, pop and hip hop.

Q: How did you hear of Riese and what made you join?

Sharon: I had worked with one of the co-creators before, Kaleena Kiff, and she had told me all about the project.  I love her.

Q: Would you rather play the hero?

Sharon: Not necessarily, it depends on the character.

Q: I always thought, playing the villain is more fun, do you agree?

Sharon: I agree.  : )

Q: On a scale of 1 to ten with 1 being a common thief and 10 being the likes of Hitler and Stalin, how evil do you think Amara is?

Sharon: A common thief generally steals out of necessity or for survival, whereas Hitler and Stalin were power hungry murderers.  Because of Amara’s alliance with The Sect (who are in the process of “purifying” the people of Eleysia) and the fact that people had to die in order for her to become Empress, she definitely falls toward the end of the evil scale.  I give her a 9.  She can be ruthless and willing to commit murder to hold her power, but she does have moments of remorse – not so much for the horrible things she has done, but because her actions have left her all alone in a deadly game of chess.

Q: I find Amara sympathetic for some reason. Is this something you’re putting into the character? And if so, how does it feel to portray a character like that?

Sharon: Yes, that is something I put into the character.  I have to make Amara somewhat endearing and human, otherwise she’ll just be a 2D cartoon villain and audiences won’t really care about her. The viewers need to care a little, or at the very least be interested in what motivates her in the choices she makes.   The Sect shakes her confidence and insecurity is a very human feeling.

Q: Do you see any potential love interests in the future for Amara?

Sharon: I hope so!  Amara isn’t afraid to use her sexuality to get what she wants.  She’s a bit like Cleopatra that way, so it could be fun to have a Caesar or Mark Antony involved to solidify her grip on the throne.

—

SYFY DIGITAL ACQUIRES RIESE – ACCLAIMED, STREAMY AWARD-WINNING 10-PART FANTASY-ADVENTURE WEB SERIES FOR FALL 2010

Season One and The Never-Before-Seen Season Two To Be Streamed on Syfy Digital With Eye Towards Development for Broadcast

New York, New York – April 8, 2010 – Syfy remains on the forefront of cutting edge fantasy based digital entertainment with the acquisition of the highly acclaimed web series, Riese, it was announced today by Craig Engler, SVP and GM of Syfy Digital. Syfy Digital has acquired the rights to the entire 10-part series – which is distributed by Fireworks International, the television and digital distribution arm of ContentFilm plc – with an eye towards development for a broadcast air. Riese consists of two five-part episode seasons, with season two premiering fully for the first time exclusively on Syfy.com. Season one and two are both slated for a digital launch in the fall 2010.

“Riese is a fantastic web series with a lot of room to grow, and we’re excited to work with the very talented cast and crew to help them take the show to the next level, backed by the full promotional efforts that Syfy can bring to the table,” said Engler. “At the same time we’ll be working hand-in-hand with our TV development team to see if Riese has the potential to make the jump to TV, just like our hit show Sanctuary did.”

Riese recently scooped the Streamy Award for ‘Best Cinematography in a Web Series’ with a further three nominations for Best Sound Design, Best Foreign Series and Art Direction. The digital series starring Christine Chatelain (Sanctuary, Fringe), Sharon Taylor (Smallville, Eureka), Ben Cotton (Stargate Atlantis, Haper’s Island), and Patrick Gilmore (Fringe, Stargate Universe), was shot in Vancouver, BC, and is created by Ryan Copple and Kaleena Kiff and produced by Galen Fletcher and Nicholas Humphries.

Jonathan Ford, Executive Vice-President, Digital Acquisitions and Distribution at Fireworks International added, “Syfy is highly regarded in the digital community with a fantastic background in identifying and securing the best in new multiplatform content. We are delighted to announce this significant deal for the important US market and look forward to working with the Syfy team on the web series as well as developing Riese for television.”

Riese is a fantasy-adventure based web series that chronicles a mysterious wanderer named Riese, (portrayed by Chatelain). A life-on-the-run from a world with a dim future, Riese and her trusted wolf companion, Fenrir flee their dying land of Eleysia in search of freedom as they are hunted by assassins of ‘The Sect,’ a terrifying religious entity. As she tries to piece together her mysterious past, Riese will take on a life and death journey with the balance and the fate of the world lying in the palm of her hands.

About Fireworks International

Fireworks International is Content Film’s international television and digital distribution division with over 3,000 hours of high-quality and commercially appealing programming including an extensive slate of major drama series, non-fiction entertainment, kids live action comedy and drama series, TV movies, mini-series and special event programming. Recent additions include comedic drama series, REPUBLIC OF DOYLE, primetime drama series, THE BORDER and heart-warming family drama series, HEARTLAND; non-fiction primetime documentary specials HUNTING THE LOST SYMBOL and I KNOW WHAT I SAW; U.S. tween comedy THE ASSISTANTS; high definition multi-platform thriller series VALEMONT, GIRL NUMBER 9 and Sci-Fi thriller, RIESE; new children’s programmes HALF MOON INVESTIGATIONS, FAMILY BIZ as well as the classic anime series, ROBOTECH; plus over 200 U.S. network mini-series and TV movies; and specials including the Annual U.S. PRIMETIME EMMY AWARDS show. This new product is combined with the large and valuable Fireworks library catalogue, which is complemented by a raft of formidable television shows including Gene Roddenberry’s ANDROMEDA, MUTANT X and RELIC HUNTER.

Syfy is a media destination for imagination-based entertainment. With year round acclaimed original series, events, blockbuster movies, classic science fiction and fantasy programming, a dynamic Web site (www.Syfy.com), and a portfolio of adjacent business (Syfy Ventures), Syfy is a passport to limitless possibilities. Originally launched in 1992 as SCI FI Channel, and currently in 95 million homes, Syfy is a network of NBC Universal, one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies. Syfy. Imagine greater.

—

This all wouldn’t be possible without your support. Thank you so much for everything, as this is all thanks to you. We’ll keep you updated when we hear more news! And, let us know what you think on our forum!

-Ryan

After numerous and fantastic entries, we’ve narrowed down our top 5 fan creations that we’ll be showing off all week. The winners were the most innovative and creative pieces, and what we felt was very special. It was a hard decision, but we think you’ll enjoy them!

First up is an original Riese song created by Lauren Furze. Entitled ‘Girl and Her Wolf’, this guitar ballad deals with the strife Riese feels on her journey. You can listen to it, and her other music, on her MySpace page here!

Want to let Lauren know what you think of her piece? Visit our forum and share your thoughts!

—

As an aside, we’ve had a lot of questions recently about what’s going on with Riese. We’re inching ever closer to being able to share some exciting news regarding its future, and we appreciate your patience during this. Have faith though; the wait is almost over!

-Ryan