Calculus has invested in Riff Raff Entertainment (RRE), co-founded by BAFTA Award-winning and Academy Award®-nominated actor Jude Law and creative partner Ben Jackson. The Calculus funds investing include the Calculus VCT and its Creative Content and other EIS funds. The investment will provide additional fire power to Riff Raff to increase key hires and acquire and develop premium IP. Together with its first look deal with American production company New Republic Pictures (NRP) inked in 2021, this investment will enable RRE to acquire highly sought-after material and attach premium writers across both sides of the Atlantic. Seasoned media executive Stephen Fuss has joined as CEO to support the growth of the company into a major global player across film and television production.
In addition to NRP, the company has negotiated significant support from the US-based talent agency, Creative Artists Agency (CAA). This unique relationship will act as a source of project flow, enhance the company’s network of actors, directors and writers, as well as financiers and commission houses.
This is the seventh investment made by Calculus in leading UK production houses through its Creative Content EIS Fund, launched in 2019. The British Film Institute (BFI) backed the project to help a new wave of investors in the UK support the growth of dynamic and ambitious UK production companies. The premium TV and film production sector is a major growth area for the UK economy. The BFI, as a charity, is not a financial supporter. Previous investments include Colin Firth’s Raindog Films, Dominic Buchanan’s and Bennett McGhee’s Home Team Entertainment and former head of Channel 4, David Abraham’s, Wonderhood Studios.
RRE also joins the Calculus VCT portfolio which focuses on the growth areas in the UK economy of healthcare, technology and entertainment. Calculus believes investments of this quality will contribute to further uplift across the portfolio, following a very successful financial year for the VCT.
Past performance is not a guide to future performance.
Law and Jackson commented: ““We are thrilled by the support from Calculus and excited to welcome Stephen to Riff Raff as CEO, who joins with a wealth of knowledge and tenacity. With many projects in various stages of development across film and television, we look forward to continuing to break the mould in the space of entertainment with exciting new talent and captivating stories,”
John Glencross Chief Executive of Calculus Capital said: “We are very excited to be partnering with Riff Raff Entertainment in its continued growth and to be working with Jude, Ben and Stephen. Jude’s achievements as an internationally recognised and acclaimed actor allied to his and the team’s ambition to become a major production house creates a powerful combination. Riff Raff is developing an incredible slate of premium film & TV content which will appeal to audiences worldwide.”