Deep Fusion Films, the production company and AI specialist launched in 2023 by Benjamin Field and Jamie Anderson, has appointed Charissa Coulthard to the newly created role of development executive.
The former ITV/BBC development executive and creative producer will be responsible for shaping the next generation of unscripted formats across Deep Fusion’s digital-first and traditional broadcast slates.
Coulthard, who has held senior development positions at ITV Studios, BBC Studios, Fremantle and Curve Media since joining the BBC as a production trainee in 2008, will work closely with Deep Fusion’s creative team to develop talent-led ideas “inspired by both audience behaviour and emerging technology.” Her brief includes building the infrastructure to create scalable, cross-platform IP. She will also build on Deep Fusion’s background in ethical AI production to drive new applications that “challenge the way in which unscripted content is developed, funded and distributed.”
Benjamin Field, CEO of Deep Fusion Films, said: “Charissa embodies exactly the kind of creative intelligence and pragmatic ambition we value at Deep Fusion. She understands the needs of commissioners and the complexities of the market, but she also recognises that the system is overdue for reinvention. At a time when our industry is evolving rapidly — creatively, financially and technologically — Charissa’s experience with major broadcasters and her instinct for innovation will help us lead from the front.”
Coulthard’s recent unscripted credits include fashion format The Unique Boutique for Channel 4, factual series Maximum Security for BBC Daytime and ‘slow TV’ travelogue Britain by Balloon: Minute by Minute for Channel 5.
She added: “My experience of working with some of the industry’s biggest players has given me a clear view of how things work — and the vision to imagine how they could work better. Whether it’s an unexpected format device, a fresh perspective or a new technology, I’ve always loved finding new ways to tell stories. I’m so excited to be joining Deep Fusion — this exceptional team of creatives knows how to use AI ethically and in a way that enhances storytelling without compromising authenticity. There are so many opportunities to explore and I can’t wait to get started.”
Deep Fusion’s first year in business has seen it commissioned by Sky for feature-length documentary to celebrate Hammer Films’ 90th anniversary, entitled Hammer: Heroes, Legends and Monsters; feature doc Hunt: We Need to Talk About James about the legendary British racing driver James Hunt; and a groundbreaking podcast series, Virtually Parkinson, hosted by an AI version of the late, great UK chat-show host Sir Michael Parkinson. The eight-part series was the first major commission from new digital content agency, Night Train Digital.
Jon Creamer
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