Current Projects from Incognita Enterprises
Sally is also the Creative Director of independent production business, Incognita Enterprises, which she founded under the Honorary Patronage of Sir Nigel Hawthorne KB, CBE (1929-2001) while living in London.
She is usually developing several screen projects at once and has written, directed and produced numerous screen and stage projects to date. She only develops, writes and directs her own work, due to having such a heavy focus on her acting career and therefore not being able to dedicate much time to other projects beyond her own as a result.
CURRENT ACTING/WRITING/DIRECTING/PRODUCING PROJECT:
SHAKESPEARE REPUBLIC (Online Series)
Cast includes: Alan Fletcher, Michala Banas, Nadine Garner, Christopher Kirby, Dean Haglund, Rowena Hutson, Sally McLean, Billy Smedley, Miguel Perez, Laura Gardner, Frank Collison, Dominic Brewer, Robert Myles, Yolanda Ovide, Wahibe Moussa, Tariro Mavondo, Sass Pinci, Jessica Martin, Mark Dickinson, Don Bridges and Ben Steel.
Shakespeare Republic is an internationally multi award-winning, female-led and culturally diverse anthology short form TV series currently in its second season that celebrates not just the world’s greatest playwright, but also his insightful understanding of the big issues of his time.
Using some of Shakespeare’s most famous monologues and sonnets in modern settings, each episode of this critically acclaimed web series is a stand alone “snapshot” of a piece of current Australian life – be it social, political or emotional. Created by Sally McLean with performances from Nadine Garner, Michala Banas, Alan Fletcher, Christopher Kirby, Dean Haglund, Ben Steel, Sally McLean, Rowena Hutson and Billy Smedley, among others – this is deliberately Shakespeare with a difference!
As well as being a part of the ensemble, Sally is also Creator of the project, which includes writing, producing and directing each episode of the series.
Website: http://www.shakespearerepublic.com
SEASON TRAILERS:
Winner of over 40 awards from around the world, with over 80 nominations and over 90 international film festivals, Shakespeare Republic just completed it’s third season in 2020.
“… (a) polished, beautifully made series from director/producer Sally McLean …
A fine use of the platform and, more importantly, a very fine adaptation of the Bard …
Shakespeare Republic is put together with grace and wit. An assortment of actors do terrific work
making the (non-dumbed down) dialogue accessible, prying it open with great care and skill.”
THE GUARDIAN, UK
“… beautifully produced soliloquies from Shakespeare’s most famous characters, interpreted by a wide range of talented actors.”
SHAKESPEARE TWENTY SCORE, AUSTRALIA
“… taking the world by storm, done in an inventive, captivating way … the entire series is astonishingly smart.”
STAREABLE.COM, USA
“Brilliant short films of Shax speeches exquisitely shot in black and white – little slices of cinema that capture the mood of 2020 perfectly. I can’t recommend them highly enough. Smart, poignant and brilliantly crafted in lockdown by Sally McLean and a fantastic cast and crew … they really are like Shakespearean Pringles: once I press play, I just can’t stop!”
BENJAMIN BROADRIBB, EDITOR ACTION IS ELOQUENCE: RETHINKING SHAKESPEARE
“… incredibly clever and highly addictive …”
MADE IN MELBOURNE FILM FESTIVAL, AUSTRALIA
SEE ALL REVIEWS FOR THE WORK HERE
UPCOMING ACTING/DIRECTING/PRODUCING PROJECT:
DARK ARCADIA (Mini Series)
A story of relationships, the struggle for power and the #MeToo movement set within the world of rebelling teenagers and the adults charged with their care.
Dark Arcadia is the latest instalment in the universe of the internationally award-winning Australian web series Shakespeare Republic (over 40 awards, 80 nominations and 90 official selections in film festivals and industry awards around the world), and the follow-up project from the award-winning short film Speaking Daggers, commissioned by Independent Schools Victoria (Officially selected for 22 international film festivals, including the Academy Award accredited St Kilda Film Festival, and awarded “Highly Commended” Finalist at the 2017 SBT Shakespeare Film Festival, UK by Jury President Sir Kenneth Branagh and “Best Short Film” at the 2017 Peak City International Film Festival, USA, among others), helmed by critically acclaimed writer/director, Sally McLean, and featuring some of Australia’s favourite actors and a wide array of up-and-coming young talent about to take the world by storm.
CURRENTLY IN PRE-PRODUCTION TO FILM IN MID 2023
Website: http://www.darkarcadia.com
CURRENT WRITING PROJECT:
‘TIL THE BOYS COME HOME (Theatre)
Till The Boys Come Home is a tale from the Australian home front during WWII, exploring the stories of those who fought to keep the home fires burning presented as a series, currently in the final stages of development.
Adapted from Sally McLean’s 2004 short play, P.S. I Love You, this production shines a light on the work done by women on the Melbourne Home Front during some of the darkest days of WWII in Australia, constructed from several years of research and interviews with the women who were there.
Cast Expressions of interest: Nadine Garner, Michala Banas, Christopher Kirby, Dean Haglund, Alan Fletcher, Sarah Hallam, Sally McLean and Billy Smedley (more cast yet to be announced).
‘Til The Boys Come Home Pitch Teaser & Sample Scene
RECENT ACTING/WRITING/DIRECTING/PRODUCING PROJECT:
SPEAKING DAGGERS (Short Film)
Cast includes: Michala Banas, Nadine Garner, Christopher Kirby, Scott Major, Sally McLean, Faran Martin, Jaron Natoli and Billy Smedley.
Speaking Daggers is a short film that is part of the Shakespeare Republic universe, commissioned by Independent Schools Victoria for the inaugural Arts Learning Festival. Starring Michala Banas, Nadine Garner, Christopher Kirby, Sally McLean, Scott Major, Faran Martin, Jaron Natoli and Billy Smedley, the film premiered at ACMI in May 2017 .
The film has now been officially accepted into over 20 international film festivals, winning three awards to date – Rising Star Award at the 2018 Germany International Film Festival in Munich, Best Short Film at the 2017 Peak City International Film Festival in the USA and Best Short Film at the 2018 Berlin International Cinefest in Germany. The film also received a “Highly Commended” Finalist nod from the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust’s Shakespeare Film Festival in the UK in 2017, as awarded by Jury President, Sir Kenneth Branagh (which also marked Speaking Daggers’ film festival premiere).
Website: http://www.speakingdaggers.com
“Famed for their work producing “bite-sized” Shakespeare, the team behind Speaking Daggers showcases the crème of Aussie talent.”
INDIEACTIVITY