The Team

In 2003, he realized his creative passions lay elsewhere, so he made a bold move and left the warmth

of the spotlight to focus his energies on the cold frontier of TV development and production.

Richard began working at Wildrice Productions where he quickly rose through the ranks to become Head of

Alternative TV Development. There, he created and developed an array of projects for multiple cable networks. In

addition, he created and sold an original format of a game show called, "Heads or Tails" with Eyeworks USA which was

produced for Primetime in the UK and Australia. Next, Richard served as Head of Alternative TV Development for

Muse Entertainment, USA. After 6 years of writing, producing, and directing for other companies, Richard made

another bold move and created his own production company, 405 Productions Inc. Out of the gate Richard and 405 hit

success by partnering with The Gurin Company on their original format creation of the award winning game show, Oh Sit! for

the CW network and Warner Horizon.

He is quickly expanding 405 Productions Inc. and the Richard Joel brands with unscripted and scripted content for TV & film

domestically and internationally. He recently produced and wrote on the new digital-series, “You’ve Been Had…Celebrity

Edition!,” a Celebrity driven hidden camera prank show and on the scripted side, he produced/executive produced a new

digital series, “Before We Go,” starring the Emmy nominated Lee Garlington. He produced “Tainted Dreams,” a 2017 & 2018

Emmy Nominated series for “Best Digital Drama” series on Amazon, and Produced/Executive Produced “The Candle,” a multi-

award winning (30 awards / 30 nominations) short horror film / feature-proof of concept, screening in more than 55 film

festivals in 12 different countries over the last 12 months.

Lastly, he is currently developing the bestselling sci-fi trilogy of books, the Atlantis Grail games for TV as he controls all

rights to this project.

Richard graduated Arizona State University with a B.S. in Business, majoring in Marketing and Advertising. He is a member of the Television Academy, WGA, PGA and SAG-AFTRA.

Upon leaving the University of Iowa, Tom headed to where he always wanted to be, Los Angeles. An Iowa boy in

California found that beach life was a lot more fun than even he expected. After four years in Newport Beach, Tom

finally made it to Los Angeles where he has been a part of television production ever since.

While continuing to work in news, he has also had the privilege to work with Hollywood heavyweights, including Kevin

Costner and David E. Kelley. Tom has done work in front of and behind the camera, which has given added insight into

both. This has taken him down the path of producing his own projects, both scripted and unscripted.

He worked closely with 405 President Richard Joel, going to work for Wildrice Productions where he created and

developed several projects for Bravo and a game show for Channel 5 in the UK with Eyeworks and 3 Ball Productions

called, Heads or Tails.

Tom brings a professional and creative background to 405, and is excited about seeing his past successes with

Richard Joel continue with 405 Productions.

RICHARD JOEL

Richard Joel is the President of 405 Productions, Inc. He is an Emmy nominated and multi-award winning TV Creator/Executive Producer and Film Producer. Richard is focusing 405 on the development and production of unscripted TV for both domestic and international
production and distribution. Richard got his start in the entertainment industry as a red carpet reporter interviewing an impressive list of stars such as: Clooney, Spielberg, Ang Lee, Bruckheimer, Senator McCain, Jason Bateman, and many others.

TOM NOVAK
Senior Development Executive