Writer – Director – Producer
Currently shooting feature doc, SHARK BAIT.
A six part crime drama USE OF FORCE in development with Helium Pictures.
Three short films found international success.
There was the Sitges premiere, LOST SOUL.
The Tropfest comedy, THE BIRTH.
And the IF Award winning first film, JUST DO IT.
Plus a few feature screenplays in the drawer.
Hit podcast creator
Based on 100+ hours of gut-wrenching phone conversations.
Whistle-blowing female ex-cop nearly destroyed by a corrupt police brotherhood.
USE OF FORCE garnered Hatherley a Spotify Rising Star nomination.
2021 Australian Podcast Awards.
App creator
Emotionary app the world’s first dictionary of emotions. And EQ Game app.
Children’s book author and illustrator
Funny Feelings ® series of hard cover children’s story books.
Plus a Guide to Journal Writing.
And a series of emotional literacy teacher’s resources.
Boobytrap®
Having spent her first career in advertising, Hatherley created her own brand.
An irreverent brand of underwear featuring Sarah’s coloured condom print.
International advertising career
A highly awarded creative, and board director at Clemenger BBDO (Melbourne).
A career that took Sarah to Paris.
Writing campaigns for commercials shot in London and Barcelona.
While working for a year at CLM BBDO (Paris).
Directing commercials for major brands back in Aus.
And finally a stint as Director of Strategy Planning rounded out her skills.
Ready to leave the industry.
And set up La Vérité Films.
Gender Equality
I was fortunate to enjoy significant success as a very young women in advertising. It was the post Mad Men era, but still management everywhere – client and agency – was all male. Part of my good fortune was to work for a company run by Peter Clemenger, who was a very different sort of leader. A man I admire enormously. And who recently turned 97. I was very fortunate to be able to record a one hour interview with him at the end of 2024. Peter doesn’t think in terms of legacy, or personal achievements. But his leadership was very egalitarian and I am eternally grateful for the opportunities he created.
Ocean Conservation
As David Attenborough said in his latest film, Ocean, “Our oceans are our life support systems. And our greatest ally against climate catastrophe. But we’re draining the life from our ocean. If we save the sea, we save the world.” I was fortunate to experience the Great Barrier Reef before the era of coral bleaching. And have always had a personal fascination with what lies beneath the surface. Jacques Cousteau, as one of the earliest pioneers of underwater filming, opened my eyes to the magic of capturing marine life on film. Australia’s very own pioneering ocean conservationist, Valerie Taylor, introduced me to the beauty of sharks. So it is no surprise that I find myself drawn to a story that introduces a new perspective to our understanding of these much feared predators. Daily drone footage from Bondi social media sensation, Drone Shark, has changed people’s perceptions of sharks enormously, destigmatising and protecting our endangered grey nurse sharks. And SHARK BAIT has the potential to take that message to a wider audience. We can’t afford to continue to allow 100 million sharks a year killed. Take out the ocean’s apex predators and you threaten the whole ecosystem.
Gender Equality
No, it’s not a typo. As far as I’m concerned, gender equality is the solution to most of the world’s ills. If you want world peace, we need to vote for more female presidents and prime ministers. If you want action on climate change, ditto, more female leaders. Ending world poverty, ask a woman. Multiple global studies back up the women = better outcomes for communities. And they do it with less corruption. Our film industry could do with a bit more gender equality too. Cinematographers are overwhelmingly men. Over 90% of feature films made in Australia will be filmed through the eyes of a male cinematographer. Just think about that. There are plenty of female producers, helping male directors and DPs get their films up. But we need to re-frame the narrative, literally.
Brands
Publishing