After starting out as an aspiring comedy writer penning sketches for shows such as BBC Scotland's “Only An Excuse?” and developing a sitcom with the BBC, Gus Beattie’s comedy producer break came in April 2003 when he was appointed Executive Producer for Radio at Scotland’s top independent comedy producer The Comedy Unit, the 6th biggest supplier of comedy content in the UK.
For 13 years he was responsible for creating and producing award-winning shows for BBC Radio 4, BBC Radio Scotland and BBC Radio 5 Live as well as working across TV development and production. In TV he co-created BBC Scotland’s Gaelic comedy showcase “Comadaidh Oir” (Comedy Gold) and was also Assistant Producer for BBC Scotland’s football chat show “Offside” with Tam Cowan from 2004 to 2007.
It was his work on the network with Radio 4 which brought him the most success and helped cement his reputation for UK-wide comedy production with shows such as “Fags, Mags & Bags” written by Sanjeev Kohli and Donald Mcleary, and sketch group showcase “Sketchorama”, which created a high profile broadcast platform for UK sketch acts. He also got the team behind Channel 4’s “Absolutely” sketch show to reunite for Radio 4 to award-winning success. In his time at The Comedy Unit he worked with talent such as Ford Kiernan, Karen Dunbar, Kayvan Novak, Greg Hemphill, Morwenna Banks, Greg McHugh, Alistair McGowan, Gordon Kennedy, Susan Calman, Kevin Bridges, Frankie Boyle, Gavin Mitchell, Jonathan Watson, Jack Docherty, Moray Hunter, Miles Jupp, and AL Kennedy.
With a long standing reputation as someone who is successful in the art of winning commissions, aligned with good working relationships with top comedy talent & key BBC commissioners, Gusman Productions has hit the ground running with several commissions for Radio Scotland & Radio 4 including the award nominated 'Sketchtopia', 'The Absolutely Radio Show' & 'Lost Letters', 'I Will Tell You This' and brand new scripted comedy 'Saddled'. Along with the core approach of acquiring BBC Radio business for scripted comedy that could potentially transfer to TV or online, Gusman Productions will also look for digital opportunities in short form content for key broadcasters and also in the emerging market for branded comedy content in the commercial space. Gusman Productions aim to take this experience and knowledge to the next level with content creation not only for Radio but Online & TV as well.
KEY SERVICES:
BBC Radio production,freelance BBC Radio comedy producer, podcast & audiobook producer, executive producer (compliance role for Radio 4 productions), online production, script editing, live comedy event management, script/sketch masterclasses and training, TV assistant producer, improv workshops.
AWARD ACHIEVEMENTS. NOMINATED:
His start in the creative industries was at top local radio station Central FM based in Stirling as a commercial producer and presenter. This experience was key to his development as it exposed him to the commercial sector and is not a “BBC-lifer”, so developed an understanding of the creative needs of advertisers and sponsors.
He also started out as a comedy writer with a number of broadcast writing credits:
COMEDY WRITING CREDITS