Recently well known Western Australian producer, colleague and friend of ScreenWest, Brian Beaton, died suddenly at the age of 67.
Brian was a well-respected local documentary maker who had a long and successful career in the screen industry and will be missed by all of those who had the opportunity to work with him.
Culture and the Arts Minister John Day said Mr Beaton made a substantial contribution to the industry, ” Brian was a wonderful storyteller and created a successful local production company. His career spanned more than 35 years and he was acknowledged by his peers through various accolades. Brian was an exceptional talent and he will be sadly missed by the screen industry.”
Brian and his business partner, Celia Tait, worked together to develop and successfully produce many projects including seven seasons of Who Do You Think You Are?, Saving Andrew Mallard, Shaun Micallef’s Stairway to Heaven, The Dreamhouse and Desperately Seeking Sheila.
A creative and also pragmatic person Brian held many varying roles in the industry. Besides being an Executive Producer at Artemis he also worked as a Producer, Director and Writer in previous roles.
Brian also contributed to the screen industry nationally by his advocacy and professional work with SPAA, ScreenWest and the Australian International Documentary Conference (AIDC).
He also won a string of awards, including SPAA Documentary Producer of the Year – 2012, SPAA Independent Documentary Producer – 2002 and was recognised as providing an Outstanding Contribution to the Western Australian Screen Industry in the Western Australian Screen Awards in 2002.
ScreenWest would like to acknowledge Brian’s contribution to Artemis and to the Western Australian screen industry. We would also like to extend our sincere wishes and condolences to Brian’s family, friends and colleagues and Western Australian industry, who will miss his insight, humour and practical approach to life and his work.