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Committed to making documentaries and factual programmes that explore how we
live our lives today, that are thought provoking, full of warmth, ooze humanity and,
whilst discovering the challenges that face us, are also sometimes fun and, above
all, always a compelling watch.
"Worthwhile television" - The Observer.
"Tears were shed on both sides of the screen and one came away feeling less an
intruder than a participant for whom important lessons had been learned" - Daily Mail.
"The programme is absolutely fascinating...it's great to watch.” - The Guardian
“Who knew that planning could be so interesting…And make such good television?” -
The Guardian.
“Equal parts funny and fascinating” - Time Out
Skills & Experience
• Bringing proven editorial judgment to location and the edit suite.
• Making a wide range of factual and factual entertainment programmes.
• Thriving in fast moving situations, driving multiple narratives.
• Securing and managing access, often in challenging circumstances.
• Directing and managing both small and large production teams.
• Devising and formatting successful new series that get recommissioned.
• Developing new presenters and working with established screen talent as
well as contributors from all walks of life.
• Accomplished observational, self-shooting and lighting camera skills.
• Conceiving, scripting and directing dramatic reconstruction and 3D GFX
sequences.
• Working independently or as part of a big team.
• Resourceful with tight budgets and always hitting deadlines.
• At home with tapeless workflow and using Avid/Final Cut Pro.
• Based in Glasgow and London.
Credits
Series P/D (Self-Shooting). Transplant Tales. 2X60’. Matchlight for BBC ONE.
With exclusive access to the entire transplant service in Scotland this extremely
moving observational documentary series looks at the impact on clinical staff,
patients and their families of the unbridgeable gap between the supply of organs and
the growing demand for life saving transplants. Filmed over six months, my role
included negotiating and managing day-to-day access with clinical staff; developing
strong, long term relationships with patients and their families who were at extremely
challenging points in their lives; filming and shaping on-going and often fast moving
narratives; and, drawing out compelling testimony, often in life or death scenarios. I
also wrote and cut both episodes that will be transmitted late spring/early summer
this year.
PETER STRACHAN
SELF SHOOTING SERIES PD / PD
07966 400 217 peter.strachan@stramash.tv
www.peterstrachan.co.uk

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P/D (Self-shooting). The Hoarder Next Door (Series 3). 1x47. Twenty Twenty
Television For Channel Four. In Lancashire Psychotherapist Stelios Kiosses and
a team of expert de-clutterers come to the aid of an extreme hoarder, Margaret, in a
bid to change her home and her life for the better. Developing and shooting strong
storylines as the therapy unfolds, managing extremely sensitive access/subject
matter and directing established on screen talent.
P/D (Self-shooting). Life and Death On The A9. Feb-March 2013. 1x60. IWC
Media for BBC Scotland. Newly commissioned doc about the people who live,
work and travel along the longest and most iconic road in Scotland. I secured access
and filmed with Tayside Police and Ninewells Hospital Trauma Team. I also secured
access with large scale engineering and roads servicing companies Transerv, BEAR
and Balfour Beatty. Also identified and cast a number of other engaging characters
who have a unique connection to the A9, one of the country's most infamous
highways.
P/D (Self-shooting). The Planners. 8x60. BBC North for BBC TWO. July-Nov
2012. TX 8pm, from 31st
January 2013. A major primetime observational
documentary series lifting the lid on the decision making process behind Planning
approvals and refusals. Access was critical to the success of this new and now
recommissioned series. I identified, negotiated access and filmed a number of
compelling stories within the Edinburgh and Borders regions. Also Edit Producer on
one of eight episodes. “Who knew that planning could be so interesting…And
make such good television?” - The Guardian. “Equal parts funny and fascinating”
- Time Out
Director River Cottage - Three Go Mad, The Comedians. 1x60. KEO Films for
Channel 4. June 2012. TX 8pm, 8th
Sept 2012.
Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall is joined at River Cottage by three comedians, Robert Webb,
Lee Mack and Ruby Wax. I prepped an intense two day shoot, reworked storylines as
they developed, managed a large production team, successfully worked to tight deadlines
and a packed schedule. Also directed crews and all the onscreen talent. “Entertaining
and foodie fun” - The Observer
Director River Cottage - Three Go Mad, The Actors. 1x60. KEO Films for
Channel 4. May 2012. TX 8pm, 4th
July 2012.
In the first of three special episodes of River Cottage, three famous actors, (Philip
Glenister, Keeley Hawes and Felicity Kendal), swap the stage for the kitchen to join
Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall in a cookery master class at River Cottage farm. I
prepped an intense two day shoot, reworked storylines as they developed, managed a
large production team, successfully worked to tight deadlines and a packed schedule.
Also directed crews and all the onscreen talent.
P/D (Self-shooting). Celebrity Wedding Planner. Renegade Pictures for
Channel 5. Oct - Dec 2011. TX 13/17th
Jan 2012.
Brand new series where brides-to-be hand over the organisation of their wedding to
a surprise celebrity…in this episode, Kerry Katona. I played a crucial role in shaping
this new and, as a result, recommisioned format. Despite limited talent time, I
devised multiple compelling storylines. Ensured this high rating episode was packed
with multiple reveals and jeopardy. Secured access to all key locations. Self-shot
over a three week period. Aslo directed two additional camera crews on the big day.
Channel Five thought this was the best of the four part series.

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P/D (Self-shooting). Don't Tell The Bride. Renegade Pictures for BBC Three.
June - Sept 2011. TX Oct 2011. BBC Three's highest rating series. 1x60. Welsh
fisherman Harry is given £12K to plan mobile hairdresser Melissa’s dream wedding.
But will she like his fishing themed festivities? I developed, nurtured and shot
multiple fast moving storylines over the course of an intense three week shoot.
Secured access to all locations. Edited and wrote the script pvwer the course of a six
week edit.
Director. Caledonia Australis – The Celtic Conspiracy. BBC Scotland/ABC Co-
Production. 1x60 immersive history documentary. A Scot and an Indigenous
Australian join forces to follow the footsteps of pioneer explorer Angus MacMillan
and discover the disturbing and bloody truth about the history of Scottish settlement
in Australia. Secured a BBC commission. Secured development Awards from
Screen Australia and the BBC. Researched, wrote, shot and edited the taster.
P/D & Edit Producer. A Farmer’s Life For Me. Splash Media TV. BBC TWO.
Apr - Nov 2010. TX Feb 2011. Major new primetime series. 8x60 formatted
observational series. Nine couples compete to win their dream farm and financial
backing to survive the first year. Directed talent Jimmy Doherty, developed multiple
simultaneous running narratives, managed large scale production team and multi-
camera shoots on location. 6 week shoot (Suffolk) followed by 14 week edit of two
programmes (London).
Development Producer. Gregg Wallace Approved (became Operation Hospital
Food). Splash Media TV. Apr 2010. Can the NHS provide better hospital food?
Secured access to an NHS hospital kitchen and wards, wrote pitch document, won
commission for 5x45 BBC One Daytime series.
Senior Producer - Speakeasy Productions. Jan 08 - Nov 09. Won a Silver
Screen Award: 2009 US International Film & Video Festival and Highly
Commended/Best Use of Visual Communication, CiB Scotland Awards 2009
for Doing The Right Thing On A Difficult Day, an 80’ training documentary for The
Army/MoD while working for this Top 10 corporate video production company. Made
internal/external communications, interactive, training and promotional videos for
major public organisations and blue chip companies.
Series Producer/Director. Highland (later Scotland’s) Clans. BBC2/BBC
Scotland (Mentorn) 2007. TX 8pm BBC Two. The true history of Scotland’s most
infamous clans. I developed the overall stylistic and editorial approach to this new
and highly successful 6x30 format which is now in its 3rd
series. I wrote the scripts,
developped new on screen talent (Paul Murton), managed the production team, Co-
Exec role, and secured access to all key locations. "Claymores at the ready as BBC
Scotland's excellent history of the highlands' most celebrated clans continues.” -
Scotland on Sunday
Series P/D. Heston Blumenthal: In Search Of Perfection. BBC2 (In-house)
2007. TX 8pm BBC TWO. I played a crucial role in creating this successful format. I
developed narrative story lines, secured access to locations across Europe, self-shot
location sequences and wrote scripts for 4 of 7x30 programmes and working very
closely with Heston Blumenthal over a five month period. "The programme is
absolutely fascinating...it's great to watch.” - The Guardian

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P/D. Stepfamilies BBC1 (Lion TV) - 2006. 1x60 ob doc. A broken family’s
desperate attempts to overcome their differences and stay together. I secured and
managed access to this family over a two month period in often very challenging
circumstances. Entirely self-shot on location followed by a six week edit in Glasgow.
"Tears were shed on both sides of the screen and one came away feeling less an
intruder than a participant for whom important lessons had been learned" - Daily Mail.
"Worthwhile television" - The Observer.
Series P/D. The Town That Wants A Twin - BBC 2/IWC Media - 2005.
12x30.Devastated by foot and mouth, Sedburg tries to reinvent itself by finding a
twin town. I PD-ed 6x30 episodes, developed mulitiple simultaneous stroylines,
managed multiple crews and a large production team.
P/D. EX-S: Air Scotland – Heart & Soul . 1x30. BBC1/Scotland/Stramash TV –
2005. Secured access to Air Scotland, the UK’s newest airline run by an Iraqi,
developed an original idea and won BBC commission for this 1x30’ ob doc for my
own company, Stramash TV. Self-shot on a DSR 500 camera in Scotland & Spain.
Edited in Glagow.
P/D. EX-S: Nick Nairn & The Dinner Ladies - BBC 1/Brighter Pictures - 2004.
I successfully secured access to a Glasgow secondary school and its kitchen staff.
Also developed and filmed compelling story lines during an intense week of culinary
experimentation aimed at improving our kids’ school dinners. (A precursor to Jamie’s
School Dinners). 1x30’. Winner Best TV Programme The Glenfiddich Food & Drink
Awards 2004.
P/D. EX-S: Mr Smith’s Drumchapel Amateurs - BBC 1 Scotland - 2004.
1x30 mins. Secured access to Scotland’s most famous and successful amateur
football team. Directed camera crew, managed production team and sourced unique
archive footage to tell the amazing story of the club Sir Alex Fergusson says he
learned to think big.
Series P/D. Great Battles II – Discovery/Wark Clements - 2003.
The true history of Europe’s great battles. Re-commissioned after the success of
Great Battles I (see below). Secured access to historic locations across Europe.
Devised Drama Recon and 3D GFX battle sequences. Researched, wrote, PD-ed
and Self-Shot the entire 6x25 series (presenter links, GVs and Drama Recon) on
DSR500.
P/D. There’s Only One Craig Brown . 1x60. BBC 1 Scotland/Wark Clements -
2003. Secured and conducted key interviews including Sir Alex Ferguson (at the
time when he wasn’t speaking to the BBC). Also wrote the script, directed crews
across the UK and sourced, negotiated and cleared a wide range of archive
including never before seen footage of Scotland’s World Cup France ‘98 dressing
room team talks.
Series Director. Civil War - BBC 2/Wark Clements - 2003.
Directed new prime time series for BBC TWO including powerful dramatic
reconstructions and developed new presenter Dr Tristram Hunt. Secured access to
locations across the UK. Co-wrote scripts and edited all 4x30 programmes.

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Series PD. Great Battles I – Discovery/Wark Clements - 2002.
The true history of the UK’s great battles. Produced, Directed and Self-Shot this new
series after developing and pitching original proposal. Researched and wrote scripts
for 6x25 programmes. Secured access to historic locatiions across the UK. Devised
and directed dramtic reconstruction. Found and nurtured new talent.
Education
1994-1997 National Film & Television School. Documentary Directing.
1986-1990 MA Hons 2.1 University of Glasgow. Film & TV/Theatre Studies.
1978-1986 European Baccalaureate. European School of Brussels II.
Referees
On request.