Open Gate Comedy was founded by comedian & filmmaker Duncan Hart
who's been involved in both live and recorded comedy for over 26 years
Starting out as a sketch and topical gag writer for BBC Radio he first did stand-up in 1997 aged 19 and was quickly marked out as "one to watch". After making two award winning films at London Guildhall and working as runner in Soho, he was recruited by legendary current affairs TV producer David Henshaw as an undercover reporter for Channel 4's Dispatches before moving into TV development.
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He's worked as an editor, director, producer and writer on numerous projects over the years. Comedy credits include romcom 12 Days (Film4 /BSL Zone), sitcoms Bobby & Harriet Get Married (Comedy Central), Brad Boyz (C4 Blaps), game show Dara O'Briain's Go 8 Bit (Dave), travelogue Mission Accessible with Rosie Jones (C4) as well as Russell Howard's Good News (BBC) and work for Comic Relief, Red Nose Day and Sport Relief (BBC)
Other credits include numerous food & travel shows for Rachel Allen, James Martin & Jamie Oliver, popular entertainment hit Jamie & Jimmy's Friday Night Feast (C4), Fact Ent staple Food Unwrapped (C4,) as well as Help! My House is Haunted (Discovery) & Science of Stupid (Nat Geo)
His recent TV work includes overseeing numerous projects for Guinness World Records, cutting & writing Home Greek Home (C4), writing gags for legendary stand-up Arthur Smith as well as cutting cult BBC daytime hit Money For Nothing. Most recently he could be found writing & editing Channel 4's hotly anticipated Narrow Escapes
He's recently returned to live stand-up after a decade of working behind the scenes in TV and founded Open Gate Comedy to help nurture undiscovered talent.
He then ventured into the world of Film & TV promos cutting hundreds of commercials and trailers for Tangent TV before moving on to Silverfish writing & directing campaign films - working with a number of high profile actors, celebrities, comedians and politicians - including directing Sir Patrick Stewart & working with Sir Richard Attenborough.
On the live comedy scene, he quickly gained a reputation as one of the most capable MCs on the circuit, combining a full time career as a jobbing comic with a full time career in broadcast. After 2 mini tours of Europe, he left live comedy in 2013 to concentrate on TV.
With many years exprience producing & delivering TV we've formed excellent relationships and partnerships with a number of freelancers and companies
Open Gate's Production Partners provide advice, collaboration & support. They work closely with us in order to deliver our goal - removing barriers to recorded comedy.
OUR PRIMARY PRODUCTION PARTNER IS KAREN GILCHRIST
Karen is currently Vice President of TV & Digital Guinness World Records. Karen is a creative and experienced Head of Production as well as a producer, production manager and TV executive with over 30 years of experience. She ran a BAFTA winning indie and has delivered multiple shows and series for BBC, Channel 4, ITV, RTE and UKTV as well as a number of international broadcasters. Karen also has extensive experience working with Deaf filmmakers & on-screen talent having overseen multiple projects for BSL Zone (British Sign Language TV). A keen lover of spreadsheets Karen is also the nicest person currently working in Telly!
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OUR CAMERA & LENS PARTNERS ARE PANASONIC LUMIX
We use a wide range of Panasonic LUMIX cameras in house and are hoping to become official brand ambassadors for Panasonic LUMIX UK
We currently have the micro four thirds GH5, GH5S, GH6 and full frame S5II & S5IIX. We are looking to add the Netflix approved BGH1, BS1H and S1H to our line-up for mulitcam shooting.
Panasonic's LUMIX range have pioneered the use of Open Gate filming and is part of the reason we chose Open Gate as our name.
