RTS Scotland

Socially Distant with Susan Calman has been bringing some much-needed cheer to Scottish audiences every Thursday since the early days of the coronavirus lockdown.

But the six-part topical comedy show for BBC Scotland – filmed in the Glasgow comedian’s back garden, with virtual contributions from comedians, actors and musicians – has also given a huge boost to its producer, Red Sky Productions.

Members and guests came together for the AGM, followed by an evening of entertainment and food in celebration of Scotland’s national poet, Robert Burns.

The committee’s AGM report reviewed the busy activities of 2019, which included a growth in membership and a record number of award entries.

Guests were treated to a “veganuary” haggis supper, served by Glasgow-based Freddy & Hicks, and a performance from local women’s comedy group, Witsherface.

They included Sedona May Tubbs and Kieran Howe, who were part of the team from the Royal Conservatoire Scotland who won the Drama category with their film What Separates Us From the Beast.

Sedona said, “any students thinking about submitting their work should not be afraid and just submit and keep submitting”.

A similar message was echoed by Marco Di Gioia from the University of Stirling’s team that produced the Factual category winner, The Bad Guy.

Lorna Martin, who won the inaugural Writers Award at the RTS Scotland Awards in June, encouraged would-be writers in the audience to put pen to paper: “People want your story. There’s so many production companies and they want content.”

Martin – who adapted her best-selling book, Woman on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, for UKTV channel W and RTÉ2 (Women on the Verge) – continued: “Look for the type of production company whose shows resonate with you or [make] shows you like – I think that’s crucial.”

She added: “And send them a nice email.”

Cosgrove, who led the Scotland team that campaigned successfully to bring one of the Channel 4 hubs to Glasgow, is the latest recipient of the prestigious RTS Scotland Award.

The inaugural Writer award went to Lorna Martin, who adapted her best-selling book, Woman on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, for television. Women on the Verge, a Merman/House Productions series, aired on UKTV channel W and RTÉ2.