Telecasters Alumni News
Alumni Spotlight: Whitney Beatty (BA ’00 Theater) Vice President, Development of Mathis Productions at Telepictures Productions
Whitney Beatty is now responsible for some of the most entertaining reality shows on television, but it all started when she discovered her passion for media arts at Michigan State.
Whitney began her career in television during her college years with the MSU Telecasters. While she majored in theater with a cognate in broadcast journalism, she started as an actor and writer on Six's Wild, a soap opera produced by the Telecasters during that time. By her senior year she landed the top spot as executive producer, leading Six's Wild to score the Best Show award at 2000's Telecasters Banquet. Whitney credits Telecasters for opening her eyes to opportunities in the media industry and a whole new world of possibilities.
Following her graduation from MSU she attended Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, where she earned an MFA in film production and directing. Her thesis film was a part of the Cannes Film Festival and she received the honor of Best African American Student Film from the Directors Guild of America.
After achieving these milestones, Whitney began working as an assistant for what was then talent agency, William Morris Agency. With her background in documentary films, Whitney wanted to produce, so she decided on exploring the reality television space and landed a job at Base Camp Films as director of development. The company has produced hits like Filthy Rich Cattle Drive and Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. One of her favorite projects around this time was a show called Six Degrees of X, a program produced for Sony Pictures International Television that had an "Amazing Race" adventure and included production in 3 countries and 6 cities in 3 days. She then served as the director of development for GRB Entertainment whose credits include Intervention and Secret Life of a Soccer Mom.
Currently, Whitney lives in Los Angeles and is the vice president of development of Mathis Productions at Telepictures, whose claims to fame include Judge Mathis, The Ellen Show and TMZ. She sees it as the perfect place to continue her professional growth in reality television, though admits it can be a challenge.
"I see myself as a documentary maker of sorts. I get to search out and find interesting everyday people and submerge my viewers in a culture different than their own. It's difficult, because of the competition, but I am lucky to work for companies that make high quality TV that impacts life and I couldn't be more proud."
As for her plans regarding the future, Whitney hopes to continue developing and executive producing. When she's not developing engaging hit television she enjoys experiencing the LA weather, playing with her dog Bella, spoiling her niece and now serving as the West coast representative for Telecasters Alumni Board. This past summer she hosted a successful networking event for LA area MSU alum and plans to host another this winter.