About Gaston Pictures Entertainment
Founded in 2005 by Robert Gaston, Gaston Pictures Entertainment (LA, Philadelphia and Asheville, NC) is an award-winning, full-service production company specializing in original feature films, television programming, music videos, and commercials featuring emerging talent.
As a strong voice in independent cinema, Gaston Pictures is more than just a creative force — it's an impassioned production outfit characterized equally by innovation, integrity, and business acumen. With more than a dozen successful projects to its credit. Robert is passionate about utilizing his production and development experience to create original works that push boundaries and entertain a broad cross-section of audiences. Please visit our films page for more feature film information.
Robert got his start in the entertainment industry working under some of the best producers in the business. After nine years in Los Angeles, Robert relocated to the East coast and began production on his first feature film OpenCam. "OpenCam sports some surprisingly high production values... Gaston shows a lot of talent for pulling off a well-executed thriller... taut scenes worthy of any big Hollywood production. OpenCam is worth the ride." (4 out of 5 stars Metro Weekly) His follow-up feature 2 Minutes Later opened to rave reviews.
Logo's After Ellen raved, "Suspense, great characters, terrific acting, a tight story and a lot of really pretty people exchanging clever dialogue what's not to love?." PM Entertainment said, "2 Minutes Later ushers in a time when gay characters can be themselves and then some. The time has arrived when the boundaries of sexuality and lifestyle choices have disintegrated before our eyes... with visionary directors like Ron Oliver and Robert Gaston the film medium will remain an open book..." Robert's Music Videos for Huston Barnard's I Feel Gorgeous and Say Goodbye were voted #1 and #2 Video of the Year on MTV's Logo Channel. With Flight of the Cardinal, Robert's latest feature film, NewYorkCool says, "Gaston creates a fabulous sense of foreboding... and the film's climax is richly satisfying. Gaston is marking his territory as a terrific storyteller and a deft film director."
Michael Sheldon joined Gaston Pictures Entertainment in 2010 with the post-production of Flight of the Cardinal and as Production Manager for the Ken Will Morton music video Back On My Feet Again and the Youth Outright PSA Campaign 8. Originally from Connecticut, he has lived in Asheville, NC since 1984 and has worked extensively with local theater companies (ACT, The Montford Park Players, Betterdays Productions, Asheville Vaudeville, BeBe Theater, Black Swan Theater, Vis-a-Vis) and performance venues (LaRue's Backdoor, Tressa's, The Orange Peel, Hairspray, The Grove House) as an Actor, Producer and Director. Michael has volunteered with many local service organizations including The Western North Carolina AIDS Project, Loving Food Resources and Blue Ridge Pride. He was honored to Emcee Blue Ridge Pride in both 2009 and 2010. Somewhat of a "Local Personality", he has consistently won awards and accolades from Western North Carolina's Arts and Entertainment Community.
PRESS
Flight of the Cardinal
A film that becomes more interesting as I think about the implications woven into its story line of a world-class manipulator taking over the main character's life. Throw in that it's one of the best photographed and best acted local productions I've encountered, and you end up with a small gem of a film.
Ken Hanke (The Mountain Xpress)
A very gratifying thriller... that grabs you and takes you on an uneasy yet exciting journey. Gaston creates a fabulous sense of foreboding... and the film's climax is richly satisfying. Gaston is marking his territory as a terrific storyteller and a deft film director.
Frank J. Avella (NEWYORKCOOL.COM)
Robert Gaston's intense and suspense-filled Flight of the Cardinal... opens with a quote from anthropologist Dr. Ernest Becker's The Denial of Death, "Life cannot go on without the mutual devouring of organisms," which well accords with the sense of paranoia that the film, set at a lakeside lodge — shades of The Shining and Psycho — conveys... Flight of the Cardinal will keep you spellbound and keep you guessing about what reality is and who is really on your side.
Joseph R. Saporito (QMETROPOLIS.COM)
The film has a wonderful cast, especially Bonner, who plays a wickedly evil antagonist. Gaston creates an intense sense of foreboding as we get to know the characters and as Grady becomes more aware of what is really going on. The climax of the film is intensely satisfying. Gaston emerges as a wonderful storyteller and a fine film director.
Amos Lassen (EUREKAPRIDE.COM)
2 Minutes Later
Clever, twisty and fun... Here's hoping there's a sequel.
JR (Instinct Magazine)
2 Minutes Later is an edge-of-your-seat, whodunnit caper. It has all of the qualities of a first-rate Hollywood movie storyline, direction, performances, drama, suspense, humor... I loved it and highly recommend it.
David Knight (Buzz Magazine)
... crackerjack comic dialogue... Director Gaston demonstrates a strong sense of mise-en-scene, and the film takes good advantage of the distinctive Philadelphia landscape... There is also great suspense and some really fantastic dialog peppered with memorable one-liners... We can only hope that Robert Gaston has more movies coming our way soon.
S.D. Segal (EXP Magazine)
Smartly written and directed by Robert Gaston, it deserves distribution immediately... The actors had real chemistry: Michael Molina and Jessica Graham were a perfect pair... As he introduced the film (in New York City), Gaston said: "We're not trying to save the world with this film, we just want to entertain people for a couple of hours." He has well succeeded.
Another Queer Jewish Buddhist (Online Review)
... a festival programmer's delight... 2 Minutes Later is a welcomed change.
Harriet Yahr (Advocate)
I just sat there going how, how did this guy know to make my dream movie? Robert Gaston, whoever you are, GET. OUT. OF. MY. HEAD... This would without question be the best serial crime drama in the history of ever.
Christie Keith (Logo Online)
OpenCam
OpenCam sports some surprisingly high production values, giving all the scenes a slick look. Writer and director Robert Gaston shows a lot of talent for pulling off a well-executed thriller, constructing some taut scenes worthy of any big Hollywood production. OpenCam is worth the ride.
Reviewer Rating: 4 out of 5 stars (Metro Weekly)
Gaston has created an entertaining film. The quality of the production itself, with its dramatic lighting and solid soundtrack, is impressive, particularly for a first-timer's low-budget independent film.
Teresa G. Gionis (The Current Newspaper)
Definitely very enjoyable, and definitely recommended.
AFTER_WORDS.ORG
... A festival rarity.
Washington Post