Briton Ventures Director - Gary Kurtz

Gary Kurtz

Gary Kurtz was born in Los Angeles. He started shooting his own 8mm films while still at High School. Gary attended the University of Southern California's School of Cinema and came to the attention of legendary film-maker Roger Corman.

Gary worked prolifically with Corman on B-movie classics such as Dementia 13, Queen of Blood, Beach Ball, The Terror, The Shooting, and Ride the Whirlwind starring Jack Nicholson.

Gary was drafted during the Vietnam War and spent two years as a documentary film-maker for the Marine Corps. He returned to LA and Produced Two Lane Backdrop for Universal and private eye thriller Chandler for MGM.

Joining forces with Francis Ford Coppolla and George Lucas, Gary Produced American Graffiti. The movie became the hit of the year and received 5 Oscar nominations, including Best Picture, and won the Golden Globe for Best Picture in 1973.

Gary and George Lucas then went on to make Star Wars for 20th Century Fox. Despite the film being turned down by all the other major studios, Alan Ladd Jr took a chance on the partnership and created a legacy that continues to effect audiences around the world today. The film won 7 Academy Awards and became the most successful films of all time and is still in one of highest grossing movies ever made. Gary was directly involved with creating ILM (Industrial Light & Magic) the special effects powerhouse. He also helped design the layout of the new facility at Elstree Studios where Star Wars was made.

Gary then collaborated with Irvin Kershner to Produce The Empire Strikes Back, arguably the highest acclaimed Star Wars film made to date. He also shot 2nd Unit work on the movie. The film won 3 Oscars and joined the original in the highest grossing films category.

Gary remained in the UK and worked with legendary Muppet Creator, Jim Henson on The Dark Crystal, which was co-directed by Frank Oz, and took animatronics to a new level. This was followed by the Disney epic Return to Oz and the sci-fi thriller Slipstream starring Mark Hamill and Ben Kingsley.

Gary worked extensively in Japan where he dealt with major investors & distributors. He lectured at various film schools on Production and Visual Effects. Produced children's animated television series GBR for the BBC. Acted as consultant for a major studio complex and film school in India. Gary went on to Produce The Steal starring Alfred Molina.

Gary has been working on The Galactican, a major sci-fi television series that will once again team him up with Irvin Kershner, as well as the $75m The Giant Killer and the big budget action adventure The Last Flight of the Iron Goose, all for Briton Productions Ltd. Gary is the Creative Director for Briton Ventures, identifying the best possible projects.