Biography
Gary Kaskel was born and raised in Manhattan where he studied at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts as a teenager. He has been making films since he was in grade school. His diverse career includes working as a camera salesman, stand-up comedian, journalist, technology consultant, charity executive, actor, screenwriter and filmmaker.
Since graduating from the CalArts film school, where he studied screen writing and directing under Alexander Mackendrick ("The Man in the White Suit," "The Ladykillers," "The Sweet Smell of Success"), Gary has worked in film and television as a writer, producer, director and cameraman for news, entertainment and documentary projects.
From 1980 to 1982 he was associate producer for Milton Berle Productions ("The Best of Berle", "Milton Loves Lucy"), and went on to co-produce and direct a one hour documentary, "A Museum of Broadcasting Tribute-Milton Berle: Mr. Television," for Public Television in 1984. He also was a director/cameraman for Paramount Television ("Entertainment Tonight", "Hard Copy"); King World Prods ("Inside Edition"); 20th Century-Fox TV ("Personalities"), Jean Doumanian Prods. ("The Hat Factory"); Tulchin Studios; WNYW Fox 5; All-Mobile Video; WNYC; Cable News Network; Municipal Art Society/WNET; Farago Advertising; Geer, DuBois Inc. Advertising; Berger, Stone & Partners Advertising; Random House; Spanish International Network; The Museum of Broadcasting; Abraham & Straus, and many others.
For more than twenty years, Gary Kaskel has had a strong interest in animal protection and other social justice issues. He was president of United Action for Animals in NYC (2003-2007). His intimate knowledge of the spectrum of animal advocacy led him to make "Animal People - the humane movement in America," a feature documentary in 2006.
From 2008 to 2011 he was a producer of the annual Genesis Awards for The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) responsible for editing the clips and montage packages, as well as producing a variety of Los Angeles-based celebrity public service videos for HSUS.
Gary Kaskel has also written for magazines, the stage, television and movies. He was a member of International Photographers (IATSE) Local 644 (NY) for seven years, and is a member of SAG-AFTRA and the Producers Guild of America (PGA).
Presently, Gary Kaskel is CEO of Carriage Trade Media, a production company focusing on developing socially-conscious comedy, drama and historical film and television projects. He is also working on an historical biography titled "Monsters and Miracles," and an autobiography titled, "I Could Have Been a Pawnbroker."
