all about
JACK
Jack Gorton partnered with Eileen Kennedy in 2023 to create STREET LEGAL PICTURES, INC, a new company, utilizing their combined creative skills in the production of film, documentary, television and digital formats.
Jack Gorton is an experienced producer/director /DP. His TV credits include directing promos for CBS, Fox and the WB, creating pilots for Comedy Central, and creating the opening sequence for the first season of Discovery’s Deadliest Catch. He was a supervising producer for the indie film Chasing Robert, which starred Andy Dick, Larry Miller and Jeff Garlin. His DP credits include Top Secrets of the CIA, American Chopper and Making Waves TV for Discovery, the latter earning him a bronze Addy Award for cinematography. Before moving to entertainment, Gorton headed Gorton Advertising, a multi-million dollar ad agency and became an award-winning commercial director.
As a director, Gorton is a calm, decisive, creative force with a natural gift for storytelling. Gorton’s cinematography combines a raw, moody look with polished camera movement and striking compositions that help build a powerful connection with the characters and move the story forward.
Gorton first came to Los Angeles from college as a Music Business Art Director in the late 70’s. He quickly established himself as one of the industry’s most innovative creatives with a breakthrough image campaign for Kenny Rogers that helped catapult the then rising Country artist to Superstar status.
In the 80’s, Gorton co-wrote and directed a radically different TV commercial for Marcy Fitness Equipment that became a national sensation and launched a new style of TV advertising that Adweek dubbed “slice of moment”.
Another Gorton-directed commercial, this time for Toyo Tires, featured a raw, urban look and a fast-paced editing technique that is still among the most imitated styles in automotive advertising.
Gorton has since gone on to direct and shoot promos for CBS, Fox and the WB, roll-ins, aerials, show openings, pilots, TV specials, and concerts, with occasional stints writing and editing.
Along the way, his restless creativity and solid instincts have often made him a part of successful new shows. He was the creator of the original pilots for Comedy Central that eventually became Politically Incorrect. Gorton created the opening sequence for the first season of Discovery’s Deadliest Catch. And, he was the original cinematographer for American Chopper. In fact, it was Jack who convinced the producer to create a series around the quarreling Tuttle family that went on to become the most watched series in Discovery’s history.
From 2001 to 2023, Gorton joined with prominent production accountant Emily Rice to form Rice Gorton Pictures, Ltd which became another multi-million dollar concern with Rice heading up the industry-leading post production accounting wing, and Gorton handling the production side.
As an accomplished photographer, designer, strategist and documentarian, Jack Gorton’s work is also highly prized by political campaigns for his ability to create stunning imagery that triggers a strong, emotional response. Gorton directed the two award-winning TV ad campaigns for California’s Children’s Hospital Initiatives that starred Jamie Lee Curtis. Jack’s extensive list of campaigns for prominent California candidates and initiatives includes work for Senators Barbara Boxer and Alex Padilla and the successful initiative for California Indian Gaming.