GUSTAVO T. ASTUDILLO
I've worked with Gustavo T. Astudillo for several years, lately as an associate producer on my upcoming show Lady in the Lake. I always knew he's a visual storyteller from his distinct photography that always captures the absurdity of the human condition with a contemporary lens. But it was the script for his first short, Positive Reinforcement, that awakened in me that rare excitement of discovering a new voice and pushed me to produce it.
With Positive Reinforcement, Gustavo showcases his unique surrealist blend of satire, cynicism, humor, and raw emotion that provokes deep thought and introspection. As a storyteller, he's unafraid to challenge conventions and creates unforgettable images that explore the complexities of the human experience with a wink. Gustavo's talent to get us laughing while he punches us in the gut holds a boundless promise in an industry hungry for authenticity and innovation.
- Alma Har’el
Positive Reinforcement
Directed by Gustavo T. Astudillo
KIMIKO, ‘Hang Out Forever?’
Directed by Gustavo T. Astudillo
Gustavo T. Astudillo is a filmmaker + photographer based in Los Angeles. After moving to the big city from a small farm town in the Midwest, he has worked in film + TV for nearly 10 years.
As a photographer, Gustavo has shot BTS on numerous projects, including Lady in the Lake for Apple TV+, Bob Dylan: Shadow Kingdom, Byron Bowers: Spiritual N**ga for Hulu, and many others, including the season finale of Dave S2.
Positive Reinforcement, Gustavo’s most recent short film, is an offbeat psychological thriller that premiered at Palm Springs ShortFest 2024 and later played in festivals such as LA Shorts International Film Festival and Hollyshorts. Soon after, the film had an online premiere as a Vimeo Staff Pick. The film stars Thomas Mann as a self-deprecating artist, an experience Gustavo claims to know nothing about.
RIP MY BOTTOM LIP, ‘Lover’
Directed by Gustavo T. Astudillo
PHOTOGRAPHY
PAINTINGS
