Michael P.J. Gerstein
Michael P.J. Gerstein (a.k.a. Michael Gerstein), born August 1st, 1973, in a northeast suburb[where?] of Boston, Massachusetts, is an American serial entrepreneur, who has co-founded and sold numerous companies operating in the field of merchant services.
In 2022, he became the co-producer for the film Last Train To Fortune, starring Malcolm McDowell and James Paxton, with supporting roles from Bernadette Peters, Laura Marano and Mary Steenburgen. In 2023, Gerstein co-founded futureIII Entertainment Corporation with Brad Wyman and Adam Rifkin, his producing and directing partners, respectively. The formation of futureIII was driven by the desire to provide a unique approach to developing film and television projects, whereupon transparency, ethics and robust collaboration are the primary drivers of all business dealings. FutureIII is currently helming the psychedelic stoner comedy, TOAD, which is in pre-production. As well, futureIII is developing numerous other projects, including a character driven story based upon the Rickson Gracie memoir, Breathe: A Life in Flow[1], and the adult animation project, American She Wolf[2].
Early life and education
[edit]Gerstein grew up in Wenham, Massachusetts, and attended Hamilton-Wenham Regional High School and then Deerfield Academy. He received his Bachelor of Arts from Brandeis University and was captain of the men’s soccer team his senior year, after winning the ECAC championship his junior year. He later attended DePaul University College of Law and received his Juris Doctorate. Gerstein is a licensed attorney in Illinois and Massachusetts.
Career
[edit]After graduating from law school, he began practicing civil litigation, doing plaintiff’s work in Chicago for one of the city’s most accomplished litigators. He then moved back to Massachusetts, whereupon he fell into the field of credit card processing and started a sales organization with his lifelong, childhood friend. Together, they grew the company to number one in the United States for eight straight years. Gerstein eventually moved to Southern California with his wife and two children, where he started up, and sold, additional companies with his inner circle of trusted partners. During the Covid lockdown, Gerstein wrote a script based on his college experiences and playing soccer at Brandeis. He was then introduced to Wyman and Rifkin, which would lead to Gerstein’s involvement in filmmaking and other aspects within the entertainment industry.
Interests
[edit]Gerstein began coaching youth soccer at age 14 and continued to coach into his mid 40s. As well, he has trained in Rickson Gracie Jiu Jitsu, since 1999, and continues to do so under the tutelage of Master David Kama and Professor Greg Hayashi. Additionally, Gerstein has been active with various charitable foundations combatting juvenile homelessness and trafficking. Gerstein enjoys spending time and doing various activities with his wife and two children.
Filmography
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Last Train to Fortune | Producer | |
| 2025 | Toad | Producer | Pre-Production |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| In Development | American She-Wolf | Producer | |
References
[edit]- ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (2024-09-03). "MMA Master Rickson Gracie Memoir 'Breathe: A Life In Flow' Acquired By FutureIII Entertainment". Deadline. Retrieved 2024-10-10.
- ^ Squires, John (2019-07-18). "Joe Dante Presents 'American She-Wolf,' a Brand New Comic Series!". Bloody Disgusting!. Retrieved 2024-10-10.