The Writer Speaks: John Gay - Part 2
398 views · Published 31 July 2014 · 21:59 · Indexed 20 September 2026
Channel: Writers Guild Foundation · 2014 · Entertainment
John Gay (1924-2017) was an Academy Award-nominated screenwriter whose career spanned fifty years, beginning in live television, moving to feature films and then writing longform movies and miniseries for television. Gay begins the interview by talking about his short acting career in summer stock and writing and starring with wife Barbara in New York’s local WOR series Mr. and Mrs. Mystery. This led to writing original stories for live anthology drama shows such as Playhouse 90 and Kraft Theater during the 1950s. One such Civil War story he wrote drew attention from Burt Lancaster and this brought Gay and his family to Los Angeles permanently. Gay discusses working for Harold Hecht and Burt Lancaster adapting Run Silent, Run Deep. He then worked steadily on features during the 1960s and goes into detail about adapting Separate Tables, The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, and others. In the 1970s and 1980s, Gay wrote numerous longform television movies and miniseries, most of which were adaptations. He talks in detail about working with author Joe McGinniss in adapting three of his true crime books, particularly Fatal Vision. Gay also shares details about his research and writing process for the movie about criminal Caryl Chassman, Kill Me If You Can. Throughout the interview and at the end, Gay discusses in detail his writing process, his thoughts on outlining and structure, research and the responsibility of the writer in adapting true stories, what he learned from being on set during live TV broadcasts, and the importance of hearing your work read aloud. Interviewed by Del Reisman. Filmed on January 3, 2002. Part 2 of 2. 00:00 Gay describes his experiences working with directors, including John Huston on The Unforgiven, and how important it is for a writer to see their work acted out during production. 7:08 Gay discusses his thoughts on outlining and structure, playwriting, and the impact of hearing your work read aloud.
