John Gatins talks about being an actor, writer and director. Photo by Joseph JacobNew York native, John Gatins, spared some time to share his beginnings in the entertainment industry. Although his first intention when going to Vassar College was to become a sports caster, the drama department roped his attention almost immediately. Gatins later traveled to Los Angeles to pursue a career in acting. But, even though he appeared in a few horror movies, his talent of writing is what brought him to success in the filmmaking business. His screenplay, “Smells Like Teen Suicide,” was sold to Disney and landed him an unaccredited rewrite job on “Varsity Blues”. From there, he worked on movies such as “Hardball,” “Coach Carter,” “Dreamer” and “Real Steel” with Steven Spielberg. But he was also working on a script he picked up and put down for 12 years. That script turned into one of his most personal works; “Flight.” Starring Denzel Washington, a pre-release showing of “Flight” took place on Sunday at the Trustees Theater where Gatins also received the 2012 Savannah Film Festival’s “Spotlight Award.”
