PROFILE

MAKING ...

"MAKING LOVE"

Exclusive interview with Barry Sandler by John O'Niel of "Another Voice."

"Another Voice," the gay radio show airing around the state of Michigan recently interviewed Barry Sandler, screenwriter of the 20th-Century Fox movie "Making Love." A lot of the film's honesty is based on the fact that Sandler, who wrote the screenplay is gay himself. Speaking to John O'Neal, producer of "Another Voice", Sandler said, "I'm very proud of this script. It took a lot for me to write someting so close to my own experiences. But I learned a lot about myself. I'm glad I did it, but it's not an easy experience looking at your own lifestyle."

Sandler is no newcomer to the film industry. He received his Masters in Fine Arts from UCLA's film department, having films made from his scripts while he was still in college. His best known work to date being, "The Duchess and The Dirtwater Fox" starring Goldie Hawn, Sandler also wrote scripts for "The Bronx Bomber" and "The Mirror Crack'd."

"I've always written from an external knowledge. That may work for some writers, but not for me," Sandler said confidently. He feels "Making Love" was the turning point in his career. "I'm out now, and I think it will be easier for me to write from my own experiences."

How did 20th-Century Fox become involved with "Making Love"?

"Well, let me tell you something about the genesis of the project. I had an idea for the script. But I didn't want

to put out all that energy, self-searching, and then see the film not made. I went to 20th-Century Fox and they told me to do an outline.

When I came back with an outline, they gave me an advance, a very small advance, for me to write the script."

Was the studio nervous about making a "gay" film? "Yes! To make a film these days, it takes a major investment, 8 to 10 million dollars. Then there's publicity, another 3 million. So 20th-Century is out on a limb with this film!"

Were there any restrictions placed on the film? "No, none. From the outset they (20th-Century Fox) wanted an honest, straight-forward (chuckle) film."

Sandler related several stories of the studio's committment to making an honest film about the "gay experience."

"The director, Arthur Hiller, even changed the pictures on a wall when I said I didn't think a gay man would have such pictures in his apartment. Then there was a scene where I felt that Bart (Harry Hamlin) just wasn't believable. Arthur and I spent several hours just making the dialogue do what we both wanted. As a writer, I don't think you could ask for more cooperation."

It is of interest to note that Hiller, while being a straight man, was very active in the defeat of California's Proposition 6. He joined with many of

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Conferring during filming of "Making Love" are L-R: director Arthur Hiller, producers Daniel Melnick and Allen Adler and screenwriter Barry Sandler.

BARRY SANDLER

ISSUE 67