Director, producer and writer Kevin Gill, a key figure in the early days of MTV before moving to daytime soaps, died on May 2 in Venice, California. He was 54.His television career began at the nascent cable network in early 1983, where he directed the original VJs and their rock star guests in the MTV studio. He went on to direct and produce a range of programs including soap operas LOVING (January 1989 – January 1990) and GENERAL HOSPITAL (January 1990 – March 1991).
Of LOVING, Gill said he "broke in as an emerging director with an amazing cast and crew who were very generous with me as I adapted to directing scripted material and learning how to stage for camera and lighting at a break neck pace under tight time lines."
Gill was a director and producer for ALL MY CHILDREN (August 1996 – August 1997). He said of his time on the show, "Working with the brilliant Executive Producer and mentor Director Francesca James, had a chance to work with brightest stars in the daytime community and make incredible shows utilizing both the talented stage crew as well as the beautiful locations throughout the greater New York area."
He also was a director/producer for Disney Channel's THE MOVIE SURFERS.
Gill became a programming executive at the Walt Disney Co. in 1991. There he helped launch "Disney Clubs" throughout Australia, Asia and South America. He formed KG Prods. two years later and then Element Media, which specialized in creating electronic media, marketing and promotional materials for TV and film properties.
Gill was a native of Seattle and worked in retail there at Nordstrom for a number of years before finally finding his way to MTV in New York, spending five years at the cable network as a stage manager, assistant director and later a director and producer. During this period he also studied directing at NYU and animation at Manhattan's School of Visual Arts.
He is survived by his mother, a sister and two brothers.
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