Robert Justman

Director
View Full Interview

Robert Justman on Captain Kirk's chair

03:38

Tab

About
About this interview

In his over four-hour interview, Robert Justman (1926-2008) talks about breaking into the entertainment industry as a production assistant in low-budget feature films, and discusses his entrance into television as a second assistant director on the series Adventures of Superman. Justman describes his continued work in television where he moved up to first assistant director and unit production manager on such series as The Outer Limits. He discusses in great detail his work as an associate producer on the classic science fiction series Star Trek and its later incarnation Star Trek: The Next Generation (for which he served as the supervising producer in its first season). Regarding Star Trek, he discusses working with creator Gene Roddenberry, talks about the cast members, and describes memorable episodes. Stephen J. Abramson conducted the two-part interview on June 17 and 18, 2003 in Los Angeles, CA.

All views expressed by interviewees are theirs alone and not necessarily those of the Television Academy.

"I understood very quickly the theory of how to make film work for you. Nothing exists outside of that box. What's in that box is what counts. Everything else can fall away and it doesn't matter. You create your own world."

People Talking About ...
Robert Justman
Highlights
Robert Justman on meeting Gene Roddenberry
02:00
Robert Justman on who Gene Roddenberry based the character of Captain Kirk 
01:04
Robert Justman on Captain Kirk's chair
03:38
Robert Justman on advice to aspiring producers and ADs
01:12
Robert Justman on making the monster in the pilot episode of The Outer Limits
01:00
Full Interview

Play Full Interview

Chapter 1
On his early years; on college and serving in the Navy; on his start in the film industry as a production assistant
On his transition to television as an assistant director; on entering the Directors Guild; on getting the job as second assistant director on Adventures of Superman

Chapter 2
On his work on Adventures of Superman - shooting schedule, budgets, production; on The Doctor; on Amos 'N' Andy; on The Loretta Young Show
On his work on Lassie, My Friend Flicka, The Mickey Mouse Club

Chapter 3
On working on various filmed shows and features; on working with Fritz Lang; on the Hollywood Blacklist; on working with Peter Lawford and meeting JFK
On working on Northwest Passage; on working as first assistant director on Alcoa Presents: One Step Beyond; on Best of The Post; on The Tab Hunter Show; on The Asphalt Jungle

Chapter 4
On his work as produciton supervisor at MGM Television 
On his work on The Outer Limits

Chapter 5
On working on the Mission: Impossible pilot and the Star Trek pilots; on the development of Star Trek
On the casting of Star Trek; on production of Star Trek after the second pilot was approved; on filming at Desilu; on the props and effects created for Star Trek

Chapter 6
On birthday parties that Gene Roddenberry threw on Star Trek; on working with the cast and crew of Star Trek
On various episodes of the series - "The City on the Edge of Forever", "Mudd's Women", "Spock's Brain", "Amok Time", "The Menagerie"

Chapter 7
On the "Mirror, Mirror", "Shore Leave", "The Trouble with Tribbles" episodes of Star Trek; on memorable set pieces; on fans of the show; on leaving the series
On the development of Star Trek: The Next Generation; on joining the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department; on the casting of Patrick Stewart as Captain Picard

Chapter 8
On ILM; Star Trek: The Next Generation; on the Star Trek movies; on syndication; on his book on Star Trek; on the legacy of Star Trek;
On producing Then Came Bronson, Man from Atlantis, McClain's Law, Gideon's Trumpet, Emergency Room, Force Seven, Magruder and Loud, and Dark Mansions

Chapter 9
On his (then) current projects; on Star Trek conventions; on his favorite film projects
On the differences between working in film and television; on his greatest career achievememt; on advice to aspiring producers and ADs; on how he'd like to be remembered
Shows

Adventures of Superman

View Show Page
Robert Justman on getting the job as second assistant director on Adventures of Superman
01:30
Robert Justman on working as second assistant director on Adventures of Superman
07:29

Amos 'N' Andy

View Show Page
Robert Justman on working as second assistant director on Amos 'N' Andy
02:51

Asphalt Jungle, The

View Show Page
Robert Justman on working on Asphalt Jungle
00:36

Best of the Post

View Show Page
Robert Justman on working on Best of the Post
01:19

Dark Mansions

View Show Page
Robert Justman on producing Dark Mansions
00:54

Doctor, The

View Show Page
Robert Justman on working as second assistant director on The Doctor
01:38

Dr. Kildare

View Show Page
Robert Justman on his role on recommending composer Jerry Goldsmith for Dr. Kildare
02:58

Emergency Room

View Show Page
Robert Justman on producing Emergency Room
00:39

Gideon's Trumpet

View Show Page
Robert Justman on producing Gideon's Trumpet
03:06

Loretta Young Show, The

View Show Page
Robert Justman on working as second assistant director on The Loretta Young Show
03:40

Man From Atlantis

View Show Page
Robert Justman on producing Man from Atlantis
02:24

Martha Raye Show, The

View Show Page
Robert Justman on working as second assistant director on The Martha Raye Show
03:42

McClain's Law

View Show Page
Robert Justman on producing McClain's Law
01:09

Mickey Mouse Club, The

View Show Page
Robert Justman on working as second assistant director on The Mickey Mouse Club
03:00

Mission: Impossible

View Show Page
Robert Justman on working on the Mission: Impossible pilot and the Star Trek pilots
09:46
Robert Justman on the Mission: Impossible pilot and series
02:07

My Friend Flicka

View Show Page
Robert Justman on working as second assistant director on My Friend Flicka, where an actor was injured during a stunt
01:34

Northwest Passage

View Show Page
Robert Justman on working on Northwest Passage
02:08

One Step Beyond

View Show Page
Robert Justman on working as a first assistant director on One Step Beyond
08:09

Outer Limits, The (1963-65)

View Show Page
Robert Justman on working as a co-producer/production manager on The Outer Limits
21:29
Robert Justman on "The Zanti Misfits" episode of The Outer Limits
02:24

Outer Limits, The (1963-65): "The Zanti Misfits"

View Show Page
Robert Justman on "The Zanti Misfits" episode of The Outer Limits
02:24

Planet Earth

View Show Page
Robert Justman on producing Planet Earth
01:19

Search

View Show Page
Robert Justman on producing Search
01:17

Star Trek

View Show Page
Robert Justman on working on the Mission: Impossible pilot and the Star Trek pilots
09:46
Associate producer Robert Justman on the development of Star Trek
15:24
Associate producer Robert Justman on the props created for Star Trek
03:19
Robert Justman on working with the cast and crew of Star Trek; on various episodes of the series
27:31
Robert Justman on "The City of the Edge of Forever" episode of Star Trek
02:27
Robert Justman on "The Menagerie" episode of Star Trek
02:16
Robert Justman on some notable episodes of Star Trek; on leaving the series
15:37

Star Trek: "The City on the Edge of Forever"

View Show Page
Robert Justman on "The City of the Edge of Forever" episode of Star Trek
02:27

Star Trek: "The Menagerie"

View Show Page
Robert Justman on "The Menagerie" episode of Star Trek
02:16

Star Trek: The Next Generation

View Show Page
Robert Justman on the development of Star Trek: The Next Generation; on the casting of Patrick Stewart as Captain Picard
11:49
Robert Justman on ILM and Star Trek: The Next Generation
11:31

Tab Hunter Show, The

View Show Page
Robert Justman on working on The Tab Hunter Show
01:26

Then Came Bronson

View Show Page
Robert Justman on producing Then Came Bronson
02:40
Topics

Censorship / Standards & Practices

View Topic
Associate producer Robert Justman on notes from Standards & Practices for Star Trek
01:41

Characters & Catchphrases

View Topic
Robert Justman on Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley and William Shatner and their Star Trek characters
04:07
Robert Justman on LeVar Burton's character on Star Trek: The Next Generation
01:01

Classic TV Series Episodes

View Topic
Robert Justman on "The Zanti Misfits" episode of The Outer Limits
02:24

Hollywood Blacklist

View Topic
Robert Justman on the Hollywood Blacklist
01:28

Underrepresented Voices

View Topic
Robert Justman on the development of Star Trek: The Next Generation
00:30
Professions

Directors

View Profession
Robert Justman on becoming a first assistant director
01:40

Producers

View Profession
Robert Justman on advice to aspiring producers and ADs
01:12

Unit Production Manager

View Profession
Robert Justman on the differences between Unit Production Manager and first assistant director
01:07
Genres

Children's Programming

View Genre
Robert Justman on working as second assistant director on The Mickey Mouse Club
03:00

Sci-Fi/Supernatural Series

View Genre
Robert Justman on working as a first assistant director on One Step Beyond
08:09
Robert Justman on working as a co-producer/production manager on The Outer Limits
21:29
Associate producer Robert Justman on the props and effects created for Star Trek
03:19
Robert Justman on working with the cast and crew of Star Trek; on various episodes of the series
27:31
Robert Justman on the development of Star Trek: The Next Generation; on the casting of Patrick Stewart as Captain Picard
12:35
Robert Justman on ILM and Star Trek: The Next Generation
11:31
People

Aaron Spelling

View Interview Page
Robert Justman on producing Dark Mansions
00:54

Boris Karloff

View Person Page
Robert Justman on working with Boris Karloff on The Martha Raye Show
01:06

Bud Abbott

View Person Page
Robert Justman on working as a PA on Abbott and Costello films
01:08

Burgess Meredith

View Person Page
Robert Justman on producing Search
01:17

Cliff Robertson

View Interview Page
Robert Justman on the pilot episode of The Outer Limits
01:23

Cloris Leachman

View Person Page
Robert Justman on Cloris Leachman guest starring on One Step Beyond
00:35

David McCallum

View Interview Page
Robert Justman on working with David McCallum on The Outer Limits
01:03
Robert Justman on an episode of The Outer Limits with David McCallum
00:51

DeForest Kelley

View Person Page
Robert Justman on DeForest Kelley guest starring on Northwest Passage
02:08
Associate producer Robert Justman on the cast and casting of Star Trek
04:36
Robert Justman on working with DeForest Kelley
03:09

Fritz Lang

View Person Page
Robert Justman on working on Fritz Lang's film While the City Sleeps
04:42

Gene Coon

View Person Page
Associate producer Robert Justman on the cast and casting of Star Trek
02:05

Gene Roddenberry

View Person Page
Robert Justman on Gene Roddenberry hiring DeForest Kelley 
00:52
Robert Justman on meeting Gene Roddenberry
02:00
Associate producer Robert Justman on the development of Star Trek
15:26
Associate producer Robert Justman on the cast and casting of Star Trek
00:48
Robert Justman on working with Gene Rodenberry
02:21
Robert Justman on the development of Star Trek: The Next Generation; on the casting of Patrick Stewart as Captain Picard
11:49
Robert Justman on producing Planet Earth
01:10

George Reeves

View Person Page
Robert Justman on working with George Reeves on Adventures of Superman
01:14

George Takei

View Interview Page
Robert Justman on working with George Takei
00:37

Henry Fonda

View Person Page
Robert Justman on producing Gideon's Trumpet starring Henry Fonda
01:06

Herbert F. Solow

View Interview Page
Associate producer Robert Justman on Herb Solow declaring that Justman work on Star Trek
01:19

Hugh O'Brian

View Interview Page
Robert Justman on producing Search
00:13

Ida Lupino

View Person Page
Robert Justman on Ida Lupino calling his house
00:37

Jack Lord

View Person Page
Robert Justman on Jack Lord
01:13

James Arness

View Interview Page
Robert Justman on producing MClain's Law  starring James Arness
01:09

James Doohan

View Person Page
Robert Justman on working with James Doohan
01:05

Jerry Goldsmith

View Interview Page
Robert Justman on recommending composer Jerry Goldsmith for Dr. Kildare
02:31

John Barrymore

View Person Page
Robert Justman on working on Fritz Lang's film While the City Sleeps
01:17

John F. Kennedy

View Person Page
Robert Justman on Peter Lawford introducing him to brother-in-law John F. Kennedy
00:54

John Houseman

View Person Page
Robert Justman on producing Gideon's Trumpet with John Houseman
00:50

John Newland

View Person Page
Robert Justman on host John Newland of One Step Beyond
00:33

Joseph Stefano

View Person Page
Robert Justman on working as a co-producer/production manager on The Outer Limits
00:58

LeVar Burton

View Interview Page
Robert Justman on LeVar Burton's character on Star Trek: The Next Generation
01:01

Leonard Nimoy

View Interview Page
Associate producer Robert Justman on the cast and casting of Star Trek
04:36
Robert Justman on working with Leonard Nimoy
00:58

Loretta Young

View Person Page
Robert Justman on being second assistant director on The Loretta Young Show
03:40

Lou Costello

View Person Page
Robert Justman on working as a PA on Abbott and Costello films
01:08

Lucille Ball

View Person Page
Associate producer Robert Justman on one of Lucille Ball's favorite pilots
00:35
Associate producer Robert Justman on Lucille Ball
01:01

Majel Barrett-Roddenberry

View Person Page
Robert Justman on Majel Barrett-Roddenberry
01:10

Michael Parks

View Person Page
Robert Justman on producing Then Came Bronson
02:41

Nichelle Nichols

View Interview Page
Robert Justman on working with Nichelle Nichols
00:51

Otto Preminger

View Person Page
Robert Justman on working as a PA on Otto Preminger's film The Moon is Blue
01:38

Patrick Duffy

View Person Page
Robert Justman on casting Patrick Duffy in The Man from Atlantis
02:24

Patrick Stewart

View Person Page
Robert Justman on the casting of Patrick Stewart as Captain Picard
03:25

Peter Lawford

View Person Page
Robert Justman on working with Peter Lawford
02:28

Robert Aldrich

View Person Page
Robert Justman on as an assistant director for director Robert Aldrich
00:40
Robert Justman on working as second assistant director on The Doctor
01:38

Rosemary Clooney

View Person Page
Robert Justman on working with Rosemary Clooney on The Martha Raye Show
01:52

Wally Cox

View Person Page
Associate producer Robert Justman on Wally Cox in the pilot episode of Alfred of the Amazon
00:29

Walter Koenig

View Interview Page
Robert Justman on working with Walter Koenig
00:35

William Shatner

View Interview Page
Robert Justman on William Shatner
01:38
Associate producer Robert Justman on the cast and casting of Star Trek
04:36
Robert Justman on working with William Shatner
03:09

All Interviews

AllABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWYZ
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
Y
Z