Home / Arts and Entertainment / Tarantino's ER Directing: Noah Wyle Recalls Unique Vision
Tarantino's ER Directing: Noah Wyle Recalls Unique Vision
14 Sep
Summary
- Noah Wyle reflects on Quentin Tarantino's specific directing style for ER.
- Tarantino's detailed scene blocking was unscripted but organic.
- Wyle initially doubted ER's success, viewing TV as 'purgatory'.
Noah Wyle recently shared memories of Quentin Tarantino directing an episode of the medical drama ER. Wyle, who starred as Dr. John Carter for 11 seasons, described Tarantino's direction as "wonderful" and highlighted his extraordinary specificity. Tarantino would meticulously plan out even minor actions within a scene, such as grabbing a drink, in ways that were not scripted but felt natural and enhanced the performance.
Wyle characterized Tarantino's approach as having the enthusiasm of a child, which he found energizing and helpful for actors to focus. This recollection comes as Wyle also reflected on his initial doubts about ER's success. He admitted that, at the time, he was not interested in television, viewing it as a less desirable medium than film or theater.
The series, based on a feature film script by Michael Crichton, was initially developed by John Wells after Steven Spielberg suggested it was better suited for television than film. Wyle confessed that upon learning the 110-page pilot was for a TV show, he believed it wouldn't last, planning only to collect a paycheck before returning to his film career.
