PALEY CENTER FOR MEDIA, THE: PALEYFEST FALL TV PREVIEWS 2015: CBS: CODE BLACK {LONG VERSION}
Summary
One in a series of seminars presented as part of The Paley Center for Media's 2015 Fall Preview PALEYFEST events in Los Angeles. This evening celebrates "Code Black," the dramatic medical series based on the documentary film of the same name set in "America's busiest E.R." Host Rene Reyes (director of public programs and festivals, The Paley Center for Media) offers opening remarks and then introduces the pilot episode, which is screened in its entirety. (For synopsis and credits, see ACCNUM 123939.)
After the screening, Brad Bessey (executive producer, "Entertainment Tonight") moderates the following panelists: executive producer and writer Michael Seitzman; executive producer and documentarian Ryan McGarry; and cast members William Allen Young (Rollie Guthrie), Harry M. Ford (Angus Leighton), Benjamin Hollingsworth (Mario Savetti), Melanie Chandra (Malaya Pineda), Raza Jaffrey (Neal Hudson), Bonnie Somerville (Christa Lorenson), Luis Guzmán (Jesse Salander), Marcia Gay Harden (Dr. Leanne Rorish).
The conversation touches on such topics as: the "detailed and extraordinary set" that closely resembles a real emergency room; their interest in making the viewer "a participant, rather than a witness" to the chaotic naturalistically-filmed action; Guzmán's view of the show as "medical NASCAR" and his most challenging acting job to date; Young's memories of being impressed by the script and its careful attention to detail and authenticity; Harden's initial doubts about taking on the difficult, time-consuming role before being convinced by the "universality of anguish and joy" in the story; the cast and crew as a supportive "family"; a funny misunderstanding about Guzmán's true birthday, thanks to Internet inaccuracies; Ford's hopes that Angus will receive important life "tools" in his new job; an upcoming episode featuring Malaya's ex-girlfriend, played by Shiri Appleby; Somerville's love of Christa's determination in starting her life anew after suffering some personal tragedies; Jaffrey's sense that the filming style resembles the in-person experience of theatre, with its use of multiple cameras and constant background action; their "priceless" experience shadowing real doctors in an ER and their "riveting level of calm"; and Harden's respect for the doctors' compassion and lack of judgement for their patients.
Questions from the audience then lead to a discussion of the following topics, among others: praise for the show's realism from a real nurse; the use of real doctors, nurses and monitors on the set; the actors' and extras' experience with medical "boot camp" and highly realistic anatomical props; Somerville's squeamishness and fear of actual doctors; and McGarry's hopes that the show will raise awareness of the "crossroads of humanity" found in emergency rooms.
Details
- NETWORK: N/A
- DATE: November 30, 1999 6:30 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 1:34:17
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: 123824
- GENRE: Seminars
- SUBJECT HEADING: N/A
- SERIES RUN: N/A
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Rene Reyes … Host
- Brad Bessey … Moderator
- William Allen Young … Panelist
- Harry M. Ford … Panelist
- Benjamin Hollingsworth … Panelist
- Melanie Chandra … Panelist
- Raza Jaffrey … Panelist
- Bonnie Somerville … Panelist
- Luis Guzmán … Panelist
- Marcia Gay Harden … Panelist
- Michael Seitzman … Panelist
- Ryan McGarry … Panelist
- Shiri Appleby