MUSEUM OF TELEVISION & RADIO SEMINAR SERIES, THE: AN EVENING WITH JOHN WELLS {LONG VERSION}
Summary
One in this series of seminars conducted by The Museum of Television & Radio. In this seminar, presented in Los Angeles and moderated by Museum vice president Michael Zannella, acclaimed television writer/producer John Wells discusses his work.
Zannella first presents a screening of highlights from Wells's career, including footage from the following television programs: "China Beach" (1989, 1991); "Ohara" (1987); "Just in Time" (1988); "Angel Street" (1992); and "ER" (1994, 1995, 1996). Wells then joins Zannella on stage for a discussion of the following topics, among others: "Ohara" as an example of an outmoded style of television storytelling; his youth in West Virginia; his student years at Carnegie-Mellon and USC; Steven Bochco's role in getting him started as a television writer; his initial reputation as a comedy writer, brought aboard "China Beach" to lighten up potentially depressing material; his evolution, while working on "China Beach," into a dramatic writer; why the character of Cherry White, played by Nan Woods, was killed off in "China Beach"; the anti-war sensibility of the program; his interest in examining the long-term effects of the Vietnam War on the young doctors, nurses, and soldiers who served; the unconventional aspects of the series -- most notably, that the war was seen through the eyes of a woman, the major characters were women, and many of the staffers and writers on the series were women; the genesis of the award-winning "Vets" episode of "China Beach" which actually grew out of budgetary constraints and Wells's experiences as an intern at Paramount while the film "Reds" was being made; the way Harold Russell, the Oscar Award-winner from the film "The Best Years of Our Lives" (1946), came to play a part on "China Beach"; the genesis of "ER" -- originally written by Michael Crichton as a feature; and the making of the "ER" pilot in 1994. Questions from the seminar audience lead to Wells's comments on the following topics, among others: the influence of "Hill Street Blues" on "China Beach"; casting "ER"; Wells's preference for a flexible approach to long-term plot-planning rather than being "married" to a plan that may not take full advantage of intangibles -- such as unexpected chemistry between two actors or lack thereof; surprises that have changed the course of "ER," such as the performances of Julianna Margulies and Laura Innes in what were originally to be limited roles; how the writers modulate their work depending upon creative choices made by the actors; the use of medical professionals as on-set advisors to assist the actors and lend authenticity to the procedures they perform; the casting of Noah Wyle, whose acting Wells regards as a revelation; Wells's working relationship with the director and the cast; the huge collaborative effort and pool of talent responsible for high quality of "ER"; the atmosphere of trust on the "ER" set; Wells's sympathy for the vulnerable position in which actors on series television find themselves -- having little control over a product by which they will be judged; the actor's temptation -- on a hit series -- to become a "personality" rather than to remain a real actor; whether Wells could return to comedy writing; the large amount of medical research done by the "ER" writers, whose scripts are based on actual events that have taken place in hospitals around the country; the series' fast-paced storytelling -- usually averaging eighteen story-threads per episode; the lack of "padding" on "ER," creating a great deal of script per episode; the value of emotional experience for the writer; suggestions to young writers who wish to write for television; and Wells's rigorous work schedule.
Details
- NETWORK: Paley
- DATE: September 24, 1996 6:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 1:31:20
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T:45678
- GENRE: Seminars
- SUBJECT HEADING: N/A
- SERIES RUN: N/A
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Michael Zannella … Moderator
- John Wells … Guest
- Steven Bochco
- Michael Crichton
- Laura Innes
- Julianna Margulies
- Harold Russell
- Nan Woods
- Noah Wyle