The Nocturnists BONUS: Behind the Scenes of The Pitt with Gemmill, Sachs, and Herbert
Apr 15, 2025
In this conversation, R. Scott Gemmill, a veteran television writer known for ER and NCIS Los Angeles, and Dr. Joe Sachs, an emergency physician and TV writer, delve into the making of The Pitt, a groundbreaking medical drama. They discuss the critical need for authenticity in portraying the medical field, touching on real healthcare challenges and character development. Highlights include innovative storytelling that captures ER chaos in real-time and heartfelt tributes to the commitment of healthcare workers, blending humor with deep insights.
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Authenticity was a Core Goal
- Authenticity was a conscious goal from the start for showrunner Scott Gemmill and physician-writer Joe Sachs.
- They aimed to respect and realistically portray the healthcare community in The Pit.
Cases Serve Character Drama
- Medical cases in The Pit start from dramatic needs of characters, not randomly chosen.
- Examples include an ankle sprain case highlighting compassionate care versus impatience, illustrating character traits.
Real-Time Storytelling Choice
- The show compresses time by dedicating one hour per episode, matching one hour of in-shift time.
- This emphasizes the intensity, chaos, and constant interruptions typical in emergency medicine.