During an interview with CBS Local, Rocky Carroll broke down how he actually got into directing some episodes of "NCIS." Carroll said that five years ago, he was thinking about directing and asked the producers of the show if he could shadow the director. Six weeks later, that learning experience evolved into him receiving his first attempt at directing "NCIS" in Season 12. However, the irony of Carroll's character technically being a director and him actually directing episodes was not lost on his castmates.
"I've been given a nickname at work when I'm behind the camera. I'm now Director Director because I play the director, and I am the director," Carroll said.
Despite the opportunities to be in charge of the show, Carroll never took his directing opportunities for granted. In an interview with Parade Magazine, he said that he left with a new respect for screen directors, likening them to a "royal wedding planner" who has to be mindful of every little detail. He also described his directing method as "collaborative" and "diplomatic" as after his directing duties, he still has to come back as an actor and rejoin his fellow castmates. After all, causing any bad blood would make things on set much more difficult.
