My Criminal Minds morning continues: We decided to take a tour of the studio while the cast continued shooting the same scene over and over again. While sitting in Craft Services I was introduced to Scott David (Casting Director) and Gina Garcia Sharp (Associate Casting Director). I was really thrilled to tell them what a great job they do casting Criminal Minds and how much I have enjoyed the guest stars. They are both so down to earth and genuinely sweet. After talking about the blog for a few minutes I asked Scott if he would please take a look at Kris's pic and resume and I explained Kris's relationship to all of us. I really wish you had all been there because it is so unbelieveable but I promise this is the truth. Scott took the resume from me, told me that he would take care of having Kris called in so he could get his third Sag voucher immediately, posed for a few pictures, and left to go take care of the Kris matter. I stood there in disbelief at the generousity of this wonderful man who would take time immediately out of his busy day to do me a favor. While Scott was off securing Kris's presence on the set for the next day I had the great priviledge of speaking with Gina. I have many stories to tell about her in this travel diary but at this point in the day all I knew about Gina was that she is funny, pretty and very sweet. I had no way of knowing that this woman has made magic happen before.............because I had not yet met Kirsten......but that was soon to change!
Jill, you are to a rock star! You must have an amazingly persuasive personality.
ReplyDeleteThis is terrific! (big big grin) It's no wonder Kris was so thrilled. I am so glad you were able to help him, and so glad these lovely people brought him back so quickly. So -- now can we look for him in "Ashes"? (cleans her glasses) Yet another reason to tape and watch over and over and over ... like I needed one!
And I think it's really cool you got pictures of Scott and Gina. I know they must work their butts off -- they get AMAZING guests, known and unknown, who really add a lot to the show -- and I bet almost nobody asks to take their picture.
Great way to show the love!
Look at you! Not only are you living a dream by visiting the set, but you go out of your way to help a friend. I'm stunned that the casting director was so receptive to your request. It makes what often appears a cut-throat business seem so much more human and humane. I also think it speaks so well to you and all the folks on this blog that you didn't just glom on to the actors, but that you were genuinely interested in all the people who share their talent, experience, and hard work to making this show what it is. It's easy to forget, I regret to confess, that what we see on the screen is only a small part of what goes in to the entire process of creating a television show. I took a film class once at The New School and the prof said that it was the height of bad manners to walk out of the theater before the last credits had rolled. I see now, more than ever, what he meant.
ReplyDeleteYou are a mastermind! that's awesome.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Lin. It is so cool that you have a picture of them holding Kris's bio in their hands. I don't know anyone but you who would turn your own special time into a way to help someone else. I always knew you were a nice woman but now I really know just how special you are. You helped a virtual stranger. And we all love the guest stars, so how nice for all of us to know you told them that we appreciate their hard efforts in making our show so wonderful. I think there is a special place in heaven for Mr. David, Ms. Sharp and for you.
ReplyDeleteThey do a great job and like everyone else I am glad that you had the op to tell them we know that and appreciate their efforts. You are blowing my mind with this whole trip. Just so wonderful.
ReplyDeleteI am near tears this is so nice.
ReplyDeleteI can't imagine what this must have meant to this man's life. How wonderful that they would do you such a nice favor and help him out. I have loved the show since day one but my respect for the show has just grown 100%. I am so happy they were so nice to you!
ReplyDeletewhat a great thing to do Jill - and how nice to have a pic of the behind the scenes folk who make it all happen
ReplyDeleteElizabeth
Wow, Kris seems like someone who knows what he wants in life and he is going to get it. And for you to help him like that Jill, is just unbelievable.
ReplyDeleteHow AWESOME would that be if Kris were to get a role on Criminal Minds, knowing that this blog and Jill played a part in making that happen?? I'm rooting for him all the way!!
WOW. The very people that choose who will be on the show Criminal Minds are holding my picture and resume! There is nothing more I could have asked of Jill. What on Earth did I do to deserve this???
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Ok, I've been sitting here for 10 minutes and I don't know what to say!! THANK YOU JILL!!!!!
Jill, you are so lucky, and such a wonderful, amazingly kind-hearted person. I read all about you at Kris's blog, who is a dear friend of mine. You are making his dreams come true!
ReplyDeleteThis is just plain cool. I am beyond words.
ReplyDeletewow - great story.
ReplyDeleteOMG this is so surreal. You got to meet people you have admired for so long and also help someone else out. I wish I had found this blog sooner. I feel like I have missed so much. I have bookmarked it now!
ReplyDeleteIt shows a rearkable generosity of spirit that you could remember to try to help a friend when you had such an exciting experience ahead of you. You really are one in a million.
ReplyDeleteThat is so awesome! Kris must be so happy to have this chance! And for them to go right to work on doing this for him! You took your special trip and helped a friend, for that you are truly thoughtful and generous.
ReplyDeleteI am so enjoying this story of your visit.
ReplyDeletenext instalment please!
I can't believe an important man and woman like these two are would do this for us. Do they know how much we like the guest stars they cast? Did you tell them we appreciate them and the hard work?
ReplyDeleteJill, you're just beyond great! Helping a friend in need and getting to tour the CM set and getting to know the cast and crew.
ReplyDeleteYou did this for all of us and I apprieciate this group and you even more than I did at first.
Jill, you made this happen and we need to and will keep supporting you. You went and visisted the CM cast and crew on ALL OF OUR BEHALVES!! Thank you!! :)
Thanks again,
Marie
looking forward to hearing about Kirsten!
ReplyDeleteWheeeee! You started the majic right out of the box (and not even a hib!)! How nice of the castin folks to accept Kris' info and consider him for something! The CM people all seem so NICE!
ReplyDeleteI am so waiting for more of your amazing stories!
Wow. Does that mean that Kris is going t o be in a future episode?
ReplyDeleteHow generous of these people to do this for you. Professionals with big hearts are a wonderful combination. Wonderful!
ReplyDeleteI guess dreams really do come true.
ReplyDeleteyay Kris!
ReplyDeleteGo Kris!
Jill - You just don't know what this means for Kris and me (Kris' mom). You are AMAZING!!!! And how can we thank you enough. It has been hard as a mom and seeing your son travel across the country, leaving everything behind, and not knowing what happens next, yet trying to encourage him. You want what's best. And I am so very proud of him. He has been so courageous. And now to meet such wonderful people such as you. I truly want to meet you one day and I know that we will. God bless you. You are a wonderful person with a great heart. Thanks! Kris' mom - Jill
ReplyDeleteI think it is SO great Kris was able to get a job on the show. That was really nice of you Jill to help him out.
ReplyDeleteLee :)
This is so cool, I can hardly find words to describe it...
ReplyDeleteYou really involved everyone in your trip - so great.
CU sindee
I know this has been said before but I think it is amazing that these Casting honchos did this. They have some good karma coming there way. I am happy for Kris but just so grateful that they did this for you. You do so much to promote the show and it is nice that they recognized that.
ReplyDeleteJill, you rock and roll! *lol* I think it's great that you're including the behind the scenes people; everyone on the set helps make the show what it is.
ReplyDeleteYou are truly wonderful for helping Kris out like this. And the folks at CM are awesome for being so willing to help you to help a friend. I can't wait to see Kris in the ep he's in (and I'll definitely be making caps of him!!)
I'm loving your "travel diary" so much and can't wait for more.
Hi Jill,
ReplyDeleteMy name is Afrah I am a friend of Kris'. Just wanted to say a huge THANK YOU for everything you have done for my dear friend. It could not have happened to a nicer and amazing person. I can personally tell you LA is a difficult place to survive in, and especially the field Kris is pursuing. I have no doubt in my mind he will make "it" in Hollywood, and very soon ;O)
Jill I hope I get the opportunity to meet you one day and personally thank you for everything you have done. You are truly an angel.
Kris was not on set for the filming of "Ashes and Dust". He was there for "Honor Among Thieves". I will be posting pics of Kris on the set later in my travel diary.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate that everyone thinks I did something special but it was really nothing anybody else would not have done as well. It is Scott David who deserves the credit. And Gina....well later in the travel diary we will talk about her some more......she is owed a debt of gratitude from everyone who loves the show and a certain castmate! :)
Well they both sound like amazing people and I thank them both for doing this for you.
ReplyDeleteDear Scott & Gina: Thank you both for all you did for our friend Jill. If you ever need someone to be in a scene sitting on Shemar's lap please contact me asap. I will fly from Rome immediately.
ReplyDeleteI admire the behind the scenes people on this show very much. They receive no credit for all they do and I think it is wonderful that you took the time to acknowledge the tremendous work these professionals do to make the finished product so wonderful.
ReplyDeleteActors really need to be great to make a show work but they are only as good on screen as the people who work so hard behind it are.
Bravo and Kudos for Gina and Scott!
I think the people at CM are totally cool; it's awesome that Scott David would rush off and take care of getting Kris onto the show RIGHT away.
ReplyDeleteThe CM set sounds like it's a pretty good place to work.
And you, Jill, are cool for helping out your friend Kris like this, because I don't think that everyone would bother to do that (you have more faith in humanity than I do.)
I think it is interesting to get to see pictures of the people who make this show happen. I love the stars, but these people work every bit as hard and are as excellent in their field as the actors are in theirs. I see comments all over this blog about how good the guest stars consistently are, and I completely agree. It's nice to see the faces of the people who make that happen for us. (And Gina is so cute!)
ReplyDeleteThe cast are so brilliant it is easy to forget that there are a whole crew of people behind the scenes that make the magic happen.
ReplyDeleteWell done on making one of your first posts about your trip feature the faces from behind the camera.
looking forward to more
The guest stars have been something else on this show. I am still blown away by how fantastic James van der Beek was and what a brave decision it must have been to cast him in a role like that.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to more exciting guest stars.
AMAZING! The CM people are fantastic! It really shows a lot about their character to know that they wanted to meet with you and called Kris. You hear so much about how some "Hollywood" people are phony and backstabbers--but they are the ones who get the media coverage. It is too bad that stories such as this don't get the same attention.
ReplyDeleteYou know, I've been thinking so much about the guest stars -- and they really have been amazing -- I forgot to ask if these are the people we have to thank for putting together the core cast as well. Seriously, this cast is *sooooo* good together, so many differences and yet such closeness, that I'm going to have to figure out how to send Scott and Gina a six-pack of Guiness or something. Cheers!
ReplyDeleteI agree Lin - they all fit so well together and you just couldn't imagine any other actor playing each role.
ReplyDeleteIt would be fascinating to know how the writers originally envisaged each character and whether the actors look anything like them.
Elizabeth
I wonder what their backgrounds are? I'm sure they must have professional creds to get cool jobs like that. And to be nice on top of that....
ReplyDeleteFor more info on Scott David here is a link to his IMDB page:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.imdb.com/name/nm0203064/
For more info on Gina here is a link to her IMDB page:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.imdb.com/name/nm0752561/
They even look like nice people. Good to know that people in the entertainment business can be so nice. It is certainly not like what we read in the tabloids.
ReplyDeleteaww, that was so sweet!
ReplyDeleteAs Kris's old study partner back at medical school, it's great to see that he's having success doing what he really wants to do. Thanks for helping him along his journey. And Kris, we don't want you back here unless it's just to visit.
ReplyDeleteI am another of Kris' med school friends, blown away by your kindness of spirit and the outpouring of affection you've received for it. I'm going to jump on that train, too - he's a heck of a guy. Would that we all had such unselfishness in our lives.
ReplyDeleteJill's unselfishness is no surprise to anyone here. The thoughtfulness of the casting people is what is remarkable.
ReplyDeleteWe should always try to watch any project they do to show them our appreciation. They sound like very special people.
ReplyDeleteIt's really nice to hear about the stories of those who work in the background. By the sounds of it, their kindness, generosity, and warm hearts make the entire set a phenomenal place to be. Thanks for taking a look at a different set of "talent" for us.
ReplyDeleteI totally didn't realize that Agent Sharp in the Fisher King and the Big Game was played by Gina! Totally awesome!
I am so impressed with what these two did for you. They do such a great job for the show and for all of us that love it so much. For them to do even more is certainly securing them blessings.
ReplyDeleteSOMEHOW I THOUGHT THAT THOMAS GIBSON WAS "INCREDIBLY HANDSOME"...!!! Thanks for sharing so much with us. We get to be "visiting the set" right along with you that way.
ReplyDeleteWow, you guys are awesome! I'd love to take credit for helping Kris along his journey but that was all Scott David! I did have the pleasure of meeting him on the set on a day he worked! Sweet, sweet guy. And love that Jill!
ReplyDeletexoxox
Gina Garcia Sharp
that's so awesome! I will never doubt the character of anyone in show business ever again...at least until I meet them.
ReplyDeletejacqui