The group moved back in to the meeting room and was told that there was yet another surprise. After a little while, the door opened, and there was literally a huge gasp when in walked Renée Felice Smith! She had met sindee earlier in the week, and had graciously agreed to come and show us a short film she had written, directed, and produced. Setting up the film to play proved to be a bit of a technological challenge. After a few minutes, Renée turned to the group and said, “I play a tech girl. But I am not a tech girl.” While others took over the job of loading the film, Renée used that time to talk to the group and answer questions. She talked about her beloved pet, and said that the cast and crew were “dog people.” She told the group that she reads the part of Hetty when Linda Hunt is unable to attend the table read. When asked about the “sunglasses scene” in Season 4, Renee said this was an added scene. She explained that when an episode is running short, sometimes Nell and Eric will get an extra scene. She told the group that things were changing up just a bit this Season. She said Nell would be going into the field a little more after the 100th episode. And of course, this meeting with Renée could not go by without someone tattling on Barrett for his comment about wanting Eric to “make sweet, sweet love to Nell…”
Renée gave a little background information on her film, “Young(ish),” such as that it was filmed in her home town, on a boat she played on when she was a child. She said she got the inspiration for the film from her grandparents, who apparently have maintained a good sense of humor about aging. During the showing of “Young(ish)”, there was a bit of giggling, several outbursts of laughter, and even a few tears. It is amazing how much emotion was packed into just a few minutes of film. Such a perfect ending to the afternoon!
There are no words to express the unanimous gratitude felt for the actors and crew members who contributed to this exciting day. It was truly humbling to think that these men and women would give up their time to be a part of this. Day two of the Meet Up could not have been any more perfect! The wealth of information presented, intermingled with a heavy dose of wit and humor, was more than anyone could have imagined. A huge “thank you” to sindee for making all this happen. We look forward to the next gathering of the NCISLA Familia.
This is so awesome! Thank you for writing this all down and reading it makes me even more anxious to come and meet you all in October!
Thank you for writing all this up and for sharing it with us. It sounds like you all had a great time. I am only sorry that I can not be there for the next one.