Joe Mantegna talks directing Criminal Minds, memorable scenes (videos)
In preparation for that, the network has put out a couple of videos featuring Mantegna as he talks about what directing means to him and also why he values the show and the work he does on it.
As many longtime Criminal Minds viewers know, “False Flash” (which you can see a preview for at the bottom of this article) is hardly Mantegna’s first rodeo as director on this show. He’s helmed several episodes, and he reveals in one of the videos that doing his homework and building trust are some of his keys to being successful in the job:
“I don’t want to go in cold … I don’t want to be one of those guys who is on a show and is like ‘I want to direct some episodes.’ I wanted to get a real feel for everybody … I wanted everyone to have total confidence in what I was going to do. You’re the General of the Army.”
Mantegna credits the entire cast and crew as one of the reasons why he has enjoyed every episode he’s directed on the show — we’ve got a good feeling that there are probably some more still to come.
In the second video, Mantegna discusses an experience that he had while directing a story revolving around a character named Harrison Scott played by his friend Meshach Taylor, who also passed away. While it was a difficult, emotional experience working on a three-episode arc about the Harrison character, Mantegna found something cathartic in being able to say goodbye to the character on the show while also saying farewell to his good friend. It’s a storyline that will stick with him well beyond the show and it’s a touching story to hear about.
It is nice to get such a rich background about his experience from Mantegna himself prior to this episode; in terms of the story, CBS is doing what they can to keep most of their cards close to the vest (as they normally like to do). It’s clear that Roswell is the setting for “False Flag” and that conspiracies are a part of the story.
What do you want to see on this new Joe Mantegna-directed Criminal Minds? Be sure to share below!
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