OSP Alliance Interview With NCIS: Los Angeles' Barrett Foa And Renée Felice Smith

Hey everyone! In preparation for season three's episode eight on Tuesday night, here is an exclusive interview we did with NCIS: Los Angeles stars, Barrett Foa ("Eric Beale") and Renée Felice Smith ("Nell Jones"). Many thanks to Barrett and Renee for taking the time to answer our questions! (Be sure to follow them on Twitter @BarrettFoa and @reneefsmith!) Hope you all enjoy! -S. & G.



OSP Alliance: Renée, what was it like coming into an already-assembled cast as the 'newbie', and how has the experience been so far?

Renée Felice Smith: Well for starters, when I first auditioned for the show and the executive producers told me we would be heading over to the "stage" soon for my screen test, I literally thought I would be performing for the powers that be in a black box theatre. I envisioned Eric Beale and myself, spouting out tech jargon as we pantomimed typing at our respective terminals. I'm not ashamed to say this was the work of pure naiveté. Prior to NCIS:LA, I had mainly a theatre background save for one TV pilot that was shot on a horse ranch in Vancouver. Needless to say, I didn't have much in the way of experience with film set lingo. All that aside, I was greeted with open arms. The cast and crew made me feel more than welcome and for that, I'm forever grateful. Barrett showed me the ropes and we've been causing trouble ever since. Mostly at craft service 'cause we are fatties. I feel like I've learned a lot in the last year. Like for example, if you're on set and say, "10-1," it means you'll be leaving to go use the toilet. Pretty fascinating, huh? No, but for real, I've learned that above all else, television production takes time, cooperation, and patience. Rome wasn't built in a day and neither is NCIS:LA. Hey, I rhymed.

[OSP: Rest assured, the fans are welcoming you with open arms as well!]

OSP: Barrett, how did you feel when the writers and producers informed you that your character would be getting a 'partner', and was there instant chemistry between you and Renée?

Barrett Foa: I was really excited for Eric to get a partner. He was starting to get lonely up there in Ops all by his lonesome. My character has a lot of information to dispel and it was getting to be a mouthful. I was glad to share it with another person, and was excited to have someone to play off of - whether Eric and Nell are competitors, lovers, or friends, I was pumped to explore some sort of human interaction. That's one of the things that makes our show different than a lot of the other crime procedurals out there. Plus, Renée's Nell could not have been a better fit. I did a "chemistry read" with two other beautiful and talented actresses, but Renée was the clear choice. She was cute, spunky, looked great on camera, and had a spark and a freedom that was infectious. Eric met his geek match in Nell, and Barrett met a new friend in Renée.

OSP: Renée, even though they have two different job descriptions, were you at all nervous that the fanbase wouldn't accept Nell as Nate was exiting?

RFS: I really wasn't nervous. I have a strong, "what will be, will be" philosophy about these things. Like anything else, when you're creating a television show, you've gotta be willing to throw a new idea into the mix, and if it sticks, cool. If not, regroup and move on to next potentially-sticky item. Right now, I'm reminded of those sticky monkey toys that come in the little plastic eggs that you buy for twenty-five cents when checking out of the grocery store with your mom. I like those monkeys. I guess what I'm trying to say is, I'm simply a girl who's grateful for Nell's inherit "stickiness".

OSP: Barrett, we've seen Eric signing on the show. Do you know sign language in real life, and if so, when/why did you learn?

BF: I do know some basic American Sign Language. I learned the alphabet in kindergarten and never forgot it. I took an ASL elective in middle school, and I've had some deaf or hard of hearing friends as an adult that have kept my ASL skills from getting too dull. I'm should look into taking classes again - you've inspired me!

[OSP: We think you SHOULD! If we ever meet, we're going to have to chat- ASL-style! Barrett, I'm [G.] willing to tutor, by the way. Hehe.]


OSP: If NCIS: Los Angeles and NCIS were ever to do another crossover, how do you think the teaming between Eric, Abby, and now Nell, would work out?

RFS: I think it would be a good ol' time. A meeting of the minds, so to speak. At first, Abby and Nell might have a mini showcase showdown for the geek girl title, and as a result, Eric would watch a bit of techy-tennis, but once they realized they're all cut from the same cloth, I think they'd combine their talents and basically become the dream team.

BF: I can definitely see all three working together on a case and making one helluva team. I think a lot would get done, until a small dispute would erupt between Abby and Nell with Eric stuck in the middle. I would love to see a face-off between Abby and Nell for Eric's attention. I can just see Nell's scrappy, high-strung tenacity (Renée has a french bulldog named Hugo - I have a hunch she channels his personality as Nell! Heheh...) and Abby's sunny, airy disposition (not to mention her height in those platform shoes) vying for poor Eric's love. He would definitely have a hard time choosing. Which one do you think he'd go for? (NOW who's asking the questions, OSP Alliance?!)

[OSP: You totally got us there, BF!]

OSP: Being that you're both New Yorkers and involved in the business, have you ever done any projects together in the past? If not, are there any that you'd want to team up for on Broadway?

RFS: Are we talking past lives here? 'Cause, yes, for sure. We go way back. In this go-around, however, Barrett and I have not worked together outside of NCIS:LA, but let me say, I would welcome it since we genuinely enjoy entertaining one another. So world, get ready for "Up in Ops: A Geek Rock Opera". Barrett, you can sing most all the songs, although I would like something where I can exercise a little of my "old lady" voice. I'm thinking an older Miss Hannigan-type. Going to start practicing my tap dance break now. Will include but not limited to: a moustache, a cane and a zipline. Oh, and fouettes. Lots of fouettes. In all seriousness, when Broadway calls, we will answer... YES.

BF: We New Yorkers gotta stick together, that's for sure (especially out here in "Hollyweird.") As small a world as the theatre community in NYC is, Renée and I didn't overlap. I was mostly performing in Broadway musicals like AVENUE Q, THE 25th ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE, and MAMMA MIA!, and she was rocking some quality plays at awesome NYC theatres all the while dancing up a storm (Ms. Smith is an EXCELLENT dancer.). I could see us doing a play in NYC together, but perhaps something a little smaller and quirkier than a big smash commercial Broadway production. We are weirdos in real life and we are weirdos at work, and I think we'd want to be weirdos onstage together, too. We have a lot of fun and make each other laugh. I'd love to work with Renée outside of "NCIS: LA."

[OSP: Hey, Broadway, did you hear that?!]



***We would like to personally send a major thank you to Kristen Hall and Katie Barker at CBS for being patient with us and making this interview possible. We're beyond grateful for all of your time and help! Again, another 'major' thanks to both Barrett and Renée for answering our questions!***

OSP Alliance Interview With NCIS: L.A. Writer/Producer/Story Editor, Dave Kalstein- Translated In JAPANESE And FRENCH

Hello, everyone! Our friend, @onakasuitana_, of NCIS: Los Angeles Japanese Fan Blog, was kind enough to translate our interview with Dave Kalstein into Japanese! Check it out! ::


NCIS: Los Angeles Japanese Fan Blog- OSP Alliance/Dave Kalstein Interview- Japanese Translation




Also, our friend, @Cashkend, of ncis-los-angeles.hypnoweb.net, was kind enough to translate our interview into French! Take a look! ::


NCIS-Los-Angeles.hypnoweb.net- OSP Alliance/Dave Kalstein Interview- French Translation



Many, many thanks to you both! Happy reading to our Japanese and French followers! We hope you all enjoy! -S. & G.

OSP Alliance Interview With NCIS: Los Angeles Writer/Producer/Story Editor, Dave Kalstein

Hey everyone! This Tuesday's episode, "Backstopped", was written by NCIS: Los Angeles writer/producer/story editor, Dave Kalstein. In preparation for season three's episode three, here is an exclusive interview we did back in July with the man himself. Many thanks to Dave for taking the time to answer our questions! (Be sure to follow him on Twitter @davekalstein!) Hope you all enjoy! -S. & G.

OSP Alliance: How did you become a writer for NCIS: Los Angeles?

Dave Kalstein: Before Season 1 started, my agents sent Shane Brennan my writing samples. Then he interviewed me and we clicked. He hired me soon after.

OSP: On average, how long does it typically take to complete a script for an entire episode?

DK: We're supposed to get 14 days, but I've written a script in just over 48 hours ("Bounty" from Season 2, I think). Not a fun weekend.

OSP: How does it feel, seeing your script coming to life during filming, and ultimately having the opportunity of viewing the final production of it?

DK: Always interesting to see what works and what doesn't. Producing is hard. You have to pay attention to every detail, not just the words. Ultimately, production is a humbling experience. Makes you realize NO ONE on this show can do it alone. It's communal effort.

OSP: Looking back on the last two seasons, is there anything you would've written differently in any of your scripts?

DK: Can't say I'd do anything differently. Looking back at my episodes, I see that I became more comfortable taking chances as time progressed. For instance, I never would have proposed putting Kensi through "Disorder" at any time in Season 1. Likewise, I couldn't have written some of the scenes in "Plan B" before writing several episodes with Kensi and Deeks. I feel like I wouldn't really change anything in my scripts because each one reflects where I'm at with the characters at that time. 

OSP: Out of all the scripts you have written for NCIS: Los Angeles, which one are you most proud of and why?

DK: Probably "Plan B" (which I co-wrote with Joe Wilson). Shane really let us run with Deeks's character and set up some great mythology, and now I feel like no matter what happens with Deeks (and by extension, Kensi), it'll be partly due to the seeds we planted. I'm also really proud of "The Bank Job" from Season 1. It showed a new side of Kensi and broke the mold of the "typical" episode.

OSP: Out of all of the characters, which one is the most difficult, and which one is the most fun to write?

DK: For me, Callen is the most difficult to write. He's not only mysterious for the audience, he's a mystery to the writers, too! More than anyone else, I have to stop and say: "Would Callen say or do this?" when finishing a scene. He'll always be an enigma. The key is keeping him human and real, too. Shane has been cool about giving me leeway with Kensi and Deeks. But when it comes to Callen's and Sam's backstories, I just listen to the master speak. He knows exactly what he's doing. I have to honor that.

**Again, many, many thanks to Dave Kalstein for taking the time to answer our questions! We hope you all enjoyed! 

NCIS:Los Angeles: Cast to do interviews & answer fan questions

The cast of NCIS:Los Angeles (Chris O'Donnell, LL Cool J, Daniela Ruah, Eric Christian Olsen and Barrett Foa) will be joining "Extra" for a special event Monday, October 3rd at The Grove. For all the details: Click Here. 


Information courtesy of Extra.

Official Launch- Interview With Guest Star, Craig Robert Young!

Hey everyone! September 20th is only a couple of weeks away, and to officially launch our blog, here is an exclusive interview we did in July with guest star, Craig Robert Young ("Dracul Comescu"). Many thanks to Craig for taking the time to answer our questions! (Be sure to follow Craig on Twitter @craigryoung!) Hope you all enjoy! -S. & G.



OSP Alliance: Hey Craig! How did you land the role of Dracul Comescu?

Craig Robert Young: I had auditioned for the show a few times before. Then I auditioned for the role of Victor in the episode 'Familia'. I got a callback later that afternoon, which went well. My agent called and said they didn't want me for that role but they had a bigger role in mind that carries on through next season, and alas, that's when I got the role. I worked with Linda Hunt and Christina Rose who plays my mother in the season finale. And they were awesome. I didn't meet any [of] the others until last week on the season premiere called Lange, H.

OSP: Wow, that’s pretty cool! Were you nervous before you went into production with the regular cast?

CRY: I was a little nervous working with the rest of the cast. They are all so good. They put me at ease right away. They are so friendly and welcoming.

OSP: They all seem like such down-to-earth people. We bet they're amazing to work with. :) What was the greatest moment (That you're able and willing to share ;)) while being on the set of NCIS: Los Angeles?

CRY: That Todd (LL Cool J) shared his new track with me where he raps on a @kasabian song. It's really cool (Off set). On set, the cool chase scenes with Eric C Olsen.

OSP: How cool! It must have been an honor to have been given a sneak peek of LL's new track. We're definitely looking forward to hearing it! We've heard both LL and ECO are a lot of fun to work with. We can't wait to see your chase scenes! Curious to know who's chasing who. ;) How has the NCIS: Los Angeles fanbase been treating you so far? Do you think they’ll “turn” on you after the episode highlighting your character airs?

CRY: The NCIS: L.A. fanbase are amazing and incredibly supportive already. I am crowd funding for a movie called Andy and Chaz Bugger Off To America on kickstarter, and some of the fans have already supported the project by making a pledge. That's awesome, so without giving too much away on NCIS: L.A., Dracul is a Baddy, so I don't know if the fans will turn on me, hopefully they understand I'm an actor and play different roles.

OSP: We were actually going to ask you about 'Andy and Chaz' next. :) What can you tell us about it, and where can the fans go, if they are interested in donating to help support funding for it?

CRY: Andy and Chaz is about two bumbling British crime brothers who move to America to escape the wrath of their crime boss. Andy (my character) wants to start a new life go on the straight and narrow whereas his brother just can't help committing crimes. But even stateside trouble seems to find them wherever they go. More info and the 5 episodes can be seen at www.andyandchaz.com and I would be honored if fans want to help out in any way on kickstarter. We have a few competitions running right now to win some fun gifts. This is the link:

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/richardkeith7df/andy-and-chaz-bugger-off-to-america-feature-film/posts/98008

OSP: We'll definitely pass all of the info along, and we wish you the best with your new project. :) We greatly appreciate you taking the time to answer our questions! Thank you again!

CRY: Thank you and glad I could be of assistance!