Thursday, October 18, 2012 Special Issue VOL 84, No.

A Favorite Television Show of Grambling State University students on Wednesdays at 8 p.m. central on KNOE-TV.

Jeanne Tripplehorn Joe Mantegna Thomas Gibson Shemar Moore Matthew Gray Gubler
(Alex Blake) (David Rossi) (Aaron Hotchner) (Derek Morgan) (Dr. Reid)

Kirsten Vangsness AJ Cook

(Penelope Garcia) (Jennifer Jareau)
Compiled by Criminal Minds 2012 Summer Intern Justin Madden.
Cover images/logos courtsey of CBS
 2 Criminal Minds
Thursday, October 18, 2012 CONTACT: gsugnite@yahoo.com

A walk with me through ‘Criminal Minds’

JUSTIN MADDEN
Editor-in-chief
Air conditioner blowing ag-
gressively as I exited the I-5
freeway onto Electronics Place
and down a hill before reaching
the cemented security gates of
Quixote Studios in Los Angeles,
and the home were CBS Televi-
sion Network Criminal Minds is
recorded. After breathing a sigh
of relief from knowing that se-
curity personnel not only knew
my name, but was also expecting
me. I knew I had made it to my
destination.
Pulling my mothers sport util-
ity vehicle into the empty parking
lot, there were white lines with
white letters that formed names
of individuals, who I would soon
meet bringing this mass produc-
tion into fruition.
In regards to meeting people,
the first person I met was the
Writers Assistant Haben Merker,
who gave me my first tour of
studio, and who would serve as a
guide throughout my internship
But upon crossing into the
threshold of the studios double
doors, I encountered the lobby.
To my right was a staircase lead-
ing to the second floor where
creative flourishes and to my left
was a passageway of opportuni-
ties and a world of full of expe-
rience. Due to the nature of the
day and the season had not yet
begun, I followed the staircase.
Upstairs laid an oasis of creative.
There are several office spaces, a
meeting room and a kitchen, with
one side of the floor designated
for the production crew and the
opposite side designated for the
writers. Not to mention an on-set
access stairwell. This second floor
oasis is where I would ultimately
spend my summer as a season
Criminal Minds sign shown on blood stained shirt.
eight intern with the writers of
the CBS hit television show Crimi-
nal Minds.
Spending my summer at Crim-
inal Minds allowed me to observe
how a television series is put to-
gether. From the minds of the
writers, to the black board, to the
scripts, to casting then put into
action by the production team. A
one-hour episode takes eight days
to produce and goes through a
series of meetings.
I attended a production meet-
ing. In this one hour long meeting,
nearly 70 department representa-
tives come together to discuss the
ins and outs of the episode and
what will be needed for the eight
day production.
In addition to the depart-
mental meetings, there is a read
through of the script by the writ-
ers and another with the actors. I
had the opportunity to participate
in a read through with the writers.
Reading the lines of a script that
one of the cast members would
soon read was a surreal moment.
It was so surreal that when it was
my turn to read, I completely
forgot what character I was por-
traying. A moment of silence
JUSTIN MADDEN/The Gramblinite
struck the room, followed by the
voices of writers saying “I think
its Justin.” My first day on set, I
declared that moment as my first
major role on television, but also
my first ever blooper. This was
just one of many experiences,
duty and tasks that I would com-
plete at Criminal Minds.
As an intern, I was awarded
the opportunity and privileged to
make corporate errands, read and
file scripts, construct cast descrip-
tions and begin the preliminary
stages of a trivia sweepstakes for
seasons 1-7. With the privileges
that Criminals Minds allowed me
was not only a learning experi-
ence, but also an indulging ex-
perience. Remember the kitchen
I mentioned above? Well, that
kitchen was fully stocked every-
day with organic foods for the
health conscious, and also loaded
with tasty delectables. I believe I
ate an ice cream sandwich at the
studios for the first time in years;
I felt like a kid all over again. Not
to mention on production days,
food would be catered and served
buffet style. The internship al-
lowed me to grow intellectually,
but the dining allowed my taste
buds to explore magically. When
food wasn’t catered, the writer’s
went out to lunch. We ate every-
thing from American to Greek
food. My first time ever eating
humus was at Criminal Minds.
With good food, come great
taste, but better than food was
phenomenal people.
Through my internship I meet
some of the brightest and most
talented individuals I have ever
encountered. They are all ex-
tremely knowledgeable and strive
to make each other better and the
“My first day on set, I declared that moment as
my first major role on television, but also my
first ever blooper. ”
JUSTIN MADDEN, Criminal Minds intern
series even better.
Writers staff include: Execu-
tive Producer and Showrunner
Erica Messer, Executive Produc-
er Janine Sherman-Barrois, Co-
Executive Producers Sharon Lee
Watson and Bruce Zimmerman,
Supervising Producer Breen Fra-
zier, Consulting Producer Virgil
Williams, Executive Story Editor
Rick Dunkle, Story Editor Kim-
berly Harrison, Script Coordina-
tor Jason Bernero, Ticona S. Joy
Researcher, Assistant to Erica
Messer is Erica Meredith, and
Writers Assistants Haben Merker,
Travis Braun, Phinny Kiyomura
and Erik Stiller.
Each member of the writers
staff gave me something to learn
from.
Messer has a beautiful fam-
ily and has one of the most an-
gelic, but distinctive voices I’ve
ever heard when she’s reading the
script. Through our conservation
on my last day, I got the reassur-
ance of just going out and do it.
No limitations.
Sherman-Barrois, a Howard
University graduate, is a seasoned
writer and served as a mentor
through her words of inspiration
and similar to Messer telling me
to shoot for the stars in any and
all endeavors.
Lee-Watson was expecting a
newborn as I interned with Crimi-
nal Minds and as I passed her of-
fice everyday or stuck my head
in, she would always great me
with a smile and a “hello.” Bruce
Zimmerman is a former author
turned episode writer who em-
phasized the many opportunities
that being an episode writer can
have for young individuals, espe-
cially with the business becoming
more diverse.
Frazier is one of the coolest
men I’ve ever met. Our conver-
sations took place throughout
the entire studio. Conversing in
his office, which happens to be
“swagged” out with several post-
ers; he used his experiences in his
career to provide me with the do’s
and don’ts.
Through his passion for writ-
ing, the Chicago native Williams
made me value the use of a paper
and pen.
Dunkle is a huge Indiana
Colts fan. By the way they are 3-3,
good luck Rick. But he is one of
the most detailed oriented indi-
viduals I met. As a writer I have
 Criminal Minds 3
Thursday, October 18, 2012 CONTACT: gsugnite@yahoo.com

Women run the show from top to bottom

learned to be sure to cross every
“t” and dot every “i.”
Harrison is a lover of music.
I believe she may have been a
record producer in her past life.
I say this because of her pas-
sionate debate regarding Kanye
West. Her passion and diligence
is extraordinary. Bernero is a co-
median. Every time I walked in
the office I could depend on him
bringing a burst of laughter out
of me and throughout the floor.
Joy is a wonderful researcher.
She keeps all the writers up to
date with the current news and
always was source of information
when my assignments required
looking up information.
Meredith who has another
“swagged” out office, due to her
several paintings. She allowed me
to be her shadow and always in-
vited me to meetings and on set.
Meredith made sure I was there.
Now the “Bullpen” is where GREG ST. JOHNS/Photo Courtsey
all the Writers Assistants are
stationed. Haben Merker, Erik Executive Producer/Showrunner Erica Messer (left) and Executive Producer Janine Sherman-Barrois of Criminal Minds on CBS.
Stiller, Travis Braun and Phinny
Kiyomura were all like big broth- battle it out like a Mike Tyson and writer, and casting department go mer profiler in the Seattle, WA Jeanne Tripplehorn (Alex
ers to me for those three months. Evander Holyfield heavyweight through the process of elimina- field Office before transferring to Blake) is a veteran FBI linguistics
Merker served as the liaison be- boxing match. tion in selecting actors and ac- Quantico, VA. Previous to that, expert and joined the BAU at the
tween the staff and I. Braun and Remember the pathway that tresses. he was a prosecuting attorney. beginning of the season in epi-
Stiller told me about their fitness was to my left? Well that is where Interning for Criminal Minds Kristen Vangness (Penelope sode 801, “The Silencer.”
endeavors. Kiyomura was always all the excitement happens. It is a wonderful experience. I had Garcia) is the BAU’s Audio/Vi- Joe Mantegna (David Rossi) is
generous with his space. I ate takes over 200 employees for the chance to meet Matthew sual Technician at BAU Head- a former marine and author. He is
at his desk several times and he viewers to see the finished prod- Gray Gubler (Dr. Spencer Reid), quarters in Quantico and is into a returning agent to the FBI and
never questioned me about the uct every Wednesday. Majority A.J. Cook (Jennifer “JJ” Jareau), computer games. is currently a Supervisory Special
crumbs; he knew I enjoyed it. of those employees work in the Jeanne Tripplehorn (Alex Blake), Matthew Gray Gubler (Dr. Agent and Profiler.
These gentlemen were so helpful production, casting, and costume and I was surprised by a tweet Spencer Reid) is a BAU Supervi- Shemar Moore (Derek Mor-
as I adapted into my internship. departments. Stages 6, 7 and 8 are from Thomas Gibson (Aaron sory Special Agent and has three gan) is the son of an African
They made sure I adjusted ac- designated for the production of Hotchner). doctoral degrees in mathematics, American father and Caucasian
cordingly. Criminal Minds. I say thank you to everyone chemistry and engineering. A.J. mother. He has a black belt in
My fondest memory of the On my last day I was able to at Criminal Minds; it was an op- Cook (Jennifer “JJ” Jareau) is a Judo, runs FBI self-defense class-
internship was watching Erica observe the way the casting de- portunity of a lifetime and I am special agent in the BAU, but was es, previously served in a bomb
Messer and Breen Frazier go back partment carried out auditions forever grateful. the former liaison between law squad unit and was on the Chi-
and forth with ideas and explana- for the show. It was great to see The Criminal Minds cast in- enforcement and media officials. cago Police Force. He specializes
tions for several minutes in the so many individuals auditioning clude: She officially became a profiler in crimes pertaining to obsession
lightly dimmed conference room. for a role and watch them all do it Aaron Hotchner (Thomas last season while Penelope Garcia and also has a very wide knowl-
It was amazing watching two differently. It was even more phe- Gibson) is the current Behavioral and Aaron Hotchner handle me- edge of explosives from his days
creative and intellectual minds nomenal to see how the directors, Analysis Unit Chief and a for- dia relations. on the bomb squad.
 4 Criminal Minds
Thursday, October 18, 2012 CONTACT: gsugnite@yahoo.com

A quick glance at ‘Criminal Minds’ update

Written by Breen Frazier
and directed by Larry Teng, the
“God Complex” forces the BAU
team into a manhunt for an ama-
teur surgeon with God-like in-
tentions after a legless body is
found in the New Mexico desert
and a second unwilling amputee
shows up at the hospital. Only
time can tell when is next re-
luctant victim will appear. Also,
Reid’s phone calls to a mystery
woman have the team intrigued,
on this fourth episode of Crimi-
nal Minds, this Wednesday, Oct.
24 (8:00-9:00 p.m., CT) on the dots as they search for a com-
CBS Television Network. Ray mon link between them in or-
Wise (“24,” “Twin Peaks”) guest der to track them down. Also, JJ
stars as doctor John Nelson. gets upset when her son Henry
Written by Bruce Zimmer- doesn’t want to celebrate Hal-
man and directed by John Ter- loween this year. Be sure to catch
lesky “The Good Earth” is a Criminal Minds, Wednesday, Oct.
suspenseful episode as it falls on 31 (8:00-9:00 p.m., CT) on the
the scariest night of the year, in CBS Television Network. Anne
which four men go missing in Dudek (“House”) guest stars as
rural Oregon, that puts the BAU farmer Emma Kerrigan.
in a tedious game of connect

What do Marcus Anderson PrimMecha Coates John Morris Morgan Simon

you like Senior Sophomore Senior Sophomore
Los Angeles Woodville, Miss. Sliver Springs, Md. Lake Charles
most about
Criminal “ It shows a great
perspective on the “ I like the profiling
of the criminals.
” “ It shows you
the mindset of “ I like how every
new crime is
Minds? process it takes to criminals and why uniquely different

”
solve a crime. they commit their from the previous

Compiled by Ciley Carrington

crimes.
” crime.
”