Directing the NCIS Universe: Dennis Smith

[upbeat music] She used to call me [laughs] and say, "I really like your episodes because, and sometimes with the other directors, I can't always follow the story." And I went, "Thank you, Mom."

Hey, I'm Brian Dietzen's friend.

And I am Deon Reya, his friend.

And welcome to another episode of NCIS Partners and Probies.

This week we have someone from the Mount Rushmore of NCIS directors.

We are-

Dennis.

Oh, I'm sorry.

We are-

I cut you off

... of course talking about Dennis Smith.

Dennis Smith.

Listen, this guy, I'm so excited because I honestly, I haven't talked to someone who's directed so much NCIS.

Dennis has directed over 100 episodes for the NCIS franchises.

Mm-hmm.

That's between, between the mothership, uh, New Orleans, Los Angeles, uh-

Tony and Ziva, mm-hmm

...

Tony and Ziva, and maybe this next year New York.

Or maybe this next year, um, I don't know, my life.

I let this guy direct my life.

Literally, he has such a great-

Yeah

... understanding of camera, of character, and of storytelling.

I'm really excited.

And in this episode we really go deep on, on what it is that makes, uh, him a great director as it comes to the technical aspect of it.

Mm-hmm.

But more importantly, the character as well.

He was there for f- the foundation of Tony and Ziva.

Yeah.

And, and we get to talk through all of these things, including his prolific film career, which includes Home Alone.

Home Alone 2-

Home Alone 2

...

Lost in New York.

Lost in New York.

And let me say the...

Can I say it? Can I say it?

You can say it.

Can I say it real quick?

Go ahead.

Deon's a little excited.

And Purple Rain.

[laughs]

He was a camera operator on Purple Rain.

I am so excited.

And you're gonna be excited too.

This is a wonderful episode, and if you like NCIS, you like Dennis Smith's work.

So please stay tuned for Dennis Smith.

[upbeat music] All right, and here we are with Dennis Smith.