Alec Smight has directed over twenty episodes of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation and there’s no sign of him slowing down. Employed since CSI’s inception, Smight started off as an editor and gradually explored other avenues behind-the-scenes such as producing and directing. His latest episode–which airs this Wednesday–marks the fourth time Smight has played a critical role in a cast departure. The incredibly busy director took some time out of his weekend schedule to discuss his transition from editor to director, playing a major part in cast departures, and tease his upcoming episode with CSI Files’ Shane Saunders.

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Tonight’s CSI: Crime Scene Investigation ended with a bang–literally–as the show prepares to see the exit of Catherine Willows in next week’s episode. Executive Story Editor Christopher Barbour talks with CSI Files’ Shane Saunders about tonight’s episode “Ms Willows Regrets,” part one of Marg Helgenberger‘s two episode departure. Spoilers after the jump!

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It’s hard to imagine how David Berman has the time to sleep, eat, or even give an interview. On CSI: Crime Scene Investigation he not only plays the role of David Phillips–the man who assists Doc Robbins with the slicing and dicing of victims brought into autopsy, looking for clues and determining cause of death on a daily basis–but behind the scenes Berman serves as head researcher, conducting his own investigations to ensure the show uses accurate information. Berman took some time out of his incredibly busy schedule to discuss his character’s evolution, a season of change, and his upcoming National Geographic Channel project with CSI Files’ Shane Saunders.

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2011 was a bittersweet year for CSI: Crime Scene Investigation‘s George Eads. During the summer hiatus, Eads happily wed his girlfriend Monika Casey after spending more than five years together. Shortly after the passing of Maverick, his dog and best friend of many years, Eads received news that his father’s health was rapidly declining, ultimately ending in the unfortunate passing this last November. With all of the pressing personal matters in his life, the Nick Stokes actor asked producers of the show that made him a household name to write a “light” start of the season for him so he could travel back and forth from California and Texas to spend some time with his father Arthur Coleman Eads. Now back on the show full-time, the actor is “eternally grateful” to his bosses at CSI for allowing him to be away from the forensic series and promises to be the “best Nick Stokes imaginable.” In his first interview since last year, Eads talks with CSI Files’ Shane Saunders about the loss of another CSI star, how long he imagines being on the CBS series, a potential love interest, and much more. Spoilers after the jump!

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In 2009, Anthony E. Zuiker launched a brand new media platform. The Digi-novel concept was featured throughout the entire Level 26 franchise, Zuiker’s first project after leaving CSI. Now, just a little more than two years since Level 26: Dark Origins was released, the book series comes to an end, and with it, a final installment of cyber-bridges, a video feature that takes you beyond the pages of the book. Level 26: Dark Revelations contains eight cyber-bridges, each directed by Joshua Caldwell. Born in Bellevue, Washington, Caldwell joined Zuiker’s Dare to Pass Company in 2009, and has since taken the position as Director of Digital Media. In this interview with CSI Files’ Shane Saunders, the Dark Revelation director gives background to what his duties at the company involve, talks what it’s like working with the creator of CSI and being behind the camera for the epic conclusion of Level 26.

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It’s good to be Elizabeth Devine. Not only is the former criminalist back on CSI: Crime Scene Investigation as a consulting producer (Devine left the series after season four to work on spinoff CSI: Miami), but “Genetic Disorder,” her first script produced this season, brought in big ratings–the highest since this season’s premiere. Just a few hours after preliminary ratings surfaced, the Jill of all trades (fair to say for someone who can write and solve crimes in real life!) talks with CSI Files’ Shane Saunders about some behind-the-scenes changes required for her episode, saying goodbye to a best friend, and teases what’s to come after CSI‘s winter hiatus. Spoilers after the jump!

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Crossing Jordan and Heroes alum Joe Pokaski joined CSI: Crime Scene Investigation this season as a supervising producer; and since his addition to the series, Pokaski’s hit the ground running with two iconic CSI episodes. His debut episode “Tell-Tale Hearts” was based on a story by technical consultant Larry Mitchell, and encapsulated a blend of humor and stark drama in a case that left the CSI team with more suspects than answers. This week, his second CSI creation, “Zippered,” aired, acting as part one of a three-part exit storyline for the show’s leading lady. In the following interview, Pokaski speaks with CSI Files’ Shane Saunders about setting the stage for a character exit, collaborating with close friends, upcoming episodes, and more. (Contains spoilers!)

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This week’s CSI: Crime Scene Investigation dropped a big bombshell on the CSI team with the reveal of Detective Sam Vega, played by Geoffrey Rivas since “Too Tough To Die,” being a dirty cop. Tom Mularz, co-writer of the episode, talks exclusively with CSI Files’ Shane Saunders about the surprising turn.

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Though CSI: Crime Scene Investigation has featured a bevy of rotating detectives throughout its twelve season run, one name certainly sticks out amongst the rest: Detective Vartann. Alex Carter plays one of Las Vegas’ finest detectives–in more ways than one, some will argue–but also gets the very high honor of playing a member of law enforcement who shares somewhat of a romantic relationship with a CSI. In an exclusive interview with CSI Files’ Shane Saunders, Carter discusses where his relationship stands with Catherine Willows, name changes, and which CSI star he’s hoping to work with again. Spoilers after the jump!

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A fan of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation since the first season, Gavin Harris is working a dream job as a Supervising Producer on the series during its twelfth season. So far this season, Harris has been tasked with writing the season premiere, developing a story that placed a CSI’s life in jeopardy, and introducing the son of the new graveshift supervisor in tonight’s “Brain Doe.”  In an exclusive interview, the brain behind tonight’s episode talks with CSI Files’ Shane Saunders about expanding DB Russell’s family, a CSI’s new job opportunity, joining the series and more. Mild spoilers after the jump!

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Eddie Cahill‘s character, Don Flack, took the spotlight in this season’s fifth episode, when a high-profile case paralleled the struggles between Flack and his sister, Samantha. Though Flack is always on deck to provide a sharp quip or get his daily workout chasing after a suspect, the long awaited return of Samantha Flack brought the NYPD detective to the forefront. Speaking exclusively with CSI Files’ Shane Saunders, Cahill–in his charming Irish accent–discusses the brother-sister reunion, working with a new leading lady, and the show’s future.

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Despite CSI: Crime Scene Investigation’s Las Vegas setting, the series is filmed hundreds of miles away. Spread across four sound stages, CSI takes residence on the Universal Studios lot, also known as the entertainment capital of Los Angeles. With two stages devoted to permanent sets, one housing set construction, and another sheltering temporary sets, production designer Daniel Novotny keeps a busy schedule designing sets that look and feel as if they’re actually in Sin City. Novotny talks with CSI Files’ Shane Saunders about what his job entails, following in his predecessor’s footsteps, and previews his next big set for the show. Exclusive photos and video after the jump!

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Christopher Barbour joined CSI: Crime Scene Investigation at the start of Season Six in the clearance department. His first script for the series, “Lying Down With Dogs,” was produced during Season Eight and earned him a Genesis Award in 2008. Since then, he’s worked on “Long Ball,” “House of Hoarders,” “The Two Mrs Grissoms” and co-wrote CSI‘s 250th episode, “Cello and Goodbye.” Now an Executive Story Editor, Barbour’s first episode of the season, “Freaks & Geeks,” aired November 2. In this exclusive CSI Files interview with Shane Saunders, Barbour discusses how the idea for his episode came about, the crossroads in Catherine Willows’ (Marg Helgenberger) life, and his next episode for Season Twelve. Mild spoilers after the jump!

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Fans of Eva La Rue and CSI: Miami will be somewhat disappointed this season. Due to budget constraints, the Natalia Boa Vista actress will be written out of multiple episodes, the first of which airs this Sunday. Just a few days after the unfortunate news hit, La Rue called up CSI Files’ Shane Saunders to talk about her upcoming absence from the series, projects she’d like to tackle next, and much more.

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