One actor aims for constant improvement.

George Eads (Nick Stokes) has been on CSI: Crime Scene Investigation since the show first began. Despite playing the same character for eight years, Eads stays positive. "I kinda took it as a personal challenge to evolve, to mature, to show change," Eads said in a press conference. "Every scene I do, I try to improve and make it better than my last."

"I think if I model my character after anyone, it's modeled after my father," Eads said. His dad was a district attorney for 28 years, and that had a profound effect on Eads. "He really put his heart and soul into every case he worked," he explained, saying that his father had a passion for justice and for the sorrow that a terrible crime leaves behind. One of his memories as a child involved hearing his father crying one night while looking at autopsy photos of a little girl who had been murdered. Having such memories about his father and the effect his work had on him, Eads said, is "pretty special."

So what does Eads want to see for Nick in the coming season? "I just want him to continue to exude strength of character," he said, but pointed out that it is ultimately up to the writers. Writing for the show, he explained, is a "group effort", and he said the writing team for CSI is "really talented". Eads also spoke about change on the show, saying that it can be scary. "Some of our characters are leaving," he explained. Eads also pointed out, "Grissom has got a short shelf life, and he's been my mentor both on the show and away from the show." However, it isn't just about who is departing. "Maybe the introduction of some new characters will help spice things up [and] keep it fresh," the actor suggested.

Eads described himself as passionate, saying that he truly loves his job. Once he is done with CSI, he plans to keep moving onward and upward. "It's the tip of the iceberg of what I want to do professionally," he explained. "I want to produce, I want to direct, I want to make film."

"I'm so proud of the fact that our show has spawned more scripted drama," Eads said. "I'm not a fan of reality TV, I'm a fan of scripted drama. I think it give work to artists." CSI, he said, employs 300 of these artists. The show has had other effects as well. Eads spoke about the ability to evoke emotion from the audience--and from himself. "I watched the final episode of season eight for us, and I found myself sobbing," he explained. "It was so emotional that I don't think there's anything else that can evoke a good cry in me like that, you know. I felt better after it."

CSI has also had an effect on the real men and women who do this work. The show uses technology that is too expensive for most labs to afford, but CSI does inspire people to follow a scientific career path. While some critics say the franchise promotes crime, Eads argued that shows like CSI actually promote fighting crime. "All these young people are interested in forensics and science and stuff because of CSI," the actor said. As a man who wishes to inspire others, Eads was happy to note, "[T]hat's bigger than me."

The press conference can be viewed in its entirety on Google Video.

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