Interview with Co- Ex Producer Harry Bring

Interview With Co-Ex Producer Of Criminal Minds Harry Bring

I recently had the opportunity to interview co-ex producer Harry Bring known for working The X files, Army Wifes and Criminal Minds.

Harry Bring is very popular with the cast crew and fans of Criminal Minds. Always taking goofy photos keeping the fans up to date as he can on behind the scenes of the show.

(Harry Bring on the set of Criminal Minds, table read)

Your parents were both in the music industry is that what influenced you to become a part of the whole industry?

HB: Yes. Both parents being in the entertainment industry influenced me a lot. They both did a few movies too which also peaked my interest. After I finished High School and by the time I finished my tour of duty in the US Army my brother had become a film editor and that interested me too. I got my first job in post-production of a TV Commercial company, in the proverbial “mailroom”, and went from there. I became an assistant film editor and then moved on to a TV Ad Agency as an assistant producer. After that, I started a TV Commercial production company with two partners. I produced and assistant directed commercials for several years. During that time I became a member of the Director’s Guild of America as an assistant director. I then went freelance as an assistant director in commercials, TV, and Features. Soon after I chose to concentrate on TV episodic work as that was steadier employment and better for raising a family.

How did you become a producer and work on TV?

HB: After years of being an assistant director in the TV episodic world I was promoted to Production Manager on “Melrose Place”. Then I became Production Manager on “The X-Files, which led to a promotion of Line Producer on that show. A Line Producer’s job is being in charge of the actual physical production. All aspects of production and all financial responsibilities. I have never been a writer on the creative side but I loved the challenge of taking a script and putting it on film or tape. “Make it Happens”.

Was it hard to get into the producing business?

HB: Once I had spent years as a Production Manager, the move to Producer was a natural progression. I just had to get the opportunity to produce and Chris Carter on The XFiles gave me that break in my 2nd season.

You have worked on many TV show's from The X files to Army Wives and Criminal Minds which has been the most demanding to work on?

HB: I have to say The XFiles was the most demanding. It was a huge show,especially back in the 1990’s. We had two full production crews going every day, which was not normal back in those days. We had a budget on The XFiles 25 years ago that is the same as the budget I have now on Criminal Minds. That’s how big that show was. Imagine doing any job in any industry and having to do it twice every day. I worked 18 hours a day for 4 years. Yikes!

 (Harry Bring Co-Ex Producer)

What does your day to day work consist of?

Harry Bring: I’m up at about 4am every day. After coffee, I do some homework and prepare for the day. I go to shooting company for call time (Usually 7am) whether on location or on stage then go to the office for daily and hourly meetings. While one episode is shooting I am basically just monitoring them while I prepare for the next episode with that a new director. Location scouting, casting, meetings with all the departments, production meetings, table read, etc. It's a vicious circle, prep, shoot, prep. After 12 hours of work, I usually head home or maybe go visit the shooting company on location if they are still filming. Then it starts all over again the next day.

What is it like being part of the Criminal Minds crew?

HB:  Every show I do I wind up saying that show is the best I’ve worked on and the best staff and crew I’ve worked on.I must say that Criminal Minds is my current favorite.I have only done half of its 12 seasons and the staff and crew are basically the same for all 12 years.Our crew being so “well oiled” makes my job so much easier.

Our staff, cast, and crew are so nice and hard working. Everyone is. Erica Messer makes all that happen. It starts at the top and Erica is the smartest and nicest showrunner I have ever worked with. The bond we have is amazing, as is my bond with Glenn Kershaw (Producing Director). Glenn and I make the PERFECT team. I met and worked with Glenn while I was producing Army Wives and we’ve been simpatico ever since. I am blessed to have Glenn and Erica in my life.

Best part of your job?

HB: Getting the script and figuring out how we’re going to produce it.

There are involved events in every episode and solving and executing those sequences are the most challenging and REWARDING. To see the fruition of all our hard work on the screen, in the end, is the most rewarding. Often times I say to myself in disbelief…“I helped do that?”

I am well paid for my work but in the end, it’s the satisfaction of seeing a show through from concept to completion.

Other than being a producer what do you do in your spare time?

HB: I’m basically a sports nut, watching, not performing. Those days of being active in sport are over for me. As some fans may know I am a huge fan and financial supporter of the University of Southern California athletic program. I have season tickets to all their football and basketball games. I take the family to at least one away football game on the road each year. In the last 25 years we have traveled all over the United States to see USC games. My daddy took me to a USC football game in 1954 when I was 11 years old and I fell in love with USC and their football program. Now that I have grandchildren, they take up my weekends as much as they are available.

Favorite show you have worked on?

HB: I have to say“The X-Files”. It was so unique and every show had unimaginable challenges. When I finished The XFiles I had produced just about everything imaginable and nothing scared me after that.

And the final question

Best moment on Criminal Minds set?

HB: Season 8 Episode 24. Working with Mark Hamill as the Replicator. Who’s favorite moment wouldn’t be working with the Star Wars star. Mark’s daughter Chelsea was going to USC at the time. We had great talks offset about everything in our careers. also, figuring out how to shoot and execute the episode’s aerial helicopter crash ending. That was a real thrill.

You can watch season 12 of Criminal Minds Wednesday evenings at 9/8c on CBS in USA and Monday evenings 9pm on Sky Living in the UK

Thank you for reading.