While you will be more informed and notice more if you saw the last, it isn't a prerequisite at all, so no worries there! You still can 100% follow the story without seeing the original! :)
That's wicked cool though about your buddy! :) What kind of stuff does he do?
Hes in Production Coordination, not exactly sure what that means myself but his name is in the roll credits so thats pretty cool!
That's sweeeeeet! He should be super proud! :)