Ricki Maslar (Interview)
Ricki G. Maslar is a successful casting director and producer with over thirty years experience in the entertainment industry. She has held a variety of positions as an agent, casting director, teacher and producer. As a casting director, Maslar has had the opportunity to work on studio and independent features with credits that include Twister(1996), The Tuskegee Airmen (1995), Brother to Brother (2004), The Line (2009), A Golden Christmas (2009) and Dahmer (2002), to name a few. Her actor-friendly philosophy has earned her high praise from actors and colleagues alike, yet Maslar says she is simply living and working by the "golden rule". Maslar was born in Chicago and grew up in Oklahoma City. At age ten, she began working as a model in local runway, print and commercials with dreams of becoming an actress. She went on to attend St. Gregory's College in Shawnee, OK. She married out of college and became involved in the local entertainment community. Maslar was active in bringing filming to Oklahoma. She made strong connections to Hollywood and it was casting directors Janet Hirshenson and Mary Jo Slater, who encouraged her to move to Los Angeles to continue her career in entertainment. When Maslar is not casting or producing, she is mentoring up-and-coming talent through her workshops. Teaching has always been a passion for Maslar, who has been doing so for over twenty five years in Canada and North America. Her workshop presentation offers actors valuable insight about the entertainment industry - yet another extension of her commitment to actors. Above all of her accomplishments, Maslar is most proud of her two children - Samantha Anne and Scott Aaron. Watching her children grow up into wonderful people who work in careers that help others has been her greatest reward. She is dedicated to helping others and believes everyone can make a difference. Ricki G. Maslar is a respected entertainment executive, dedicated mother. She is a proud member of the CSA (Casting Society of America) and of the p.g.a. (Producer's Guild of America). She looks forward to making films that change lives and make a difference in the world - if only for a moment.
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A Conversation With Casting Director Ricki Maslar
Ricki Masler, C.S.A
Casting Director | Ghost Whisperer: The Other Side, Twister, DahmerRicki G. Maslar is a successful casting director and producer with over thirty years experience in the entertainment industry.
As a casting director, Maslar has had the opportunity to work on studio and in...
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Ricki Maslar: Rapid Fire
Ricki Masler, Casting Director C.S.A
Where do you post auditions?
Do you audition non-union actors?
Does SAG-AFTRA vs SAG-AFTRA Elligible make a difference?
Where do you find readers for your audition sessions?
Do you ask for headshots and resumes in hardcopy?
Do you like actors to wear costume... -
What Are The Important Aspects Of A Professional Self Tape?
Ricki Masler, C.S.A
Casting Director | Ghost Whisperer: The Other Side, Twister, DahmerWhat are the do's and don't's of self tapes?
Can you tell me the dos and don't of self tapes?
Are there some dos and don'ts of self tapes?
What are a few dos and don'ts of self tapes?
Do you have any tips ... -
What Backdrop Colors Do You Prefer In A Self Tape?
Ricki Masler, C.S.A
Casting Director | Ghost Whisperer: The Other Side, Twister, DahmerWhat backdrop colors are best for self tapes?
For self tapes, what backdrop color should I choose?
Is blue best for self tapes?
Is a grey background best for self tapes auditions?
What color is best for back... -
Do You Like A Second Option For Each Scene When Actors Send A Self Tape?
Ricki Masler, C.S.A
Casting Director | Ghost Whisperer: The Other Side, Twister, DahmerShould I send a second option on a self tape?
Does casting watch second takes on self tapes?
Should my self tapes have a take 2?
Should I include a take 2?
Do you suggest I post a second take on an audition?... -
Do You Ever Watch Unsolicited Self Tapes Sent By Actors?
Ricki Masler, C.S.A
Casting Director | Ghost Whisperer: The Other Side, Twister, DahmerWould you want a tape sent by an actor if you didn't ask for it?
Are you open to receiving unsolicited self tapes?
Will you watch a tape from me if I get a hold of sides?
Can I send random tapes to you to wa... -
Have You Hired An Actor From An Unsolicited Self Tape?
Ricki Masler, Casting Director C.S.A
Do you remember hiring from an unsolicited self tape?
Do unsolicited tapes work?
Do actors book from unsolicited self tapes?
Can I book by sending an unasked for tape to casting?
Would you ever book me if my tape is unsolicited?
Have you ever booked from an u... -
Has A Bad Self-Tape Reader Ever Cost An Actor A Job?
Ricki Masler, C.S.A
Casting Director | Ghost Whisperer: The Other Side, Twister, DahmerDo bad self tape readers ruin self tapes?
What is the impact of a bad reader in a self tape?
Should I retape if my reader is bad?
Are bad readers on a self tape a deal breaker?
Can a bad self tape reader sto... -
Do You Ever Watch Unsolicited Self Tapes Sent By Representation?
Ricki Masler, C.S.A
Casting Director | Ghost Whisperer: The Other Side, Twister, DahmerDoes Ricki Maslar accept tapes that come to her out of the blue?
Will Ricki Maslar watch my tape if she hasn't requested it?
Do casting directors watch tapes they haven't requested?
If my agent pushes for it... -
What Is Your Preferred Delivery Method For Self Tapes?
Ricki Masler, C.S.A
Casting Director | Ghost Whisperer: The Other Side, Twister, DahmerWhat method should I submit my tape via?
Should I post my self tapes to You Tube to give to casting?
Should I post my self tapes to Vimeo to give to casting?
Should my self tapes be downloadable?
Do I make m... -
What Are Some Do(s) & Dont(s) For Self Tapes?
Ricki Masler, C.S.A
Casting Director | Ghost Whisperer: The Other Side, Twister, DahmerWhat are the do's and don't's of self tapes?
Can you tell me the dos and don't of self tapes?
Are there some dos and don'ts of self tapes?
What are a few dos and don'ts of self tapes? -
How Long Do You Watch A Self Tape Before You Know They're Not Right?
Ricki Maslar, Casting Director C.S.A
How long do you watch a self tape before you know they're not right for the role?
How much do you watch of a self Tape?
How much of a self tape do you watch?
Do you watch a whole self tape?
Do you turn a self tape off when they are wrong?
Do you watch all of... -
If I Can't Find A Reader, Can I Pre-Record The Other Character's Lines Myself?
Ricki Masler, Casting Director C.S.A
Can I tape my own voice reading the other role's lines for a self tape?
When I can't find a reader can I record on my own?
Can I tape a self tape without a reader?
If I can't get another actor to read opposite, can I tape my own voice?
Is it jarring when you ... -
What Do You See Seasoned Actors Do Differently To New Actors In Auditions?
Ricki Masler, C.S.A
Casting Director | Ghost Whisperer: The Other Side, Twister, DahmerWhat do professional actors do differently to new actors in an audition?
What separates the professional actors from new actors in an audition?
How can you tell a professional actors from a new actor in a... -
Where Do You Find Readers For Your Audition Sessions?
Ricki Masler, Casting Director C.S.A
Where do you look for readers?
Who read for your actors in auditions?
At auditions, who is the reader?
Can I be a reader for your auditions?
Where can I regifted to be a reader for auditions at CD offices?
Do you look for readers?
At auditions, where do the r... -
Where Do You Post Auditions?
Ricki Masler, C.S.A
Casting Director | Ghost Whisperer: The Other Side, Twister, DahmerWhere does Ricki Masler post auditions?
Where can I find auditions for Ricki Masler?
How does my agent see auditions from Ricki Masler?
Where can I find auditions notices from Ricki Masler Casting?
Does Rick... -
Which Props (If Any) Are Appropriate In Auditions?
Ricki Masler, C.S.A
Casting Director | Ghost Whisperer: The Other Side, Twister, DahmerCan I bring props to an audition?
Who provides props at an audition?
What props should I bring to a casting?
What props can I use at a casting?
What props is OK to bring to casting?
What props aren't too muc... -
When, If Ever, Can Actors Improvise Or Paraphrase In Auditions?
Ricki Masler, C.S.A
Casting Director | Ghost Whisperer: The Other Side, Twister, DahmerCan actors improv in audition?
Can I add a button at the end of my audition?
Can I paraphrase in auditions?
Can I improvise in my audition?
How much can I paraphrase in auditions?
Do I have to follow the scr... -
How Do You Feel About Actors Shaking Hands At Auditions?
Ricki Masler, C.S.A
Casting Director | Ghost Whisperer: The Other Side, Twister, DahmerDo you expect actors to shake hands with you at an audition?
Should actors shake hands with you at an audition?
Should actors avoid shaking hands with you at an audition?
Is it rude to not shake hands with c... -
How Important Is It To Be Off Book In An Audition?
Ricki Masler, C.S.A
Casting Director | Ghost Whisperer: The Other Side, Twister, DahmerIs it important to be off book at an audition?
Is off book important in an audition?
Do you expect actors to be off book in an audition?
Should actors be off book at auditions?
In castings, can I read the li... -
Do You Audition Non-Union Actors?
Ricki Masler, C.S.A
Casting Director | Ghost Whisperer: The Other Side, Twister, DahmerDo you see non-union actors?
Do you only see union actors?
Do you see union and non-union actors?
If I am non-union, will you see me?
Does Ricki Maslar see non-union actors?
If I am non-union, can I still ge... -
Do You Like When Actors Send Thank You Notes After An Audition?
Ricki Masler, C.S.A
Casting Director | Ghost Whisperer: The Other Side, Twister, DahmerDo you expect an actor to follow up with a thank you note after an audition?
Should actors follow up with a thank you note after an audition?
Do casting directors expect an actor to follow up with a thank yo... -
If An Actor Truly Bombs An Audition, Should They Reach Out To Apologize?
Ricki Masler, C.S.A
Casting Director | Ghost Whisperer: The Other Side, Twister, DahmerI bombed my audition - what should I do?
Should I apologize to casting about a bad audition?
After a bad audition, should I apologize?
Should I check in with casting if I bomb an audition?
I bombed an auditi... -
In An Audition, Should I Talk In A Character's Voice Before & After The Scene?
Ricki Masler, C.S.A
Casting Director | Ghost Whisperer: The Other Side, Twister, DahmerShould I stay in accent the whole audition?
Should I arrive in character to an audition?
Should I stay in character during an audition?
Should I speak in the character's voice before and after my audition?
S...
