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... -
How Many Actors Do You Usually Present To The Filmmakers For Each Role?
Ricki Masler, C.S.A
Casting Director | Ghost Whisperer: The Other Side, Twister, DahmerHow many actors will you show the filmmakers?
How many actors will be shown to a film maker?
How many actors will you submit to producers?
How many actors will you show to a tv producer?
How many selections ... -
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... -
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... -
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?... -
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... -
How Do You Feel About Actors Sending A Thank You Present When You Hire Them?
Ricki Masler, Casting Director C.S.A
Does Ricki Masler like thank you presents after an actor books?
Do actors have to give thank you presents to casting?
Is it expected to give casting directors thank you presents?
Do casting directors expect thank you presents?
Do I buy presents for casting if... -
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 Actors To Wear Costumes Or Dress The Part?
Ricki Masler, C.S.A
Casting Director | Ghost Whisperer: The Other Side, Twister, DahmerShould I dress in full costume at a casting?
Can I costume for an audition?
Should I wear full costume at a casting?
At a casting, can I go full costume?
Would you recommend, full costume at an audition?
At ... -
What Gifts Do You Love & Not Love?
Ricki Masler, C.S.A
Casting Director | Ghost Whisperer: The Other Side, Twister, DahmerWhat gifts do you not like?
What gifts are too much?
Do you expect thank you gifts as a casting director?
Are cards enough as a thank you gift to casting?
Do cards look cheap from a casting director POV?
S... -
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... -
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... -
Does SAG-AFTRA Vs SAG-AFTRA Eligible Make A Difference?
Ricki Masler, Casting Director C.S.A
Does SAG-AFTRA eligible carry the same weight as SAG-AFTRA membership?
Do you view SAG-AFTRA eligible differently to SAG-AFTRA membership?
What does SAG-AFTRA eligible mean?
Do you view SAG-AFTRA eligibility differently to a membership?
Does being a SAG-AFTRA... -
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... -
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... -
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... -
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 ... -
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... -
Do You Ask For Headshots & Resumes In Hardcopy?
Ricki Masler, C.S.A
Casting Director | Ghost Whisperer: The Other Side, Twister, DahmerDo I need a hard cop of a headshot at Ricki Maslar's office?
Do I need hard copy of a resume when I go to Ricki Maslar's office?
Does Ricki Maslar require hard copies of photo and resume?
Does Ricki Maslar r...
