Katlin Mastandrea Interview with Wzra Tv
Photo credit: Debi Patton of Flygirl Photography
We had the chance to chat with Katlin Mastandrea! Check out our Exclusive Interview with her.
Wzra Tv: Fill us in how you got started acting? Has it always been a dream of yours?
Katlin: Ever since I was little, I have always liked making people laugh. When I was around 10, I sat and talked with my mom about how I could take the right acting classes around Denver. And, after some trials and errors, we eventually figured out that we needed to be in LA or NY for extensive training and work. We moved to LA permanently in 2009. As for always being a dream of mine, I guess I could say it always has been. I just never thought of it as a dream because it was just what I did and thought it was normal. Adults would always ask me when I was younger what I wanted to do when I grew up, I think it is a mandatory question from adults when kids are little, and without hesitating it was always “to make people laugh”. It was around 2nd grade I think when someone asked me what else I wanted to do because acting wasn’t really a job. So, instead of arguing with them, I would say “a dog groomer” and they were fine with that answer. As long as I wasn’t a starving artist, it didn’t matter really what I said. I usually would laugh inside knowing I was still going to be an actor, but I avoided the conflict. It just happens to be more of a longer process I suppose.
Wzra Tv: What’s the best part about playing the character Ashley on “The Middle?”
Katlin: I must say….the cape and wild choice of clothes does rank up there. Who can resist running around in a cape? Mostly though, I enjoy being able to just be deadpan bizarre, or at least what most would consider bizarre or odd. Odd or weird is just such a fun thing to play around with because nobody really knows how it should look or feel.
Wzra Tv: What else can we expect to come on “The Middle?”
Katlin: To be honest, I really don’t know. I’m on a cliffhanger so to speak. I do hope Ashley gets to play more. She does seem to be another kind of voice for the unique, self-assured souls out there. Sue Heck has the eternal optimists, self-confident, don’t let anything get you down, follow your dream, extroverted types; whereas Ashley is kind of the same, sort of, just introverted types.
Wzra Tv: Describe to us a day on set? How’s filming?
Katlin: Usually first thing is hair and make-up. Considering Ashley comes to set with strict orders of bedhead, and really no makeup applied, it is a quick process. Which is kind of sad because the makeup and hair artists are just a lot of fun. They usually have you laughing right off the bat, early in the morning. Next is blocking and rehearsal. Once that happens, the actors change into their wardrobe and return to set when the camera is ready. Then we get each shot; medium shot, close-up, etc, and reset the camera for the other characters. It could be more than one p.o.v., same scene, dialogue, just at a different angle. During camera moves, we can hang out in our trailers, or play basketball (Charlie and crew are usually found out behind the trailers playing horse), or whatever you want, as long as you are still in the vicinity to set.
Filming for The Middle is shot single camera, which requires the resetting of camera with each shot so it takes much longer. It can make for a much longer day. Whereas a multi-camera show has all the angles covered in the shot, and takes much less time to get all the angles. Personally, multi-camera feels like “aw man, we’re done already”. I love it all though, I’ll take a long day or a short day, just let me play I say.
Wzra Tv: Do you have any other upcoming projects in the works?
Katlin: I am attached to a feature film and hoping it moves forward and starts shooting soon. I can’t talk much about it yet. ;).
Wzra Tv: Tell us about your twitter, how do you like using it?
Katlin: It certainly is a different type of “beast” to master. I’m still getting the hang of it, to be honest. But I think with time I’ll be able to properly use twitter.
Wzra Tv: Do you have a favorite tweet that either you’ve tweeted, or someone’s tweeted to you?
Katlin: None as yet since my account is pretty new. I do like to tweet a fun picture now and then I’ve taken though…for example, squirrels in funny stances.
Wzra Tv: Do you also have a website or Facebook?
Katlin: I don’t have a Facebook account. I think Twitter may be enough for now. I am working on a website and it should be up and running soon.
Wzra Tv: What can we expect from the new upcoming show, “Anger Management”?
Katlin: You can expect to be gasping for air, that’s how funny the scenes are. The full cast is very funny and I guarantee they will make you laugh. It is a great place to play for sure and you have so much talent in this show, they just bounce off each other and bring so much out in each other (and I secretly am learning all I can from them). It is definitely a comedy, it is on FX so they have some room for more adult situation humor, which you wouldn’t find on say The Middle.
Wzra Tv: What character do you play? Are you anything like your character?
Katlin: My character is Olivia who is one of the best buds of Sam (played by Daniela Bobadilla), who is Charlie Sheen’s daughter. Olivia is like me in that I tend to be more tomboyish, but we are different in what drives us. She is definitely focused on some things more than I am, or foresee myself ever being focused on. It makes for a great character because I get to play on some aspects that aren’t me personally. Ooo, and again, bedhead for the most part.
Wzra Tv: What’s a dream role for you?
Katlin: A dream role would be something that pulls me into the character so fully that it takes a bit to figure out where the character starts and I end; something that would play the full gambit of emotions, a “meaty” role as they say and can be comedic or dramatic, or a mixture. Some examples would be Jim Carrey’s portrayal of Andy Kaufman in Man on the Moon, Hailee Steinfeld as Mattie Ross in True Grit, or anything Helena Bohnam Carter touches, in my opinion. To be able to play such rich characters would be utterly fantastic.
Wzra Tv: Get to know Katlin: celebrity crush? favorite fast food restaurant? Prized possession?
Katlin: I’m afraid I don’t have a celebrity crush, many I admire, but no crushes. Fast food I don’t usually go for, but when I do, In-N-Out Burger for their fries. They are less greasy and don’t make my stomach do flip-flops. And a prized possession is my Kingdom Hearts Dream Drop Distance 3DS.
You can follow Katlin and stay updated with her at her official twitter - @KatlinMastandre
