Katlin Mastandrea is fairly new to the television world, but the young actress has already had one huge gig with her role on the TV show “The Middle” and NOW she’s set to star alongside Charlie Sheen in the FX show “Anger Management”. Celebrityviplounge.com had the chance to chat with Katlin about her life in the business and most importantly what it was like to work with the Masheen because we are all dying to know, right?! Is he really a warlock? And was he spotted with Tiger Blood on set?
Check out our interview below.
CVIP: Hi Katlin! It is great to chat with you. Can you tell us a little bit about yourself, where you grew up and why you decided to pursue acting?
KATLIN: I grew up in Littleton, Colorado. I have a younger brother who I am very close to. I guess I am more of what most would consider introverted; but I see myself as an observer of life. You need to stand back and just take things in and absorb what is really going on around you. I find it very calming, extremely funny, and definitely helping to listen more. People usually assume I am very shy but I am really just observing and taking everything into account. It definitely helps when pulling subtle details into my work/acting.
I am a gamer; I enjoy reading a lot of fiction, non-fiction if history related, but mainly fiction. I am working on a series of my own, book wise, and illustrating it as well. I am learning bass guitar. I find creative things are most comforting for me. I am in college, pursuing a career in directing. The whole process of what goes into making film is very exciting to me (crew all the way through producing and directing). To me, to be able to tell a story to its fullest and move people, take them away from reality for just a bit, is just, well, incredible.
CVIP: You are a co star of The Middle. How has this role changed you as an actress and what has been the most challenging part of playing Ashley?
KATLIN: I can’t say it has changed me as an actress. It is more like trying out another possible side to myself if given the same circumstances as the character. I don’t see myself as Ashley, but more as someone I can relate to as far as not caring how others perceive you, or try and push you into a certain way to be. She is definitely a free spirit that really likes wizardy stuff to the point of obsession, and of ‘course, she doesn’t see it as an obsession. The most challenging part is containing the character to being almost robotic, stoic. My impulse is to just go full on weird Ashley and bits in English gentlemen voices, and totally improv her. But, stoic robot is good. English gentleman Ashley will have to be for another venue, later time, but she is there, waiting, lurking in the back of my mind.
CVIP: Are there any similarities between you and your character Ashley?
KATLIN: Definitely the part of worrying about how others perceive you. I think Ashley is just comfortable in her own skin and finds it very normal, so far, regardless of what others may think. Hence, giving her the name “Weird Ashley”. For me, I am who I am. If I tried to fit in with everyone, I would lose myself in the end. Like minds find like minds. I think I am in the perfect profession to follow that logic too because many of us are a bit shy/introverted on the surface, but when you give us a window to play in, you can’t shut us up.
CVIP: You are working with Charlie Sheen in Anger Management. Can you tell us a little bit about your role and what was it like working with Masheen? We like to call him Masheen because he is a force to be reckoned with. ..a machine, so to speak. The guy is a great actor…kind of kooky…ok, a lot of kooky. So what was it like working with him?
KATLIN: Ok, I think you are basically asking what it is like to work with Charlie. It has been a lot of fun. Set has been very productive and easy. Almost sad that it is multi-camera because it is done so quickly. The creative banter is fun to be around and the guy is very funny. The whole cast is really funny and plays off each other quite nicely. Charlie seems to be always thinking one step ahead. You can tell he knows what he wants to happen and just plays around with a scene a bit to get it perfect. I guess you could say he is a perfectionist in a great way. You definitely don’t feel like an outsider when you come to set.
As far as my character, she is Olivia and one of Sam’s (Charlie’s daughter) best buds. She thinks she is so wise beyond her years, and things that drive her decisions could be considered a little off the normal scale. I guess she would be my alter ego if I had one with her obsessions. The character is a bit fun to play around with to say the least.
CVIP: What is the set atmosphere like on Anger Management?
KATLIN: It is quite fun. I think the newness of the show adds some bit of excitement, but overall, the cast and crew they have put together, you can’t help but feel a bit at home, in your element. The moment I step on the lot, security guard is cracking jokes with me, then check in with Kosh and he usually has something funny to chat up about and right on down the line. For me, it has been a great soaking in of the talent surrounding me. You can learn a lot from the veterans of the group. Which, aside from Daniella, Hannah, and I, they are all pretty much veterans, so it is a lot of fun to be a part of and watch. It is really quite exciting.
CVIP: What actors/actresses do you look up to?
KATLIN: Helena Bohnem Carter is my fav of favs. I also love the SNL ladies…Gilda, Tina, Amy, Kristen and Abby. Along with Johnny Depp, Jim Carrey, Robin Williams, Eddie Izzard. I truly aspire to being able to play an array of characters such as these people have portrayed and continue to show us. I would just like to camp out in their minds for a day and play.
CVIP: Do you have any secret talents?
KATLIN: Opening doors with my toes when my arms are full.
CVIP: What is on your ipod right now?
KATLIN: Games – Pocket Gods, Tiny Towers; Music – Marina and the Diamonds, Fun, Foster the People, The Killers, Mika.
CVIP: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
KATLIN: Continue to work (act) in tv, alongside of films. I see myself as apprentice director-in-training, gopher, writing, court-jester, everything I possibly can to stay in this field of dream. Who knows, maybe Lorne Michaels will be able to add me to his long, long list of “hire me please”.
CVIP: What is the greatest piece of advice that someone has given you?
KATLIN: In the words of RuPaul, and paraphrasing here, “don’t mess it up.”
You can check out Katlin on Anger Management on FX on the season premiere tomorrow Thursday June 28th.
You can follow Katlin on Twitter here.
Image via Deidhra Fahey Photography.
