Tell us a little bit about yourself, your background, highlights of your career so far, how you got into this crazy business, and how you became involved with the movie.
Ricki Maslar: I was invited on to the film by the director, Howard Wexler and producer Bryan Brewer. I have done numerous movies with Howard and I am looking forward to doing many more with Bryan.
Tell us about your role on the movie.
RM: I am the casting director. I am entrusted to find the actors that will breath life into the characters on the screen and bring the director’s vision to life.
What was it like working on a low budget film?
RM: It is a creative process that unlike films with a full budget, tests your creative ability to work through problems rather than throw money at them, which in the end makes for a better product.
Did you learn anything about yourself or others from the experience?
RM: I learned that friends are precious commodities and should be cherished. As I called friends to audition for this movie, I found that they responded to the people involved as much as they did to the story that was being told.
What was your favorite moment working on the film?
RM: When at first I was invited on the film by Howard Wexler and Bryan Brewer. It meant that they respect my eye and trust me with the project.
What does it mean to you to be infected?
RM: Infected means ill, not normal, as was demonstrated in the film.
Once we had a breakdown of each character, it went to agencies and managers. Response was overwhelming, hundreds of submissions. Casting director Ricki Maslar and assistant Molly McDowell initially narrowed the field to 100 potentials, and then Bryan Brewer sat in on daily readings. Each person came prepared with pages to read, and either Bryan or Molly would read the other side of the scene. When we had a short stack of potential candidates, director Howard Wexler sat in on final readings and choices were made. About 4 weeks of work, and two weeks of prep.