Talking With Chase Masterson

Star Trek Actress Also an Accomplished Movie Producer and Singer

Feb 12, 2009

Voted the #1 Favorite Science Fiction Actress on Television by TV Guide, Chase Masterson reveals she's equally adept as a singer and independent film producer.

Chase Masterson is one busy lady. Best known for playing the Dabo girl Leeta from Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, this talented actress is also a professional singer and supporter of several charities. Most recently, Masterson not only starred in but also produced the award-winning science fiction/film noire independent film Yesterday Was A Lie.

Suite 101 caught up with Masterson at the 2009 Phoenix Comicon, where she graciously made time to answer questions amid a hectic schedule of signing autographs and greeting fans. The following is an edited version of her responses.

Suite 101: How challenging is it making an independent film like Yesterday Was A Lie?

Masterson: Back in 1990 when Deep Space Nine was wrapping, the budget I think was about 1.8 million an episode. And the budget for Yesterday Was A Lie was… well I’ll just say it was what some big budget shows usually spend on donuts! And we’re really proud of it – it’s been a journey of blood, sweat, and tears.

Suite 101: How did you become the independent film producer of Yesterday Was A Lie?

Masterson: Halfway through rehearsals, the producers of the film dropped out. They apparently wanted more money for the film budget and themselves. And the rest of us were saying, “Oh no! What do we do now?” We interviewed thirty-seven line producers, offering them a paying job, and they each turned it down saying it was too ambitious.

I had never produced before, but I said, “Well I’ll do it!” And it was challenging for [independent film director] James [Kerwin], working with an actress who was on the phone all the time trying to pull location, wardrobe, props, and actors all together. And for me – sitting in the makeup chair and trying to get the nuts and bolts of the production together.

I think the biggest lesson is if you have a strong vision and product you just have to see it through until it happens. And sooner or later, if it’s meant to be, people will get on your bandwagon and make it happen. It’s been very encouraging and empowering because it’s very difficult to pull off.

Suite 101: Your CDs have a lot of golden era music. What is it about this music that appeals to you?

Masterson: I love the music of the golden era! When I was thirteen, I choreographed a production of Rodgers and Hart: A Musical Celebration – Lorenz Hart was Richard Rodgers’ partner in music before Oscar Hammerstein – and the music they did was incredibly beautiful, romantic, and very irreverent for the time.

I think the music of that era had a hopefulness the music of today doesn’t necessarily have. There’s a sweetness to it I don’t find in any other genre. And it’s what I think my voice lends itself to, so I’m glad about that!

Suite 101: You also sing in the United Service Organizations Tours during your off-time. Why is this important to you?

Masterson: My dad was in the army for twenty years, he was in both Korea and Vietnam. And we traveled while I was growing up – I was an army brat – and lived in Germany, Alaska, and many other places.

And I saw the lives of the servicemen very close and realized there can be such loneliness out there in the field while they’re risking their lives, which I believe needs to be catered to. So in our small way, we love to contribute by showing up on USO Tours.

One of the other things we’re doing is supporting troops financially through photo sales from conventions. We just got finished supporting Operation Call Home which is apparently no longer in existence – we were providing phone cards for the troops. Now we’re giving money to Adopt a Platoon, a great nonprofit organization that my fan club sent Christmas cards to a little while back. So that’s a blessing to do.

In addition to producing Yesterday Was A Lie, Chase also stars in the independent film as the mysterious jazz musician Singer. Learn more by visiting the Official Site of Yesterday Was a Lie.

The copyright of the article Talking With Chase Masterson in Indie Film Actors/Directors is owned by Michael Jung. Permission to republish Talking With Chase Masterson in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.