Chase Masterson
"Leeta" on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
July 22, 1998
We are coming to you LIVE from the offices of Paramount Digital
Entertainment at Paramount Studios in Hollywood. Your host for tonight's
chat is Guy Vardaman, Senior Producer for STAR TREK: CONTINUUM. Chase
Masterson is typing for herself.
Chase, on behalf of STAR TREK:CONTINUUM, I'd like to welcome you to our
chat tonight.
Chase
Masterson: DS7
asks: Chase
Masterson: john taylor
asks: Chase
Masterson: DS7
asks: Chase
Masterson: Sue Harke
asks: Chase
Masterson: LBUDDE
asks: Chase
Masterson:
stompy
asks: Chase
Masterson: Syl and Ben
Frier asks: Chase
Masterson: Ben and Syl
Frier asks: Chase
Masterson: Smoochy
asks: Chase
Masterson: Chase
Masterson: Occupation
asks: Chase
Masterson: Chase
Masterson: Fortunes
fool asks: Chase
Masterson: stompy
asks: Chase
Masterson: Marc
Wade: Chase
Masterson: Batai
asks: Chase
Masterson: Robert Marks
asks: Chase
Masterson: Ianna
asks: Chase
Masterson: Kitty
asks: Chase
Masterson: Matt de
aptos asks: Chase
Masterson: Guy
Vardaman: Chase
Masterson: betterthanezri asks: Chase
Masterson: Wus On Sax
asks: Chase
Masterson:
Guy says that's new agey, touchy feely. Geez Louise. But really, it's
about coming into your own.
Guy
Vardaman:
Chase
Masterson:
I'll stop babbling.
PAW
asks: Chase
Masterson: Kang
asks: Chase
Masterson: Guy
Vardaman: Chase
Masterson: Teska
asks: Chase
Masterson: Capt Dave
asks: Chase
Masterson: Marc
Wade: Raistlin
asks: Chase
Masterson: JohnC
asks: Chase
Masterson: Paris
asks: Chase
Masterson: Chase
Masterson: LBUDDE
asks: Chase
Masterson: Guy
Vardaman: Chase
Masterson: Tanner
asks: Chase
Masterson: Alon
asks: Chase
Masterson:
On ST, also, David Livingstone is a wonderful director, because he really
lets actors play.
Like, "What would you guys like to do?" That's always freeing, and it
shows that they have confidence in both themselves and us. Ya know? He's
also worked his way up, from being an AD and producer of TNG, so he really
knows about production. I liked Rene, also, as a director. Chris Chulack on
ER was great, too. That episode won the Emmy that year. I'll stop babbling.
Ryan Romero
asks: Chase
Masterson: Alon
asks: Chase
Masterson: Capt Dave
asks: Chase
Masterson:
Okay, can I tell you, to put it in perspective?
Marc
Wade: Chase
Masterson: Oh, I'm sorry. I got distracted. It's very nice. Thank you, everyone,
for voting.
Marc
Wade: Guy
Vardaman: Charlie
asks: Chase
Masterson: George
asks: Chase
Masterson: Hi, Eeyore! I just heard you were here! Eeyore is my voiceover agent.
Mike
asks: Chase
Masterson: JDG
asks: Chase
Masterson: Terry
asks: Chase
Masterson: Marc
Wade: Chase
Masterson
We're all looking forward to the upcoming final exciting season of "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine"! Check Viewing Stations in STAR TREK: CONTINUUM for the day and time and channelfor "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" in your area. We always have interesting chats coming up. Copyright (c) 1998 by Paramount Pictures. All Rights Reserved.
Marc
Wade:
Welcome to STAR TREK:CONTINUUM. We are very pleased to bring you tonight's
exclusive chat with Chase Masterson. Chase portrays "Leeta" the Dabo girl
on "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine." Chase is also the host of "Sci-Fi
Entertainment" every Friday on the Sci-Fi Channel.
Hi,
everybody! Thanks for being here!--I've wanted to chat @ Star Trek.com for
a while, and I'm glad you're here!
Whats it like
having Quark for a brother-in-law?!
Quark
as a brother in-law is great! (But it's especially great when he's a woman!)
Tell us what
direction you would like to see Leeta to go in character development.
I
really hope that this season the writers give Leeta a bit more strength,
centered versatility...I think she has it, now we just have to see it.
Thanks for asking.
Are you going
to be in any upcoming movies or shows other than DS9?
Yes!
Am shooting one soon, called Sammyville in which I play a Child Protective
Services worker. Far cry from Leeta, I'm happy to say... Am also in the
upcoming Stephen King. A lead. I'm a Military Police officer. Very gritty.
Very Sigourney. It's called "Sometimes They Come Back For More." Let me
know whatcha think!
Who do you
consider your "mentor" in the entertainment field?
My
mentor was probably my mom, who's a director. Or maybe my dance teacher,
Debbie. She had a stick and yelled a lot, but she never let me quit. That's
important, no matter what profession, don't you think?
Where did this
site get the new pictures of you!! They look great! How can your biggest
fan get one?
That's very sweet! Hi, Linda! My club sells my pictures, and all proceeds
go to Caring For Babies with AIDS. It's very cool. Let me know if you'd
like to help support CBA--with or without the club.
Chase, I'd just
like to thank you for all of the affection you've shown to your fans at
cons and events around the country, you really are quite special.
Thank
you, Stompy, the pleasure is all mine. I mean it. You guys don't know how
special you are, not because you love us, but in and of yourselves. That's
the main thing I've learned @ conventions. I mean it. You guys don't know
how special you are, not because you love us, but in and of yourselves.
That's the main thing I've learned @ conventions.
What
do you see for your character for next season? Will Leeta and Rom have a
family? (Not counting Nog, of course.)
I
always say, what would it be like if Leeta & Rom had a child? Cleavage with
ears?
We
hear that you are going to visit us "Lounge Lizards" after you chat is
finished here. Are you sure you can handle it? :)
Yes!
That's the best part. Are you sure you can handle it?
What's it like
to kiss a Ferengi?
It
hurts. Smoochy??
There
was a question about Leeta's involvement in the Bajoran resistance.
Was Leeta
always a Dabo Girl, or was she in the Resistance?
I
think that Leeta's big dream was to be in Starfleet, but she couldn't get
sponsored, so she decided to work among them when they took over the
station, any way she could. But she still has higher aspirations than being
just a Dabo girl.
Hi,
you guys! Hi, Eike! I just saw you're here. They just told me there are
others I know or have met that are not identifiable. Identify yourselves!
It's
my birthday today. I was wondering what your nicest birthday present has
been recently.
Happy
Birthday!! That's such a lovely day. Be good to yourself. My best present
is to be really good to myself, quietly reevaulate goals, priorities. Happy
Day. Yes!
Chase can you
tell us about your new show on the Sci Fi Channel?
It's
really fun and I hope you'll all tune in. It's great, because it's both
really informative and really hip. It's like Entertainment Tonight for
sci-fi, and we cover everything from big interviews and premieres, Chris
Carter, Gillian, etc., to real science-- like bioperfection, cloning,
robots, technology... it's science fiction and science fact.
(for a complete schedule of Chase's show - "Sci-Fi Entertainment" - visit
their site at www.scifi.com)
Let
me know what you think of it. It's new and we'd really like to know what
you think. We're @ sci-fi.com.
What did you
think of the fans clamoring for a Leeta action figure, and what did you
think of the outcome?
I'm
thrilled to have my own action figure!!! Some actors want an Oscar, an
Emmy... no, not me. Seriously, I'm really happy I have it. It's fun. My son
likes it too. He's the only child in his 6th grade class with a mother
who's an action figure. That carries some clout on the playground. Scary,
tho, I hear that next year they're coming out with the 9 inch dressable and
undressable version...
Chase, how much
longer will the series run, and will we see much more of you?
How
much more do you need to see? Okay. DS9 is only running one more year.
We're happy to have that. 7 years is really a great series run. I hear that
the producers are writing in more for Leeta, and I'm thankful. It's nice,
they really listen to fan response, so I want to say I really have
appreciated that.
What is your
favorite piece of Science Fact?
We
interviewed a man who loved robots as a kid. Then he started making them in
his garage. Then he got a small studio, just as a hobby, and last year he
sold a piece of technology to NASA, and it went up in the Mars shuttle.
That's pretty neat, because it started out as just a dream (he was inspired
by Robbie the Robot) and made it into a reality. It's inspiring to
think--we can all do that if we put our minds to it. Change the world...
Can you go
ANYWHERE without being recognized?
Oh,
yes!! I can be very different, and downright plain and scary. Thank you,
tho! You should see me now. Does anyone chat with makeup on?
do
you surf the internet often??
I
wish. I don't really know how, or have much time.
Do you
need a tutor?
Tutors...any offers?
When Leeta was going out with Bashir, did she know that he
was...altered?
Mmmm.
Oh, yes.
Were you a
cheerleader in High school? You seem to be full of positive energy!
God,
no. I was, shall we say, unpopular, to say the least. Not disliked, just
very shy.
Hadn't developed, as it were, in any way. Not that that's a bad thing.
I guess in college I just realized that I have a right to be whoever I want.
We all do. That's the key.
Isn't it comforting, freeing when we learn that?
That's one thing, like @ cons, when fans say, Gosh it's so nice to meet
you. I just think, No, it's nice to meet you. We're all the same, equal,
special. You know?
But very heartfelt
what are some
of your favorite activites away from work
Skateboarding. My son wants to go pro, so it's my motherly duty. Lots of
bruises. Not attractive. I'm also starting to produce some projects, some
animation, tv, film, so that takes time. I'd love to make some quality
projects.
Chase, What is
your favorite Star Trek Alien race?
Definitely Bajorans. Or Ferengi. Yeah, probably Ferengi. There's a little
Ferengi in all of us. And a little Bajoran. But no Cardassian. I hope. Very
cool, tho, getting to be both Bajoran and a Dabo. Duality is the spice of
life. Or maybe the substance.
Or
maybe the schizophrenia...
Thanks, Guy. That's great, coming from a guy wearing makeup... And speaking
of Quark....
Chase is a
beautiful name. Is it your birthname?
Um,
next question?
What's the
latest on ManBoy the Series?
Manboy The Series is in development and under consideration from different
networks. Probably under another title. I'll keep you posted. Check out
info @ chasemasterson.com, if you'd like!
And you can bet we'll let you know about it at STAR TREK: CONTINUUM
(www.startrek.com)
Have u met the
new dax and what is she like?
Um,
next question?
Is college
where you first got the acting bug?
I
started acting when I was 5. That was, um, several years ago. I started
acting professionally about 15 years ago. Any aspiring actors out there?
Who is your
favorite person to act with on Star Trek?
I'd
have to say, honestly, either Max or Armin. They're both really giving, and
hard working and creative.
That's important, because it helps you relax and relaxation is they key to
creativity.
Armin has been so supportive to both Max and I,
always available for advice.
Some of my other favorites to watch on the set are Jeffrey Combs and Wally
Shawn.
Talk about wonderful! and creative!
We
always have the best seats in the house, because every take is hilarious.
It's a lot of fun.
I'm looking
forward to your Denver appearance. Any chance of bringing Jeremiah?
Yes!
See you in Denver! I'm really looking forward to it, too, and I think he'll
be here.
Unless he's too cool for mom.
How
old is Jeremiah? If that's not too personal...
Yes,
it is. But he's twelve. Yes. He was my 8th grade science project.
Are there
really rules to Dabo? And how heavy is Latinum?
No,
and very. Seriously, no rules! No game, even! I'm gonna make one. And
latinum is very heavy. Especially when you're wearing it. (Check out the
May issue of Femme Fatale...)
If you could
pick ANY director, whom would you most like to work with?
Definitely Sid on Star Trek, anyway. He really has such a flair for
comedy, and is great both with the camera, and in working with actors. That
combination is really hard to find.
Any director, tho? Barry Levinson? Peter Weir? Bob Zemeckis?
Baby Herman?
Some say that
Star Trek portrays women negatively, and cite your character as a prime
example. How do you respond?
I'm so
over people being so closed-minded that they can't see beyond a push-up
bra. And tired of defending it. If they can't see Leeta's heart, that's
their loss, their problem.
How did you get
involved with Caring For Babies With Aids? Your compassion does you credit
:-)
Thank
you. CBA is a really worthy, really needy charity. I started working with
them 7 years ago, before I was acting full time. I volunteered for a
fund-raising project but I had to stop working on it because I couldn't
even take care of myself. So how much nicer is it to come back years later
and say "Hi, remember me? And here's thousands of people with me now, who
want to help, too."
I'm really thankful. It's the best part about being an actor, having a
place to be able to say "Here's something we can work on together, people
who need our help." Far greater a high than being on television, let me
assure you. That wears off. I mean, it's fun, it's an honor, but it's
still not as meaningful as doing real stuff, you know?
How does it
feel to be the queen of Science Fiction? (you're beating everyone else on
the TV Guide web poll handily)
Yikes!
How fun!!! It's really fun. I was shocked. I'm thankful.
Please do.
The
day I found out, about a week and a half ago, I was excited and I found
myself saying, "Please God? That would be really neat." Then I saw on the
paper, that same day were the stories about the three kids in Ireland, and
the famine in Sudan, and I sat there staring at the paper, going oh, my
god, how blessed we are to have such things to pray for, when so many
people in the world are in so much trouble and pain, you know? It really
put it in perspective, the contrast, the unfairness and ironic way the
world works. I don't understand it at all, but it does teach me to be
thankful, for little things and big things. I mean, even if we're here with
computers, that's like a big deal, you know?
If you'd like to vote, visit the TVgen site at www.tvgen.com.
And if you haven't... Get out and vote!
What is the
actor that plays Rom like in real life?
He's
very sweet, very committed. We have rehearsals @ Armin 's house, and that
really helps once we get on the set. Did you know that Leeta is named after
Lolita Fatjo, who is the ST script department, and who is dating Max?
What did you
and the rest of the cast think about the death of the Jadzia Dax?
I'm
really happy for Terry, who is now on a series on CBS with Ted Danson. It's
shot @ Paramount. We'll miss Dax. I think Dax should come back in the form
of an old man. Who Worf has to kiss.
Are you going
to be in any upcoming episodes for season seven, and if so do you know what
they are about?
Yes!
Max and I are back in episode 4. It's an on-location episode. Should be
really fun.
What will you
do in your reign if you are to be crowned 'Queen of Space'?
Kill
the Cardassians. And also encourage people to do good stuff. We have a lot
of power, capability, in fandom, if we really organize and put our minds to
it. I'm always really inspired by what you guys do, like carwashes, Klingon
blooddrives, etc. It's very cool. Star Trek fans care about each other more
than a lot of churches.
How has the
Star Trek world changed or influenced you?
I
think in the way we were just saying. Also the whole IDIC philosophy.
That's very cool, and something the world is still catching on to, or even
searching for. Beauty in everybody, not just physical, but spiritual--viva
la difference! Sorry I'm babbling.
Thanks, Chase. This has been great.
For more information, visit www.startrek.com. 