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Mason McNulty Shares His Favorite Memories from Filming “Catch the Bullet” (Exclusive)

Mason McNulty’s career is taking a dramatic turn this month, as the actor known for his comedic role on Schooled is now taking on the role of Chad Masters in Lionsgate and Grindstone’s new western-themed drama Catch the Bullet.  

The film, which arrived in select theaters, on digital and VOD last Friday (September 10), is dedicated to the memory of the late actor Jay Pickett. Directed by Michael Feifer, Catch the Bullet centers on Britt MacMasters (Pickett), a U.S. marshal who returns from a mission to find his father (Tom Skerritt) wounded and his son, Chad (Mason McNulty), kidnapped by the outlaw Jed Blake (Gattlin Griffith). Hot on their trail, Britt forms a posse with a gunslinging deputy and a stoic Pawnee tracker. But Jed and Britt tread dangerously close to the Red Desert’s Sioux territory, which poses a menace far greater than either can imagine.

“My favorite part about playing Chad McMasters was diving into the intense feelings my character had. That was really fun and interesting,” McNulty said in a statement.

Filmed in Buffalo, Wyoming on the historic TA Ranch, being on location helped McNulty and his cast mates including Callder Griffith, Peter Facinelli and Tom Skerritt immerse themselves in their roles and create a bond on set.  

“It felt like I was at a sleep away camp.  Everyone there was so nice, and we are still friends with the owner Kirsten. Fun fact about the TA Guest Ranch…” McNulty tells Celeb Secrets in an exclusive interview. “The ranch is where the actual Johnson County Cattle War in 1892 took place. I got to see where the bullet holes are in the barn. It was amazing to see and touch a piece of history.” 

Photo Credit: Zachary Smith

Mason got his start in the industry at just three months old in a PSA for the state of Utah. Since then, he starred in various television and film roles including Teen Wolf, Modern Family and Days of Our Lives. His performance as Chad McMasters shows a maturity and intensity far beyond his years and is what sets him apart from other young actors. He is definitely one of Hollywood’s up and coming bright young stars! 

Celeb Secrets sat down (virtually) with Mason to talk about his experience working with famous actors, dream role and next projects. You can also keep up with Mason by following him on Instagram @mason.mcnulty.

Celeb Secrets: Hi Mason! Thank you for chatting with us. Congratulations on your new role as Chad McMasters in “Catch the Bullet,” a new feature film by Lionsgate and Grindstone! How are you feeling about it?

Mason McNulty: “I am feeling really great about it because this is my first time being a lead in a feature film! I love the story that was written by Jerry Robbins. My mom has recently been in contact with Jerry and he said I “Nailed the role!” I am so excited to see my performance on the big screen very soon.” 

CS: It is your first non-comedic role, what was your favorite part about playing a completely new character? And what were some challenges that you faced? 

MM: “No, this is not my first non-comedic role, but it is my first western! My favorite part of playing Chad McMasters is that I had to go into a lot of deeper emotions for this film.  It was physically challenging because I had to slide down hills, climb up hills and run a lot across the prairie.”

CS: “Catch the Bullet” was filmed in Buffalo, Wyoming at the historic TA Guest Ranch, how did it feel to stay at the actual ranch?

MM: “It was really cool to stay at the historical and still working TA Guest Ranch. It felt like I was at a sleep away camp.  Everyone there was so nice, and we are still friends with the owner Kirsten. Fun fact about the TA Guest Ranch…The ranch is where the actual Johnson County Cattle War in 1892 took place. I got to see where the bullet holes are in the barn. It was amazing to see and touch a piece of history.”

CS: How was it working with big actors such as Jay Pickett, Tom Skerritt and Peter Facinelli? What did you learn from them?

MM: “I learned a lot and heard a lot of stories from them. One lesson that stuck out to me the most, is when Jay Pickett said, ‘Hey Mason, one rule that you should always keep in mind is… keep away from the horse’s rear.’ At first I just thought he was just being funny but soon came to realize that he was very serious because it is very dangerous to cross from behind a horse. They like to kick!”

CS: You are known for playing Toby Murphy in the show “Schooled;” do you think Toby Murphy and Chad have anything in common? 

MM: “There are a few similarities between Toby Murphy and Chad McMasters, they are both charming, smart, and loyal!”

CS: Of all the roles you have played in the past, which is your favorite and why?

MM: “I would say I have really enjoyed playing all the different characters over the course of my career but there have been a couple of roles that are my favorite. The first one was Chad McMasters in Catch the Bullet. The amount of thought and work that I put into building that character was so much and I am so proud of how Chad evolved as a character. The other role that I am so proud of was Toby Murphy from Schooled. Out of all the characters I have played Toby has been the one character that has been the most like who I actually am as a person.”

Photo Credit: Cindy McNulty

CS: What has been your greatest accomplishment as an actor?  

MM: “My greatest accomplishment as an actor has been when I won a Young Entertainer Award for my work on Schooled. When they called my name, my face went from oh yeah, I am going to be cool, if they call my name to wait did, I just hear that right?! I WON!! I could not believe it. I was so surprised. I could hardly sleep that night because I was on cloud nine.”

CS: If you could be in any movie or tv show, what project would it be and why?

MM: “I would love to be in the new Spiderman movie, because I really like Andrew Garfield as an actor, he is one of my favorites and I would love to be in a Marvel movie. I would also love to work with Leonardo DiCaprio, his work is amazing, and I know I would learn a lot from him.”

CS: What sort of acting roles will you be seeking in the future? 

MM: “I am not really picky because I love working,  but if I landed a series regular role on TV I would so over the moon with excitement.”

CS: Lastly, since we are Celeb Secrets, can you share any secrets (fun facts) about yourself that people wouldn’t know about you? 

MM: “Well one secret that people may not know is that I actually own a couple of lightsabers from the Star Wars Trading Post at Disneyland.  I am self-taught and  I am working hard at learning the tricks, but there are some I would absolutely love to learn and really would like to take some lessons at a real lightsaber training school! And one last secret that most people do not know is that I can curl up into a human pretzel.”

Author

  • Mary Filatova

    Mary is a media intern at Celeb Secrets. She recently graduated Columbia College Chicago and is now working on what she loves the most - entertainment news. When not reporting on the latest news, she enjoys traveling, watching tv shows and experimenting with makeup and fashion looks.

Mary is a media intern at Celeb Secrets. She recently graduated Columbia College Chicago and is now working on what she loves the most - entertainment news. When not reporting on the latest news, she enjoys traveling, watching tv shows and experimenting…

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