It’s not everyday that you meet people who are doing huge things in media (did you know that they produced Carrie Underwood’s music videos??). I remember seeing a lot of people wear Caster Studios hats when we first moved to Dripping. Being a lover of all things media and creativity, I knew that I wanted to meet Nick and Christina Caster!
After being social media acquaintances for a few months, I bumped into them in real life at a Rescue One More event several months ago. I knew they would be an amazing family to feature since they have a large media studio right behind the YMCA in Dripping! These folks are doing some BIG things here!
Let’s introduce you…
Nick…tell us about you and your family…
I’m a husband, a dad, and a filmmaker with a love for music. My wife Christina is a singer, an actress, and she homeschools our two children Brooklyn Blue and Cruz.
We just finished building our house and opening a production studio in Dripping Springs.
How long have you lived in Dripping Springs and what drew you here?
We have been living in Drip for six years now. I have been visiting family in Austin years before around the Bee Cave area. But it was our friends who moved here prior who showed us Dripping Springs, and we fell in love with the location and the people. It felt like home from the start.
What do you love about having a home with acreage?
Together we always dreamed of acreage. A place for the kids to run and space for animals. We currently have 13 chickens and a barn cat, with plans to add milking goats.
How did you two meet?
Music brought us together.
Christina was a singer in a band that was looking for a piano player. I knew of her talents prior through seeing her perform on stage though we hadn’t met yet. Our moms got talking and they arranged for me to meet up with her to join a band practice. Christina had insisted on driving me in her stick shift saturn.
Very rock’n’roll stuff.
How long have you been media producers?
I have been producing for 16 years.
How did you get into that?
I was always interested in films and music. Growing up playing the piano and composing my own music, I believed I was going to be a film composer until I purchased a DSLR Camera and editing software. It sparked my love to combine visuals and music to entertain an audience. With the tools I had, I started creating promo videos for local bands, businesses and nonprofits.
Up and coming directors started to pass my name around as a producer. So about 2007 we started Caster Studios in my parent’s garage.
My desk was right next to their washer and dryer.
What all do you do with Caster Studios?
Caster Studios has now evolved into a full entertainment company.
We develop and create Film and TV entertainment, we produce the projects with our amazing production team, and we distribute other films all over the world to streaming platforms. It’s been an amazing journey to watch come to life.
If you were to take your family on an outing in Dripping Springs, what would you do and where would you go?
We love heading to Milton Reimers Ranch Park to hike, swim and fish.
But, the kids still ask daily to go to Mazama.
What is your top local recommendation for a date night?
Christina and I love Tillies. The atmosphere and the drive there is gorgeous! It’s a beautiful restaurant filled with so much architectural history and situated in the Dripping Springs hill country.
Tell us about Gus plus Us…
Gus Plus Us is a live-action children’s show (made with parents in mind too) about an endearing creature named Gus, who is full of curiosity, creativity, and charm. Every episode begins with Gus against a blank canvas, inviting the viewer to join him on an adventure along with his faithful, zany sidekick Karrot and his whimsical mentor Lucy.
The white canvas materializes into a world resembling a life-sized pop-up book, all made from familiar hand-crafted materials and accented with 2D animation. Every adventure reveals something new about life’s elementary mysteries — such as the importance of good values, personal responsibility, and the many incredible wonders that are just outside the door.
How did you come up with the idea for this show?
I’ve been playing with puppets since I was a kid to entertain my brother and sister. And now as a dad, I would puppeteer to entertain them and that’s how our characters Gus and Karrot evolved. So I went to Christina and said you’re an actress.
I’m a filmmaker.
Let’s make our own children show.
Our goal was to make a preschool show that the whole family can enjoy. We strongly believed the show had to feel a certain way, look a certain way in order to respect the mind of a child.
When does it launch?
Gus Plus Us launches on September 2, 2022.
We will be announcing where you can watch it by August.
Do your kids know that you are famous?
My kids seem to think I’m famous since I know everyone at the best coffee shop, Mazama.
How can we follow you on social media?
You can find out more about Caster Studios or Gus Plus Us by following our Instagram or Facebook @casterstudios and @gusplusus or by checking out our website links here https://linktr.ee/casterstudios!
Ya’ll know that Dripping is my favorite! If you are in the area and need some suggestions for the best places to eat, things to do or people to meet then reach out to me and I’m happy to help! Are you interested in moving to this beautiful area? I am a local realtor and can help find you a home in Dripping and surrounding areas (Austin, too!). Just email or call me to talk more! laurenclark@magnoliarealty.com 512-569-8480
