If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably wondered what casting directors look for in an actor. Well, here’s your chance to find out.

Rebecca Gibson is one of the most enthusiastic, approachable casting directors I’ve ever met. She works out of Winnipeg, Manitoba and is committed to helping actors become more professional and better informed. She was kind enough to answer a questionnaire I sent her about what she does, what she looks for, and how you can be a better actor.

1. How long have you been a casting director?
Since November of 1998.

2. What attracted you to the job?
Neccesity.

3. How did you get started in the casting business?
I was production managing a feature film that had a low budget, and didn't include a budget for a casting director. Because I was an actor, and had been to auditions for film and TV in Toronto, Vancouver, and New York (and Winnipeg) I knew the actors in town, and I knew how to run an audition. So I offered to do it, and had a really great time with it. After that other offers for my services as casting director started to come in, and I left my position as an associate producer on-staff with a local production company to start my own casting business. My goal was to raise the standard of the local talent, so that we could change the perception of our talent as being a bunch of amateurs, so we could attract more production to our province (so we could stay here and raise a family here).

4. What projects have you been involved with?
Feature films "Clutch"(as a swing PA), as a casting director on "Heater", "Hide and Seek", "Desire" (extras only), "Law of Enclosures" (extras only), MOW's "Milgaard" (as an APC and assistant to the producers), "Secret Cutting", and on several commercials, industrials, music videos, and print campaigns. In addition I co-ordinated and directed several episodes of an internet series, produced and directed several stage plays, and produced and led several workshops. Currently I am producing and directing a feature film called "Lysa's Strategy" and casting the features "Wishmaster III" and "Wishmaster IV".

5. What would a typical day at the office be like for you?
Today I woke up at 6:00 a.m. to feed my baby, my husband and I went to the office, and I had a meeting with a design company to do some model casting for a print campaign, I set up a meeting with a company to cast a music video, I had call-backs with the director of "Wishmaster III" and "Wishmaster IV", I did deal memos for the chosen actors, set up a meeting for one of the dancers auditioning for a role in "Wishmaster IV" to meet with the pyrotechnics people on the film to show them and the director her "fire dance", helped co-ordinate extras casting for "Wishmaster III" and "Lysa's Strategy", did some office re-organization, and accounting, and a whole bunch of other little things. That's an average day, except we got to leave the office early tonight, at 6:45.

6. What steps are involved in the casting process?
Actors or their agents submit their pictures and resumes to me, the director or producers' representative let me know what roles they would like to cast, I choose some people to put on tape based on their look, experience, and the quality of their picture and resume (oh yeah, and their talent), I put those people on tape, the director/producers view the tape, they tell me who they want to cast or see in call-backs, and when the actors they like have been chosen I negotiate their deal on behalf of the production and submit the appropriate paperwork.

7. How much influence do you have on the selection of the final candidate?
Very little. That decision lies in the hands of the director and producers.

8. What's your favorite part of your job?
Giving opportunity to people who love to act.

9. What's the worst part?
Not being able to make a living in Winnipeg.

10. What are some of the methods you use for finding new talent?
I often have open calls, arrange for go-sees, host workshops to meet new talent, and my office has an open door policy where people are welcome to come and meet me, to get advice on the industry, and to hear about upcoming opportunities.

11. What makes an actor stand out?
There is a raw power that is intangible and inimitable that can only be described as star power. I've met three actors in my work as a casting director who have this. Then there are the rest of us who work hard to be prepared with great headshots and resumes, who know their sides when they come to an audition, and who are smart enough and talented enough to offer a convincing read.

12. What first catches your attention about an actor's headshot?
Whether or not it is done by a professional who actually knows what a headshot should look like. A headshot should look like the actor on a good average day, should have the actor's name on it, should be clear, casual, and engaging - the actor's face should be engaging to the viewer and say something about that actor.

13. What makes a good headshot?
Ah! I just answered that!

14. What do you look for in a resume?
Name, telephone number, height, weight, hair colour, eye colour, acting experience, training, and special skills - properly formatted.

15. What do most actors need to improve on?
Having their marketing package (pictures and resume) looking sharp, audition technique (slating properly, knowing their sides, not blowing the take, not portraying their nerves), and knowing the business. A well-read actor (who reads the trade papers, and knows what is going on in their city) is an empowered actor.

16. In your opinion, what characteristics does an actor need to become a star?
Like I said earlier, it is impossible to describe star power. If people tell you constantly that you should get to Hollywood, you might have it. If everyone looks at you when you walk into a room, or are walking down the street, you might have it. But you can't reach for it. You either have it or you don't. And if you have it, get somewhere where someone can notice it.

17. Should an actor keep in touch with you through notes and postcards to let you knowwhat they're doing?
I appreciate updated resumes accompanied by pictures (even if the picture hasn't changed) and vice versa. If an actor is moving out of town, I like to know that too. And I love to be invited to plays that actors I know are in (and comp-ed), though I can't always go.

18. What's the best way for actors to make themselves known to the people who do the hiring in the industry?
In Winnipeg, by contacting them directly. Find someone in the industry and find out who to get in touch with.

19. How much does "who you know" affect whether or not you're cast?
If the casting director doesn't know you, you won't get cast.

20. From your experiences, how are Canadian actors viewed by American producers?
An L.A. zip code seems to make a big difference in perception, to be honest.

21. What's the best advice you've ever gotten in life?
Be happy.

22. What's your favorite inspirational quote?
Do what you do with all your might, but first make sure you start it right.

23. Is there anyone in the industry that you especially admire?
Jim Heber. [Note from Leslie: He is also a Casting Director in Winnipeg]

Any final comments or advice?
Acting is a brutal profession for a lot of reasons. I wouldn't wish the desire to act on my worst enemy (not that I have any enemies)! But if you do want to act, do it from a position of power. Get together with like-goaled friends and write and produce your own vehicles. Do it. Don't wait for it to come to you, because it's a long and torturous wait that most likely will never be satisfied.