Once back in Seattle, she acquired a few wild animals (wolf, tiger, fox,
deer, raccoon, and so forth) and started an educational program to teach
local school children respect for wildlife and endangered species.
Recognizing that there was no one in the Northwest providing animals
for film work, she began networking to let people know that she and her
animals were available.
After five years with the school program, Gordon decided to let it go
and devote her efforts to film work. Realizing that dogs and cats were in
greater demand than wild animals, she focused more in that direction,
forming Anne's Animal Actors. Her first feature job was providing
forest animals and a dog pack for Harry & the Hendersons. For her first
television series, Disney's Danger Bay, she trained skunk, otter, bear,
raccoon, and dogs.
Gordon has since amassed an impressive resume that includes provid-
ing animals for feature films A River Runs Through It, The Hand That Rocks
the Cradle, Legends of the Fall, Practical Magic, Vanilla Sky, and for television
movies and series Stephen King's Rose Red, The Fugitive, Northern Exposure,
Sliders, and Twin Peaks.
When the film business in the Northwest began drying up in 2001,
Gordon decided to relocate to Los Angeles. She sold her animals to Silver
Screen Animals in November and took a job with the company. One
month later she landed the job of co-trainer for the two dogs that will
share the starring role in the upcoming Benji movie.
Job Overview
Generally hired by the producer, the casting director works closely
with the director to find the appropriate people to perform the various
acting roles in the production.
Special Skills
A casting director must possess the ability to recognize acting poten-
tial and ability. People skills are a fundamental requirement for the job.
A casting director must be able to communicate with the film director to
gain a clear understanding of his vision for the production's characters,
and be able to make those who are auditioning feel at ease in what is
often a stressful situation.
JOB TITLE: CASTING DIRECTOR,
CASTING AGENT, OR CASTING ASSISTANT
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