For more than 25 years Pam Gilles has been matching directors with the performers who will tell their stories. A transplant to Los Angeles from Oregon, Gilles has worked in feature films, television and commercials and is currently casting for a web series. Her credits include indy films “Killer By Nature,” “Good Intentions,” and “Hero Wanted.” How did you become a casting director? I lived in Portland and I was managing talent. I met (casting director) Rick Pagano and worked with him on a Gus Van Sant movie. He told me to pick either casting or managing talent. I had a successful casting office and moved (to L.A.) in 1996. All my clients were L.A.-based clients. What’s the toughest part of your job? I can’t think of anything. I love casting. I love the actors. I attend actor’s workshops four or five times a month. This is how I meet new actors and actors can meet casting directors and relationships can be built. What’s the most satisfying part of your job? Working with the actors. When they make me cry. Sometimes they are funny as hell, and if they are spot on, I get chills. I love that. How do you know when an actor is special? I get those goose bumps. If an actor is believable and you want to watch them and look at their face, you know it. Every actor who auditions has the same script, the same page, the same direction and when someone puts their own spin on it or turns the words into something else, it’s the one who has more backstory, that’s special. Does a career in the movies get over glamorized? When you are working on a set there is no doubt it is glamorous. People get a special charge. I like to see a project come together, and I am proud of that. That is the glamour for me and many film crew people. What sets you apart from other casting directors? No one has run my camera. That is important to me. Casting directors usually have someone else running their session. I do not like that. I need to see the actors and see if they are good enough or special enough myself. I get to sift through and maybe find a star. People still make you cry and I’m still moved when I see a good actor. Are there particular directors you want to work with? I’ve always wanted to work on Nora Ephron’s movies. And M. Night Shyamalan, I am a huge fan of him. A commercial director that I would like to work with is McG.