What Exactly Does a Casting Director Do?
In this post, we’re excited to introduce one of our very own casting directors, Lewis, originally from the UK, to find out what it’s like to work at the heart of the entertainment industry.
Profile

Name: Lewis Alpheus Gordon
Hometown: Solihull, UK
Interests: Gaming, Reading, Illustration
Tenure: 2nd Year at G-angle
Primary Responsibilities:
- Liaising with domestic and international clients
- Casting voice actors and narrators
- Managing recording schedules
- Providing on-site interpretation during recording sessions
- Leading sessions as a director
- Quality control and audio review
- Overseeing final delivery to clients
Could you tell us about your role?
LewisMy primary focus is managing the production of voice recordings for games and handling the casting for voice actors and narrators. The projects I manage are quite diverse: ranging from Japanese dubbing for international games, to localizing Japanese titles into English and other languages.
In the studio, I act as a bridge between the client, the voice talent, and the recording engineers. This involves providing interpretation and logistical support, and more recently, I’ve been stepping into the director’s chair to provide creative feedback and acting notes during sessions.



We also partner with studios around the world. When we record local professional talent at their overseas studios, I manage the entire process remotely to ensure everything runs smoothly.


What first brought you to Japan?



I’ve loved Japanese games and anime since I was a kid, so Japan was always a place I looked up to. (I was especially obsessed with Gintama and Naruto!)



I stayed in the UK through university, but during my studies, I felt a strong desire to broaden my horizons. I decided to take a gap year to volunteer abroad. I spent time in Nepal as an English teacher, handling everything from lessons to health and hygiene education, and I also volunteered in Malaysia. It was during that journey that I visited Japan for the first time. I was immediately drawn to the energy and atmosphere of the cities here.
I also absolutely love the sound of the Japanese language. Even now, working with Japanese audio in the studio is what gets me most excited! Back then, I only knew enough for basic daily conversation, but my desire to live here was so strong that after graduation, I moved to Japan to start a career as an English teacher.


What led you to join G-angle?



My previous contract as an English teacher was for a maximum of three years, so I spent that time studying and earning my Japanese language certifications to prepare for my next career move in Japan.
I knew I wanted my next step to be in the gaming industry. Games are something I’ve always loved, but as an expat, I initially thought translation was my only real option.
Then, I happened to come across a job opening at G-angle. It was the first time I realized this kind of role even existed! I wasn’t sure if they would hire someone without direct industry experience, but I decided to take the leap and apply anyway.



When I visited the office for the first time, the atmosphere was so welcoming. With the friendly staff and background music playing, it felt more like a boutique hotel than a typical corporate office. I felt that the role would allow me to leverage my knowledge of voice acting while offering plenty of room for growth, which is perfect for me, as I love pushing myself to learn new things. That’s when I knew I wanted to join the team.


What are some of the most challenging aspects of your role?



I’d have to say managing multiple projects simultaneously. It’s the ultimate exercise in multitasking: you really have to stay sharp and focused at all times!
When you’re juggling several tasks, even a small lapse in concentration can lead to an oversight in an email or sending information to the wrong client. Precision and attention to detail are absolutely essential to ensure every interaction is handled with care.



Things get especially intense when several large-scale projects overlap. In those moments, you need a high level of focus paired with total flexibility. For example, I’m currently coordinating recording sessions across seven different languages with studios in Argentina and Germany. Balancing all those different time zones is a challenge in itself!
To avoid long delays in communication, I’ve learned to be very strategic: I try to consolidate as much information as possible into a single email. Since sudden rescheduling is always a possibility in this industry, I make sure I’m always ready to adapt quickly to whatever comes our way.


What are the core values you bring to your work?



Communication is at the heart of everything I do. I make a conscious effort to maintain an “open-door” mindset with everyone I meet. By approaching people with sincerity, regardless of their nationality or position, I find it builds trust. It makes it easier for others to speak their minds, which ultimately leads to much smoother collaborations. When you’re working across different countries and cultures, it’s easy for misunderstandings to arise, so starting every relationship with honesty is essential.
I also adapt my communication style to fit the cultural context. For example, I might take a more casual, “frank” approach with international clients, while prioritizing formal keigo (honorifics) with our Japanese partners.



Actually, I find using Japanese business terminology incredibly fun! I make it a point to play games exclusively in Japanese, and I often read books in both English and Japanese to compare the versions. It’s a great way to sharpen my translation and localization skills.


What are the most rewarding moments for you?



Because I have such a strong desire to be involved in the creative process, being in the studio as a director is definitely my favorite part of the job.
There’s something truly moving about seeing script lines come to life as voice performances and evolve into a finished work. Seeing my name in the credits, or playing a game and watching a character I helped cast start moving on screen: those are the “heart-swelling” moments where I really feel the impact of what I do!
On one project, I actually pushed quite hard to be on-site. My colleagues were a bit worried that I wouldn’t have enough time to handle everything, but by taking on the translation myself, I was able to make the entire recording process run much more smoothly. In the end, the team told me they wanted me to be present for every session, which was incredibly gratifying.



Even more exciting: I’ve just been assigned to the Japanese dubbing project for an international game that I personally loved so much it once moved me to tears. I honestly can’t wait to get started!
Any final words for those considering joining the team?



One of the best things about working here is that if you have the drive, the opportunities to take on new challenges are always there for you!
The environment is incredibly fulfilling. I get to speak English with other international team members, and even outside of work, like at company get-togethers, we spend time together more like friends than just colleagues. It makes for a great work-life balance.



I know starting out with no industry experience can feel a bit daunting, but once you dive in, you’ll find that things have a way of clicking into place. Don’t be afraid to take that first step: go for it!
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If any of this has sparked your interest, we’d love for you to learn more about life at G-angle! Please head over to our Careers Page to see our current opportunities.





