Today we’d like to introduce you to Debby Gerber.
Debby, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I was born and raised in Switzerland, Basel. When I was a Teen, I started to develop a deep, unexplainable love for the English Language. I’m sure parts of it is because most of the American Music would play on our Swiss radios but whenever I heard someone speak English, I was mesmerized. I loved the sound of it. We learn English in school around the age of 15 but my teacher spoke British English. I refused to adapt to his way of speaking and insisted on the American Accent. It was music to my ears.
My passion for the Language motivated me to start to watch Movies and TV shows in English rather than dubbed in German. First, I could only understand it with English subtitles but soon I was able to watch without any help. This is where my passion for Film started. I saw the film ‘Monster’ with Charlize Theron and yet again, was transformed. I was in awe of her talents. Then the first film of ‘The Lord of the Rings’ came out. And it happened again. I was obsessed with their world, the characters, the language, the magic they had created on screen. I watched all of the movies first in German, then in English, multiple times. I devoured all of the extra footage and behind the scenes material that was available. I fell in love with the art of creating characters, being on set, telling stories that move an audience.
And yet, here I was, a teen in my living room in Switzerland who was about to go study social work. We do not include Acting or Theater in our Education. I was never introduced to it except through watching Movies, so becoming an Actress, having a career in Acting, was never anything I had even dared to dream of… But then the time came where I had graduated something similar to a College and was about to go to University to receive my BA in Social Work. After all, that’s what the Swiss do. We study, get a good job, make money. But before I could attend University, I had 1 year to fill. So I worked 6 months to save up some money and then made plans to finally fulfill a dream that had developed and grown stronger over the years: To visit and experience America.
I worked six days a week, two jobs as a cashier in a pet store and a cashier/waitress in a cafe while living with my parents. I was eager to start planning my trip abroad and soon decided to visit California, it was the sunny state of the US after all. But what was I going to do there? I had no family or friends anywhere in the States. So I decided to perfect my English and visit a Language School while staying with a host family. I quickly found The English Language Center in Westwood in Los Angeles. Los Angeles. I hadn’t specifically thought about visiting the City of Angels but everything seemed to guide me there and line up for me. So I decided to study English there for four months.
Then I had three months left on my student visa before my return flight to Switzerland and the start of my studies. I thought I could either travel and see more of the States or… I don’t know… I am in the City of Entertainment… people are Actors here… maybe… maybe I could take some acting classes, just for the fun of it? It didn’t take long, some googling and comparing different acting schools until I found ‘The Stella Adler Academy of Acting and Theatre’ in Hollywood. Everything about it sounded right and I signed up for two months, then I was going to pack my bags and fly back home.
This whole adventure, studying English in Westwood and then Acting in Hollywood, should have been a total of seven months. It is now November of 2019, 10 years later, and I am still in Los Angeles, a full-time Actress. So yes. A LOT has happened. After I stepped into the Stella Adler School of Acting for the very first time back in 2009, my life quite literally changed forever. I fell in love with Acting.
Something I had never experienced before, there was nothing like it and nothing to compare it to. I loved the challenge of it as I was always naturally very shy and never ever thought I would be on a stage, performing in front of people, reciting long Monologues and intense Dialogues. But through the encouragement of my wonderful acting teachers, the head of the school and fellow classmates, I extended my two months into 1 year, after that one year I extended another year and then was able to graduate. I graduated from an Acting School! I am now an Actress! Shortly after I was able to join the Actor’s Union called SAG-AFTRA which opened more doors for me. I believe in hard work, having a good foundation, training, commitment, passion and endurance.
Since I graduated from the Stella Adler Academy in 2011, I took everything one step at a time. Going from unpaid student films just to gather on set experience and footage for a Reel, slowly but steadily working my way up to Feature Films and TV Shows. I have had the honor of appearing in numerous wonderful Short Films, some went on to win Awards in Film Festivals all over the world, I was honored with Awards for either Best Actress or Supporting Actress for various films, I have appeared on many TV Shows like ‘The Politician’, ‘Evil Things’, ‘Murder Among Friends’ or Feature Films like ‘The Talking Tree’ where I get to play Oscar Nominee and Golden Globe winner Sally Kirkland’s character younger self and the Film will open in select Theaters all over the US this Christmas, or ‘The Walk’, which will open in January 2020 where I was the female lead and had the unique chance of playing 2 very different characters (you’ll understand why if you watch the movie 🙂) to name a few.
Making a living as a full-time Actress is not easy, so instead of having a job that keeps me from auditioning, I do Stand-In and Photo Double work.
Which means, I had the chance to work closely with, watch and learn and get to know some of my favorite Actresses and Idols like Amy Adams as her Stand-In on ‘Sharp Objects’, Jessica Chastain as her Double and Stand-in on a Promo for ‘IT Chapter 2’ and ‘Dark Phoenix’, for Lady Gaga and Sarah Paulson on different Seasons of ‘American Horror Story’, Amy Poehler in the Comedy ‘The House’, Rose Leslie (Game of Thrones) in ‘The Last Witch Hunter’ and many more. And yes, my ultimate Idol. The Woman that opened my eyes so many years ago. Charlize Theron. I finally met her and got to work with her for 10 days as a Background Artist on ‘Bombshell’ which is coming out in December 2019.
As a Stand-In, Double and sometimes even doing Background work, I get to work on some of the biggest sets, while still being in front of the camera and making valuable connections with all the different crews, from production assistants to producers to directors to the writers. I get the scripts and sometimes they ask stand-ins to run the lines and act the scene out for camera rehearsals. Sometimes I even get to read and act with the actual Cast if for example the Actress I stand in for is still in Make Up. It’s the best kind of learning experience and invaluable practice! I will continue until maybe one day I will have my own Stand-In (and having crew members stand-in for me doesn’t count 🙂 ) And trust me, I will make her my best friend because I know how tough the business can be and how some people get treated. I have seen, experienced and learned a lot and I am grateful for all of it.
Well, the University back home in Switzerland has stopped emailing me after four years when they realized I wasn’t gonna come back to take my seat. I had found my real calling and I will continue on this path, with all the trials and tribulations, and will help and guide my fellow actors as much as I can on their own unique paths.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Thankfully, I now see a big change in the Entertainment Business thanks to the #MeToo and #TimesUp Movement. I am noticing more women on set, more women in higher ranks like producers, directors, writers, more people of color getting a chance to be seen and heard, Diversity and Inclusion for all has become a big, new, beautiful Movement. Equal Pay for all. I have never felt as safe on a set as I have in these past few months. Sexual Harassment is being taken serious. Too many times have women, and men, been told to be quiet, the power and money game was real. Things are changing for the better as we all get a voice to be heard, from the Background Actor up to the Producer and the big Studios.
Another Challenge is and always will be Money. Please do not come to LA to become Rich & Famous. I certainly didn’t (if you read my previous, long story haha). You will not find Happiness and Fulfillment if you seek Fame and Fortune. If you’re serious about the Art of Acting, go study. Save money. Spend money wisely. Don’t fall for the wrong people who promise you things they can’t or will never give you or if they do, ask yourself, is it really worth it to you? Stick to your principals. Trust your gut. Surround yourself with good people who have the same passions as you.
Go out and make your own movies, find same-minded people to make films and create content with, work hard, don’t be lazy and think you’re going to be the next big Star cause chances are, you won’t. But if creating art, bringing joy (or tears) to audiences is what your heart desires, then go for it. But you have to commit 100%. The business is rough, very unfair, people with Power have their Favorites and those will get all the jobs ahead of you even if you might be better for the role. People who have 20’000 Instagram followers will get a job over your 500 followers. So be better. Be the Best you can be. Like Actor Bryan Cranston said: ‘Be so good they can’t ignore you.’
Please tell us more about your work.
I talked a lot about my work in the first question but I will add that I love giving advice, guiding and helping fellow actors, newcomers. I have been doing this for ten years now and learned a lot so if my experiences, good and bad, can help others get further or prevent them from mistakes, then it was all worth it to me!
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
Honestly, I don’t believe in that. Things happen for a reason. I learned from all of my experiences over the past 10 years. And yes, it was hard. I have wanted to give up many times. I have sacrificed precious time with my family and friends back home, missed out on important events but I also feel like being apart has brought us even closer. We miss each other and appreciate the time we have together even more. I don’t take any of it for granted. So while I wish I could have been home more often, I now cherish our even stronger bond. I feel nothing but gratefulness towards my journey and the people who have supported me along the way. You know who you are. It’s been an unbelievable, unexpected, difficult but beautiful journey and I really feel like if anything, I found myself during it. We never stop learning, never stop growing. So to all my Dreamers out there, you know yourself best. Listen to your Heart and don’t let anyone tell you you can’t or shouldn’t do something. Be Bold. Be Courageous. But always stay humble and never forget the people who pushed, supported and helped you along the way.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.imdb.me/debbygerber
- Phone: 3232831842
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @debbygerber
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/deborah.figlio
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