Shows
The Acting Podcast from The BGB StudioEp. 60: How to Be Awesome - Answers to Your Burning Career Questions: Part 1This is our 60th episode of The Acting Podcast đ which is a big deal for us here at The BGB Studio. So welcome to #60, and How to be Awesome.You ARE awesome.Say that to yourself, maybe even in the mirror; try it! I AM AWESOME. Now let it land. Right in your solar plexus. Itâs TRUE. And while this Industry may not see you in your awesomeness- now or yet or since whenever- itâs your job⊠your responsibility⊠your privilege⊠to step into the light. To let your awesomeness b...2025-05-281h 16
Rambler with Maya Bassi CurtisâIâm an actorâ: The craft, training, trusting yourself, and owning who you areIn this episode, Iâll reflect on the craft of acting, the process and necessity of training, trusting yourself and the work, and owning who you are. Â RESOURCES:MÄyÄ: The MusicalMÄyÄ in PlaybillDavid Genik - The Importance of Training For Actors: Achieving ExcellenceDavid Genik - Why Itâs Important To Keep Learning As An Actor For Career GrowthAnthony Meindl - Trust That You're EnoughACTING PODCASTS THAT I RECOMMEND:In The Envelope: The Actor's Podcast by Backstage Awards Chatter by The Hollywood Reporter The A24 Podcast by A24The Ac...2025-04-011h 00
The Acting Podcast from The BGB StudioEp. 59: Rebuilding your Career, your Community, & YOU as an ActorAt our most recent BGB Actors Summit, Risa and Steve gathered with actors from all over the world- from Rio de Janeiro to Mumbai, from Glasgow to San Antonio, from Buffalo to all over Los Angeles. They offered the fundamental and practical steps necessary to nurture and rebuild your career, your collaboration with other creative professionals, and your art. These are essential practices that take you on the journey to success- from care for yourself and who you are as an artist through to expressing that art in and with the support of a strong creative community. A...2025-03-111h 20
The Acting Podcast from The BGB StudioThe BGB Studio Presents: The Stories Project | Night One: Alexandra WrightHunting SeasonâA story, in three parts, about Catfish Queens, Virgin Marys, and Losing your Damn Mind in the Mississippi Deltaâ2025-02-2030 min
The Acting Podcast from The BGB StudioThe BGB Studio Presents: The Stories Project | Night One: Dominic BurgessSaturday BoyâA tale driving you into the heart of car bonnets, old ladies and existential dreadâ2025-02-2020 min
The Acting Podcast from The BGB StudioThe BGB Studio Presents: The Stories Project | Night One: Sydney WalshLosing My ReligionâItâs 1992⊠painting houses, a break up, a presidential election, and poetryâ2025-02-1715 min
The Acting Podcast from The BGB StudioThe BGB Studio Presents: The Stories Project | Night One: Benjamin Earl TurnerMurder at Heaven AvenueâA mountaintop revelation changed everythingâ2025-02-1721 min
The Acting Podcast from The BGB StudioThe BGB Studio Presents: The Stories Project | Night One: Bernard WhiteMuqtadaâs RoomâAn invitation to stay in bed gets him out of bed and into the dreamâ2025-02-1318 min
The Acting Podcast from The BGB StudioThe BGB Studio Presents: The Stories Project | Night One: Nick BallardThe CreekâThings left saidâ 2025-02-1311 min
The Acting Podcast from The BGB StudioThe BGB Studio Presents: The Stories Project | Night One: Doug TomposIncomplete KnowledgeâDesire spirals into obsession amidst the labyrinthine canals of Venice.â2025-02-1025 min
The Acting Podcast from The BGB StudioThe BGB Studio Presents: The Stories Project | Night Two: Paul CassellCynthia ContinuedâA bitter green salad and the awful reality of transactional relationshipsâ2025-02-1025 min
The Acting Podcast from The BGB StudioThe BGB Studio Presents: The Stories Project | Night Two: Kyle SecorTrastevereâImpossible moments and a Maestroâs long gameâ2025-02-0917 min
The Acting Podcast from The BGB StudioThe BGB Studio Presents: The Stories Project | Night Two: Katie SavoyFound WordsâA trip to Wales to find connection led to more than she could have ever imaginedâ2025-02-0614 min
The Acting Podcast from The BGB StudioThe BGB Studio Presents: The Stories Project | Night Two: Clay WilcoxHand ToolsâHand tools and family treesâ2025-02-0615 min
The Acting Podcast from The BGB StudioThe BGB Studio Presents: The Stories Project | Night Two: Leslie MurphyYouâve Been Lurking HereâA hazy memory of treasure and ruin in New Mexicoâ2025-02-0311 min
The Acting Podcast from The BGB StudioThe BGB Studio Presents: The Stories Project | Night Two: Daniel RubianoSidenotesâHope = the fire in the rear view is smaller, the further we getâ2025-02-0318 min
The Acting Podcast from The BGB StudioEp. 58: Horror, Genres, & the Romance of Acting in the 80s! w/ Risa, Syd & CoreyItâs Horror month. Halloween⊠and all. đIn the spirit of spooky movies, I talk with 2 of our amazing BGB Master Teachers, Sydney Walsh & Corey Parker, on Zoom (so you can watch!) about what it was like to act in the HORROR genre- they each have starred in a few iconic Horror Movies. We talk Horror movie acting, and acting in any Genre, plus what it was like to audition in the 80s and 90s when big filmmakers were in the room, along with Casting Directors (like me!) who collaborated with actors, brought them back in many times...2024-10-251h 19
The Acting Podcast from The BGB StudioEp. 57: Stepping into AbundanceAn actor's mindset can make or break a career. Your job is to open your heart, remain sensitive and open. And youâre asked to do that job in an Industry that doesn't have the capacity to care for your needs and in which scarcity is the norm. You will lose faith. Itâs inevitable. But how gracefully you can find it again is the difference between auditioning with the full power of your talent, and allowing fear and self-consciousness to drain you of your power when youâre trying to book work. Risa and Steve examine what it...2024-10-071h 09
The Acting Podcast from The BGB StudioEp. 56: Risa & Anthony Meindl in ProcessRisa talked on Zoom with with Anthony Meindl of fellow acting studio, AMAW (which is Anthony Meindl's Acting Workshop) about EVERYTHING⊠about art, big tech, climate change, self-tapes, casting, how Tik Tok is killing our attention span, and how things are really really hard right now. They talked about both getting started in the NY theatre and the power of community, and, something that resonates for us at BGB a well... being in process always, and being an artist first. It was a great conversation and we want to share it with all of you. So no matter where yo...2024-08-281h 01
The Acting Podcast from The BGB StudioEp. 55: What are You Waiting For? You Are The Industry.Risa sat down with some of our amazing BGB teachers (Cate Cohen, Sydney Walsh, Corey Parker, and David DeSantos) for an inspiring conversation about redefining your relationship with the Industry. About how to successfully step into your power in your work, your art, and your career. What leadership looks like so that you're in the driverâs seat, not waiting for the Industry to invite you in. Why we all need a community in which to be creative, to grow, to thrive- we were never meant to do this alone. How to become a creative force and impact your au...2024-06-141h 11
The Acting Podcast from The BGB StudioEp. 54: What Does It Take to Make it Now?Change is the only constant and the changes have come fast and hard. So what is the Industry now? What does it mean to be an Actor right now? What does it take to make it today? Risa and Steve discuss the current state of Industry, what actors can expect from the Industry and the essential shifts actors need to make right now to position themselves for success. Listen in and let us know how this resonates with you.MORE ON RISAMORE ON STEVESubscribe! And if y...2024-05-151h 02
The Acting Podcast from The BGB StudioEp. 53: Finding Freedom & Power in Script AnalysisâScript Analysisâ is an often misunderstood term that can result in an actor robbing a scene of its art by reducing it to mathematical calculations. Some actors love the idea of script analysis so they can âsolveâ the scene and control it. Other actors abandon the idea of script analysis altogether because they are afraid of adding any structure to their art. The truth of Script Analysis is more interesting and dynamic. BGB Master Teachers, Cate Cohen, Sydney Walsh, and Corey Parker, sit down with Risa and Steve to talk about the dance between structure and fluidity in your preparat...2024-02-271h 19
The Acting Podcast from The BGB StudioEp. 52: How to Stand Out from Hundreds of Other ActorsAn actor who books work consistently is an actor who has the capacity to remain vulnerable in the face of intense rejection, to stay focused in a world full of distractions, and to stay sharp in one of the most competitive Industries around. The actor who books work consistently has found a way to stand out from hundreds of others. They have expressed themself in a way that makes them a singularity. In a hard industry and a hard world, that kind of singular expression must be supported by a lifestyle that nurtures their art and their career. Listen...2024-01-3058 min
The Acting Podcast from The BGB StudioEp. 51: 3 Powerful Lessons of 20232023 was a really intense year. Two strikes, wars, a contracting Industry, inflation, lingering effects of the pandemic, etc. And that intensity revealed some powerful lessons that every actor must hear and understand in order to be a working actor in 2024. Risa and Steve delve into the lessons of 2023 that point to the new reality for actors and light the path to success in the New Year!Subscribe! And if you're loving the Podcast, leave a review and rating!Your words will help connect us all and bring these valuable conversations to even more actors- and o...2023-12-1258 min
The Acting Podcast from The BGB StudioEp. 50: The Strike is Over. Hereâs What to Do Now.Ok, so the Industry is back. But it won't be business as usual. It can't be. Too much has changed. And if you want to book work in this new reality, you're going to have to change too. So listen in and let us know what speaks to you! You can meet this moment, but it won't be easy. Risa and Steve discuss where the Industry is at right now and the important first steps that every actor must take now that the strike is over.Subscribe! And if you're loving the Podcast, leave a review and...2023-11-1057 min
The Acting Podcast from The BGB StudioEp. 49: How to Redefine Your Career For This MomentThis is a new world for actors. And the Industry that emerges on the other side of the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes will be different than anything we've ever seen.The ways in which Actors have thought about their careers for over a century are, in many ways, no longer relevant.So, what's an Actor to do?Risa and Steve shed light on this strange new world, offer insight into what it might look like, and discuss the action that Actors can (and must) take right now if they want to have a...2023-09-161h 10
The Acting Podcast from The BGB StudioEp. 48: John Frank Levey, Casting Director: Finding His RoleJohn Levey loves his job. He loves actors. He loves storytelling. He loves diving into the worlds each character inhabits. Heâs been loving it for 40 years and is one of the masters of this passion profession, having won multiple Emmys and Artios awards, putting actors into groundbreaking roles on some of the most popular television shows of all time- E.R., The West Wing, China Beach, and Shameless, to name just a few. Listen in as Risa & Steve have an honest conversation with the legendary John Frank Levey.Subscribe! And if you're loving the Po...2023-07-071h 08
The Acting Podcast from The BGB StudioEp. 47: A.I. is coming for your jobs. Here's what to do.Generative A.I. is not the future. It is here. Now. And as the technology gets better and better, and audiences become less able to discern whether or not the actor on their favorite TV show or movie is human or A.I., the Industry will choose A.I. generated actors over human actors. A.I. actors are cheaper, less demanding, donât have a union, and donât require inconveniences like air, water, food, physical space, etc. But as Generative A.I. comes for your jobs, it forces all of us to ponder important questions that, left...2023-06-2444 min
The Acting Podcast from The BGB StudioEp. 46: What to do when The Industry StopsWe wholeheartedly support the writers as they fight for what they rightly deserve. And also, a strike means that the Industry is slowing/shutting down. For actors, that can mean fewer auditions and less hope of booking jobs. It can bring up fear and disappointment, especially after three years of pandemic-related uncertainty. In this episode, Risa and Steve offer tools to navigate it all, and reveal some of the incredible opportunities that present themselves when the Industry stops.Subscribe! And if you're loving the Podcast, leave a review and rating!Your...2023-05-0535 min
The Acting Podcast from The BGB StudioEp. 45: The Healing Required to Be an ActorAs an actor, your vulnerability and emotional sensitivity are not only tools of your art. They are your products. But being a sensitive person in an often cold, emotionally violent industry can be a train wreck waiting to happen. Risa and Steve explore the kind of consistent healing necessary to stay open enough to bring the fullness of your talent to your auditions, and not compromise your mental health while doing it.Your nervous system is your tool and your product. Itâs also a sacred element of your being, through which you receive and process the world...2023-03-301h 05
The Acting Podcast from The BGB StudioEp. 44: A Recovering Casting Director: Why CD Michelle Allen Walked Away From CastingActors can often see CDs as faceless, soulless gate-keepers with the potential to grant wishes or kill dreams. This perception is not only wrong, but itâs bad for an actorâs business. Casting directors are human beings who, like you, often struggle to do good work in an emotionally violent industry. In fact, the humanity of casting directors- their ability to be emotionally affected, to be moved- is often the reason an actor gets a callback and gets cast. Actors must believe then and constantly remind themselves that casting directors have the capacity to be emotionally moved by their...2023-02-1456 min
The Acting Podcast from The BGB StudioEp. 43: How To Be A Happy ActorIn a business this competitive, navigating the slings and arrows to find happiness is a revolutionary act. Pursuing an acting career is hard. Heck, just being an actor, an artist in a violent world, is hard. You can feel unseen, discouraged and lost. There are challenges at every turn. And yet, amidst all the challenges, there is a way to be an actor, to pursue an acting career, and be a happy, whole human being. It takes focus and discipline but itâs possible. Risa and Steve sit down with BGB Master Teachers, Sydney Walsh and Cate Cohen, to di...2023-02-031h 04
The Acting Podcast from The BGB StudioEp. 42: That Next Level ShitBeyond the BS- mastering the latest audition/self-tape âtrends,â getting the hottest agent or hiring the best personal trainer- there exist the real, less-talked about elements of success. After many decades in the business and a decade of guiding some of the best and most successful actors on the planet at the BGB Studio, Risa and Steve reveal the bad-ass practices that not everyone has the capacity for, but that are required for success. This is how amateurs become professionals. This is that Next Level shit. Listen in.Subscribe! And if you're loving the Podcast, leave a revi...2023-01-061h 08
The Acting Podcast from The BGB StudioEp. 41: Fighting Isolation: Why You Need an Artistic CommunityAn artistic community is an essential part of your success. In order to do amazing audition/self-tape work consistently, you'll have to combat the isolation and inhumanity of the Industry with the collaboration, connection, and care that you only find from community. The right artistic community lifts you up, challenges you to be better, keeps you accountable, reinforces your values, reminds you that you are an actor, and that art matters. On the 10 year anniversary of BGB, Risa and Steve explore the power of this artistic community, and how you can leverage artistic community for your own success.2022-12-1651 min
The Acting Podcast from The BGB StudioEp. 40: Opening the Door to Commercial Casting: with Danielle Eskinazi & Renita GaleRisa sat down to talk about the Commercial Casting world with not one- but two incredibly talented commercial casting directors. Danielle Eskinazi (to whom Risa gave her first job decades ago!) and Renita Gale (see bios below) are both long standing CDs who are passionate and talented artists and truly care about actors. We are excited to have you listen as they share how they got into the biz, why they have stayed, how the commercial landscape has changed and lots about the audition process these days. AND why we all must walk through the door when the universe...2022-11-031h 13
The Acting Podcast from The BGB StudioEp. 39: The Self-Tape Crisis Risa and Steve sat down to talk about the Self-Tape crisis- an actual creative and professional crisis that actors, casting directors, agents, managers, and others in our business are experiencing right now.Self-tapes are here to stay. But at this point in their evolution, they have the potential to consume you; to pull the entire focus of time and attention as you navigate the technical elements, the lack of collaboration, and the limitations of the process. We see a crisis in our Industry. The proliferation of this process has made actors forget about art. Itâs time to...2022-10-061h 00
The Acting Podcast from The BGB StudioRichard Hicks, CD: Weâre All In This TogetherRichard Hicks is a Casting Director for film, television and theatre (see bio below). Heâs done it all, he loves it all, and his work is beautiful. Weâre excited to have you listen to our conversation with Richard, and we hope that it humanizes casting directors even more, which is one of our missions- to remind each other and our community always that we are ALL dancing between art and commerce, and we are doing it together. That the faces of the business are simply human beings, often vulnerable, navigating the Industry while making work the best they...2022-09-231h 02
The Acting Podcast from The BGB StudioJason Clodfelter: A Journey from Actor to Writer to Co-Prez Sony Pictures TelevisionJason Clodfelter is hardly whom you might think of when you imagine a big Hollywood Studio TV (Co) President. Heâs sensitive, caring, personable, charming, thoughtful, and an artist - a fantastic writer, director, actor, and collaborator. Risa got to know Jason in class every week where the work was intimate and intense, and he went all in. And, as he tells us here, his job at Sony TV became an act of artistry, something he needed if he was going to continue to work in what can be considered a soul-sucking job. But he found another way! ...2022-09-091h 05
The Acting Podcast from The BGB StudioThe Pursuit of Happiness - with Caroline Lindy, Dominic Burgess, Ellyn Jameson & Johnathan McClainNothing makes Risa and Steve happier than creating space and facilitating a path for actors to find their voices as creators: filmmakers, writers, directors, producers, cinematographers, editors, etc. When they started BGB, Risa and Steve brought their love of the process of creating from theatre, film, and television into the work that they- and all our teachers- practice in class. And out of that, they have nurtured the fullest expression of each artistâs unique voice, along with the practice of artistic leadership. In and out of class, we all make films together and we continue to watch BGB ac...2022-07-211h 23
The Acting Podcast from The BGB StudioEp. 35: Is It Time To Give Up Acting?Every actor will inevitably find themselves in the desert, struggling to make it all work. At many points along the way, you will look at yourself in the mirror and wonder if it's time to step away from your passion, your pursuit. Is it time to give up acting? Risa and Steve discuss this important⊠and scary question. Listen in- we invite you to ask the question and find some answers in this episode!Subscribe! And if you're loving the Podcast, leave a review and rating!Your words will help connect us al...2022-07-0859 min
The Acting Podcast from The BGB StudioApril Webster: Galactic Casting DirectorOften we think of successful Industry folks as out of reach and fancy and intimidating- especially after decades of huge success. And here at BGB and on the Acting Podcast we try to dispel that belief and remind ourselves that we are ALL human in this, we all face challenges, we are all figuring it out day to day.Steve and Risa had great privilege to zoom this week with brilliant, acclaimed casting director, April Webster, and talked with her about the amazing work she has done over decades, how she approaches and has always approached the...2022-06-171h 25
The Acting Podcast from The BGB StudioWhy Acting Teachers SuckAt their best, acting teachers have the ability to create a healthy space in which actors can engage in the consistent practice of their art, deepening their awareness and understanding of themselves and the world. And also, acting teachers have a legacy of falling short. There are amazing teachers doing the hard work of examining ego in the interest of facilitating growth in others. And on the other end of the spectrum there are actual abusive predators who leverage the unearned status and power that is sadly associated with the title "Acting Teacher." And in the middle there are...2022-06-031h 13
The Acting Podcast from The BGB StudioOwning the BROKE in One Broke Actress: A Conversation with Sam ValentineRisa and Steve sit down in-person with Sam Valentine aka One Broke Actress. Sam is a working actor, a content creator, a coach, a podcaster, an actorâs advocate, the poster actor for the side hustle, with a significant social media presence and a foray into youtube, and the creator of One Broke Actress. Together they talk about what BROKE really means and how to embrace it. And they dive into what gets Sam up in the morning, what drives her and fires her up, and what continues to challenge her, even after all this new success. AND how On...2022-05-201h 14
The Acting Podcast from The BGB StudioHow to Have a Post-Covid Acting CareerIn this first episode of Season 3, Risa and Steve talk about how to navigate this new and challenging time in order to find your way in an Industry thatâs also redefining itself. Weâve all changed in the past 2 years, and now, Risa and Steve invite you to start with the following: Stop, look inside, create space, and figure out who you are right now so that your acting can be current, an expression of this very moment. From there, you can offer your art with presence, vulnerability, listening, self-awareness, kindness, empathy, human connection, artistic leadership, and generosity.2022-04-1856 min
The Acting Podcast from The BGB StudioSelf-Tapes Don't Have to HurtIn this conversation about that big topic: Self-Tapes- taking up most of the audition real estate- Risa and Steve offer ways in which you can move past all the (real, tangible) challenges of self-taping, even the trauma around it, and discover the freedom, joy, and deep curiosity you need to get the attention of any Casting Director and book work regularly. Your Self-Tapes donât have to hurt anymore! We're excited to offer ways to shift your mindset, bring all of your talent to bear in your work on-camera- even if youâre home alone, turn your Self-Tapes into art...2022-04-121h 07
The Acting Podcast from The BGB StudioCooking Your Self-TapeBGB Master Teacher Sydney Walsh teaches Risa how she makes steak, shares insight on mushrooms as she cooks them LIVE, and connects it all to your audition + self-tape practice. âYou can follow the recipe and still be deeply creative.â Just like cooking⊠as an actor, you must create space and time to prepare a meal and allow it to simmer and grow into something delicious. This goes for your self-tape or audition as well- being fully present in order to allow your imagination to inform what you create and be in the process of making something new each time. You mu...2021-06-2956 min
The Acting Podcast from The BGB StudioThe Practice That Leads to SuccessWeâre sharing a special conversation Risa + Steve had on a recent IG LIVE that has become a fantastic podcast episode about Practice! Here we go deep into what kind of practice you need to cultivate in order to book jobs, to rekindle the joy your work, and to have the confidence youâre looking for to meet this amazing and challenging career path youâve chosen for yourself. Listen in and see what aligns with you as well as what mindset shifts you might start to make to solidify a practice for your career, for your art, for your l...2021-06-211h 02
Acting: Conversations on CraftEpisode 27: Episode 27 The Importance of Empowerment, Expanding Stories, and Being Ready All The Time: A Conversation with Risa Bramon Garcia of The BGB StudioI was so excited to have the opportunity to talk to Risa Bramon Garcia, co-founder and master teacher of The BGB Studio in LA. I wanted to know why it was so important to her to empower the actors in her studio and around the world. "There is a big difference between the actor who takes ownership of their talent and the actor who does not," she says. Risa goes on to explain that when actors do the work for its own sake, then they feel like they belong.
We also talked about the importance for actors to write and...2021-05-1650 min
The Acting Podcast from The BGB StudioNot Just An Actor: Making Your Own BoxRisa and Steve sit down with an incredible group of successful multi-hyphenates- Milena Govich, Will McCormack, Grasie Mercedes, and Brea Grant- all of whom started their journeys as actors and have since grown into other roles in the Industry, making names for themselves as writers, directors, producers, and showrunners. Together they discuss their unique paths, and how theyâve found empowerment and fulfillment by stretching themselves in multiple areas of their careers, acquiring agency to expand their artistic lives in the process. P.S. And itâs made them stronger, freer actors.Subscribe! And if you're loving the...2020-10-201h 16
The Acting Podcast from The BGB StudioDoing It All: Career, Art & ParenthoodRisa and Steve sit down with a dynamic group of actor-parents- Heather Brooker, Eddie Cahill, Anna Silk, and Cate Cohen- all with extensive and varied careers â to talk about what it means to be a parent while navigating their artistic careers & the Industry. They discuss their journeys, their challenges, their joys, their big realizations- and how parenting has not only deeply informed their acting, but how acting has made them much better parents. We love this talk and hope it brings you new clarity and wisdom, as it did for us. Note: Parenthood has been hugely challenging during Covid, an...2020-10-131h 09
The Acting Podcast from The BGB StudioRe-opening the Industry w/ Gabrielle + Duncan of SAG-AFTRAIn the midst of this time of great uncertainty and upheaval for actors across the globe, and as the Industry slowly reopens, it is paramount for actors to be aware of new on-set protocols, how to advocate for yourselves in every area of your work and careers- including having a voice in your union- and how to keep your creative spirit alive. In that pursuit, we are thrilled to offer our conversation with Gabrielle Carteris, president of SAG-AFTRA, and Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, SAG-AFTRAâs chief operating officer as well as the unionâs Safety & Reopening Lead, currently working with specialists in t...2020-10-091h 11
The Acting Podcast from The BGB StudioGetting Intimate w/ Mia Schachter: Sex, Consent, & Nudity On SetIn this episode, Risa and Steve talk with Mia Schachter- one of Hollywoodâs top intimacy coordinators- about their role in the Industry + how actors can advocate for themselves in any situation with regards to intimacy, sex, nudity, and consent of all kinds. Whether choreographing sex scenes, negotiating nudity riders, or simply having the backs of actors on set, Mia discusses what they actually do (and youâll find this as fascinating and necessary as we did), along with their background, the challenges around creating safe sets, what they do to help actors feel safe and empowered, and how they...2020-10-061h 22
The Acting Podcast from The BGB StudioMary Queen of Casting: A Candid Conversation w/ Mary VernieuCasting titan Mary Vernieu, whose company Betty Mae Casting is known for working with prestige directors and indie talent alike, joins Risa and Steve in this episode for an in-depth discussion of the casting process, the importance of preparation, championing and nurturing actors and filmmakers, and always approaching the work of acting, auditioning, and casting with creativity, joy, flexibility, and play. Maryâs journey has been incredible so far; sheâs created a meaningful, creative family at Betty Mae, and is deeply grateful for it all. We are thrilled to share this insightful and moving conversation with you. Fun fact...2020-09-281h 17
The Acting Podcast from The BGB StudioThe Booking MindsetBooking work starts with a booking mindset. In this episode, Risa and Steve break down the ways in which to shift your approach to booking work and cultivate a consistent practice in order to do amazing work all the time, whether in a high-pressure audition setting, self-tape, on set, in rehearsal, or in your approach to your career. Listen in and learn how to change your norm from nervousness, self-consciousness, even self-defeat, to believing in yourself, being self-aware, proactive, and deeply knowing your power as an actor and your value as an artist. Go ahead and do some journaling...2020-09-2244 min
The Acting Podcast from The BGB StudioThe Audrey Moore HustleRisa and Steve sat down with Audrey Moore, a passionate artist, popular podcast host, and actorâs advocate. She has an incredible focus and discipline in how she engages in the business of acting, as well as her craft, and sheâs here to share her journey. Listen in to this juicy talk about what it means to be a story ninja, how to normalize the audition experience, the importance of developing a consistent and practical practice, and the origin story behind her hugely renowned podcast AUDREY HELPS ACTORS! Our question to you after listening: What is your devoted and...2020-09-151h 13
The Acting Podcast from The BGB StudioSarah Finn: Superhero of CastingSarah Finn is the award-winning casting director of Oscar winners and blockbusters alike. Best known for her work casting the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe, she has also cast a huge range of films and TV shows [full bio below]. In this episode Sarah talks with Risa and Steve about her casting journey- its joys and challenges, about her unique process, and about how to approach the work from a place of creative collaboration, curiosity, and a deep love for acting. Fun fact: Sarah started her epic casting adventure as Risaâs assistant a couple of decades ago.Su...2020-09-081h 11
The Acting Podcast from The BGB StudioWTF Just Happened?! Meeting the Moment w/ Risa & SteveNo matter how bad things get, art brings hope. In this first episode of Season 2, Risa and Steve speak to being an artist in 2020 in the face of a worldwide pandemic, systemic racism, and an election; where the Industry is headed, and whatever uncertainty and distress result from it all. And how keeping hope- and your art- alive is both a soul-serving necessity and a revolutionary declaration that we are still here, we are still feeling, we are still human. All you have to do is show up!Subscribe! And if you're loving the Podcast, leave a...2020-09-0151 min
The Acting Podcast from The BGB StudioTalking Shop with Our BGB Casting Family: Risa Bramon Garcia, Leah Daniels-Butler, & Billy HopkinsRisa, Billy, and Leah (whose history together runs deep) sat down together (over Zoom) to talk about how actors and CDs are breaking down barriers and connecting in this ânew normalâ via social media challenges, IG LIVES, and open calls, including the massively popular monologue challenge that Leah ran and took boldly into a daily Instagram LIVE. They spoke about how theyâre each making the new virtual space work, what they want from actors during these challenging months (and actually, always), + what the future of casting will bring. Itâs a dynamic and honest conversation, giving you a peek int...2020-06-221h 03The Acting Podcast from The BGB StudioChampioning Actors: A Casting Director Roundtable on Zoom!In this special bonus episode of The Acting Podcast, Risa and Steve spoke with an incredible group of Casting Directors (in a Zoom roundtable) who are sharing challenges, open calls, and calls for reels on social media, and doing Instagram Lives, all with the intention of being in collaboration with actors and to keep their own artistry alive during these challenging time. Erica Bream, Jason Kennedy, Ramani Leah, Seth Caskey, Cara Chute Rosenbaum, Andrea Bunker, Becky Silverman, and Ryan Glorioso are all offering generously to artists all over the world in ways to bring actorsâ unique voices to our co...2020-05-151h 16The Acting Podcast from The BGB StudioCreating a Path to Mind-blowing Work during Quarantine - a conversation with our brilliant BGB TeachersFor todayâs special bonus episode of THE ACTING PODCAST, we gathered together our brilliant BGB Master Teachers for an important, frank discussion about coping during the time of the coronavirus, the necessity of creating space for community and artistry to happen, and how the Industry is already starting to shift throughout this as a result â and in many ways, for the better. We are blown away by the generosity, courage, and leadership of these fierce artists, our BGB Teachers, and by the incredible, moving work happening here in our BGB Zoom classes. We couldnât do any of this w...2020-04-291h 14The Acting Podcast from The BGB StudioArt & Healing in the Time of CoronaRisa and Steve sat down together via Zoom for a special bonus episode of The Acting Podcast to speak to our community of artists all over the world about life, art, and healing in the time of Corona. Listen in to what theyâve been discovering about our collective need for artistic expression as we all move through this challenging time. In this, they suggest ways in which we can each maintain- and even cultivate- open hearts and artistry in the face of a global pandemic. The message through all of this is clear: We believe in the power of...2020-03-2423 min
faithmoriah.speaksWelcome Episode | How To Approach An Audition + TipsUs as creators have the inept ability to deeply feel/connect to every moment. Although, as we got older we learned to suppress this beautiful gift. As if emotion is taboo, too much emotion is soft and our outward appearance must always remain unscathed, tough, careless, confident. We forget that the gift of emotion, deep emotion allows us to tell stories that touch more than the ear, it touches souls. We are blessed, creatives! With a gift from God. Learn it,love it, and ask for guidance in the ability to use it correctly and boldly. This podcast is a...2020-03-1611 minThe Acting Podcast from The BGB StudioIt's Not You, It's Pilot SeasonPilot Season. Whether youâre going out for series regulars non-stop or dreaming of your first co-star, this time of year is fraught. In this episode, Risa, Steve, and a special guest- Casting Director Becky Silverman- break down the idea of Pilot Season (what it means + whatâs really going on behind the scenes) and what you can do to have an active Pilot Season of your own- with or without the Industryâs permission.Subscribe! And if you're loving the Podcast, leave a review and rating!Your words will help connect us all an...2020-01-301h 04The Acting Podcast from The BGB StudioTake Action in 2020Welcome to 2020. Itâs a New Year. A new decade. Now is the time to take stock, to refocus, and to move forward from this moment on with a clarity of vision and purposeful, practical action. What does that look like for you? How do you start? In this special bonus episode, listen in as Risa and Steve guide and encourage you to step into this new beginning from a place of artistic power and creative certainty.Subscribe! And if you're loving the Podcast, leave a review and rating!Your words will help co...2020-01-0631 minThe Acting Podcast from The BGB StudioBernie Telsey: The King of CastingBernie Telsey started his casting career back in the day alongside Risa, and popped into BGB to sit down with Risa + Steve to talk about it all. As head of the massive- and massively successful- Telsey + Company in New York (and LA), Bernie Telsey is a true titan in the casting industry. In this episode, listen in as he talks to Risa and Steve about his passion for collaboration, what he hopes to see from actors in the audition room, and how his unique approach to casting- stemming from a deep love of the theater and the experience of...2019-12-021h 12The Acting Podcast from The BGB StudioHow To Talk To Your Family About Your CareerKnowing how to talk to your family about your career can be a landmine filled with all kinds of emotional pitfalls: shame, insecurity, trying to impress them, a need for validation, and a lack of transparency about where youâre actually at and why you keep doing what youâre doing. In this episode, Risa and Steve break down how you can approach and communicate with your loved ones from a place of compassion, setting healthy boundaries, releasing expectations, and claiming artistic empowerment by taking full ownership- without apology- of what you do and why. Before you go home for...2019-11-2558 minThe Acting Podcast from The BGB StudioSaying Yes to the No: Managing RejectionListen in as Risa and Steve explore every angle of rejection â from the feelings triggered when it happens â to the perspective from the creative team (behind the camera) â and, most importantly, what you can do to take care of yourself, stay focused, and even thrive on your artistic journey in the face of rejection. Learn how you can bounce back as you cultivate your passion and your creativity, and continuing to bring yourself fully into any audition room and any meeting, time and time again. Be ready to collaborate, to offer your talent freely and with generosity, and do your b...2019-11-181h 12The Acting Podcast from The BGB StudioAn Actorâs Consent: Navigating Vulnerable SpacesIn the wake of the ongoing #MeToo and #TimesUp movements, conversations surrounding consent as an actor in this Industry are more vital than ever. In this panel, Risa talks with powerhouse advocates in our Industry: television director and actor Laura Innes, TV producer Laurie Zaks, actor and advocate EsmĂ© Bianco, actor and journalist Margaret Judson, and actor Nick Ballard. This is an honest and provocative conversation that covers everything from nudity on set and intimacy coordinators to redefining what it means to request and offer consent with agency, while doing deep, creative work in storytelling, in business dealings, and i...2019-11-111h 06The Acting Podcast from The BGB StudioJosiah Akinyele- The Hardest Working Agent in Show BusinessIn our recent BGB class, âThe Business of Acting,â Risa had the opportunity to sit down with Josiah Akinyele, an agent at Innovative Artists. Listen in as they discuss the agent/client relationship, how to âmake it,âalong with Josiahâs unique journey from a challenging upbringing in Africa and the U.S.- to working at Banana Republic- to discovering his path and passion as a Hollywood agent. Josiah talks about what he needs from his clients (and potential clients), why the Industry is more competitive than ever right now, and what it takes for actors to be seen and f...2019-11-0454 minThe Acting Podcast from The BGB StudioHow To Get An AgentIn this episode of The Acting Podcast, Risa and Steve tackle the most frequently asked question of all: âHow do I get an agent?â They break it all down, covering everything from cultivating industry relationships and the practical, business side of communicating to advocating for yourself in your work and in the Industry so that youâre ready to engage with agents and managers. Listen in as they champion you to reclaim your power, create connection, bring your value to every aspect of you career, and understand whatâs ultimately important in finding real success- with or without an agent.2019-10-211h 12The Acting Podcast from The BGB StudioThe Secret To Successful PreparationWhat do you do to prepare for an audition? How can you bring your full, authentic self to the work- while remaining flexible and relaxed in the room? In this episode, Risa and Steve break down audition preparation in the simplest, clearest terms, in order for you to start to transform your audition process⊠and book more work!Subscribe! And if you're loving the Podcast, leave a review and rating!Your words will help connect us all and bring these valuable conversations to even more actors- and other artists- around th...2019-10-1446 minThe Acting Podcast from The BGB StudioWisdom of WomenIn this episode of The Acting Podcast, Risa Bramon Garcia sits down with a group of brilliant women- Mindy Cohn, Harley Kozak, Dionne Audain, and Cate Cohen- all with extensive and varied careers as actors, writers, filmmakers and BGB Studio members â to talk about what it means to be a woman in this business. They discuss their journeys, their challenges, being seen over 40, glass ceilings, ageism, plastic surgery, and what it means to be attractive, sensual, and powerful as they get older and wiser in Hollywood and beyond.Subscribe! And if you're loving the Podcast, leave a re...2019-10-071h 11The Acting Podcast from The BGB StudioBGB Creators: Queenâs Gambit FilmsCreating your own work empowers you to take control of your own career. Natalie Britton and Kate Hamilton both started their careers as actors and are now well-versed in the fundamental shift that happens when you start making opportunities for yourself. They have combined experience producing over 17 award-winning short films in a 2 year time period, most recently under the umbrella of their production company âQueenâs Gambit Films.â Listen in as Risa and Steve sit down and talk with these two powerhouse producer-actors, discussing everything from making the move from acting to producing, balancing creativity and parenthood, advice for first...2019-09-301h 13The Acting Podcast from The BGB StudioGetting Right With Self-TapesThe landscape is changing. Self-tapes are the new audition room. But how can you show up fully and do your best work when itâs just you, a camera, and an empty room? Listen as Risa and Steve debunk every myth about self-taping (the blue background, finding a reader, recreating the casting room, etc) and answer your burning questions about how to approach your self-tapes with power, with presence, with freedom, and as an opportunity to truly be in command of your artistry and your career. Itâs time to get right with self-tapes!Subscribe! And...2019-09-231h 07The Acting Podcast from The BGB StudioChoose Your Own Adventure: An Artistic RoadmapCreating your own path as an artist in this Industry â on your own terms â is a vital part of any actorâs journey. In this episode, Risa and Steve talk about their own personal journeys and career challenges, including the story of how they came together, creating The BGB Studio, and how their artistic struggles â both individually and as a team â have defined a path of unique and surprising fulfillment. Their stories serve as a vital reminder that growth and transformation are not only necessary components to any artistic pathway, they are the very things that expand each of us....2019-09-131h 06The Acting Podcast from The BGB StudioHow to Make It in HollywoodHow to make it in Hollywood is about so much more than figuring out the mythic 1-2-3 steps to becoming a star. It lies in a holistic approach to being a whole and happy actor- on your own terms. In this episode, Risa Bramon Garcia and Steve Braun explore the deeper meaning of success and discuss how to approach your career from a place of artistry, collaboration, creativity, and discipline. Listen in and find out how you can expand your artistic journey and book more work because of it!Subscribe! And if you're loving the Podcast...2019-09-0751 minThe Acting Podcast from The BGB StudioOFFICIAL TRAILER - The Acting Podcast from The BGB StudioCheck out a sneak preview of The Acting Podcast (with Risa and Steve) from The BGB Studio. First episode drops Monday, September 9th, 2019. Subscribe now to get new episodes as they become available!For more episodes and info, visit us online at bramongarciabraun.com/the-acting-podcast. And follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter at BGBStudio, where youâll find lots more weâre dying to share.2019-08-1603 min
That One Audition with Alyshia OchseBONUS: Risa Bramon Garcia â Casting Director Who Paved Her Own Way & Built a Creative Sanctuary at BGB Studios True Romance, JFK, Wall Street, The Con Artist, Seal Team, Masters of Sex, Speed, The Doors...)Risa Bramon Garcia has a career spanning over 35 years, working as a writer, director, producer, and casting director. Sheâs worked in theatre, television, and film and has directed two feature films, 200 cigarettes, and The Con Artist. Garciaâs directed for HBO, Lifetime, The Twilight Zone, and Comedy Central. Theartically sheâs directed numerous shows in Los Angeles and New York and has been an integral member of The Ensemble Studio Theatre for 30 years. She began her casting career with her partner Billy Hopkins with the incredibly success feature film Desperately Seeking Susan, and since then her casting career includ...2018-09-181h 19