Risa Bramon Garcia (Interview)
Risa started casting in New York as an extension of her rich theatre life. From there she and her partner, Billy Hopkins, took their first step into feature film casting with DESPERATELY SEEKING SUSAN. They worked as a team for 11 years. During and after their successful partnership, Risa cast some of the most memorable movies of the past 30 years. Risa’s résumé includes more than 65 feature films, classics such as SOMETHING WILD, THE JOY LUCK CLUB, TRUE ROMANCE, ANGEL HEART, FATAL ATTRACTION, BORN ON THE FOURTH OF JULY, JFK, WALL STREET, TALK RADIO, THE DOORS, SPEED, JACOB’S LADDER, AT CLOSE RANGE, SNEAKERS, HOW TO MAKE AN AMERICAN QUILT, DEAD PRESIDENTS, TWISTER, BENNY AND JOON, and FLIRTING WITH DISASTER.
She’s cast numerous television shows and pilots, including ROSEANNE, CSI:NY, all four seasons of the Showtime series MASTERS OF SEX, THE AFFAIR and SEAL TEAM. Risa served as a Producer on Oliver Stone’s films HEAVEN AND EARTH and NATURAL BORN KILLERS, movies she also cast.
Risa’s passion for teaching and coaching has lead to her collaboration with Steve Braun in The BGB Studio, a creative space and community they created as an artistic home for actors, writers, directors, filmmakers, and casting directors.
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A Conversation With Casting Director & Filmmaker Risa Brammon Garcia
Risa Brammon Garcia, CSA
Casting Director, Filmmaker & Educator | Speed, Natural Born Killers, JFK, Masters Of SexFor the past four decades Risa Brammon Garcia has worked consistently as a director, producer, casting director, writer, and teacher.
As a casting director her résumé includes mor...
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Risa Brammon Garcia: Rapidfire
Risa Brammon Garcia, CSA
Casting Director, Filmmaker & Educator | Speed, Natural Born Killers, JFK, Masters Of SexWhen casting, where do you post breakdowns for auditions?
Do you audition non-union actors?
Does SAG-AFTRA vs SAG-AFTRA Elligible make a difference in casting?
Where do you find re... -
Has A Bad Self-Tape Reader Ever Cost An Actor A Job?
Risa Brammon Garcia, CSA
Casting Director, Filmmaker & Educator | Speed, Natural Born Killers, JFK, Masters Of SexDo bad self tape readers ruin self tapes?
What is the impact of a bad reader in a self tape?
Should I retape if my reader is bad?
Are bad readers on a self tape a deal breaker?
Can ... -
Do You Like A Second Option For Each Scene When Actors Send Self Tapes?
Risa Brammon Garcia, CSA
Casting Director, Filmmaker & Educator | Speed, Natural Born Killers, JFK, Masters Of SexShould I send a second option on a self tape?
Does casting watch second takes on self tapes?
Should my self tapes have a take 2?
Should I include a take 2?
Do you suggest I post a s... -
If An Actor Truly Bombs An Audition, Should They Reach Out To Apologize?
Risa Brammon Garcia, CSA
Casting Director, Filmmaker & Educator | Speed, Natural Born Killers, JFK, Masters Of SexI bombed my audition - what should I do?
Should I apologize to casting about a bad audition?
After a bad audition, should I apologize?
Should I check in with casting if I bomb an au... -
Have You Hired An Actor From An Unsolicited Self Tape?
Risa Brammon Garcia, CSA
Casting Director, Filmmaker & Educator | Speed, Natural Born Killers, JFK, Masters Of SexDo you remember hiring from an unsolicited self tape?
Do unsolicited tapes work?
Do actors book from unsolicited self tapes?
Can I book by sending an unasked for tape to casting?
Wo... -
Do You Ever Watch Unsolicited SelfTapes Sent By Actors Or Representation?
Risa Brammon Garcia, CSA
Casting Director, Filmmaker & Educator | Speed, Natural Born Killers, JFK, Masters Of SexDo you remember hiring from an unsolicited self tape?
Do unsolicited tapes work?
Do actors book from unsolicited self tapes?
Can I book by sending an unasked for tape to casting?
Wo... -
What Is Your Preferred Delivery Method For Self Tapes?
Risa Brammon Garcia, CSA
Casting Director, Filmmaker & Educator | Speed, Natural Born Killers, JFK, Masters Of SexWhat method should I submit my tape via?
Should I post my self tapes to You Tube to give to casting?
Should I post my self tapes to Vimeo to give to casting?
Should my self tapes be... -
If I Can't Find A Reader, Can I Pre-Record The Other Characters Lines Myself?
Risa Brammon Garcia, CSA
Casting Director, Filmmaker & Educator | Speed, Natural Born Killers, JFK, Masters Of SexCan I tape my own voice reading the other role's lines for a self tape?
When I can't find a reader can I record on my own?
Can I tape a self tape without a reader?
If I can't get an... -
Where Do You Find Readers For Your Audition Sessions?
Risa Brammon Garcia, CSA
Casting Director, Filmmaker & Educator | Speed, Natural Born Killers, JFK, Masters Of SexWhere do you look for readers?
Who read for your actors in auditions?
At auditions, who is the reader?
Can I be a reader for your auditions?
Where can I regifted to be a reader for ... -
Does SAG-AFTRA vs SAG-AFTRA Eligible Make A Difference?
Risa Brammon Garcia, CSA
Casting Director, Filmmaker & Educator | Speed, Natural Born Killers, JFK, Masters Of SexDoes SAG-AFTRA eligible carry the same weight as SAG-AFTRA membership?
Do you view SAG-AFTRA eligible differently to SAG-AFTRA membership?
What does SAG-AFTRA eligible mean?
Do you ... -
Do You Ask For Headshots & Resumes In Hardcopy?
Risa Brammon Garcia, CSA
Casting Director, Filmmaker & Educator | Speed, Natural Born Killers, JFK, Masters Of SexDo I need a hard cop of a headshot at Risa Brammon Garcia’s office?
Do I need hard copy of a resume when I go to Risa Brammon Garcia’s office?
Does Risa Brammon Garcia require hard ... -
Where Do You Post Breakdowns For Roles You Are Casting?
Risa Brammon Garcia, CSA
Casting Director, Filmmaker & Educator | Speed, Natural Born Killers, JFK, Masters Of SexWhat site do you use to post breakdowns?
Where do CDS post breakdowns?
Where are breakdowns viewed?
What site is used for breakdowns?
Where do you advertise auditions?
What do CDs p... -
Do You Like Actors To Wear Costumes Or Dress The Part?
Risa Brammon Garcia, CSA
Casting Director, Filmmaker & Educator | Speed, Natural Born Killers, JFK, Masters Of SexShould I dress in full costume at a casting?
Can I costume for an audition?
Should I wear full costume at a casting?
At a casting, can I go full costume?
Would you recommend, full c... -
Which Props (If Any) Are Appropriate In Auditions?
Risa Brammon Garcia, CSA
Casting Director, Filmmaker & Educator | Speed, Natural Born Killers, JFK, Masters Of SexCan I bring props to an audition?
Who provides props at an audition?
What props should I bring to a casting?
What props can I use at a casting?
What props is OK to bring to casting?... -
How Important Is It To Be Off Book In An Audition?
Risa Brammon Garcia, CSA
Casting Director, Filmmaker & Educator | Speed, Natural Born Killers, JFK, Masters Of SexIs it important to be off book at an audition?
Is off book important in an audition?
Do you expect actors to be off book in an audition?
Should actors be off book at auditions?
In c... -
Do You Audition Non-Union Actors?
Risa Brammon Garcia, CSA
Casting Director, Filmmaker & Educator | Speed, Natural Born Killers, JFK, Masters Of SexDo you see non-union actors?
Do you only see union actors?
Do you see union and non-union actors?
If I am non-union, will you see me?
Does Risa Brammon Garcia audition non-union act... -
How Do You Feel About Actors Sending A Thank You Present When You Hire Them?
Risa Brammon Garcia, CSA
Casting Director, Filmmaker & Educator | Speed, Natural Born Killers, JFK, Masters Of SexDo you like actors sending a thank you present when you hire them?
Do you expect actors sending a thank you present when you hire them?
What are your thoughts on thank you card pres... -
When, If Ever, Can Actors Improvise Or Paraphrase In Auditions?
Risa Brammon Garcia, CSA
Casting Director, Filmmaker & Educator | Speed, Natural Born Killers, JFK, Masters Of SexCan actors improv in audition?
Can I add a button at the end of my audition?
Can I paraphrase in auditions?
Can I improvise in my audition?
How much can I paraphrase in auditions?
D... -
Do You Like When Actors Send Thank You Notes After An Audition?
Risa Brammon Garcia, CSA
Casting Director, Filmmaker & Educator | Speed, Natural Born Killers, JFK, Masters Of SexDo you expect an actor to follow up with a thank you note after an audition?
Should actors follow up with a thank you note after an audition?
Do casting directors expect an actor to... -
What Are Some Do-s & Don't's For Actor Demo Reels?
Risa Brammon Garcia, CSA
Casting Director, Filmmaker & Educator | Speed, Natural Born Killers, JFK, Masters Of SexWhat makes an effective demo reel?
What should I not do in my demo reel?
What should I avoid in my demo reel?
What makes a great demo reel?
Is my demo reel good enough?
Is my demo r... -
What Do You See Seasoned Actors Do Differently To New Actors On Set?
Risa Brammon Garcia, CSA
Casting Director, Filmmaker & Educator | Speed, Natural Born Killers, JFK, Masters Of SexWhat do professional actors do differently to new actors on set?
What separates the professional actors from new actors on set?
How can you tell a professional actors from a new a... -
What Do You See Seasoned Actors Do Differently To New Actors In Auditions?
Risa Brammon Garcia, CSA
Casting Director, Filmmaker & Educator | Speed, Natural Born Killers, JFK, Masters Of SexWhat do professional actors do differently to new actors in an audition?
What separates the professional actors from new actors in an audition?
How can you tell a professional ac... -
Storytime: The One About Fatal Attraction
Risa Brammon Garcia, CSA
Casting Director, Filmmaker & Educator | Speed, Natural Born Killers, JFK, Masters Of Sex
