Risa Bramon Garcia (Interview)

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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Risa Bramon Garcia (Interview)
  • 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 Sex

    Do 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...

  • 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 Sex

    What 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 Sex

    What 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 Are Some Tips For Actors When They Are Working On A Film Or TV Set?

    Risa Brammon Garcia, CSA
    Casting Director, Filmmaker & Educator | Speed, Natural Born Killers,

    Do you have tips for actors when they are on a film or TV set?
    Any tips for actors when i am on a film or TV set?
    Does Risa Brammon Garcia have any tips for talent when on set?
    Do you have any tips ...

  • Storytime: The One About Fatal Attraction

    Risa Brammon Garcia, CSA
    Casting Director, Filmmaker & Educator | Speed, Natural Born Killers, JFK, Masters Of Sex

  • What Do You Find Holds Actors Back In Their Careers?

    Risa Brammon Garcia, CSA
    Casting Director, Filmmaker & Educator | Speed, Natural Born Killers, JFK, Masters Of Sex

    What is holding me back in my career?
    Why is stopping me from leveling up?
    Why can't I get to the next level of my career?
    What is stopping me from making it?
    Why can't I get to the...

  • How Is Method Acting Received On Historical Or Research Heavy Film Projects?

    Risa Brammon Garcia, CSA
    Casting Director, Filmmaker & Educator | Speed, Natural Born Killers, JFK, Masters Of Sex

    Are you OK with method acting?
    Can I do method acting on set with Risa Brammon Garcia?
    How does casting view method acting?
    Is method acting frowned upon?
    Will I be seen as super co...

  • Do You Allow Unrepresented Actors To Submit On Your Projects?

    Risa Brammon Garcia, CSA
    Casting Director, Filmmaker & Educator | Speed, Natural Born Killers, JFK, Masters Of Sex

    Do you let unrepresented actors to submit on your projects?
    Would you allow unrepresented actors to submit on your projects?
    Do you bring in unrepresented actors into castings?
    Are ...

  • When, If Ever, Is It OK For Actors To Reach Out Directly To Filmmakers?

    Risa Brammon Garcia, CSA
    Casting Director, Filmmaker & Educator | Speed, Natural Born Killers, JFK, Masters Of Sex

    Can I email film directors?
    Is it appropriate to phone movie directors?
    Is it ever appropriate to email or phone a director?
    Can I be proactive and do mailouts to directors?

  • How Much Input Do You Feel You Have In The Final Casting Decisions?

    Risa Brammon Garcia, CSA
    Casting Director, Filmmaker & Educator | Speed, Natural Born Killers, JFK, Masters Of Sex

    How much say do you have in the final casting decision?
    Do you get a say in the final casting decision?
    Does casting have a say in the final decision?
    Do casting directors get a say...

  • How Many Actors Would A Casting Director Present To You (When Directing)?

    Risa Brammon Garcia, CSA
    Casting Director, Filmmaker & Educator | Speed, Natural Born Killers, JFK, Masters Of Sex

    How many people would you see for each role when you direct a movie?
    When you have been a director, how many actors will you see shortlisted for each role?
    How many actors make it t...

  • As A Director, What Stands Out When You See An Actor Who Is A Real Contender?

    Risa Brammon Garcia, CSA
    Casting Director, Filmmaker & Educator | Speed, Natural Born Killers, JFK, Masters Of Sex

    What stands out when you meet a frontrunner for a role?
    When you see someone that you love for a role - are their common traits evident from project to project?
    How can I be a conte...

  • How Many Actors Do You See In The Room & On Tape For Each Role?

    Risa Brammon Garcia, CSA
    Casting Director, Filmmaker & Educator | Speed, Natural Born Killers, JFK, Masters Of Sex

    How many actors do you see for a role?
    How many do you see in the casting room and on tape for each role?
    How many will you see on tape for each role?
    How many actors go on tape f...

  • What Do You Find Holds Actors Back In Their Careers?

    Risa Brammon Garcia, CSA
    Casting Director, Filmmaker & Educator | Speed, Natural Born Killers, JFK, Masters Of Sex

    What gets in the way of actors?
    What do you see continually holds actors back?
    Are there common things that tend to hold actors back?
    What stops actors from leveling up?
    Do you see ...

  • Do You Teach Any Classes For Actors?

    Risa Brammon Garcia, CSA
    Casting Director, Filmmaker & Educator | Speed, Natural Born Killers, JFK, Masters Of Sex

    Is Risa Brammon Garcia teaching any classes at this time?
    Is Risa Brammon Garcia teaching actors at this time?
    Any classes with Risa Brammon Garcia coming up?
    Is Risa Brammon Garcia...

  • In Your View, How is Method Acting Received On Film Projects?

    Risa Brammon Garcia, CSA
    Casting Director, Filmmaker & Educator | Speed, Natural Born Killers, JFK, Masters Of Sex

    Do you like method acting?
    Do you object to method actors?
    How is the method acting approach viewed on film sets and auditions?
    Are you open to the method?
    Are method actors hard to...