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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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 SexWhat 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... -
What Are Some Do(s) & Don't(s) for Headshots?
Risa Brammon Garcia, CSA
Casting Director, Filmmaker & Educator | Speed, Natural Born Killers, JFK, Masters Of SexHow do I shoot a winning headshot?
What do you look for in a great headshot?
What is the recipe for success of an effective actor headshot?
How do I make my face stand out in my hea... -
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 SexAre 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 SexDo 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 SexCan 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 SexHow 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... -
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 ... -
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 SexHow 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 SexWhat 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 SexHow 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... -
In An Audition, Should I Talk In The Character's Voice Before & After The Scene?
Risa Brammon Garcia, CSA
Casting Director, Filmmaker & Educator | Speed, Natural Born Killers, JFK, Masters Of SexShould I stay in accent the whole audition?
Should I arrive in character to an audition?
Should I stay in character during an audition?
Should I speak in the character's voice befor... -
What Are Some Do(s) & Dont(s) For Self Tapes?
Risa Brammon Garcia, CSA
Casting Director, Filmmaker & Educator | Speed, Natural Born Killers, JFK, Masters Of Sex13 Self-Tape Tips that Grab Hollywood’s Attention - by Risa Brammon Garcia: https://www.dropbox.com/s/b8ai6efntmhzvo3/13-Self-Tape-Tips.pdf?dl=0
Also find out more about self tapes...
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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 SexWhat 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 SexIs 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 SexDo 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... -
What Would You Say To A Petrified Actor Auditioning For You For The First Time?
Risa Brammon Garcia, CSA
Casting Director, Filmmaker & Educator | Speed, Natural Born Killers, JFK, Masters Of SexWhy am I nervous in an audition?
Why are first time actors nervous at audition?
What makes an actor nervous in an audition room?
What does nerves mean for an actor in audition?
Why ...
