The Acting Podcast from The BGB Studio

SOMETHING WILD: Risa & Billy talk Casting over the past 40 years‍I love talking to Billy about what we care about in our work. We came up together; we partnered for many years as Casting Directors and Producers; we worked alongside each other as directors in the Theatre in NY. We became who we are together. We value the same principles and practices in our long and winding and often wild careers. In this episode of The Acting Podcast, Billy and I reminisce about the good old days and how they were extraordinary. It was a deeply creative time, with its own unique challenges of being in the trenches of preproduction and production. We loved being in the room with actors and directors, writers and producers. We talk about how hard it is now without that intimate partnership, but how we have to find a way to bring collaboration back to the process, no matter what that process has become.Billy and I also meet regularly on Zoom to talk through the chapters of a book we are crafting together about our Casting adventures in the 80s and 90s. It’s been incredibly revealing and enlightening, emotional and wildly fun. Stay tuned.So have a listen; we really want to hear from you as to how this impacts you. Also listen to the Casting Director Roundtable episode prior to this one. Billy was a part of that but lost Internet and had to step out, so you get to hear from him one-on-one here.P.S. The close partnerships you form in your career will sustain you for a lifetime.- RisaWatch the video version on the episode webpage; it’s fun!https://www.bramongarciabraun.com/the-acting-podcast/ep-63-something-wild-risa-billy-talk-casting-over-the-past-40-years------------------------Learn more about Billy below!Billy Hopkins is a casting director of film, television, and theatre. His first job was as a casting intern at the off-Broadway Ensemble Studio Theatre, where he met Risa Bramon Garcia. They were hired by Susan Seidelman to cast their first film, DESPERATELY SEEKING SUSAN. They went on to cast many of the most notable films of the 80s and 90s, including Adrian Lyne’s FATAL ATTRACTION, and several films for Oliver Stone, including BORN ON THE FOURTH OF JULY and JFK, as well as John Hughes CHRISTMAS VACATION. Their first television credit was ROSEANNE. Billy has gone on to cast over 200 films. He received an Emmy for his work on Ava DuVernay’s limited television series, WHEN THEY SEE US. He lives in NYC and continues casting to this day. Check out Billy’s IMDb HERE.Listen to other related The Acting Podcast episodes:Episode 62: Casting Virtual Roundtable: CDs tell it like it isEpisode 18: Talking Shop w/ Our BGB Casting Family: Risa, Leah, & BillyEpisode 23: Mary Queen of Casting: A Candid Conversation w/ Mary VernieuEpisode 12: Bernie Telsey: The King of CastingEpisode 20: Sarah Finn: Superhero of CastingEpisode 38: Richard Hicks, CD: We’re All In This TogetherEpisode 40: Opening the Door to Commercial Casting: with Danielle Eskinazi & Renita Gale

Cynthia Continued“A bitter green salad and the awful reality of transactional relationships”

Found Words“A trip to Wales to find connection led to more than she could have ever imagined”

You’ve Been Lurking Here“A hazy memory of treasure and ruin in New Mexico”

It’s Horror month. Halloween… and all. 🎃In 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 (for the same role and other roles), celebrated in their talent, and advocated for them! It was a time of true collaboration, when filmmakers figured out their movies with actors in the audition room. While those days are gone (and we’ve surely romanticized them 💘), we also fully believe and talk about how YOU can bring that same sense of liberation, exploration, discovery, and a collaborative spirit to the work you do on camera- in self-tapes, Zoom auditions, and on set- whether it’s a student film, a short you create, or a big show or movie. YOU get to show up with agency and generosity- with something to offer the storytellers… as a true collaborator. So… Listen in! There are fun stories here, as well as practical advice on how to work freely and boldly in any and all genres, AND how to show up in the same spirit in your self-tapes as we three felt “in the room” in the 80s! (Don’t forget to rate and review us so that we can reach more actors around the world!) Risa 👻-------------------------------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 the world.‍AND… Screenshot, post + tag us @bgbstudio on IG!‍If you’ve missed any episodes, catch up now!‍More On RisaMore On Steve-------------------------------Guests & Resources:Check out these links to learn more about Syd and Corey:SYDNEY WALSH + her IMDbCOREY PARKER + his IMDb‍Listen to other related The Acting Podcast episodes:Episode 55: What Are You Waiting For? You Are The Industry.Episode 53: Finding Freedom & Power in Script AnalysisEpisode 43: How To Be A Happy ActorEpisode 29: Cooking Your Self-TapeCredits:Producer: BGB STAFFTech + Design: Mitchell Braxton & Aswathi MenonMusic: SAM DEWEES + ANDY ABELOWBack To All Episodes-------------------------------Meet us on Instagram and other social spaces where we hang out — with tons more great advice, inspiration, and Industry intel:@BGBStudio on IG + Twitter + TikTok + @theBGBStudio on Facebook. ‍‍CHECK OUT our Audition, Scene-Study, and Hybrid Classes!SIGN UP for our BGB Coaching Programs!JOIN US for The BGB Actors Summit: A virtual workshop with Risa & SteveThe BGB Sit-Down is back! Meet Risa + Sydney in our StudioAre You Ready For Class? Check out all BGB Classes!

Risa 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 you are in your journey or how you are feeling about where the Industry is, or isn’t, have a listen and see how this affects you, and if it brings up feelings, pay attention to them. Let us know what resonated for you!More On RisaMore On SteveSubscribe! 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 the world.‍AND… Screenshot, post + tag us @bgbstudio on IG!‍If you’ve missed any episodes, catch up now!Guests & Resources:Check out Anthony’s website HERE learn more about his work with actors!‍Listen to other related episodes: EPISODE 55: What Are You Waiting For? You Are The Industry.EPISODE 54: What Does It Take to Make It Now?EPISODE 52: How to Stand Out from Hundreds of Other ActorsEPISODE 42: That Next Level ShitEPISODE 28: The Practice That Leads to SuccessCredits:Producer:BGB STAFFTech + Design:MITCHELL BRAXTON & ASWATHI MENONMusic:SAM DEWEES + ANDY ABELOWThe BGB Sit-Down is back! Meet Risa + Sydney in our StudioAre You Ready For Class?All BGB Classes

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 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 the world.‍AND… Screenshot, post + tag us @bgbstudio on IG!‍If you’ve missed any episodes, catch up now!Guests & Resources:Listen to other related episodes: EPISODE 52: How to Stand Out from Hundreds of Other ActorsEPISODE 49: How to Redefine Your Career For This MomentEPISODE 42: That Next Level ShitEPISODE 28: The Practice That Leads to SuccessEPISODE 50: The Strike is Over. Here’s What to Do NowEPISODE 49: How To Redefine Your Career For This MomentJoin us in class today!‍Credits:PRODUCER:BGB STAFFTECH + DESIGN:ASWATHI MENONMUSIC:SAM DEWEES + ANDY ABELOWBack To All EpisodesMeet us on Instagram and other social spaces where we hang out — with tons more great advice, inspiration, and Industry intel.@BGBStudio on IG + Twitter + TikTok + @theBGBStudio on Facebook. ‍‍CHECK OUT our Audition, Scene-Study, and Hybrid Classes!SIGN UP for our BGB Group Career Coaching series!JOIN US for The BGB Actors Summit: A virtual workshop with Risa & SteveThe BGB Sit-Down is back! Meet Risa + Steve in our StudioAre You Ready For Class?All BGB Classes

An 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 in as Risa and Steve talk about how to cultivate a lifestyle that offers you all that, and then share your thoughts and questions with us on social @BGBStudio or by emailing us at [email protected]. We want to hear from you.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 the world.‍AND… Screenshot, post + tag us @bgbstudio on IG!‍If you’ve missed any episodes, catch up now!Guests & Resources:Listen to other related episodes: Episode 28: The Practice That Leads To SuccessEpisode 36: The Pursuit Of Happiness - w/ Caroline, Dominic, Ellyn, JohnathanGifts & Opt-ins:The Perfect Imperfect Self-Tape21 Ways To Make Casting Directors Happy What Casting WantsCredits:PRODUCER:BGB STAFFTECH + DESIGN:ASWATHI MENON & MITCHELL BRAXTONMUSIC:SAM DEWEES + ANDY ABELOWBack To All EpisodesMeet us on Instagram and other social spaces where we hang out — with tons more great advice, inspiration, and Industry intel.@BGBStudio on IG + Twitter + TikTok + @theBGBStudio on Facebook. ‍‍CHECK OUT our Audition, Scene-Study, and Hybrid Classes!SIGN UP for our BGB Group Career Coaching series!JOIN US for The BGB Actors Summit: A virtual workshop with Risa & SteveThe BGB Sit-Down is back! Meet Risa + Steve in our Studio