The Acting Podcast

This 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 career on the other side of all of this. ‍ Listen to other related episodes: Episode 46: - “What to do when the Industry Stops” with Risa & Steve Opt in: The BGB Actors Summit Video: How To Redefine Your Career For This Moment w/ Risa & Steve

John Levey loves his job. He loves actors. He loves storytelling. He loves diving into the worlds each character inhabits. He’s 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 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! John Frank Levey’s IMDb‍ Listen to other related episodes: What Casting Wants: 3 Top Casting Directors Tell It Like It IsEpisode 12:Episode 20:Episode 23:Episode 38:Check out John’s book, RIGHT FOR THE ROLE: ‍ While there are many books that catalog Hollywood—from the classic to the profane, gritty to salacious—few tell the tale of how entertainment’s biggest names became the biggest names. Right for the Role shares the story straight from an insider who’s been central to that process for decades. Four-time Emmy-award-winning casting director John Frank Levey hasn’t just witnessed some of the world’s greatest acting talents make it in Hollywood; in many cases, he’s had a major hand in it. As the casting director for numerous iconic TV series, including ER, The West Wing and Shameless, Levey saw firsthand that household names like George Clooney, Anthony Edwards and Allison Janney had “it”—and then watched their “it” propel them into the stratosphere. In Right for the Role, Levey manages to tell a story of life among the glitterati while never losing his exuberance for being a part of the process. Through his colorful tales of meeting incredible talent early in their careers—including Josh Gad, Lucy Liu and a just-out-of-Julliard Jessica Chastain—Levey documents his transformation from a novice casting director to one of the greats in the field. Beyond teaching readers how to spot what it takes to make it in Hollywood, how casting has changed since the 1980s (when telephones had cords!) or how to live in a world of glamor and gusto, Levey’s stories also show how to play a central role in a show’s success without losing a sense of wonder. 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 Creator Classes! SIGN UP for our BGB Career Master Class series! JOIN US for The BGB Actors Summit: A virtual workshop with Risa & Steve The BGB Sit-Down is back! Meet Risa + Steve in our Studio

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, don’t have a union, and don’t 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 unanswered, could lead to the end of the acting profession altogether. What does it mean to be human? What is the actual difference between a human actor and an A.I. actor? Risa and Steve explore this new technology and the kind of work human actors will need to do to keep their jobs. Listen in! 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: Episode 46:Episode 43:Episode 41:Episode 36: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 Creator Classes! SIGN UP for our BGB Career Master Class series! JOIN US for The BGB Actors Summit: A virtual workshop with Risa & Steve The BGB Sit-Down is back! Meet Risa + Steve in our Studio

We whole-heartedly 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. Risa and Steve offer tools to navigate it all, and reveal some of the incredible opportunities that presents themselves when the Industry stops. 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: Ep. 36: The Pursuit of Happiness - with Caroline Lindy, Dominic Burgess, Ellyn Jameson & Johnathan McClain Ep. 43: How To Be A Happy Actor Ep. 27: Not Just An Actor: Making Your Own Box 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 Creator Classes! SIGN UP for our BGB Career Master Class series! JOIN US for The BGB Actors Summit: A virtual workshop with Risa & Steve The BGB Sit-Down is back! Meet Risa + Steve in our Studio

As 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. It’s also a sacred element of your being, through which you receive and process the world around you. Your past experiences and dormant emotions can fuel your work, but they can also make you miserable. You need to be sensitive to do great acting work and book acting jobs, but the industry in which you’re operating often offers emotional violence, disinterest and the inability to see to any of your needs. While the industry needs to be kinder and softer (even in the interest of finance). it won’t happen anytime soon. So, you are going to have to do the labor of looking at your pain and taking steps towards healing. Risa and Steve explore the way in which actors can heal and offer their own healing journeys. 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: Ep. 41: Fighting Isolation: Why You Need an Artistic Community Ep. 35: Is It Time To Give Up Acting? Ep. 10: Saying Yes to the No: Managing Rejection‍ 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 Creator Classes! SIGN UP for our BGB Career Master Class series! JOIN US for The BGB Actors Summit: A virtual workshop with Risa & Steve The BGB Sit-Down is back! Meet Risa + Steve in our Studio

Actors 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 it’s bad for an actor’s 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 work. This discussion with Michelle Allen and the story of how and why she walked away is a great reminder. Email us at info@bramongarciabraun.com and comment on our IG posts!

In 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 it’s possible. Risa and Steve sit down with BGB Master Teachers, Sydney Walsh and Cate Cohen, to discuss the path to happiness as an actor. Listen in and let us know what resonates with you. Email us at info@bramongarciabraun.com and comment on our IG posts! 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: Cate Cohen- BGB Master Teacher, actor, writer Sydney Walsh - BGB Master Teacher, actor, writer ‍ Listen to other related episodes: Episode 28: The Practice That Leads To Success Episode 36: The Pursuit Of Happiness - w/ Caroline, Dominic, Ellyn, Johnathan Opt in: 21 Ways To Make Casting Directors Happy 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 Creator Classes! SIGN UP for our BGB Career Master Class series! JOIN US for The BGB Actors Summit: A virtual workshop with Risa & Steve The BGB Sit-Down is back! Meet Risa + Steve in our Studio

Beyond the BS- mastering the latest audition/self-tape “trends,” 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 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: Podcast Ep. 28: The Practice That Leads To Success Podcast Ep. 22: The Booking Mindset SIGN UP for our BGB Career Master Class series! 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. ‍‍ SIGN UP for our BGB Career Master Class series! JOIN US for The BGB Actors Summit: A virtual workshop with Risa & Steve The BGB Sit-Down is back! Meet Risa + Steve in our Studio Do the work necessary to move your career and craft to the next level. Jump into one of our career-changing CLASSES!

An 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. 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: Podcast Ep: 33 - Why Acting Teachers Suck Podcast Ep: 1- How to Make it in Hollywood SIGN UP for our BGB Career Master Class series! 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 Creator Classes! JOIN US for The BGB Actors Summit: A virtual workshop with Risa & Steve The BGB Sit-Down is back! Meet Risa + Steve in our Studio

Risa 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 opens it for us. Commercials are a major opportunity for actors to book work- and Danielle and Renita LOVE being dream makers. 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: Danielle Eskinazi https://www.daniellecasting.com/ Danielle Eskinazi is an award-winning casting director with an eye for talent and a sixth sense when it comes to spotting substance beneath the surface. With over two decades casting films, television, theater, and commercials, Danielle has cast such known talent as David Bowie, Rosanna Arquette, and Woody Harrelson, while also launching the careers of now-successful actors including Hank Azaria and Milla Jovovich. She is highly respected in the business for her creativity, integrity, and ability to draw out audition-nailing performances. After several years of casting films, Danielle dove into the fast paced world of commercials. Today Danielle Eskinazi Casting has cast over 3,000 national and regional spots and is known for finding edgy, interesting, and talented actors to suit her directors' and clients' needs. Danielle has been nominated for the Talent Managers Association prestigious Seymour Heller Award for Best Commercial Casting Director of 2009, and was a runner up twice for Favorite Commercial Casting Director in Back Stage West. She has been sharing her insights by teaching workshops, and speaking on panels including one at the SAG Foundation, which was aired Internationally. Danielle is also affiliated with the AFI Women's Program, helping first-time directors cast their shorts. More about Danielle at https://www.daniellecasting.com. ‍ Renita Gale https://www.renitacasting.com Renita Gale is an undisputed “Who’s Who” in the world of Casting. With a supernatural eye for spotting superstar talent and matching them with projects, Renita has been WOW-ing her clients since 1999. She has cast some of the most beloved and memorable commercials, music videos, feature films and themed entertainment projects. An innovator and visionary in the casting world, Renita began offering her clients virtual casting solutions including actor self-tapes and other remote audition options, long before times demanded it. She’s truly an expert in this arena. Renita loves what she does and feels exhilarated when she gets to collaborate on projects with a focus on inclusion, diversity, inspiration, empowerment and adding value to the world. Renita is a master in the world of personal-growth and development. Over the last few years, Renita has been studying Human Design and experimenting with it in her own life. She has found this system to be a valuable asset in her repertoire and now includes Human Design in her 1-on-1 sessions. A multi-passionate accomplisher, Renita continues to redefine what is possible as the grateful (and busy) mother of a miraculous 9 year old boy, a casting director, voice-actor, model and content creator. Renita can be found on Instagram @RenitaCasting and via her website https://www.renitacasting.com/ ‍ What Casting Wants: 3 Top Casting Directors Tell It Like It Is Get the Perfect Imperfect Self-Tape Guide here! SIGN UP for our BGB Career Master...

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. It’s time to take stock, to rework what the self-tape is, and stir up a Revolution in the process that places art first. And PS: that’s how you book 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 the world. ‍AND… Screenshot, post + tag us @bgbstudio on IG! ‍If you’ve missed any episodes, catch up now! Guests & Resources: Listen to our other Self-Tape podcasts! Getting Right With Self-Tapes and Self-Tapes Don't Have to Hurt Get the Perfect Imperfect Self-Tape Guide here! 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 Creator Classes! SIGN UP for our BGB Career Master Class series! JOIN US for The BGB Actors Summit: A virtual workshop with Risa & Steve The BGB Sit-Down is back! Meet Risa + Steve in our Studio

Richard Hicks is a Casting Director for film, television and theatre (see bio below). He’s done it all, he loves it all, and his work is beautiful. We’re 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 know how. And that casting directors love actors and are your champions. Richard has always been and will always be that. 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: Here’s some of what Richard Hicks has accomplished in the past decades… so far… Richard’’s films include Hell or High Water, The Mustang, Together Together, Gravity, Zero Dark Thirty, Hairspray, Lars And The Real Girl, O.G., Christopher Guest’s For Your Consideration and A Mighty Wind, Walter Salles’ On The Road and Ken Loach’s Bread and Roses. Upcoming films include Luckiest Girl Alive (Netflix), Samaritan (Amazon Prime) , Family and Lost On A Mountain in Maine. Richard also casts for the Sundance Directors Lab. Richard is an Emmy winner for HBO’s Game Change as well as a three-time Emmy nominee for Recount, Temple Grandin and the series Curb Your Enthusiasm. Other work for television includes ROAR (AppleTV+), American Gods (Starz), Married (FX), The No.1 Ladies’ Detective Agency for Anthony Minghella, along with numerous other pilots and series. Upcoming work includes the limited series The Last Thing He Told Me (AppleTV+). Richard is also a two-time past president of the Casting Society of America, a current governor of the Casting Directors branch at AMPAS, and a founding member of the Casting Directors union, the CSA. 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 Creator Classes! SIGN UP for our BGB Career Master Class series! JOIN US for The BGB Actors Summit: A virtual workshop with Risa & Steve The BGB Sit-Down is back! Meet Risa + Steve in our Studio Want to hear more from casting directors? Get more here!

Jason Clodfelter is hardly whom you might think of when you imagine a big Hollywood Studio TV (Co) President. He’s 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! And listen in to what Jason says about self tapes- what he knows and doesn't know about your experience with self-tapes. But mostly, we want you to listen to Jason’s humanity. He’s not some faceless power-broker executive. He’s a human being. 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: Jason Clodfelter, a 16-year plus SPE veteran, serves as Co-President of Sony Pictures Television Studios, the production arm of SPE’s television business alongside the studio President, Jeff Frost. In his position, Jason oversees all creative aspects of the television studio including U.S. Drama and Comedy Development, U.S. Scripted & Current Programming, Global Programming & Development, Talent & Casting, Movies & Miniseries, Gemstone Studios, Affirm Television, and TriStar Television. Under Clodfelter’s purview as Co-President, the studio has produced multiple high-profile scripted series for broadcast, cable, and streaming outlets including The Boys, Cobra Kai, Wheel of Time, Outlander, The Afterparty, Black Monday, Them, The Blacklist, For All Mankind, The Good Doctor, SWAT, and Better Call Saul. Prior to serving as Co-President, Jason was the Executive Vice President of U.S. Drama Development and Programming for Sony Pictures Television (SPT), spearheading the development and production of titles such as Breaking Bad, Damage, Drop Dead Diva, Justified, Preacher, Sneaky Pete, and Masters of Sex. Prior to joining SPT in 2006, he served as Vice President of development for Spelling Television, Inc., where he developed the series Wanted and Saving Grace. Earlier in his career, Jason was the producer behind the short films, Crabgrass Manifesto, which screened at the Sundance Film Festival, and Something Close to Heaven (written and directed by Oscar winner Dustin Lance Black), which made its television debut on The Sundance Channel. He studied Film and TV at USC School of Cinematic Arts and shortly thereafter began his career at John Wells Productions where he owes much of his training to acclaimed director, Paris Barclay. 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 Creator Classes! SIGN UP for our BGB Career Master Class series! JOIN US for The BGB Actors Summit: A virtual workshop with Risa & Steve The BGB Sit-Down is back! Meet Risa + Steve in our Studio

Nothing 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 artist’s 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 actors take the reins in their work and collaborate together in the world. It’s been incredible to witness and to be a part of. Risa sat down with four BGB actors turned writers/producers/directors who have collaborated together in class and have evolved over the past few years as serious creative contenders in our business. Caroline Lindy, Dominic Burgess, Ellyn Jameson, and Johnathan McClain are the real deal. They are working TV professionals and filmmakers. And that’s because they have done the work of making work. They’ve written and directed and produced short films, feature films, and television shows, realizing their voices in ways they never imagined possible. They did it by doing it. They DO it by doing it. They also value collaboration and partnership in this process, because we are mostly not meant to do this alone. Out of those collaborations, more and more work has sprung. And here on The Acting Podcast, they each share how trusting their heart and gut have guided their talent. And the work has flowed from that. This is everything! Listen in to this conversation recorded in person at BGB- which was also a beautiful reunion for Risa and these four filmmakers. We know it’ll resonate with you as it did with Risa, and our hope for you is the same as it was and is for these four amazing artists: Do what you love, find more of what you love, realize the potential of your unique creative voice in acting and beyond, and love it all. Oh, and after they finished recording the podcast, Caroline, Dom, Ellyn, and Johnathan each shared some incredible news about the projects that are in the works that they can’t fully talk about because the final contracts are signed- but… there is a financed feature film, a deal to write a feature, a directing gig on an upcoming major miniseries, and several more scripts and films in the works. As it should be! 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: Caroline Lindy - Caroline won a grant in 2019 from Women in Film to write/direct a short, Your Monster, now being made into a feature with Merman and Bombo Productions. She was a recent finalist in the Tribeca/CHANEL Women's Filmmaker Program, and she is a freelance commercial director in LA. Her new film, Aspirational Slut, is a hyper-sexual romantic comedy that won the 2022 Audience Award at SXSW. http://www.carolinelindy.com/ Dominic Burgess - Dominic Burgess was born in 1982, in Stoke-on-Trent, England (Just like the Captain of the R.M.S. TITANIC, fact fans). He developed a penchant for performing after playing Biff in a High School production of DEATH OF A SALESMAN. He was awarded a scholarship to the prestigious Academy of Live and Recorded Arts (ALRA) in London, where he studied acting for three years. Public productions included TWELFTH NIGHT (as Malvolio), THE END OF THE FOOD CHAIN (as Robbo) and THEY SHOOT HORSES, DON’T THEY? (as Rocky Gravo).Dominic’s first television role upon graduating was the BBC’s award-winning Sci-Fi behemoth DOCTOR WHO, where he met a grisly fate at the hand of the Daleks. (Dominic’s Doctor will always be Sylvester McCoy.) Dominic...

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 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! 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 Creator Classes! SIGN UP for our BGB Career Master Class series! JOIN US for The BGB Actors Summit: A virtual workshop with Risa & Steve The BGB Sit-Down is back! Meet Risa + Steve in our Studio Come join us for our new popup class as part of The BGB Career 911 series: How To Jump-Start Your Acting Career or Check out our LIVE ON DEMAND popup class as part of The BGB Career 911 series: How To Get (and KEEP!) An Agent

Often we think of successful Industry folks as out of reach and fancy and hard to connect with, 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 are all challenged, we are all figuring it out. We got to zoom with brilliant casting director, April Webster, this week and talked with her about the work she does, how she approaches self-tapes and zoom auditions, what advice she has for actors, how she approached the iconic franchises of Star Wars and Star Trek, and what means the most to her about the work we do TOGETHER. We love the heart, humanity, deep love of the work, and mind-heart-body-spirit connection that April brings to her casting, and we’re thrilled to bring this inspiring conversation to 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: April Webster is one of the most prominent and successful film and television casting directors in the world, and has been for decades. As an independent casting director she loves working on an eclectic mix of film, television, and theater projects that challenge and inspire her. She comes from theater and returns to it with such passion and to fill her tank. April has also directed extensively in the theater; she is inherently a director, which makes her an even better casting director. In the film world April has worked on incredibly high end and iconic projects with amazing filmmakers, including collaborations with J.J. Abrams, Carlton Cuse, Roland Emmerich, Brad Bird, and most recently Jon M. Chu. And to mention a few films -- there’s Star Wars, Star Trek ‘Beyond’, Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Mission Impossible III, Tomorrowland, The Patriot … the list goes on. And she has cast so many TV pilots and series we love- including Lost, Bates Motel, Criminal Minds, The Strain, the new series, Clarice, and shows for Netflix and Amazon, including Stephen King’s Lisey’s Story, Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan, Altered Carbon and Umbrella Academy. And… Stephen King’s 11/22/63 for HULU and BAD ROBOT. April has received two MEDIA ACCESS AWARDS, Casting Society ARTIOS awards for the pilot casting of C.S.I., LOST, and the films STAR TREK and STAR WARS: The Rise of Skywalker. And she has won an Emmy for LOST. April is also the proud recipient of the CSA HOYT BOWERS award for Excellence in Casting. She serves on the Equity in Entertainment Committee of the Casting Society of America. And most of all, April Webster loves, gets, and advocates for actors. Collaborating with actors, as a fellow artist, is her superpower and her greatest joy. April has an IMDb page that you can check out here! 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 Creator Classes! SIGN UP for our BGB Career Master Class series! JOIN US for The BGB Actors Summit: A virtual workshop with Risa & Steve The BGB Sit-Down is back! Meet Risa + Steve in our Studio Want to hear more from casting directors? Get more here! Come join us for our new popup class: How To Get (and KEEP!) An Agent

At 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 all sorts of biases, ignorance of power structures, and social influences at play (often around gender, race, Queerness, ability), or even just a rigidity about what acting should be. We hear actors' experiences about acting teachers, and there are conversations that need to happen around the dynamics at play. Every acting teacher, studio, school, or academy must examine their beliefs and practices. No acting teacher or studio is above this conversation. That includes us. And every actor must be aware of the dynamics involved so they train and grow in a healthy environment. 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! 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 Creator Classes! SIGN UP for our BGB Career Master Class series! JOIN US for The BGB Actors Summit: A virtual workshop with Risa & Steve The BGB Sit-Down is back! Meet Risa + Steve in our Studio Come join us for our new popup class: How To Get (and KEEP!) An Agent

Risa 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 actor’s 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 One Broke Actress has changed how she approaches all areas of her career and her creative life, which we’re really interested in as it relates to all of you listening. So wherever you’re listening, take a page from Sam’s playbook and consider what steps you can take- steps that are authentic to you- to turn your talent into work. Sam’s journey is inspiring; we want yours to be as well! 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: Sam’s IG: https://www.instagram.com/onebrokeactress/ One Broke Actress site: https://onebrokeactress.com/ Sam’s IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3921523/ 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 Creator Classes! SIGN UP for our BGB Career Master Class series! JOIN US for The BGB Actors Summit: A virtual workshop with Risa & Steve The BGB Sit-Down is back! Meet Risa + Steve in our Studio The BGB Industry Series: How To Get (and KEEP!) An Agent - a Pop-Up Class

In 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 that’s also redefining itself. We’ve 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. These are values that we practice and celebrate here at BGB, values and practices that will affect your audience on an emotional level and fill a great need in the Industry. Which is now- more than ever- a direct path to success. And yet success isn’t measured in jobs booked; it’s measured in the ups and downs of a career that happens over decades. So, your health (mental, emotional, physical, spiritual) is essential in order to take care of both you and your community and to become a whole, happy artist, your tank full, offering your voice, your talent, your art! Have a listen! We know this will resonate. Let us know what speaks to you. Email us and find us on social to continue the conversation. 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! 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 Creator Classes! SIGN UP for our BGB Career Master Class series! JOIN US for The BGB Actors Summit: A virtual workshop with Risa & Steve The BGB Sit-Down is back! Meet Risa + Steve in our Studio Listen to these Acting Podcast episodes for more on how to have the career you want right now! Ep. 15: Art & Healing in the Time of Corona Ep. 22: The Booking Mindset Ep. 28: The Practice That Leads to Success Be sure to check out our free gift to you! What Casting Wants: 3 Top Casting Directors Tell It Like It Is

In 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 don’t 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 you’re home alone, turn your Self-Tapes into art, and return to feeling like an actor, always. And when you do that, you’re able to show up fully, confidently, and creatively free, again and again, and inevitably success follows. So listen, open your hearts and minds, and see how this discussion helps you re-imagine your Self-Tapes! 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! 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 Creator Classes! SIGN UP for our BGB Career Master Class series! JOIN US for The BGB Actors Summit: A virtual workshop with Risa & Steve The BGB Sit-Down is back! Meet Risa + Steve in our Studio Listen to Episode 3: Getting Right With Self-Tapes here! Our free gift to you: Cooking Your Self-Tape can be found here! Check out our FREE guide to the Perfect Imperfect Self-Tape!