BGB Studio (Bramon Garcia Braun)
North Hollywood acting studio offering innovative audition technique and scene study programs
Overview
BGB Studio, formally known as Bramon Garcia Braun, is a highly regarded acting studio founded in 2012 in North Hollywood, Los Angeles, that has established itself as one of the premier training destinations for actors seeking to develop their audition technique, on-camera skills, and artistic depth. The studio was founded by Risa Bramon Garcia, a renowned casting director and acting teacher whose casting credits include major films and television shows, and Steve Braun, an accomplished actor, writer, and teacher known for his innovative approach to performance and audition preparation. Together, they have created a training environment that combines rigorous craft development with a strong emphasis on artistic community and the inner work of acting that supports sustainable creative careers.
BGB Studio's programming includes ongoing weekly workout classes, scene study programs, on-camera and audition technique classes, and self-tape workshops that address the full range of skills working actors need in today's industry. The core programs run in 6 to 8 week cycles, providing enough time for meaningful skill development while maintaining the energy and focus of a defined training period. Scene study classes allow actors to work on material in depth with instructor guidance and peer feedback, developing the analytical and performance skills that translate directly to professional audition and set work. The on-camera and audition technique classes specifically address the self-tape and in-room audition formats that dominate the casting process, teaching actors how to deliver compelling, bookable performances under the specific constraints of each format.
How It Works
Getting started at BGB Studio typically involves reviewing the current class schedule on the website, selecting a program that aligns with your training goals and experience level, and registering for the next available cycle. The studio offers classes at various levels and intensities, and prospective students can often attend an introductory session or audit a class to ensure the teaching approach resonates with their learning style before committing to a full program. Private career and audition coaching is also available for actors who want individualized attention on specific performance challenges, upcoming auditions, or career strategy. The North Hollywood location is accessible to actors across the Los Angeles area, and online options extend the studio's reach to actors worldwide.
The educational philosophy at BGB Studio emphasizes the integration of inner emotional truth with the technical demands of on-camera performance, reflecting the founders' belief that sustainable, compelling acting emerges from authentic personal connection to the material rather than mechanical technique alone. Risa Bramon Garcia's casting background informs the training with practical insight into what casting directors actually look for in auditions, helping actors understand not just how to perform well but how to present themselves effectively within the specific context of the casting process. Steve Braun's contribution focuses on the creative and personal dimensions of the actor's journey, addressing the mindset, habits, and self-awareness that support consistent artistic growth and professional resilience in a demanding industry. This dual perspective creates a training approach that addresses both the external skills and the internal foundation that working actors need.
Who Uses It
BGB Studio attracts a diverse community of actors including working professionals preparing for pilot season auditions and major project castings, mid-career actors seeking to deepen their craft and break through to the next level of their careers, and emerging actors building the foundational skills and industry awareness needed to compete in the Los Angeles market. The studio is known for fostering a strong sense of artistic community among its students, creating an environment where actors support each other's growth rather than competing for attention. This community dimension distinguishes BGB from studios where actors attend classes as isolated consumers, and many students maintain ongoing connections with their BGB peers throughout their careers. The studio's reputation in the LA acting community means that participation signals a commitment to serious craft development.
Pricing & Plans
BGB Studio's pricing varies by program type, duration, and format. The 6 to 8 week core and scene study programs are priced as complete cycles, with the per-class cost comparing favorably to other premium LA acting studios given the quality of instruction and small class sizes. Ongoing weekly workout classes provide a different pricing structure designed for actors who want consistent training without the commitment of a multi-week program. Private coaching sessions for career guidance and audition preparation are priced individually and represent a premium option for actors who need personalized attention. The studio does not publicly list all pricing on its website, encouraging prospective students to inquire directly, which allows the team to guide new students toward the most appropriate program for their experience level and goals.
Pros & Cons
What's Great
BGB Studio's greatest strength is the combination of Risa Bramon Garcia's insider casting perspective and Steve Braun's innovative approach to the actor's creative process, creating a training methodology that is both practically effective and artistically nourishing. The casting director perspective ensures that every technique and exercise taught at BGB has direct application to the audition room and the professional casting process, giving students confidence that their training translates to bookable performances. The emphasis on artistic community creates a supportive training environment where actors take risks, receive honest feedback, and develop the confidence that sustains professional careers through inevitable rejection and uncertainty. The 6 to 8 week program cycles provide structured, focused training periods that create meaningful skill development without the open-ended commitment of ongoing classes that can lose momentum over time. The availability of both in-person LA training and online worldwide options ensures that BGB's methodology is accessible regardless of geographic location.
What Could Be Better
BGB Studio's North Hollywood location and primary focus on in-person training means that the full studio experience is most accessible to actors living in the Los Angeles area, and while online options exist, the energy and community dynamics of in-person classes cannot be fully replicated in a virtual format. The pricing, while competitive for premium LA acting training, represents a significant investment that may be challenging for actors with limited financial resources, particularly when combined with the other expenses of pursuing an acting career in Los Angeles. The 6 to 8 week program cycles require scheduling commitment that may conflict with actors' audition schedules, booking schedules, or survival job obligations, and missed classes within a cycle cannot always be made up. The studio's teaching approach, while highly effective for many actors, reflects a specific artistic philosophy that may not resonate equally with every learning style or acting methodology preference.
Our Recommendation
BGB Studio is an excellent choice for actors in Los Angeles who are serious about developing their audition technique and on-camera skills under the guidance of instructors who bring both casting expertise and innovative teaching methodology. If you are preparing for pilot season or a period of intensive auditioning, the audition technique and self-tape classes provide immediately applicable skills that can directly impact your booking rate. If you are looking for deeper craft development that addresses the emotional and creative foundations of your work rather than just technical audition skills, the scene study programs offer the sustained, in-depth exploration that produces genuine artistic growth. Online students worldwide can access BGB's methodology through virtual classes, though actors who can attend in person will benefit most from the studio's community dimension and the energy of live classroom interaction.
Pro Tips
Start by attending an introductory session or auditing a class to ensure that BGB's teaching approach aligns with your learning style and artistic values before committing to a full program cycle. If you are new to the studio, consider beginning with the ongoing weekly workout rather than jumping directly into a multi-week intensive, as this allows you to acclimate to the teaching methodology and build relationships with fellow students before deepening your commitment. Come to every class fully prepared with your material thoroughly memorized and analyzed, as the classroom time is most valuable when spent on performance refinement and artistic exploration rather than basic preparation. Engage actively with the community dimension of the studio by supporting your classmates, providing constructive feedback when invited, and building genuine relationships that extend beyond the classroom. Use the private coaching option strategically for specific high-stakes auditions or career decisions where individualized attention from Risa or Steve can provide the targeted guidance that group classes cannot offer.