The BGB Studio

The BGB Studio is one of the most respected and sought-after acting studios in Los Angeles, founded by Risa Bramon Garcia and Steve Braun — a powerhouse team that brings together decades of casting, directing, and coaching experience into a training approach that develops both the artist and the working professional. Risa Bramon Garcia's background is particularly notable: she served as a casting director for over twenty years, casting landmark films and television series, giving her an insider's understanding of exactly what makes actors compelling in professional audition and performance situations. Steve Braun brings extensive experience as a teacher and coach, with a philosophy rooted in helping actors access their most authentic, grounded selves in performance. Together, they developed The BGB Process, a proprietary methodology that synthesizes craft development with practical career intelligence in a way that few other studios achieve. The BGB Studio has become a destination for serious LA actors who want training that is both artistically rigorous and directly applicable to the business of building a sustainable acting career.

The BGB Process is built on the principle that great acting is not about pretending or performing but about bringing genuine human truth to imaginary circumstances — and that this truth is most effectively accessed through a systematic approach to script analysis, emotional preparation, and choice-making that actors can rely on in any professional situation. The methodology teaches actors how to break down scripts with surgical precision, identifying the specific wants, obstacles, and tactical shifts that drive compelling scene work, then connecting those analytical insights to genuine personal stakes that make the performance emotionally authentic rather than merely technically correct. Classes cover scene study in both drama and comedy, on-camera technique with professional-quality recording and playback, audition preparation for television, film, and streaming projects, and the specific career skills — self-taping, callback strategy, chemistry reads — that contemporary actors need to navigate the LA casting ecosystem. The integration of Risa's casting background means that every element of the training is informed by real knowledge of what happens on the other side of the casting table. The curriculum is designed to develop actors who are not just talented but professionally effective — performers who walk into casting rooms with confidence, preparation, and the ability to deliver under pressure.

Enrollment at The BGB Studio involves a consultation process to ensure proper placement into the appropriate class level, as the studio is committed to maintaining the quality and integrity of each class group. The studio offers multiple class levels, from foundational courses that establish the core principles of The BGB Process through advanced master classes for experienced professionals refining their craft. New students are assessed based on their experience, training background, and current career goals, and placed into the class environment where they will be most appropriately challenged and supported. Classes are offered at various times throughout the week to accommodate actors' audition and work schedules, and the studio provides clear guidance about the progression path from one level to the next. The studio's selectivity about class composition ensures that every student is working alongside peers of comparable skill and commitment, creating the kind of productive, mutually elevating dynamic that accelerates growth.

The training experience at The BGB Studio is characterized by a combination of rigorous artistic standards and genuine warmth and support that students consistently describe as uniquely effective. Risa and Steve create an environment where actors feel safe enough to take genuine risks and be truly vulnerable while also being held to professional-level expectations that prepare them for the demands of working in the industry. The on-camera work is conducted with high-quality equipment and professional playback review, helping actors develop the specific adjustments and awareness that effective screen performance requires. Feedback is detailed, specific, and actionable — rather than vague encouragement or harsh criticism, instructors identify precisely what is working, what is not, and what specific adjustments will produce stronger results. The studio community is known for its collaborative, supportive atmosphere, with students forming lasting professional relationships and serving as self-tape partners, creative collaborators, and career support networks for each other.

The BGB Studio attracts serious, career-minded LA actors who want training that bridges the gap between artistic development and professional effectiveness. The student body includes actors actively auditioning for television and film, performers who are booking but want to elevate the quality and consistency of their work, experienced theatre actors transitioning to screen performance, and industry professionals who recognize that Risa's casting background provides uniquely valuable insight into the casting process. The studio is particularly popular among actors who have trained extensively in technique but feel they need better tools for translating their craft into compelling audition performances and professional bookings. The combination of artistic rigor and career pragmatism attracts performers who are serious about building sustainable careers rather than pursuing acting as a hobby, creating a peer group that is motivated, disciplined, and professionally engaged.

Class fees at The BGB Studio are positioned in the premium tier of LA acting training, with class series typically ranging from approximately $400 to $1,500 depending on the level, format, and duration. The pricing reflects the studio's elite reputation, the quality of instruction from two of LA's most respected coaches, and the tangible career value that improved audition performance and industry insight provide. Private coaching sessions are available at higher rates for actors preparing for specific high-stakes professional opportunities. The studio occasionally offers specialized workshops and intensives at dedicated price points for targeted skill development. For actors who are actively auditioning and pursuing professional careers, the investment in BGB training is widely considered one of the highest-value uses of training dollars in the LA market, given the direct applicability of the skills and insights to professional booking success.

The BGB Studio is an excellent choice for LA actors who want training that seamlessly integrates artistic craft development with practical professional intelligence and career strategy. The studio is particularly valuable for actors who are getting in the room but not booking at the rate they want, performers who want to understand the casting process from the inside, and serious professionals who want to work with coaches whose industry experience gives them genuine authority. If you are a beginning actor who needs foundational technique training, build that base first through a comprehensive studio or conservatory program before focusing on the applied career skills that BGB excels at developing. If you prefer training that prioritizes artistic exploration and experimentation over professional application, a more creatively oriented studio may be a better fit for your current goals.

Fully engage with The BGB Process by doing the script analysis and preparation work that the methodology requires — the system's power comes from thorough, systematic preparation, not shortcuts or improvisation. Take advantage of Risa's casting expertise by asking specific questions about the professional dynamics of casting situations and absorbing the industry insights that are woven throughout the training. Use the on-camera playback sessions as rigorous self-assessment tools, developing the ability to evaluate your own screen work with the same specificity that the instructors bring to their feedback. Build strong relationships within the studio community — your fellow BGB students are likely to be your professional peers for years to come, and the connections formed in class often lead to creative collaborations, self-tape partnerships, and career opportunities. Apply the skills you develop in class to every professional opportunity immediately, treating each audition as a chance to practice and refine your BGB Process rather than waiting until you feel you have mastered the methodology.