BEING HUMAN by Braden Lynch

The Flagship Acting Book from the Braden Lynch Studio

Being Human is a comprehensive guide to acting that treats performance as a psychological practice, not a mystical one. Written by Los Angeles acting coach Braden Lynch after 10,000+ hours coaching actors from beginners to Netflix and Broadway leads, this book offers a clear, repeatable system for approaching any role.

If you've ever felt lost in audition prep, unsure how to access emotion consistently, or frustrated by vague acting advice that doesn't actually help, this book is for you.

Script Analysis & Role Preparation

• How to break down a script using psychology, not guesswork

• Understanding character motivation through human behavior

• Identifying what your character wants and why it matters

Emotional Access

• Techniques for accessing emotion without forcing or indicating

• How to trigger authentic feelings consistently and safely

• Building emotional range that serves the story

Physical & Vocal Transformation

• Using your body as a tool for character

• Voice work grounded in character psychology, not affectation

• How physicality reveals inner life

Audition Preparation

• Step-by-step process for preparing film and TV auditions

• What casting directors actually look for (and what they don't)

• How to make bold choices that land, not distract

Career Navigation

• Avoiding common pitfalls that stall acting careers

• Mental health and sustainability in the industry

• Building a process that works under pressure

What You'll Learn

Grounded in Psychology, Not Mysticism

Many acting books rely on abstract concepts or treat emotion as something mysterious. Being Human approaches acting through the lens of human psychology, using observable behavior, motivation, and emotional response as the foundation.

You won't find vague instructions to "just be truthful" or "connect to your inner artist." You'll find specific, repeatable techniques based on how humans actually think, feel, and behave.

A Complete System, Not Scattered Tips

This isn't a collection of exercises or motivational advice. It's a comprehensive technique that covers:

• Script analysis from page to performance

• Emotional access and personalization

• Physical and vocal characterization

• Audition strategy and career guidance

Everything connects. The technique builds on itself, creating a process you can rely on for any role.

Mental Health First

Acting is vulnerable work. Being Human acknowledges this and prioritizes sustainable, healthy approaches to emotional access and career development.

You won't be required to dredge up trauma or "suffer for your art." You'll learn how to do deep, honest work while maintaining your mental and emotional well-being.

Written by a Working Coach and Actor

This isn't theory from someone who stopped coaching or acting decades ago. Braden Lynch still works as an actor and coaches actors daily, both in weekly classes and one-on-one sessions. The techniques in this book have been tested, refined, and proven with hundreds of actors working in film, television, theatre, and beyond.

What Makes This Book Different

Is this for beginners or experienced actors?

Both. Beginners get a clear foundation. Experienced actors get a deeper, more systematic approach to work they may already be doing intuitively.

Do I need to be in acting classes to use this book?

No. The book is designed to work standalone. However, it's most effective when combined with coaching or classes where you can apply the techniques.

Is this Meisner? Stella Adler? Stanislavski?

The technique draws from Stella Adler's work but goes further in incorporating psychological principles. It's not bound to any single method. It's practical, comprehensive, and focused on what actually works for film and television.

Can I use this for theatre?

Yes. While the book emphasizes film/TV audition prep, the core technique applies to any medium.

Is there a digital version?

Yes. Available as PDF through Lulu, and coming soon to Kindle.

FAQ

About the Author

Braden Lynch is a Los Angeles-based acting coach with over 10,000 hours of experience working with actors in private coaching and weekly classes. Since 2006, his clients have gone on to lead roles on Netflix, Broadway, Amazon, A24, and more. His teaching is rooted in psychology-based technique and a commitment to honest, compassionate feedback. Learn more about Braden →

Being Human is the flagship book, but it works even better alongside the BLS workbooks:

Know Your Self - Emotional journal for tracking and accessing feelings

Know Your Work - Daily practice exercises for skill development

Know Your Scenes - Script analysis workbook with space for 40 scenes

Get the Complete BLS Acting Library