Ep. 12 - BONUS EPISODE: Let's Talk About Safety on Set with Producer Kris Eber
Big Break Pod
Entirely not due to popular demand, but rather Thomas' own selfish interest in talking shop with his brother, we're dropping this BONUS EPISODE from Season 1 featuring Kris Eber, Emmy-award-winning producer! The topic of this episode is safety on set—specifically, how risk is calculated and managed by attentive producers. The role of a producer is multifaceted, but chief among their responsibilities is managing the investment a studio makes in a production, which inherently involves managing risk. At the time this episode was recorded, actor Alec Baldwin's trial for the accidental shooting...
info_outline
Ep. 01 - Welcome to Big Break Pod with Thomas M Copeland
Big Break Pod
In this inaugural episode of Big Break Pod, host and creator Thomas M Copeland introduces you in broad strokes to the show, why it exists, and what you can expect to get out of listening and engaging with each episode! PLUS, we introduce our friend of the show Kris Eber, Emmy-award winning half-hour comedy series producer behind The Mayor, The Kids Are Alright, Dave, and most recently, Muppets Mayhem for Disney+. Why would a producer with such accomplished accolades be willing to join such a scrappy little outfit? Because Kris thinks Thomas is really handsome. Just kidding! It's because Kris...
info_outline
Ep. 02 - The ABCs: Always Be Creating with Muppets Actor Bill Barretta
Big Break Pod
Kicking off our first season with a WHIZ BANG is Bill Barretta, Emmy-award winning actor, puppeteer, and ineffable and effectual creator! Thomas and Bill talk about what to expect from professional conservatory theatre training, as Thomas enters The Neighborhood Playhouse in New York City with the Fall 2024 cohort, Bill's alma mater; how to create lively characters from our instincts and observations of the world around us; and why The Muppets continue to hold staying power in American culture and entertainment. If nothing else, you don't want to miss Bill's impression of Sanford Meisner, the...
info_outline
Ep. 03 - How to Write, Direct, and Produce Your Own Film with Michael Ruiz-Unger
Big Break Pod
Take a journey with Thomas and Miami-based independent filmmaker Michael Ruiz-Unger as they discuss in detail what it takes to write, direct, and produce your own short film! Michael would know a thing or two about it. Michael wrote, and Thomas performed in, "Save the Flea" a short film that first premiered at the Miami Film Festival in 2023, taking the Audience Award in the short film category. The film has since gone on to make the festival rounds across the U.S. Thomas and Michael discuss how to conceptualize and nurture an idea for a film, the (sometimes grueling) writing process,...
info_outline
Ep. 04 - 10 Things I Hate About Directing with Gil Junger
Big Break Pod
We all remember the iconic film that defined the early 2000s rom-com genre: the popular jock can’t date the girl next door until her offbeat sister finds her own date, leading him to hire a rugged bad boy to charm her. Loosely based on William Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew, it was also Heath Ledger’s major film debut. You know it as 10 Things I Hate About You, but for director Gil Junger, It's just one of the many impactful projects he has led over his forty-year Hollywood career. In today's episode, Gil joins Thomas to discuss what he looks for in an extraordinary audition, his...
info_outline
Ep. 05 - How to Capture an Agent's Attention with TDA Founder Bianka Krausch
Big Break Pod
In this episode, Thomas engages in a personal and insightful conversation with Bianka Krausch, founder of Talent Direct Agency (TDA). As Thomas's representative agency in the Southeast regions, including Miami and Atlanta, TDA holds a special place in his professional journey. Together, they delve into: The Genesis of TDA: Bianka shares the story behind the establishment of Talent Direct Agency, highlighting its evolution and mission in the entertainment industry. Spotting Talent: Insights into what catches Bianka's eye in talent submissions, offering valuable advice for aspiring actors,...
info_outline
Ep. 06 - Becoming the Organic Actor with Lori S. Wyman, C.S.A.
Big Break Pod
Lori S. Wyman, M.S., C.S.A., is dedicated to helping actors pursue their passions so they can live their dreams. If you've ever had the pleasure of being cast by her, taken one of her workshops, or read her book The Organic Actor, you know how true this is. But there's so much more to glean from her 40 years in the South Florida casting industry. In this episode, listen in as Thomas and Lori discuss some of the biggest shows and movies she's cast—from her first job on Miami Vice in the 1980s to Bad Monkey for Apple TV in 2023—and what she seeks in an authentic, organic actor. About...
info_outline
Ep. 07 - How To Become a Professional In Your Craft
Big Break Pod
Today's episode deviates a bit from the normal structure of the show, as Thomas dedicates an entire episode to what it means to be a professional in your craft. Let’s set some ground rules first: when we say "craft," we mean anything that requires practice, skill, or talent—something you create that brings you joy or fulfillment. It could be acting, comedy, dance, abstract performance, writing, or even quilt-making, for that matter. The point is that it’s something you’re determined to get better at, and it moves you. Being a professional doesn’t necessarily mean you’re paid;...
info_outline
Ep. 08 - Actors - Get Ready to Fail (and Rebound!) with tech founder Ben Gabler
Big Break Pod
We're going to exit stage right today and welcome Ben Gabler on the show! Ben is an accomplished founder in tech and currently CEO at Rocket.net, one of the world's fastest growing Wordpress website hosting platforms. Ben is also an old friend of Thomas', having grown up together in Jupiter, Florida. As Thomas and Ben split ways after high school, their careers and life experiences diverged, but also moved in a kind of tandem. Ben founded (and sold) several companies, rising to the top of the website hosting industry, while Thomas spent that time in marketing, advertising, and legal...
info_outline
Ep. 09 - How the Great Directors Work with Kris Eber
Big Break Pod
This episode is a treat for all the film, TV, and commercial directors out there! Step into the creative realm of directing through the lens of a producer with Emmy-Award winning producer Kris Eber! Kris talks with Thomas about his experiences working with directors of episodic comedy TV that he respects the most, how they operate on and off set, and what exactly he consistently sees in the best directors he's worked with over his twenty-plus year career. Thomas also talks about his experience with great directors, and what separates them from the rest. If you're an aspiring director, or a...
info_outlineWelcome to Season 1 of The Big Break Podcast. Hi, I'm Thomas M. Copeland. I'm an actor, entrepreneur, and writer. And I'm the creator and host of The Big Break podcast. Our episodes will take you behind the scenes and deep into the professional world of acting, filmmaking, writing, shooting, and directing film, TV, plays, short stories, and other creative passions. We'll talk about the industry's dirtiest words, the business of show business, including how to turn your creative passions and interest into a career, how to court interest and investment from stakeholders, and build a team around your vision that could lead to your next big break. We'll meet with artists who have made careers in show business and discover what was crucial for their success in an industry that's known for being fickle, unpredictable, and a maze of complexity to master in order to find any monocum of sustained success. We'll also explore what it means to be successful in your own creative endeavors, and why that's a fluid mark that's difficult to define much less hit. We'll speak to award -winning producers, writers, creators, and actors about how to operate and present as a professional on and off the set. We'll talk about success and failure. We'll talk about what a cast and director wants to see in you. We'll talk about how to avoid the many scams and waste that the industry spawns. And we'll talk about how creative projects go from being an idea, to a rough plan, to a tangible execution and release. But this show isn't just for actors. We branch out through the season to talk to other professionals, artists, and entrepreneurs about how they're parlaying their creative endeavors into paychecks, careers and beyond. If you're serious about acting, storytelling and creative careers, then join me as we discover the big break that's awaiting for you and me in the episodes ahead. The full season drops September 1st, 2024. In the meantime, I want to hear from you. What do you hope to learn by listening to this show? What are the burning questions you wish you could ask a fellow artist or actor, filmmaker, writer, producer, or casting director? Hit me up at Big BreakPod on Instagram or email Big Breakpot at gmail .com. We want to share your ideas and we want this to be a collaborative effort so that we can find our next Big Break together. Until then, have a creative and productive week.