Ep. 08 - Actors - Get Ready to Fail (and Rebound!) with tech founder Ben Gabler
Release Date: 12/03/2024
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...
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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...
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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...
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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,...
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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...
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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,...
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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...
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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;...
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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...
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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_outlineWe'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 technology. Both founded their current companies in 2020, with Ben launching Rocket.net and Thomas launching Vinetegrate. Today, both companies are continuing to grow and mature, but neither success came quickly, easily, or without trials and tribulations that had to be overcome. So it's only fitting that today's discussion is all about failure, and Thomas and Ben both have a lot of it to share with you: how to think about failure differently, how failure builds character, and how you can handle failure gracefully, both on and off the stage.
About Ben: With over 20 years of experience and extensive knowledge in WordPress, CDN, WAF, Edge, and Hosting, Ben is passionate about sharing insights and expertise. Skilled at communicating with both technical and non-technical audiences, and he enjoys exploring topics that address real-world challenges and provide practical solutions. Prior to founding Rocket.net, Ben spent the last two decades working as the COO of HostGator, Godaddy, Help.com, and HostNine, one of his earlier companies. Ben can be found on X (@ben_gabler).