Big Break Pod – Turn your creative passions into a career

Season 1 - All Episodes

Season 1 Episode 4 Graphic with Gil Junger

10 Things I Hate About Directing with Gil Junger

Director Gil Junger opens up about auditions, self-doubt, and the breakthrough mindset actors need to thrive in Hollywood.

Play episode

Season 1 Episode 3 - Michael Ruiz-Unger Guest Image

How to Write, Direct, and Produce Your Own Film with Michael Ruiz-Unger

Writer and producer Michael Ruiz-Unger joins Big Break Pod to discuss his film "Save The Flea".

Play episode

Season 1 Episode 2 - Bill Barreta Image

Episode 2 – The ABCs: Always Be Creating with Bill Barretta

Kicking off our first season with a WHIZ BANG is Bill Barretta, Emmy-award winning actor, puppeteer, and ineffable and effectual creator...

Play episode

S1E1 - Thomas M Copeland and Guest Kris Eber

Episode 1 – Welcome to the Big Break Pod!

In this innagural episode of Big Break Pod, host and creator Thomas Copeland introduces you in broad strokes the show, why it exists, and...

Play episode

Featured episodes

10 Things I Hate About Directing with Gil Junger

by Thomas M. Copeland3 months ago

Season 1 Episode 4 Graphic with Gil Junger

Episode 4

How to Write, Direct, and Produce Your Own Film with Michael Ruiz-Unger

by Thomas M. Copeland8 months ago

Season 1 Episode 3 - Michael Ruiz-Unger Guest Image

Episode 3

Episode 2 – The ABCs: Always Be Creating with Bill Barretta

by Thomas M. Copeland8 months ago

Season 1 Episode 2 - Bill Barreta Image

Episode 2

Support Our Show!

If you're getting a kick out of the pod, why not buy Thomas lunch? He doesn't eat often enough anyway. Let's fatten him up with a sandwich, and some love. Make a donation to the show here!

This Show is Sponsored By...

Follow & Share the Show

bigbreakpod

Big Break Pod is a show about the business of acting, creative passions, art, and entertainment!

BIG UPS TO ALEC TRACEY @alecttown for joining Tom

BIG UPS TO ALEC TRACEY @alecttown for joining Tom on Big Break Pod for Episode 12 of our first season! Alec is a stand up comedian in and around Manhattan. In this episode, we talk at length on what it takes to break into the comedy scene in the biggest city in the world. Alec also shares his personal journey getting there - and the resilience needed to do so. Catch BIG BREAK POD @bigbreakpod on all major podcast platforms...and give Alec a follow! #comedian #actorpodcast #comedianpodcast #nyccomedy #nyccomedian #showbusiness #funnybusiness

🚨BONUS EPISODE! Yesterday we released a BONUS E

🚨BONUS EPISODE! Yesterday we released a BONUS EPISODE on the topic of safety on sets with Emmy-award winning producer Kris Eber! This episode was recorded just after Alec Baldwin’s criminal case in the accidental shooting death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was dismissed. Thomas talks to Kris about how safety is planned for and adhered to before and during production, and how HE evaluates and manages risk for his actors and crew on set. This conversation is an interesting peek “behind the scenes” from a producer’s perspective. CHECK IT OUT ON ALL PODCAST CHANNELS @bigbreakpod #actors #actorpodcast #showbusiness #castingdirector #filmmaker #creativepodcast #producer #filmmaker #moviemaking #bts #producerlife #behindthescenes

Wondering what talent agents look for in evaluatin

Wondering what talent agents look for in evaluating actors for representation? How do you stand out from the crowd and capture - and keep - their attention? What exactly do talent agents do for you? Get answers to all these pressing questions and more in #bigbreakpod Ep. 5 “How to Capture an Agent’s Attention with TDA Founder Bianka Krausch”! Bianka and TDA (@talentdirectagency) is Thomas’ representing agents in the southeast market from 2020-2024. Bianka is chock full of rich advice and guidance for new and working actors - don’t miss it! #actors #actorpodcast #showbusiness #castingdirector #filmmaker #creativepodcast

Getting your first short film produced is hard. Fo

Getting your first short film produced is hard. For Miami based filmmaker and festival award winner Michael Ruiz-Unger (@skywalkerhand), the biggest challenge was focusing on telling a great story and letting the rest fall into place. He talks about it and much more in Ep #3 of Big Break Pod! @bigbreakpod #actorpodcast #showbusiness #castingdirector #filmmaker #creativepodcast #filmmakerpod #shortfilm #actingpod #newpodcast

Ladies and gentlemen…John Frank Levey 👏 John

Ladies and gentlemen…John Frank Levey 👏 John is a multi-award winning casting director behind some of Hollywood’s biggest TV hits and author of “Right for the Role”, an exceptional memoir and must-have-on-hand book for all aspiring actors. He also happens to be an extremely entertaining storyteller. Catch his guest episode with Thomas on @bigbreakpod Season 1, out now on all platforms! #actors #actorpodcast #showbusiness #castingdirector #filmmaker #creativepodcast #author #actorpod #actorshow

Don’t get up. Stay in bed and listen to @casting

Don’t get up. Stay in bed and listen to @castingtom and BIG BREAK POD. You’ll be happy you did! #actorpodcast #actorpod #newyorkcityactor #nycactors

Become the “organic actor” with @loriwymancast

Become the “organic actor” with @loriwymancasting on Big Break Pod Episode 6! Lori talks about her long career casting for some of the biggest projects shot in Miami since Miami Vice! She’s a fierce advocate for actors both on and off set. Check out her classes and book at https://theorganicactor.com/ #actors #actorpodcast #showbusiness #castingdirector #filmmaker #creativepodcast

Emmy-award winning actor and friend of Thomas’ @

Emmy-award winning actor and friend of Thomas’ @billbarretta on the legendary Sanford “Sandy” Meisner of @neighborhoodplayhouse, perhaps the single greatest acting teacher of the 21st century. Bill is an alumni of The Neighborhood Playhouse of NYC, the storied theatre conservatory Thomas is attending today! EPISODE LIVE NOW ON ALL PODCAST CHANNELS #actingpodcast #actingteacher #muppets #theatre #neighborhoodplayhouse #sandfordmeisner #sanfordmeisnertechnique #sandymeisner

Emmy-award winning actor and friend of Thomas’ @

Emmy-award winning actor and friend of Thomas’ @billbarretta on the legendary Sanford “Sandy” Meisner of @neighborhoodplayhouse, perhaps the single greatest acting teacher of the 21st century. Bill is an alumni of The Neighborhood Playhouse of NYC, the storied theatre conservatory Thomas is attending today! EPISODE LIVE NOW ON ALL PODCAST CHANNELS #actingpodcast #actingteacher #muppets #theatre #neighborhoodplayhouse #sandfordmeisner #sanfordmeisnertechnique #sandymeisner

🎉 IT’S FINALLY HERE 🫨 Season 1 of the @big

🎉 IT’S FINALLY HERE 🫨 Season 1 of the @bigbreakpod is OUT NOW streaming on all major platforms! Join creator and host @castingtom as he embarks on incredible interviews with Emmy-award winning producers, actors, casting directors, entrepreneurs, and so many more on the BUSINESS of CREATIVITY, acting, and filmmaking! Search “Big Break Pod” on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and all the others to find it! 🙌 #podcast #newpodcast #actors #actingpodcast #creativepodcast #filmmaking #filmmakingpodcast

🎉 IT’S FINALLY HERE 🫨 Season 1 of the @big

🎉 IT’S FINALLY HERE 🫨 Season 1 of the @bigbreakpod is OUT NOW streaming on all major platforms! Join creator and host @castingtom as he embarks on incredible interviews with Emmy-award winning producers, actors, casting directors, entrepreneurs, and so many more on the BUSINESS of CREATIVITY, acting, and filmmaking! Search “Big Break Pod” on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and all the others to find it! 🙌 #podcast #newpodcast #actors #actingpodcast #creativepodcast #filmmaking #filmmakingpodcast

Catch host and creator Thomas M Copeland on 4 thin

Catch host and creator Thomas M Copeland on 4 things he’s learned in 4 years as a working actor in the Miami markets! This was shot in August 2024 just before he moved to NYC. This clip is from Season 1 Episode 6 of the @bigbreakpod! Catch it on all streaming platforms THIS WEEK #newpodcast #actor #actorpodcast #filmmaking

How does where you grow up shape your acting, film

How does where you grow up shape your acting, film, or creative career? In pretty much every way, according to Emmy-award winning producer Kris Eber! Catch him on SE1 of @bigbreakpod dropping NEXT WEEK Y’ALL! #actors #actorpodcast #newpodcast

Emmy-award winning producer Kris Eber on SE1 of @b

Emmy-award winning producer Kris Eber on SE1 of @bigbreakpod! #actors #actorpodcast #newpodcast

Are you getting type cast? Good 👍 Find out why

Are you getting type cast? Good 👍 Find out why in Episode 1 of the Big Break Pod Season 1 dropping December 3rd on all platforms 🫳🎤 #newpodcast #actorslife #actors #actingpodcast

FOR REAL. Get paid to self-tape with ShowCoach! Th

FOR REAL. Get paid to self-tape with ShowCoach! The first 100 students to follow our IG, download the app, and post at least one work to the platform will get $5! Offer valid for October 2024; U.S. only. Let’s go! 👏👏👏🎬 #ShowCoach #UnleashYourArt #CreativeFeedback #ArtisticCoaching #CreativeCommunity #ArtisticImprovement #ActorsOfInstagram #actor #ActorLife #SelfTape #Comedian #PerformersCommunity #AuditionTips #PerformingArts #ShareYourWork #GetFeedback #FeedbackForGrowth #ArtisticFeedback #CreativeSharing #PostForFeedback #ArtistsSupportingArtists #CreativeCollaboration #SupportCreatives

📢 SHOWCOACH IS LIVE 📢 The world’s first ap

📢 SHOWCOACH IS LIVE 📢 The world’s first app designed by creatives for creatives to help improve our craft is HERE! Download for FREE in the App Store for now; Android app coming soon! #ShowCoach #UnleashYourArt #CreativeFeedback #ArtistGrowth #PerformBetter #GetCoached #ArtisticJourney #CreativeCommunity #ArtisticImprovement #PostImproveShine #ActorsOfInstagram #ActorLife #SelfTape #StandUpComedy #PerformersCommunity #AuditionTips #PerformingArts #StageToScreen #ShareYourWork #GetFeedback #FeedbackForGrowth #ArtisticFeedback #ShareYourArt #GrowWithFeedback #CreativeSharing #PostForFeedback #ShareAndImprove #CreativeCollaboration #SupportCreatives #ArtistsUnite

COMING SOON 👀 Episode 3 of Big Break pod is wit

COMING SOON 👀 Episode 3 of Big Break pod is with Gil Junger of @breakthrucompany talking about what directors look for in actors, including this little tidbit bit of casting Heath Ledger in 10 Things I Hate About You. This episode is awesome…stay tuned for the entire Season 1 release! #actorpodcast #director #creative #heathledger

DELAYED 😭 BUT COMING SOON! @bigbreakpod is drop

DELAYED 😭 BUT COMING SOON! @bigbreakpod is dropping in about TEN DAYS! We had some post-production delays, but hey…that’s par for the course in this line of work, isn’t it? Let’s make sure we don’t annoy Thomas any more and instead SUBSCRIBE to the Pod when it drops on all major podcast platforms! #podcast #newpodcast #actorpodcast #creativepodcast #actingpodcast

Still putting some finishing touches on the first

Still putting some finishing touches on the first season of BIG BREAK POD, so in the meantime, let’s distract ourselves with this cute little snippet from one of my favorite people in the world, who just so happens to be a guest on Season 1! Anyone know who this is? #actor #actorpodcast #director #emmy #muppets @castingtom

Load More Follow on Instagram

- Listen on:
- Apple
- Spotify
- Amazon Music