Breaking In: A SeriesFest Podcast
by Kaily Smith Westbrook & Randi Kleiner
Inspiring, educating and advising listeners on how to combat what feels like a closed-door system, "Breaking In" is an extension of SeriesFest's mission to champion and empower artists at the forefront of episodic storytelling. Guests include working professionals in television such as executives, producers, agents, directors, writers, actors, and independent content creators who share their insider knowledge.
Episodes
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Special Live Episode: Terry Washington, Music & Visual Content Executive, Zane Ryder Management
For this episode, Randi and the SeriesFest team traveled to Berkeley, California for a special live taping on the University of California campus. Our special guest, Terry Washington, brought his unique perspective on both the television and music industry to the students, staff, and audience.…
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S2 E13: Jessika Borsiczky, Writer/Director & Executive Producer
On the season finale of Breaking In, Kaily sits down with Writer, Director & Executive Producer, Jessika Borsiczky. Jessika talks about her industry path, upcoming projects, and the unique challenges she faces as a creator. Jessika Executive Produced ABC’s "Flash Forward," and has run television...
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S2 E12: Krista Vernoff, Showrunner/Exective Producer, "Grey's Anatomy," "Station 19" with Special Guest: Jay Hayden
In a special SeriesFest Insiders episode, Kaily chats with Krista Vernoff about how she came to Shondaland, and the challenges of showrunning for both "Grey's Anatomy" and "Station 19." Actor, Jay Hayden also joins the conversation as a special guest. Krista was Head Writer and Executive Producer...
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S2 E11: Chris Wagner, Founder/CEO, White Label Productions
Today, Kaily and Randi sit down with Chris Wagner, Founder and CEO of White Label Productions. Chris chats about the void he found in the industry for creating his own production company and some of the popular shows he produces, including "The Masked Singer," and "Savage X Fenty Show, Volume 3."...
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S2 E10: Schele Williams, Musical Theatre Director, Hidden Figures, Aida
On today's episode, Kaily sits down with renowned musical theatre director, and founding member of Black Theatre United, Schele Williams. Schele breaks down her industry path, as well as her latest projects, including the children's book, Your Legacy: A Bold Reclaiming of Our Enslaved History....
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S2 E9: Sarah Burgess, Head Writer & Showrunner, "Impeachment: American Crime Story"
On today's special SeriesFest Insiders episode, Randi discusses "Impeachment: American Crime Story" with Head Writer, Showrunner & Executive Producer, Sarah Burgess. Sarah is a New York playwright and screenwriter. Her play Dry Powder won the 2016 Laurents Hatcher Prize, was a finalist for the...
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S2 E8: David Person, Director of Original Programming & Production, IFC
On today's episode, Kaily sits down with David Person, Director of Original Programming & Production at IFC. David talks about his interesting path through the industry and the fine art of pitching projects. David currently co-oversees IFC TV’s linear originals in development and current...
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S2 E7: Tamir Muhammad, Producer Of Film & Television, Founder of Populace
Today Randi is sitting down with Tamir Muhammad, producer of film & television, and Founder of Populace. Tamir discusses his fascinating career while also talking about his love for working with new stories and artists. Tamir previously oversaw OneFifty at Warner Media (formerly Time Warner…
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S2 E6: Claire Taylor, Director of Programming, SeriesFest
This week, Kaily sits down with SeriesFest Director of Programming, Claire Taylor. Claire talks about exciting opportunities at the nation's premiere episodic festival as well the important value festivals still hold for content creators. A proud member of SeriesFest since 2015, Claire currently...
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S2 E5: Nick Morton, Producer/Comedian, Whitewater Films
On today's episode, Randi chats with Producer/Writer/Comedian Nick Morton. Nick lets us in on the process of creating and shopping two independent pilots, while also maintaining a career as a comedian and podcaster. Nick Morton is a writer, producer and stand-up comedian. He wrote the recent…
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S2 E4: Lisa Ammerman, Partner & Executive Producer, Treefort Media
On this episode, Kaily & Randi are speaking with Lisa Ammerman, Executive Producer and Partner at Treefort Media. Lisa discusses her path through the industry, from late night television to embracing the unique and new challenges in the world of podcasting and audio storytelling. Lisa Ammerman…
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S2 E3: Sherwin Shilati, Director, "Lucifer," "Trinkets," "Riverdale"
Today, Kaily chats with television and film director, Sherwin Shelati. Sherwin carves a unique path through the industry by helming one of the very first successful webisodic series', leading him on a path to directing episodes for "Lucifer," "Trinkets," and "Riverdale." By the age of 23, Sherwin...
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S2 E2: Emily Best, CEO & Founder, Seed&Spark
On today's episode, Kaily and Randi sit down with the Founder & CEO of Seed&Spark, Emily Best. Emily shares her unique story of becoming an advocate for diversity and inclusion in the entertainment industry. Seed&Spark’s platform and national education program have helped thousands of bold...
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S2 E1: Katie Lowes & Adam Shapiro, Actor/Creators
In the season two premiere, Kaily sits down with actors, Katie Lowes & Adam Shapiro. The real-life couple discuss navigating the challenges for young artists trying to break in, and creating work that reflects who you are as an artist. Best known for starring as Quinn Perkins on the ABC hit…
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E10: Jacqueline Pereda, Creator/Actor, "Generation Por Que?"
Today, Kaily chats with Jacqueline Pereda, creator of the HBO Latino short pilot "Generation Por Que?" Jacqueline talks about the challenges of being an independent creator and the path to her first TV pilot being picked up by HBO. Jacqueline has written, directed and produced over 20 comedic...
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E9: Ian Duff, Actor, New Amsterdam, The Republic of Sarah
On today's episode, Kaily and Randi talk with actor, Ian Duff. Ian discusses his education, philosophies on acting and the road that's led him to his roles on hit television series'. Ian Duff is an actor and Neighborhood Playhouse Graduate. He recently completed a recurring arc on NBC's hit show...
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E8: Tom Verica, Senior Creative Production Advisor, Shondaland
On today's conversation, Kaily chats with Shondaland's Senior Creative Production Advisor, Tom Verica. Tom discusses his unconventional path to directing television, as well as his desires and strategies for championing new directors into the industry. At Shondaland, Tom aids in the creative…
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E7: Sarah Adina Smith, Writer/Director, Everything Is Everything
On today's episode, Kaily sits down with writer, director, editor, and producer, Sarah Adina Smith. Sarah discusses her pathway into the industry, and the differences between helming films, original TV pilots, and established episodic series'. Sarah Adina Smith has helmed multiple feature films...
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E6: Austin Winsberg, Creator/Executive Producer, "Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist"
In this special live broadcast, as part of SeriesFest Insiders, Kaily and a creative audience chat with Writer/Producer, Austin Winsberg, creator of "Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist." Austin gives the live audience key insights on pitching, show-running, and how he broke into the industry.…
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E5: Rachel Myers, Director, Shondaland Women's Directing Mentee
On today's episode, Kaily talks with director, Rachel Myers. Rachel discusses her career, the challenges women face in the industry, and how programs like the Shondaland Women's Directing Mentorship have helped give women like her a seat at the table. Rachel has been creating work, both in front…
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E4: James Lafferty & Stephen Colletti, Creators, "Everyone Is Doing Great"
On today's episode, Kaily and Randi are sitting down with multi-hyphenate artists, James Lafferty and Stephen Colletti. James and Stephen discuss navigating the industry as independent creators, crowd-funding their project, and selling their show to Hulu. James Lafferty and Stephen Colletti, best...
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E3: Valerie Stadler, Founding Partner, Big Swing Productions
For this episode, Kaily and Randi are speaking with producer, Valerie Stadler. Valerie discusses her humble beginnings in the industry, where they led her, and how she has grown into a champion for new storytellers. Valerie Stadler started her career as the co-founder of Fat Chance Films where…
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E2: Emil Pinnock, Director/Producer/Writer, Unleashing Giants Studios
For our second episode, Kaily sits down with director, writer, producer Emil Pinnock. Emil shares how he sold his original pilot after screening at SeriesFest, and how his production company, Unleashing Giants Studios, went on to develop new projects for Blumhouse Productions, Entertainment...
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E1: Jeremy Gold, President of Production, Blumhouse Television
For our inaugural episode, Kaily sits down with producer and executive, Jeremy Gold. Jeremy shares how his career unfolded from actor to theater producer to executive working in television, and gives his insight on auditions, the development process and pitches. Jeremy joined Blumhouse Television...
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Breaking In: Teaser
Inspiring, educating and advising listeners on how to combat what feels like a closed-door system, "Breaking In" is an extension of SeriesFest's mission to champion and empower artists at the forefront of episodic storytelling. Guests include working professionals in television such as…
more
About this show
Inspiring, educating and advising listeners on how to combat what feels like a closed-door system, "Breaking In" is an extension of SeriesFest's mission to champion and empower artists at the forefront of episodic storytelling. Guests include working professionals in television such as executives, producers, agents, directors, writers, actors, and independent content creators who share their insider knowledge.
Hosted by
Kaily Smith Westbrook & Randi Kleiner