I Saw You In That Thing I Saw You In!

🎬 How does an actor go from watching VHS tapes in North Carolina to sharing the screen with Meryl Streep and Jonah Hill?

In this episode of I Saw You In That Thing I Saw You In, host Stephen Lomer sits down with New England actor Sam Kombo to discuss his fascinating journey through the film industry. Sam opens up about his "organic" rise on social media, the pivotal moment he received his SAG eligibility letter for the Netflix hit Don't Look Up, and what it’s really like working on major productions in the Boston and New York acting scenes.

In this interview, we dive into:

📌 The Big Breaks: Sam’s experiences on the sets of Don't Look Up, Defending Jacob (starring Chris Evans), and the Netflix series The Society.

📌 Industry Insights: The difference between a Talent Agent and a Talent Manager, and Sam’s recent signing with Bush Talent Management.

📌 The Craft: Why Sam prefers recording his own voice to memorize lines and his transition from theater at UMass Lowell to independent film.

📌 Upcoming Projects: A deep dive into Sam’s lead role as the judge in the upcoming Lizzie Borden feature film, Dearest Lizzie, and his work on the Jonestown Massacre docuseries for Netflix.

📌 Advice for Actors: The "Jenna Fisher" rule for aspiring performers and why New England is a "hidden gem" for local talent.

Chapters:

About Sam Kombo:

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🎬 What happens when a novelist-turned-actress, a martial artist, and a "Living Dead Girl" walk into a podcast? In this episode, host Stephen Lomer sits down with the multi-hyphenate New England powerhouse KJ Traynor.

From her roots in a family of ten siblings to her "legendary" status as Lenore on the Parody News Network (PNN), KJ shares her journey through the world of independent filmmaking, acting, and scriptwriting. We dive deep into her love for Classic Hollywood leading men, the challenges of producing indie films like The Sadie McAllister Files and Michael Lawrence, and her big win at the Boston International Film Festival.

📌 In This Episode, We Discuss:

The Origin Story: How KJ went from homeschooling and fan fiction to leading roles in action films.

The "Lenore" Phenomenon: The secret behind the "Living Dead Girl" persona and her chemistry with Harley (Sophia Cormier).

Classic Cinema: KJ’s "Mount Rushmore" of Golden Age actors, including John Wayne, Errol Flynn, and Maureen O'Hara.

Indie Filmmaking Advice: Why every aspiring actor should write and produce their own content.

What’s Next: A sneak peek at the upcoming PNN spin-off, Hey, starring Harley and Lenore!

Connect with KJ Traynor: Watch KJ as Lenore on PNN:    • More Lenore | The Parody News Network (PNN)  

Check out The Book Sisters: booksistersproductions.com

KJ on IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4021089

🎙️ About the Podcast: I Saw You In That Thing I Saw You In is hosted by Stephen Lomer. We interview the hardest-working actors, directors, and creators in the New England film community to find out how they do what they do.

🎬 In this episode of "I Saw You In That Thing I Saw You In," host Stephen Lomer sits down with the multi-talented Ceara Comeau—actress, author, and the driving force behind Book Sisters Productions.

Ceara shares her fascinating journey from landing a lead role in Shakespeare as a high school freshman to becoming a self-taught filmmaker. We dive deep into the creation of her sci-fi fantasy series, The Amber Oak Series, and discuss the challenges of adapting a novel into a cohesive film production. If you are an aspiring actor or an indie filmmaker, Ceara’s "no-nonsense" advice on professional etiquette, avoiding the "ghosting" epidemic in the industry, and the importance of flexibility on set is a must-listen.

📌 Key Moments in This Interview:

The Acting Bug: How a modernized Shakespeare play started it all.

The Filmmaker’s Pivot: Learning the ropes from KJ Traynor and transitioning from acting to producing.

Book Sisters Productions: Ceara’s 10-year plan to help fellow authors bring their books to the screen.

Behind the Scenes: Working with family, managing micro-budgets, and the "paparazzi moment" of a local film premiere.

Industry Real Talk: Why "speed-applying" is hurting actors and how to show directors you’re actually serious.

What’s Next: Details on the Amber Oak premiere in Bellows Falls, Vermont!

Featured Projects & Mentions:

The Amber Oak Series (Based on the novel Memories of Cronosalis)

The Sadie McAllister Files (Available on YouTube)

Within My Reach (Music video collaboration with Kate Eppers)

The Time Travelers (Short film)

Connect with Ceara Comeau:

Book Sisters Productions: booksistersproductions.com

IMDb: imdb.com/name/nm12873197

Instagram: instagram.com/cearacomeau

🎙️ About the Podcast: I Saw You In That Thing I Saw You In is hosted by Stephen Lomer. We sit down with New England-based actors, directors, and creators to discuss the craft, the grind, and the journeys that lead to those "I saw you in that!" moments.

Subscribe for more interviews with the best talent in New England film and theater!

#CearaComeau #IndieFilm #TheAmberOak #BookSistersProductions #NewEnglandActors #FilmmakingTips #ActingInterview #AuthorToFilmmaker #StephenLomer #ISawYouInThatThing #BostonFilm #WomenInFilm

🎬 From a Stroke to the Screen: Actor Don Smith’s Second Act | I Saw You In That Thing I Saw You In!

In this episode of I Saw You In That Thing I Saw You In, host Stephen Lomer sits down with New England-based actor Don Smith for a powerful conversation about second chances, late-in-life career pivots, and the drive to perform.

Originally from Centerville, MA, and now residing on the South Shore in Humarock, Don opens up about the unique "bloodline" of performers in his family—from his community theater star mother to his playwright uncle. But it wasn’t until two major life events collided—a "gut punch" comment from a family friend at a memorial service and a life-threatening stroke in 2021—that Don finally decided to stop ignoring his calling. Join us as Don shares his journey from recovering with TPA to landing roles as "angry white guys" and Hollywood producers in indie films like Slick. plus, don't miss the hilarious on-set disaster story involving a beer can, a copyright issue, and a sticky explosion during the filming of Phantasma.

Whether you are an aspiring actor, a film enthusiast, or someone looking for the inspiration to start a new chapter, Don’s advice to "Just Do It" is a must-listen.

📌 Episode Highlights: The Cape Cod Connection: Growing up in Centerville and the South Shore vs. North Shore dynamic.

Family Legacy: Memories of his mother playing Lady Brockhurst and his uncle’s influence from the Yale Drama School.

The Wake Up Call: How a stroke and a disappointing comment from an old friend pushed Don into acting.

Indie Film Stories: Playing Marty Caruso in Slick and the "angry guy" typecast.

Set Life Fails: The funny story behind the exploding beer can prop in Phantasma.

Radio Theater: Working with the Talking Information Center and Ledgers Actors Workshop.

Quote of the Week: "I think finding it [acting] later is much more precious... look at me now, here I am in this 3rd or 4th chapter of life." — Don Smith

About the Podcast: I Saw You In That Thing I Saw You In is a podcast dedicated to the journeys of New England-based actors. Hosted by Stephen Lomer, we dive deep into the local film scene, audition horror stories, and the triumphs of working creatives in the Northeast.

#ISYITTISYI

🎬 In this episode of "I Saw You in That Thing I Saw You In," host Stephen Lomer sits down with the award-winning, New England-based actor Chantelle Brizzee!

Chantelle opens up about her unconventional journey into the acting world — from her roots as a dancer to rediscovering her "compulsion" for performance after a career in the corporate world. We dive into her recent success winning Best Actress at the Seven City Showcase for her role in Jay and Sophia, and explore the internal shift that happens when an actor finally feels "worthy" of the craft.

Whether you're an aspiring performer or a film enthusiast, this conversation offers a raw look at the Boston acting scene, the magnetic pull of LA and New York, and the reality of balancing a remote career with a passion for the stage and screen.

📌 Episode Highlights:

Family Connections: Discovering a shared passion for commercials with her father and her "theater nerd" roots with her husband.

Winning Best Actress: The experience of filming a comedy in Virginia and taking risks on Backstage.

The Boston vs. LA/NY Debate: Why Boston is the "Cordyceps" of cities and the inevitability of the New York acting bug.

Overcoming Imposter Syndrome: How to identify your own growth and gain confidence in your talent.

Advice for Actors: Why there is no "one-size-fits-all" path to success.

Connect with Chantelle:

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🎬 Courtney Brooks: From Zendaya’s "Challengers" to the Boston Acting Scene | I Saw You In That Thing I Saw You In!

What does it take to go from a four-year-old in a Kroger commercial to sharing a scene with Zendaya? In this episode of I Saw You In That Thing I Saw You In, we sit down with the talented Courtney Brooks to discuss her unique journey through the New England acting industry.

Courtney gets candid about the reality of being a "tiny" actor in a world of commercial height requirements, how her circus arts training (yes, mid-air splits!) helped her land an agent, and why she’s aggressively pursuing limited series roles on platforms like HBO Max and Netflix in 2026.

📌 Episode Highlights:

[00:00] Why Acting? The "Existing as Excellence" Philosophy.

[05:22] The Kroger Commercial: Why she thought she was getting a "for keeps" big brother.

[12:15] On the set of Challengers: Working with Zendaya in a closed-down Applebee’s.

[15:30] Malibu Soda & Plus Ones: Navigating indie film leads and filming on the hottest day of the year.

[18:45] He’ll Be Home For Christmas: Winning Best Ensemble and the art of the "Chemistry Read."

[22:10] The "Bangs" Debate: Does a signature look limit an actor's range?

[25:30] Height in Hollywood: How being 5’1” impacts commercial casting and "apple box" moments.

[32:00] Advice for Aspiring Actors: Redefining self-worth outside of booking the job.

🌟 About Courtney Brooks Courtney is a Boston-based actor known for her roles in Challengers, Malibu Soda, and the award-winning pilot He’ll Be Home For Christmas. With a background in musical theatre and circus training (Lyra), she brings a versatile, high-energy presence to the New England creative community.

Connect with Courtney:

IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm12048770

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cljbrooks/

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Sponsored by the Parody News Network (PNN): Satirizing your favorite movies and TV shows for your protection. 👉 Watch here: youtube.com/ParodyNewsNetwork

🎬 From 9-to-5 to the Big Screen: Hannah Kelly’s Acting Journey | I Saw You In That Thing I Saw You In!

What does it take to walk away from a "cushy" salary to chase a childhood dream? In this episode of I Saw You In That Thing I Saw You In, host Stephen Lomer sits down with the lovely and talented Hannah Kelly, a New England-based actress who recently took the ultimate leap of faith.

Hannah shares her fascinating transition from a psychology and criminology graduate and police station intern to a full-time film and TV actress. We dive deep into the reality of the industry—from the "delusion" required to quit your day job to the practical strategies she uses to land roles.

In this episode, we discuss:

The "Lime Green Mansion" Prophecy: How an 11-year-old Hannah knew her destiny before she ever stepped foot in California.

Quitting the 9-to-5: The specific "once-in-a-lifetime" opportunity that forced Hannah to choose between corporate security and her acting career.

The New England Acting Scene: The unique challenges of being a working actor in the Northeast and navigating the "busy" vs. "slow" seasons.

Audition Survival: How to handle the "abyss" of self-tapes, dealing with rejection, and why looking 10 years younger than your age is a secret weapon.

Creative Prep Secrets: Hannah reveals her unique process for "getting into character," including Spotify playlists and Pinterest boards.

The Practical Backup Plan: A candid conversation about the "timeline" Hannah has set for herself and what happens if the big break doesn't come by 33.

📌 Key Highlights & Timestamps:

[00:00] Why Acting? The childhood story of the lime green mansion.

[05:30] From Criminology to Comedy: Why interning at a police station steered her toward the arts.

[10:15] The Big Leap: Making the decision to quit her full-time job for a 3-week acting opportunity.

[16:45] The "Young Look": Auditioning for teenagers while in your late 20s.

[22:10] Self-Tape Struggles: How many auditions a week is normal?

[28:30] Acting Hacks: Using music and visual boards to embody a character.

[35:15] Advice for Aspiring Actors: Why you should start with an iPhone and an acting class.

Connect with Hannah:

IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm15352315

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hannahlkelly777/

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🎬 From Corporate Lead to Triple-Threat Actor: Olivia Barberian’s Journey | I Saw You In That Thing I Saw You In!

What happens when you miss out on a "dream" promotion by just one question? For Olivia Barberian, it was the catalyst that changed her life forever. In this episode, host Stephen Lomer sits down with the talented New England-based actor to discuss her transition from the corporate world of sales and marketing to becoming a staple of the Boston acting scene.

Olivia shares the raw, honest story of how a "failed" promotion in 2021 led her to her first acting class and eventually to a career spanning commercials, feature films, indie shorts, and live theater.

✨In this episode, we dive into:

The Turning Point: How a moment of career heartbreak led to a breakthrough in the arts.

The New England Acting Scene: Why Boston and Maine are underrated hubs for actors and creatives.

Working with Zendaya: Olivia’s experience as a tennis player on the set of the hit film Challengers.

Theater vs. Film: The adrenaline rush of "treading the boards" and the challenge of 2.5-page monologues.

Life as an Artist: Balancing a marriage, acting roommates, and the future of motherhood in the industry.

Overcoming Self-Doubt: Dealing with "cringe" when watching your early work and growing as a performer.

Notable Projects Mentioned: 🔹 Challengers (Warner Bros.) 🔹 The Parenting (HBO) 🔹 Casting Kill (Dir. Mark Jay Parker) 🔹 Hurricane Diane (Theater) 🔹 Cute Meet (Short Film)

🕒 Key Moments & Highlights:

[0:00] Introduction to Olivia Barbarian

[01:45] Why Acting? The childhood roots.

[04:30] The Corporate Heartbreak: Missing the promotion.

[08:15] Taking the first class in 2021.

[12:30] The balanced resume: Commercials, Film, and Theater.

[15:50] The "Adrenaline Rush" of live theater.

[21:10] Working on The Parenting and Challengers (Meeting Zendaya!).

[28:45] Behind the scenes of Casting Kill with Mark Jay Parker.

[33:20] The "Underrepresented" New England acting scene.

[38:00] Living in a house full of actors.

[42:15] The most embarrassing moment on stage. [45:10] Future goals: Stand-up comedy and Voiceover.

[48:40] Advice for aspiring actors: "Try everything."

"Try everything. If you have a true passion for art and for creating, you will come across something that you may not have ever thought of." — Olivia Barberian

🔗 Connect with the Podcast: Subscribe to PNN (Parody News Network): youtube.com/parodynewsnetwork – Your favorite movies and TV shows satirized for your protection!

Follow "I Saw You In That Thing I Saw You In": Be sure to rate and review us on Spotify and stay tuned for weekly interviews with the best talent in New England.

🎬 Taping Ears & Tricking Litigators: How This Boston Professor Reclaimed His Acting Passion | Michael Roberts

In this episode of I Saw You In That Thing I Saw You In, host Stephen Lomer tracks the wildly diverse, non-linear journey of actor Michael Roberts.

Michael is a tenured professor who balances founding a master's degree program in occupational therapy with a jam-packed schedule of independent film, commercial shoots, and high-stakes immersive dinner theater. He shares hilarious, practical insights on what it takes to transition from a commanding stage theater presence to the subtle nuances of screen acting, proving that life in your mid-50s is the absolute peak time to embrace the craft.

Inside This Episode:

📌 The Oscar Multiplier: How one split-second mistake on the set of the Academy Award-nominated film The Holdovers with Paul Giamatti gave Michael his perfect "clearing the shot" background moment.

📌 The Red-Eared Gaffer Fix: A genius behind-the-scenes trick from the set of Sleepwalkers involving a fog machine, a bright backlight, and using gaffer's tape to hold down his giant ears from glowing red on the monitor.

📌 Telehealth Sign Language: Quick-thinking on a Blue Cross Blue Shield commercial where Michael had exactly 10 minutes to learn authentic sign language lines right before the cameras rolled.

📌 Immersive Murder Mystery Strategy: Michael reveals the grueling psychological prep required for a three-day Keith & Margo's Murder Mystery weekend in Vermont—including how he successfully fooled a true-crime novelist and a litigator by planting fake backstories on a dinner menu.

📌 The "Quincy Can't Escape" Sitcom Protocol: Breaking down the meta-concept student short film where Michael played the quintessential set-upon sitcom dad dealing with a co-star whose brainwashing randomly wears off mid-scene.

📌 Act Like You’re Not a Dirtbag: Crucial, grounded advice for young actors on networking, memorizing lines, showing up on time, and stuffing down your "inner dirtbag" to treat every grip, PA, and crew member with ultimate respect.

Connect with Michael Roberts

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#MichaelRoberts #StephenLomer #BostonCasting #NewEnglandActors #ActingPodcast #TheHoldovers #PaulGiamatti #MurderMysteryImprov #IndieFilmmaking #SAGAFTRA #NonUnionActor #ScreenActing101 #StudentFilms #TheaterLife #ISawYouInThatThingISawYouIn

🎬 Joe Tyler and Gabby Carli: The Slapstick & Stage-Crashing Origin Stories

📌 Gabby's Bold Beginnings

📌 Joe's Jim Carrey Paradigm

📌 The Reality of the Regional Casting Ecosystem

📌 The "East Coast" Mindset

📌 The "Monstrosity" in the Editing Room

📌 Fake Engagements & Viral Valentine's Days

📌 Set Etiquette Masterclass: The Extra Dilemma

📌 Breaking News & What's Next

📌 The Audition Engine

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#JoeTyler #GabbyCarli #StephenLomer #BostonCasting #PhillyActors #NewEnglandFilm #IndieFilmmaking #SetEtiquette #MurderMysteryImprov #AdamSandler #HubieHalloween #SAGAFTRA #AuditionPrep #SelfTapeTips #ParodyNewsNetwork #ISawYouInThatThing