Film Fights with Friends is the premiere action filmmaking podcast and film festival. Join filmmaker stuntmen Paul Varacchi and Stephen Koepfer on a show that was nominated for Best TV/Film Podcast at the 2025 Podcast Awards and won the Dramatic Action Awards for the past 2 years running! In 2015, Paul and Steve founded Breakfall Studios, New York’s top action design studio. Get a view behind the camera as they sit with industry guests, break down cinematic fight scenes and action sequences, explore the filmmaking craft, and share their own filmmaking journey.
STEPHEN KOEPFER
Stunt performer, filmmaker, renowned coach and martial artist. Stephen has stunt doubled for the likes of Jonanthan Banks, Eddie Marsan, Henry Winkler and Tom Hollander as well as performed stunts on productions including Ray Donovan, Caught Stealing, The Beast in Me and John Wick 2 & 3. As a filmmaker, he has produced and directed several narrative films and documentaries that reflect his passion for storytelling.
PAUL VARACCHI
Martial artist, stunt & motion capture performer, and celebrity chef. Paul has appeared in such shows as Daredevil, The Punisher, Walking Dead: Dead City and World Beyond, The Night Agent and Gotham. Behind the camera Paul has many years of production involvement in roles ranging from PA to department head including extensive Health and Safety experience at Marvel and Disney. At the age of 8 Paul’s dad took him to see Robocop and the rest is history!
Tejas Hullur and Colt Kirwan are filmmakers who have written, directed, and produced a new three-episode pilot series for Adobe called Rough Cut! Colt and Tejas offer up an unfiltered and revealing journey of exploration into the craft of filmmaking. Steve and Paul first met Tejas when he trained at Breakfall Studios for Paramount Pictures’ Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning digital campaign. This time they have reunited to stunt coordinate the finale’ episode of Rough Cut! This interview lives up to our moniker as we dive into the process of filming fights with our friends.
GUEST MENTIONS:
Rough Cut on Adobe YouTube: https://youtu.be/2dbq3UrRjgo?si=8vMsvuYzXyxrkC5p (https://youtu.be/2dbq3UrRjgo?si=8vMsvuYzXyxrkC5p)
Tejas’ Mission Impossible video: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DN6J9fmj2to/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ== (https://www.instagram.com/reel/DN6J9fmj2to/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==)
Tejas’ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TejasHullur (https://www.youtube.com/@TejasHullur)
Tejas’ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tejashullur/ (https://www.instagram.com/tejashullur/)
Colt’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ColtKirwan (https://www.youtube.com/@ColtKirwan)
Colt’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coltkirwan/ (https://www.instagram.com/coltkirwan/)
INTRODUCTION MENTIONS:
New Breakfall Studios website: http://breakfallstudios.com (http://breakfallstudios.com)
Festival Information: https://www.patreon.com/FilmFightsFriendsPod/posts/film-fights-with-162886277 (https://www.patreon.com/FilmFightsFriendsPod/posts/film-fights-with-162886277)
Submit to our festival on FilmFreeway: https://filmfreeway.com/FFWFPodFest (https://filmfreeway.com/FFWFPodFest)
Support the TSP: https://tsp.esta.org/tsp/inv_in_innovation/sponsor.html?v=eUNc33MfXgI (https://tsp.esta.org/tsp/inv_in_innovation/sponsor.html?v=eUNc33MfXgI)
Support our food drive: https://teamfeed.feedingamerica.org/participant/NYCombatSambo (https://teamfeed.feedingamerica.org/participant/NYCombatSambo)
FILM FIGHTS WITH FRIENDS
Do you listen to our show as an audio podcast? Give video a try. Subscribe to our Youtube for the video version with awesome behind the scenes pics and video! https://www.youtube.com/@FilmFightsFriendsPod?sub_confirmation=1 (https://www.youtube.com/@FilmFightsFriendsPod?sub_confirmation=1)
Dig the show? Consider supporting our Patreon. There are some cool perks! http://patreon.com/FilmFightsFriendsPodcast (http://patreon.com/FilmFightsFriendsPodcast)
Join our e-mail list! Hit us up here: fightingwithfriendspod@gmail.com
Instagram: http://instagram.com/FilmFightsFriendsPod (http://instagram.com/FightsWithFriendsPod)
Facebook: http://facebook.com/FilmFightsFriendsPod (mailto:facebook.com/@FightsWithFriendsPod)
Steve’s Instagram: http://Instagram.com/sambosteve (http://Instagram.com/sambosteve)
Steve’s IMDB: http://imdb.me/stephenkoepfer (http://imdb.me/stephenkoepfer)
Paul’s on Instagram: http://Instagram.com/KravMagaChef (http://Instagram.com/KravMagaChef)
Paul’s IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm8062990/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1 (https://www.imdb.com/name/nm8062990/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1)
Breakfall Studios’ Instagram: http://Instagram.com/breakfallstunts (http://Instagram.com/breakfallstunts)
SPONSORS
Stunt Contact (use discount code FFWFPOD for 25% off a daily subscription and 15% off a weekly)
https://stuntcontact.com/ (https://stuntcontact.com/)
Stunt Access
https://stuntaccess.com/ (https://stuntaccess.com/)
PRODUCERS
Executive Producers:
Stephen Koepfer
Paul Varacchi
Produced by:
Press Record Studios
-Matthew Kaplowitz
-Richard Butler
-Andrea Levine
http://www.pressrecordstudios.com
Video Editor
Matthew Kaplowitz
Original music by:
Ahrue Luster
Brought to you by Breakfall Studios
®Film Fights With Friends LLC
25 Sept 2026
312: T. Ryan Mooney on Zombies and Mindfulness
T. Ryan Mooney, an accomplished stunt double and performer, has made a name for himself through his exceptional skills and versatility. With a passion for thrilling action, dedication to his craft, and meticulous planning and execution of stunts, Mooney has become an integral part of numerous film and television projects, delivering outstanding performances that captivate audiences. He has received multiple nominations for Outstanding Action Performances by a Stunt Ensemble, including Loki (2022), Ford vs. Ferrari (2020), The Walking Dead (2014 & 2015), and Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2009). His focus on safety has earned him respect among his peers and ensured the well-being of the cast and crew during demanding productions. That passion for safety has translated into a series of social media and YouTube videos for non-stunt performers on the importance of safe falling. Our interview starts with one of T’s favorite fight scenes, from Zombieland: Double Tap (2019), where he stunt-doubled Jesse Eisenberg.
INTRODUCTION MENTIONS:
New Breakfall Studios website: http://breakfallstudios.com (http://breakfallstudios.com)
Festival Information: https://www.patreon.com/FilmFightsFriendsPod/posts/film-fights-with-162886277 (https://www.patreon.com/FilmFightsFriendsPod/posts/film-fights-with-162886277)
Submit to our festival on FilmFreeway: https://filmfreeway.com/FFWFPodFest (https://filmfreeway.com/FFWFPodFest)
Learn more about the TSP: https://tsp.esta.org/tsp/index.html (https://tsp.esta.org/tsp/index.html)
Support the TSP: https://tsp.esta.org/tsp/inv_in_innovation/sponsor.html?v=eUNc33MfXgI (https://tsp.esta.org/tsp/inv_in_innovation/sponsor.html?v=eUNc33MfXgI)
Support our food drive: https://teamfeed.feedingamerica.org/participant/NYCombatSambo (https://teamfeed.feedingamerica.org/participant/NYCombatSambo)
INTERVIEW MENTIONS:
Hound Dog Hotel Fight: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6X9IdSlywBI (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6X9IdSlywBI)
T Ryan Mooney IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1968249/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk (https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1968249/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk)
T Ryan Mooney’s IG: https://www.instagram.com/tryanmooney/ (https://www.instagram.com/tryanmooney/)
T Ryan Mooney’s website: https://www.tryanmooney.com/ (https://www.tryanmooney.com/)
T Ryan Mooney’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TRyanMooney (https://www.youtube.com/@TRyanMooney)
FFWF S2 Ep1 with Director Riley Stearns on The Art of Self Defense: https://youtu.be/BWJz4hcEhYw?si=LIKDVsJaFU7nf33P (https://youtu.be/BWJz4hcEhYw?si=LIKDVsJaFU7nf33P)
FFWF S3 Ep1 with Enter the Exit State (with Callie Schuttera from Weapons): https://youtu.be/DMzyD7mFNnM?si=OnYYyy7eO0zGZDl_ (https://youtu.be/DMzyD7mFNnM?si=OnYYyy7eO0zGZDl_)
FILM FIGHTS WITH FRIENDS
Do you listen to our show as an audio podcast? Give video a try. Subscribe to our Youtube for the video version with awesome behind the scenes pics and video! https://www.youtube.com/@FilmFightsFriendsPod?sub_confirmation=1 (https://www.youtube.com/@FilmFightsFriendsPod?sub_confirmation=1)
Dig the show? Consider supporting our Patreon. There are some cool perks! http://patreon.com/FilmFightsFriendsPodcast (http://patreon.com/FilmFightsFriendsPodcast)
Join our e-mail list! Hit us up here: fightingwithfriendspod@gmail.com
Instagram: http://instagram.com/FilmFightsFriendsPod (http://instagram.com/FightsWithFriendsPod)
Facebook: http://facebook.com/FilmFightsFriendsPod (mailto:facebook.com/@FightsWithFriendsPod)
Steve’s Instagram: http://Instagram.com/sambosteve (http://Instagram.com/sambosteve)
Steve’s IMDB: http://imdb.me/stephenkoepfer (http://imdb.me/stephenkoepfer)
Paul’s on Instagram: http://Instagram.com/KravMagaChef (http://Instagram.com/KravMagaChef)
Paul’s IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm8062990/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1 (https://www.imdb.com/name/nm8062990/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1)
Breakfall Studios’ Instagram: http://Instagram.com/breakfallstunts (http://Instagram.com/breakfallstunts)
SPONSORS
Stunt Contact (use discount code FFWFPOD for 25% off a daily subscription and 15% off a weekly)
https://stuntcontact.com/ (https://stuntcontact.com/)
Stunt Access
https://stuntaccess.com/ (https://stuntaccess.com/)
PRODUCERS
Executive Producers:
Stephen Koepfer
Paul Varacchi
Produced by:
Press Record Studios
-Matthew Kaplowitz
-Richard Butler
-Andrea Levine
http://www.pressrecordstudios.com
Video Editor
Matthew Kaplowitz
Original music by:
Ahrue Luster
Brought to you by Breakfall Studios
®Film Fights With Friends LLC
11 Sept 2026
311: Beyond Animation with Peter Lawrence
Peter Lawrence is a writer known for Thundercats, Sabrina: Secrets of a Teenage Witch, Silverhawks, The Burning, and more! He is also a co-host of the Beyond Thundera Podcast. In this interview, we explore Peter’s winding career path, the differences of writing for animation and live action, and how his childhood may have set the stage for his creative life. In the latter half of our discussion, we take a more serious tone than usual on the show with a frank talk about the politics of race in the industry, human nature, the dangers of social media, and the polarized state of the country.
INTRODUCTION MENTIONS:
Dramatic Action Awards 2025/2026: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/twenty-awards-four-days-one-big-message-carter-ferguson-bdxse/ (https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/twenty-awards-four-days-one-big-message-carter-ferguson-bdxse/)
Carter Ferguson’s Website: https://www.fightdirector.com/ (https://www.fightdirector.com/)
Film Pro Productivity Podcast: https://www.filmproproductivity.com/ (https://www.filmproproductivity.com/)
New Breakfall Studios website: http://breakfallstudios.com (http://breakfallstudios.com)
Festival Information: https://www.patreon.com/FilmFightsFriendsPod/posts/film-fights-with-162886277 (https://www.patreon.com/FilmFightsFriendsPod/posts/film-fights-with-162886277)
Submit to our festival on FilmFreeway: https://filmfreeway.com/FFWFPodFest (https://filmfreeway.com/FFWFPodFest)
Learn more about the TSP: https://tsp.esta.org/tsp/index.html (https://tsp.esta.org/tsp/index.html)
Support the TSP: https://tsp.esta.org/tsp/inv_in_innovation/sponsor.html?v=eUNc33MfXgI (https://tsp.esta.org/tsp/inv_in_innovation/sponsor.html?v=eUNc33MfXgI)
Support our food drive: https://teamfeed.feedingamerica.org/participant/NYCombatSambo (https://teamfeed.feedingamerica.org/participant/NYCombatSambo)
GUEST MENTIONS:
Peter’s website: https://www.gpeterlawrence.com/ (https://www.gpeterlawrence.com/)
Peter Lawrence IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0492969/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk (https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0492969/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk)
Beyond Thundera Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@beyondthunderapodcast (https://www.youtube.com/@beyondthunderapodcast)
FILM FIGHTS WITH FRIENDS
Do you listen to our show as an audio podcast? Give video a try. Subscribe to our Youtube for the video version with awesome behind the scenes pics and video! https://www.youtube.com/@FilmFightsFriendsPod?sub_confirmation=1 (https://www.youtube.com/@FilmFightsFriendsPod?sub_confirmation=1)
Dig the show? Consider supporting our Patreon. There are some cool perks! http://patreon.com/FilmFightsFriendsPodcast (http://patreon.com/FilmFightsFriendsPodcast)
Join our e-mail list! Hit us up here: fightingwithfriendspod@gmail.com
Instagram: http://instagram.com/FilmFightsFriendsPod (http://instagram.com/FightsWithFriendsPod)
Facebook: http://facebook.com/FilmFightsFriendsPod (mailto:facebook.com/@FightsWithFriendsPod)
Steve’s Instagram: http://Instagram.com/sambosteve (http://Instagram.com/sambosteve)
Steve’s IMDB: http://imdb.me/stephenkoepfer (http://imdb.me/stephenkoepfer)
Paul’s on Instagram: http://Instagram.com/KravMagaChef (http://Instagram.com/KravMagaChef)
Paul’s IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm8062990/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1 (https://www.imdb.com/name/nm8062990/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1)
Breakfall Studios’ Instagram: http://Instagram.com/breakfallstunts (http://Instagram.com/breakfallstunts)
SPONSORS
Stunt Contact (use discount code FFWFPOD for 25% off a daily subscription and 15% off a weekly)
https://stuntcontact.com/ (https://stuntcontact.com/)
Stunt Access
https://stuntaccess.com/ (https://stuntaccess.com/)
PRODUCERS
Executive Producers:
Stephen Koepfer
Paul Varacchi
Produced by:
Press Record Studios
-Matthew Kaplowitz
-Richard Butler
-Andrea Levine
http://www.pressrecordstudios.com
Video Editor
Matthew Kaplowitz
Original music by:
Ahrue Luster
Brought to you by Breakfall Studios
®Film Fights With Friends LLC
Who has been a guest on Film Fights With Friends
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Mark Stanton-Kelly
Avaah Blackwell
Tom Denier Jr
Tim Gallin
Preston Thomas
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
65,694
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
19 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
5 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 75 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
80
Social presence
94
YouTube
76
Engagement
51
Contact Film Fights With Friends
Guest appearances
Books guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
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