Meet CAROLE Copeland of Los Angeles

Today we’d like to introduce you to CAROLE Copeland.

Hi CAROLE, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I am a retired high school teacher and administrator, who moved to Los Angeles in 2013 at age 49 to pursue my life-long dream of working in the entertainment industry; which I thought was acting because as a child, actors were all I saw on that magical tv and theater screen. I was accepted into the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in DC, but was unable to go and subsquently, I began using drugs and getting in trouble…alot. After years of using and all that can come with it, I was blessed to get clean and in the program of recovery I’m apart of we speak of “lost dreams awakened…” So in 2012, with 15 years clean I was reminded of my dream in entertainment and I moved to LA to live my life-long dream. I began with acting, and did the whole new actor grind, (background, acting classes, student films, etc); and within 2 years I was a member of SAG. But while on set I was always fascinated with the people behind the cameras; so I began asking to intern on sets. I was a PA, then 2nd AD, then 1st AD and then. moved in producing; had my first opportunity to associate produce a feature film in 2016 then another in 2017. As I moved thru producing, all indy- low to no budget projects where I did my own locations, ofcourse I was introduced to the locations manager profession and union and became an member of that organization as well. In 2023, I founded Recovery Media, a 501(c)3 that teaches filmmaking to trauma survivors; specifically the 5 traumas I have survived; addiction, domestic violence, sexual assault, incarceration, and/or suicidal depression; because God didn’t save me for me. In 2025, the 1st class shot our first short film, Something About Tomorrow, which has screened in multiple festivals including Cannes and won several awards. The 2nd class is fundraising and prepping to shoot their short film in the coming month. I’m so very grateful that God has confirmed for me, that if you have a dream inside, walk in faith and go for it. God didn’t put the dream inside you to say sike!

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Not smooth at all; in fact, one of the reasons that I founded Recovery Media was to create a safe and welcoming space for people like me that are often shunned and outcast in this industry. Also, I have been homeless, sleeping in my car and taking a shower at the gym twice in the early years in LA.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a producer, actor, location manager, and most recently I directed my 1st award-winning short film, Im most proud of my non-profit Recoverymedia.org
which is helping to change many lives

What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
DON”T QUIT!!!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://recoverymedia.org
• Instagram: @carole131
• Facebook: carole copeland