Let's talk about Verticals

A great Vertical lives and dies by its story and script 🎬✨ And when you’re bringing an entirely new genre to life, creativity becomes everything.In today’s episode, I’m joined by someone who truly embodies creativity – Scotty Mullen 🎭🔥Actor, writer, and casting director, Scotty talks to me about his latest project “Kiss of the Pirate King” (releasing May 8 on MyDrama) ⚓🏴‍☠️We dive into where he finds his inspiration, how he playfully teased director and producer Dylan Vox with his ideas, and how the pirate world ultimately came to life 🌊 From leads like Nick and Emma to a pirate ship, a castle, and even a dungeon – Scotty brings it all together into a rich period piece story with ease.His creative process? Headphones on 🎧, music playing 🎶, a quick power nap… and suddenly his fingers are flying across the keyboard ✍️💥With over 12 years of experience as a writer and deep insight as an actor on set, Scotty knows Verticals from every angle. Interestingly, he feels like he often ends up playing versions of his own brother (whom he very clearly loves 🤭). His biggest challenge? Playing… himself.We also talk about how he got into writing, what still challenges him today, and the long-term goals he’s working toward 🚀 Plus – creatives can look forward to a valuable piece of advice from Scotty, and yes… there might even be a few subtle spoilers about “Kiss of the Pirate King” 👀A refreshing, creative, and genuinely fun conversation – including some spontaneous plans involving a love for Europe 🇪🇺✨So grab your headphones and join us on a journey between storytelling and the camera 🎧🎥Some Verticals Scotty worked on:Kiss of the Pirate King (MyDrama) - Screenwriter/ActorDaddy, Don't Hurt Mommy (Dramabox)Alpha of Shadows: The Queen Returns (Dreamehort)Swapped Bodies with My Secret Crush (MyDrama) Screenwriter/Actor#vertical #podcast #new #verticals #community

We’ve wrapped up Easter and already moved past the fourth month of the (vertical) year — and April definitely delivered a lot to unpack 📊 Beyond our usual categories, this month calls for a broader, more critical perspective. One of the most defining trends right now is the growing impact of AI on the vertical ecosystem 🤖 From content production to storytelling structures and scaling capabilities, AI is increasingly reshaping the rules of the game — and challenging existing success models.At the same time, there’s notable movement on the talent side 🎭 A well-known actor is no longer ReelShort-exclusive and is now appearing in new contexts. This highlights just how dynamic and competitive the space has become.On the platform front, we’re also seeing fresh momentum 🚀 A newly launched, heavily promoted app has entered the market, aiming to establish itself through strong positioning and aggressive marketing. Whether it can sustain that momentum remains to be seen — but it has already captured attention.All in all, April once again shows how fast-paced and multifaceted the vertical universe is ⚡ Between technological disruption, rising competition, and new entrants, it’s more important than ever not just to track developments — but to actively interpret them.Joining the discussion:* Michaela (Host) @lets_talk_about_verticals* Aline @i.love.verticals* Dalia @verticalfilmslover* Shikha Dia @verticalviewweekly* Caitlyn @verticait* Meagan @realreeldramaOur Monthly Recap gives you direct insight from the audience perspective on what truly stood out… and what definitely didn’t.This month’s categories:🎭 Actor/Actress of the Month🎬 Supporting Role of the Month💫 Chemistry of the Month🏆 Vertical of the Month💩 Crap/Disappointment of the MonthAs always, we keep it open, honest, and unfiltered — celebrating what we love about the Vertical industry while also calling out where there’s clear room for improvement.A refreshingly entertaining yet critically reflective conversation you don’t want to miss 🎙️✨Enjoy listening!

🎙️✨ In today’s episode, actress Mary Foster @mary_jacqq joins me as we dive into her journey in the vertical space, her broader acting career, and everything that comes with it.Many of you might know her from her iconic villain roles 😈 — but thanks to the wide variety within vertical storytelling, she’s also taken on the role of the best friend 💕 more than once. She truly enjoys both sides and is excited to keep expanding her vertical portfolio. Shooting abroad 🌍 is definitely high on her wishlist!We also talk about the importance of mental balance 🧘‍♀️ and self-care in such a fast-paced industry. Mary finds peace in gardening 🌱 and makes sure to take intentional breaks to avoid burnout. A healthy work-life balance ⚖️ is essential — and often underestimated.How does Mary prepare for her roles? 🎭 What does it really take to step into a character? And how has playing strong, confident villains impacted her personally?All this and so much more in our wonderful girl talk 💬💖 Tune in — it’s definitely worth a listen! 🎧✨Some Verticals with Mary Foster:Brave New Beginning with My Fire Captain (@dramawave_official)My Poor Husband Is the Real Boss (@dramabox_official)His Love Was A Lie (@dramabox_official)Dont Mess with the XXL Heiress (@dramabox_official)Taming the Football Bad Boy (@dramabox_official)#vertical #podcast #new #verticals #community

🎙️ New Fan Episode – featuring Vicky from Verti.VerseWhat would the vertical industry be without its audience? That’s exactly what I dive into in this new episode with Vicky from Verti.Verse – and so much more.Vicky entered the vertical space quite early – like many others: she saw an ad, just wanted to take a quick look… and that was it, she was hooked.Since then, she has watched countless verticals and become a true pillar of the fan community. One of her biggest contributions: a self-built database that gives you a clear overview of many actors’ filmographies – including exactly which platforms their verticals can be found on.And if that’s not enough, she also maintains a birthday list so you never miss an important date 🎂In this episode, we talk about:✨ her favorite genres – and what really annoys or even triggers her✨ the kinds of stories she’s still hoping to see✨ why “Verticals made in Germany” are long overdue (hello Autobahn 👀)We also get a peek into her “actor wishlist”:🎬 Who she’d love to see in lead roles – including Adam Chisnall and Evan Camacho🚀 The perfect role she has in mind for Nick Ritacco🧘‍♀️ And why verticals featuring Teig Sadhana have a surprisingly calming effect on herA packed episode full of fan insights, passion, and unique perspectives from the community.👉 Definitely worth tuning in!

It’s finally happening: the first pirate ship is setting sail into the rough Vertical seas! ⚓️🌊I had the chance to speak exclusively in advance with four of the key people behind the project. Julie BrunsNic WestawaySteven KammererRob HuntTogether, we dive into the filming process, look back at how it all began, and talk about what an incredible adventure it was to bring this Vertical to life.Of course, I was especially curious about what you, the audience, can expect—especially since so many are asking for fresh stories instead of the usual Vertical tropes. And I can tell you: the first details sound absolutely amazing!✨ No banquette scenes✨ Only ONE slap!✨ No hospital scenes✨ And no frustrating, unresolved cliffhangersInstead, get ready for:🌿 Stunning nature & outdoor scenes🚢 A real ship🌬️ The raw, untamed sea👗 Incredible outfits⚔️ Spectacular fight scenesA Vertical full of adventure, tension, and dreams—enhanced by a completely original, specially composed soundtrack 🎶Get ready to be just as fascinated and excited as the cast & crew were during filming!Releasing on CandJar & Mauvipix – stay tuned! 🎬🔥

It’s time for a new episode featuring another actress 🎙️✨ (actors have been dominating a bit lately 😉)Shanna Sinow took the time to have a wonderful and fun conversation with me about verticals 🎬📱 She knows exactly what it’s like to get hooked by vertical ads—and then suddenly needing to watch the full story, unable to stop 😄 So she truly understands the audience better than many others 👀By now, she’s become an essential part of the vertical world 🌟 From vampires 🧛‍♀️ to rom-coms 💕, from young adult 📚 to the spicy ones 🌶️—there’s nothing she can’t bring to life.Still on her acting wishlist? A mermaid 🧜‍♀️, a pirate lady 🏴‍☠️, or even a detective 🕵️‍♀️Why hasn’t she played a villain yet? She thinks she looks “too nice” 😇 Would she like to change that? Because playing the bad side sounds exciting? — Hell yes 😈Getting kidnapped? She’s already got plenty of experience with that… at least on screen 😅And one iconic scene many people still remember instantly? The legendary construction helmet scene with Robert Palmer Watkins in “Escaping the Bridezilla” 🎭😂 Definitely a moment that made a lot of people smile!We talk about all of this and so much more from her experiences in the vertical world 🎧 👉 This is one episode you definitely don’t want to miss!Some Verticals with Shanna Sinow:First Love, First Sin with My Stepbrother (Drama TV)Bound by My Ex's Dad (Dramapops)Surrogate Bride of My of Ex's Uncle (Kalos TV)Engraved on Your Heart (Dramabox)Goodbye Husband, Don't Regret When I'm Gone (Dramawave)

In today’s episode, I sit down with the talented actor Douglas Jung to talk about his journey and experiences in the world of vertical storytelling 🎬📱Almost by chance, Douglas landed his first vertical role in 2023 through a friend—and he’s been hooked ever since. Fast forward to today, he’s already contributed his acting skills to over 40 verticals! 🚀We also dive into a topic close to his heart: diversity in casting 🌍 As a half-Asian actor, Douglas shares his wish to see more opportunities for people with diverse cultural backgrounds to land leading roles. Right now, he sees promising progress especially on platforms like CandyJar 🎭Music plays a huge role in his creative process 🎧🎶 From powerful soundtracks to carefully curated playlists, Douglas uses music to fully immerse himself in his characters and set the right emotional tone.We also talk dreams and ambitions 💭 Shooting in Europe is high on his list, and he’s excited about exploring Sci-Fi roles to push the boundaries of the vertical space 👽🚀And here’s a fun tip 😄Want to leave Douglas completely speechless? Just tell him you’ve never seen Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, or James Bond… trust me, it works!A fun, honest, and inspiring conversation with a genuinely great person—this is one episode you don’t want to miss! 🎧💫Some Verticals with Douglas Jung:Billionaire Daddy, You Have Sextuplets! (Flareflow)The Last Gambling God (Playlet)The Lost Heir: A Christmas Reckoning (Dramabox)Sweet Wild Bride of Mine (Reelshort)BillionHeir's Obsession

This conversation is one I could have continued for hours — TJ Wilk @tjwilkofficial shared so many fascinating stories from his life that I was completely captivated and rarely felt this thoroughly entertained. 🎧✨A born drummer, TJ has already released two music albums (including on Spotify). In 2023, he entered the Vertical World as an actor — but his journey there was anything but ordinary. From international modeling success to starring in a TV show, working as a “manny,” attending acting school, and so much more, his path has been incredibly diverse. 🌍🎬Originally, TJ pursued Olympic ambitions in springboard diving during college. But thanks to Mark Wahlberg, he developed an interest in modeling and acting — eventually trading his swimsuit for underwear campaigns, a modeling career, and acting classes. 🩲🎭At first, acting didn’t come easily. As he shares, memorizing lines for auditions was a real challenge. Only after learning new techniques — and realizing that his role in a long-running TV series no longer fulfilled him — did he decide in 2023 to fully commit to his acting dream. His very first audition? A vertical — without even knowing what that was. 😄🎥Today, TJ has become a key figure in the vertical scene, captivating audiences daily with numerous lead roles. Drumming remains a big part of his life, just like his daily gym routine to stay “camera ready” at all times. 🥁💪And what’s the story behind Kermit the Frog? 🐸And why didn’t his Superman flannel pajamas impress a woman? 🦸‍♂️😅All this — and many more fascinating, entertaining stories — await you in this episode. Enjoy listening! 🎧✨Some Verticsls with TJ Wilk:Drowning his Restraint (@loveshots.app)Love Me Later, Pay Me Now! (@kalostvapp)My Scar, His Debt to Pay (@playletshort)Mafia Majesty (@goodshortdrama)Mafia Daddy Next Door (@kalostvapp)

🎙️ From the very beginning, it was a perfect match – Michaela & Michael.Maybe it started with the name 😉… but in this episode, you’ll quickly realize there’s much more connecting us than just that.In this latest episode, I’m talking to Michael J. Gwynn @michaeljgwynn , a true Patriarch of the vertical space 🎬He’s well known for portraying a wide range of father figures – from warm and caring to loud, intense, and intimidating. That versatility is exactly what makes him stand out.With years of experience in vertical storytelling, Michael shares his honest insights:✨ What’s working in the vertical world⚡ What still needs improvemen🚀 And where the space is heading nextOne thing matters most to him on set: teamwork 🤝Even when things get hectic, people meet for the first time, and chaos is part of the process – he firmly believes: Teamwork makes the dream work.And what’s still on his personal “vertical bingo card”? 🎯🏒 As a passionate ice hockey player, he’d love to take on a role in a hockey-themed vertical⏳ Plus, he dreams of shooting period pieces and even stepping into the Wild WestAs a bonus, you’ll also get a mini German lesson 🇩🇪Michael used to live in Bavaria and still drops a few German words along the way.And how do we end up with him launching a billionaire search for me? 😄Well… you’ll have to tune in to find out.👉 Don’t miss this episode! 🎧✨Some Verticals with Michael J. Gwynn:My Wedding, Your Biggest Regret (@playletshort)From Zero to Hero: My Super-Vision Husband (@dramawave_official)My Scar, His Debt to Pay (@reelshortapp)Napolitana for the Mafia Boss (SHRT)If Only You Loved Me More (@dramabox_us)

His life almost sounds like a fairytale ✨. He even married a real (Disney) princess 👑 and together they have three wonderful children.Richard Sharrah sat down with me for a conversation about his love for acting 🎭, his experiences on set 🎬, his life, and his plans for the future 🚀.He has taken the Vertical world and its audience by storm 🌍📱. His trademark in Vertical series? Father roles. As we discovered, not always the loving kind – for example in “Mommy Don’t Cry Daddy Is Sorry.” These roles perfectly showcase Richard’s incredible range as an actor 🎭✨. One of his personal highlights in 2025 was his first Vertical shoot together with his son Maverick 👦🎬 – a very special and meaningful experience for him.The actor and businessman with an MBA 🎓💼, who until recently was under an exclusive contract with ReelShort, ended that exclusivity in early 2026 to the delight of many fans 🙌. Now he’s ready to conquer the entire Vertical world – including international productions 🌎🎥.During our conversation, filled with laughter and humor, Richard and I also create a little “To Do / To Visit” list for 2026 📝. Besides filming in Europe 🇪🇺🎬, I invite the half-German actor to visit his homeland again 🇩🇪 – maybe for my Soundgarden or for another magical Christmas market tour in winter 🎄☕✨.Even before the recording started 🎙️, our conversation had already developed a wonderful depth and connection. We talked not only about career and projects, but also about life itself – about the importance of self-care 🧘‍♂️ and the beauty of living in the moment 🌅.Just to be clear: if Richard suddenly shows up with a new tattoo in the near future 🖊️😅, that idea was entirely his. Jessica @jessicasharrah , I take absolutely no responsibility for it. 😉A wonderful conversation about life 💫, the love of living ❤️, and big visions 🚀.This is definitely an episode you don’t want to miss! 🎙️🔥Some Verticals with Richard SharrahMy New Daddy is a Five-Star General (@goodshortdrama)Daddy I'm Your Lucky Star! (@reelshortapp)Someone Loved Is Never Lost (@reelshortapp)America's Favorite Ex-Husband (@reelshortapp)Daisy Tucker and Mr. NYC (@reelshortapp)

Today, a supporting actor finally steps into the spotlight he has long deserved — Toby S. Pruett ✨🎬With plenty of wit and charm, we dive into the many chapters of his journey before entering the Vertical Space. From playing a pirate in a theme park 🏴‍☠️ to working as a health manager on set 🩺, to performing as a stuntman in high-energy stunt shows 💥 — Toby’s career path is anything but ordinary.His very first steps in Verticals? Straight into the role of an Alpha in a werewolf world 🐺 — without having the slightest idea what this universe was even about at the time!Toby was also part of the Vertical that pulled thousands of fans into the space: The Double Life of My Billionaire Husband💍💼 — a project that helped shape the industry’s growing popularity.Since then, he has taken on numerous roles across different Verticals and shares fascinating insights into the unique experiences actors face in this fast-moving space. Of course, we also talk about the big topic everyone’s curious about — money 💰. Toby offers exclusive insights into where there’s still room for improvement and what changes he hopes to see in the future.With his extensive stunt background, Toby could easily step into a stunt coordinator role on a Vertical set 🎥🔥 — and who knows, maybe we’ll soon see him not only in front of the camera, but leading the action behind it as well.This episode is honest, entertaining, and full of behind-the-scenes stories you don’t want to miss 🎙️🚀Some Verticals with Toby S Pruett:When we meet again (Dramawave)The Fake Debutante and the True Billionaire (reellvibe.com)The Heiress Rises from Ashes (Netshort)Big Bad Daddy Your Busted! (Dramabox)Mafia MAMAs Revenge (Joyreel)

When six Vertical critics come together, it’s time to recap the past Vertical month – and this time, we’re diving into February 🗓️Joining the discussion:* Michaela (Host) @lets_talk_about_verticals* Aline @i.love.verticals* Brittany @drama_ink_diaries* Shikha Dia @verticalviewweekly* Caitlyn @verticait* Meagan @realreeldramaWas the Valentine’s month really as cozy and emotional as the audience hoped? Or did some of the released Vertical content leave us disappointed — and if so, why?Our Monthly Recap gives you direct insight from the audience perspective on what truly stood out… and what definitely didn’t.This month’s categories:🎭 Actor/Actress of the Month🎬 Supporting Role of the Month💫 Chemistry of the Month🏆 Vertical of the Month💩 Crap/Disappointment of the MonthAs always, we keep it open, honest, and unfiltered — celebrating what we love about the Vertical industry while also calling out where there’s clear room for improvement.A refreshingly entertaining yet critically reflective conversation you don’t want to miss 🎙️✨Enjoy listening!

Have you ever wondered what a production company actually does in the vertical space — the exciting opportunities 🎬, the creative wins ✨, and the real challenges behind the scenes?I had the chance to sit down with Austin Herring @austinherring , CEO of Snow Story Productions @snowstoryproductions , for an in-depth conversation. With more than 60 verticals produced to date — alongside numerous commercials and other projects — Snow Story Productions has become one of the most established companies in the U.S. when it comes to developing and producing vertical content 📱.We talk about the recurring challenges of vertical production ⚡, unpack the ever-important topic of scripts 📝, and explore what Austin considers to be a truly “sexy” character in the vertical space 💫. From creative development to on-set realities 🎥, we cover the many layers that go into bringing vertical stories to life.People need a vision in order to turn it into reality ✨ — and that’s exactly why Austin and I didn’t just talk ideas, we made a deal.Together, Austin Herring and I mapped out a true win-win scenario: shooting in Germany 🇩🇪, in one of its breathtaking castles 🏰, packed with a big dose of comedy 🎭 — and I’ve officially volunteered to take care of the catering 🍽️.Let’s just say… it sounds more than promising 😉A bold vision, a creative collaboration, and maybe the start of something truly spectacular 🎬✨This episode offers a behind-the-camera look at vertical production like never before on the podcast 🎙️ — packed with valuable insights, honest reflections, and an engaging, entertaining conversation.Enjoy listening! 🎧Some Verticals produced by Snow Story Productions:The CEO and the Country Girl (Dramawave, Reelshort)The Sweetest Challenge (Dramashorts)Blind Heiress (Dramashorts)Good Girl Bad Biker (Dramshorts)Poolboy (Reelshort)