Let's talk about Verticals Archiv

After the “Kiss of the Pirate King” week at the end of April — where I already had the chance to talk to several cast members — another member of the pirate crew joined me: actor Arno Horn Together we returned to the pirate ship once more and sailed straight back into the rough Vertical seas

For Arno, playing Jericho was a small comeback after 2024, especially since sadly we didn’t get to see him in any Vertical productions throughout 2025. We talked about what it felt like to return — and to jump right back in with such an unusual and wild Vertical project

Just like Nick, Arno had dreamed of being a pirate ever since he was a child So naturally, getting to live out that dream was something truly special. And getting paid while sailing the open sea? Even better

Of course I also had to ask him whether he’d be ready for a second part — and what wishes I should pass along to Scotty Mullen

 After Nick asked for “more rum” and Emma wanted “a sword and fight scenes” ️, Arno immediately decided to think a little bigger Think big seems to be the motto here — and Scotty’s notebook of ideas keeps getting longer and longer

We also talked about Arno’s beginnings in the Vertical world — experiences that almost made him lose interest in Verticals altogether. Thankfully, that didn’t happen We also discussed future roles, story ideas, and possible projects. And honestly… if I ever manage to raise the money, Scotty and Dylan are going to have A LOT of work ahead of them

Good news for me though: I even managed to get Arno to promise he’d appear in one of my Verticals for free

A fantastic conversation full of pirates, cowboys , lawyers ️, and so much more.

 And if you want to find out which secret Arno revealed to me exclusively… then you definitely don’t want to miss this episode

Enjoy listening!

Some Verticals with Arno Horn:

Kiss of the Pirate King (MyDrama)

My Call Boy Billionaire Daddy (Dramabox)

Say You Remember, Say You Love (Sereal+)

After Divorce: I Become Heiress (Dramabox)

Mason I + II (CandyJar)

#podcast #verticals #community #bts #new

You can become friends over the most random things — and in Brittany Pirozzoli @britzoli I definitely found my “Rigatoni BFF” 
Want to know the story behind it? Well… it’s a long one, and you can hear all about it in this podcast episode ️

Of course, we’re not just talking about food (even though Rigatoni plays a very important role ). We also dive into what else connects us: the world of Verticals

Female roles in vertical productions can still be… complicated. Women are often portrayed as weak or helpless characters, which isn’t always easy for powerhouse Brittany to play She loves giving her characters a little more intelligence, strength, and personality — even if clients don’t always appreciate those creative choices

And what about real-life equality on vertical sets? Unfortunately, there are still major issues, especially when it comes to the huge pay gaps between men and women. Brittany shares her personal experiences and talks openly about what she hopes will change in future productions ️

Strong roles for a strong woman? Absolutely. Give this woman a sword ️, put her in a pirate outfit , or let her play a 1200-year-old vampire queen with superpowers — she is READY.

️Tiny trigger warning before you listen:
There’s a very real chance you’ll end up craving Rigatoni and have ABBA’s “Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!” stuck in your head for the rest of the day 
And according to Brittany: don’t forget your roller skates

A podcast episode full of fun, creativity, laughter, and great conversations — definitely not one to miss

Some Verticals with Brittany Pirozzoli

Enough, No More Mrs. Nice Wife (@dramabox_us)

Billionaire Daddy, You Have Sextuplets! (@flareflowapp)

Confessions of a Vegas Showgirl (@reelshortapp)

Sexy Principal's Bloody Game (@momeshortdramas)

#podcast #verticals #community #bts #new

The Vertical industry has long been carving its own path — evolving in ways that are very different from the traditional film business. The market is growing rapidly, constantly changing, and unless you’re actively on set and in the middle of it all, it’s easy to lose track of what’s really happening.

Dana Protsyshak @dana__productions_vertigo , founder of Vert-I-Go Media, recognized exactly that — and created an industry event designed to bring people from all areas of the business together to explore, understand, and connect through the world of Vertical storytelling: the LA Vertical Drama Market. @la_vertical_dramamarket 

In today’s episode, I sit down with Dana, the founder and organizer of the LA Vertical Drama Market, to talk about the vision behind the event, the concept itself, and the experiences, lessons, and highlights from the first two editions of LAVDM.

Joining the conversation are three amazing LAVDM participants, who have also been involved as speakers in panels and labs during the event.

Dalia (@verticalfilmslover)

Caitlyn (@verticait)

Sarah (@escapismviaverticals)

 

Together, we explore what makes the LA Vertical Drama Market so unique, what attendees can expect, and why it’s absolutely worth traveling to Los Angeles if you want to better understand and dive deeper into the fast-growing world of Verticals.

The third edition of the LA Vertical Drama Market is already in the works and will take place November 5–7 Based on the experiences and feedback from the first two events, Dana also gives us an exciting first look at some of the new ideas and developments currently being planned.

Get ready for exclusive insights into the LA Vertical Drama Market and immerse yourself in the dynamic and ever-evolving world of Vertical storytelling.

Enjoy listening!

For more information, check out Instagram @la_vertical_dramamarket and the official website: laverticaldramamarket.com

#podcast #new #vertical #community #bts 

The 100th podcast episode is finally here, and who better to celebrate it with than my five Review Ladies? On top of that, it's also time for our ninth Monthly Recap, which means we have lots to discuss!

Since numbers are known to be quite relevant in the Vertical Space, we start off with a few facts about the podcast, which has now been around for nine months. Among them are the 96,443 downloads recorded as of May 31.

We're also pleased to see that this month brought several storylines and verticals that we've never seen before. Whether we're all equally enthusiastic about them from a content perspective, however, remains to be seen.

Curious about what didn’t quite impress us in May — and what completely stole our hearts? Then you’re in exactly the right place for my monthly roundtable with the ladies!

Joining the discussion:

* Michaela (Host) @lets_talk_about_verticals

* Aline @i.love.verticals

* Dalia @verticalfilmslover

* Shikha Dia @verticalviewweekly

* Caitlyn @verticait

* Meagan @realreeldrama

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 Month

App of the Monh

As 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!

#podcast #new #verticals #bts #community

️ It took Ben Whalen and me quite a while to finally find the time to sit down for a relaxed and unhurried conversation—but good things are worth waiting for.

One of the reasons was that Ben was unexpectedly called away to China for his very first Vertical project right around the time we had originally planned to record. Even better, he was able to return shortly afterward to shoot even more amazing Vertical content for us. ️

When he’s not traveling the world for Vertical productions, Ben is a true film enthusiast who tries to make it to the cinema at least once a week to fully immerse himself in the atmosphere of a good (horizontal) movie.

Ben is also one of the few people I can openly discuss topics that audiences don’t necessarily want to see in Verticals—especially those infamous banquet scenes. We both still wonder why nobody ever just Googles the answer or shows their ID.

According to Ben himself, he has a “hateable face,” which makes him a natural choice for antagonist roles. Over the years, he has embraced those characters and developed a style that is uniquely his own. No matter what role he’s playing, chances are you’ll find him looking sharp in a stylish suit.

And if you’re ever looking for him after a shoot, check the shower first. If his final scene involved a shower, there’s a good chance he decided to stay there a little longer.

One item that’s definitely on Ben’s 2026 bucket list is filming in Europe. Whether he’ll be able to correctly pronounce my name by the time he arrives in Germany remains to be seen.

This episode is packed with fun stories, behind-the-scenes insights, honest conversations, and plenty of laughs. You definitely won’t want to miss it.

Enjoy the episode!

Some Verticals with Ben Whalen:

Sleeping with a Billionaire Enemy (Tikok)

The Voice That Lied (Kalos TV)

Found A Homeless Genius to Save My Company (Goodshort)

Karma at Your Wedding Day (ShortMax)

Swapped Heiress by My Bestie (Dramawave)

#podcast #verticals #community #bts #new

At the beginning of my personal Vertical-watch journey, I actually avoided werewolf and vampire Verticals because they felt a little too fancy for me

Until my today’s podcast guest Brooke Moltrum — together with Nick Ritacco — completely pulled me in with Fated to My Forbidden Vampire

I’m really excited to talk with Brooke about her very first steps into the Vertical space, how she even ended up becoming part of this industry, and what turned out to be one of the biggest learning curves for her in the beginning

Brooke also loves looking behind the camera and diving into the entire production process of a Vertical. So we also talk about topics like the buzz around click numbers , storylines ️, post-production ️ and where we personally see weaknesses and room for improvement in the current Vertical world.

And when it comes to characters? Brooke is incredibly versatile

 Thankfully, she’s not being boxed into just one type of role — she can play the sweet and lovable female lead just as convincingly as the calculating and manipulative antagonist

Besides her time in musical theater — where she also performed in 2025 — Brooke would absolutely love to show off her singing skills in a Vertical one day. (Although, according to her, the extra super-professional dancing could probably be skipped )

And trust me… you’ll definitely want to hear who she thinks would be PERFECT for the male lead role

After appearing in so many Verticals, Brooke has gained a huge amount of experience, learned a lot, and changed many things along the way.

Ever wondered why Brooke almost always crosses her legs when sitting in a Vertical scene?

 Or why she sometimes intentionally covers parts of her face during filming?

You’ll hear all of that — and so much more — in this wonderful, relaxed and super fun conversation

Enjoy listening! ️

Some Verticals with Brooke Moltrum:

99 Chances of Love (Kalos TV)

Alpha's Love Captive (MyDrama)

Torn Between the Cole Brothers (Shorts)

Boss, Your Executive Secretary Has Resigned (Dramabox)

I Love You More Than Life (Reelshort)

#podcast #bts #new #community #vertical

️ It’s time for a new episode featuring someone from the audience side of the Vertical world! This time, I sat down with Sanne from Vertical World Girl.

Many of you probably already know Sanne and have watched one or two of her interviews with people from the Vertical space. But today, it’s finally her turn to be interviewed

Just like me, Sanne entered the Vertical world in 2023 and — like so many of us — got hooked after watching a ReelShort show. She first started out creating reviews before later launching her own interview series. Since then, her work has become an essential part of the Vertical community.

Of course, we also talk about the kinds of Vertical storylines and genres that instantly make her tune out , which actors and actresses she especially enjoys watching, and whether she prefers subscriptions or spending coins on Verticals

Over time, Sanne has spoken with many actors and actresses, mainly to learn more about the Vertical industry, behind-the-scenes insights, and what it’s really like working on these productions. Does she still have dream guests for her interview format? She reveals it in this episode

We also discuss how much time she invests daily into her Vertical page, what can sometimes feel exhausting or demotivating, and why the whole experience is still so incredibly fun and rewarding ️

You should definitely tune into this episode if you want another audience perspective on all things Verticals and some exclusive BTS stories from the lives of two Vertical interviewers

Have fun listening!

If you don’t always get offered the roles you truly want to play, then sometimes you simply start writing your own Vertical Scripts — and that’s exactly what Robert Keefe decided to do.

I had the chance to sit down with the actor, writer, and producer to talk about creativity in all its different forms.

Among other things, Robert has already been offered elder roles before (which honestly makes absolutely no sense to me ), even though he would much rather bring realistic and emotionally grounded Vertical stories to life together with his friends. That’s why last summer he decided to write his very first own Vertical Script — and if everything goes according to plan, it should be released before the end of the year. We’re definitely excited to see it.

Besides writing, Robert has portrayed many different kinds of characters and has made a strong impression both as a villain and as the nice guy . What helps him maintain a healthy work-life balance no matter what role he’s playing? He shares it with you in this episode.

Robert also immediately loved my idea of funding my own Verticals one day with a lottery win. And when I asked him whether I could cast him in multiple projects someday — maybe even with a small discount — he definitely didn’t say no. One of his biggest dreams would be to shoot in Europe and ideally even play a British character. And if all of that could happen in a James Bond-style story? That would be the ultimate jackpot for him.

Happiness and mental balance are incredibly important to Robert, and he truly doesn’t take many things in life for granted. ️

“Enjoy the little things in life, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.”

 — Kurt Vonnegut

With that being said — enjoy today’s episode! :-)

Some Verticals with Robert Keefe

Prison Break: Don't Mess with My Daughter (Dramawave)

Plus Size Plus Love (Dramabox)

Stole Your Alpha for Revenge (Kalos TV)

Oops! Reborn Heiress Runs Wild (Momeshort)

Falling for a Superstar 2 (Alta TV)

#vertical #podcast #new #verticals #community

You’ll find pure female empowerment in this episode, because I’m joined by the wonderful actress Rachel Beth Jackson. ️

I had the opportunity to talk with her about the many XXL storylines in Verticals, since those are unfortunately the kinds of roles the plus-size actress has been cast in most often. Rachel gives exclusive insights into what it feels like to dive into stories like these, what can sometimes be difficult for her as a confident woman, and what both of us hope to see from future storylines of this kind.

Rachel comes from theater, still loves teaching acting classes to children , and has now also started writing her own Vertical Scripts — stories where it doesn’t matter whether the role is played by a plus-size actress or someone with a slimmer body type, because there are so many more stories to tell than constantly focusing on appearance alone.

What does she want to see more of in Verticals? Powerful female roles , strong female friendships with a little bit of RomCom energy , and hopefully someday filming in Europe as well. There’s still so much left to discover in the Vertical space.

When she’s not on set, she loves starting her day with journaling ️, squeezing in a gym session if there’s time , and most importantly enjoying long walks with her dog . Rainy weather? No problem at all — for Rachel, that’s actually the perfect atmosphere to switch off, breathe fresh air, and maintain a healthy work-life balance. ️

This conversation is filled with positive energy, thoughtful discussions about certain Vertical storylines, and genuinely interesting perspectives. You should definitely give it a listen.

Some Verticals with Rachel Beth Jackson

XL Stands for Xtra Love (Reelshort)

Love Again, My Hockey Superstar (ShortMax)

When Memory Refuses to Let Her Go (Goodshort)

Sexy Principals bloody game (Momeshort)

When Love Returns (Flickreels)

#vertical #podcast #new #verticals #community

Want to know what it really means to have a “Creative Conversation”? Then this podcast episode with Marc Cotter @marccotter is exactly for you. ️ This episode is overflowing with creative ideas — although I’ll probably still need a lottery win to actually produce all of them.

 Since Marc also writes Vertical Scripts and has already sold three of them, I immediately put him to work on turning Teig’s and my idea for “Dr. Heartbeat, please help me!” into actual words. So @teig.sadhana I'm on it

What would someone change about their appearance for the perfect Vertical role? Marc, for example, would dye his hair black or even shave it off completely. After he showed me two photos from his “long hair era,” I honestly have zero doubts anymore.

We talk about his must-haves on set , why I should absolutely cast him in one of the Verticals I discovered myself, where certain storylines have major weaknesses, and why some roles and stories aren’t always that fulfilling for actors.

Besides acting and writing, Marc is also passionate about music and is about to release an EP — so of course I couldn’t resist testing the waters a little for “Michaela’s Soundgarden.”

And first impressions? Just as important in the Vertical world as they are during recording sessions.

 Since that first impression worked so naturally and effortlessly between us, it only makes sense that such a harmonious episode came out of it.

Enjoy listening!

Some Verticals with Marc Cotter

I Don't Want Any of You Three (@dramabox_us)

No Mercy for the Cuckoo (@netshortdrama)

Raised by the Thief Who Stole My Life (@flareflowapp)

Fake Princess Diary (@dramabox_official)

After His Affair I Slept with His Best Friend (@flareflowapp)

#vertical #podcast #new #verticals #community

️ Today’s podcast episode gets a little furry! While my dog Dion quietly makes himself known in the background, my guest Kerttu Karon gets a surprise visit from her cat right in the middle of our recording.

Born and raised in Estonia, Kerttu brings a lovely European flair to this episode as we talk about her journey into acting and how it eventually led her to Los Angeles ten years ago. Her very first role in a vertical series? A banquet scene right away — so she immediately knew what kind of industry she was stepping into.

To balance out the stress and fast pace of filming, the certified yoga teacher teaches yoga classes whenever her schedule allows.

Kerttu is incredibly grateful for every opportunity she gets as an actress. From playing villains to portraying the complete opposite, she has already explored many different characters. Why does she often get cast as the villain? She believes her slightly cooler European accent may have something to do with it. Still, she would absolutely love to play more warm-hearted and lovable characters in the future.

As a true family person, she would also love to shoot more projects in Europe to stay closer to her loved ones — and ideally combine that with deeper storylines and stronger character development. ️

We talk about all of this and so much more from the vertical space in today’s episode.

Enjoy listening!

Some Verticals with Kerttu Karon:

Mr.Walker, You're Out (Honey Reels)

Divorced Commissioner Strikes Back (Dramawave)

My Scar, His Debt to Pay (Reelshort)

The Last Gambling God (Playlet)

She Took My Daughter, I Watched in Silence (Kalos TV)

#vertical #podcast #new #verticals #community

️ In today’s episode, Shayne Davis @thefakeshaynedavis takes us along on his journey through the Vertical space so far. Although he’s still relatively new to the industry, he made an impressive start right away — after filming his very first Vertical, he immediately received offers for five more projects.

What matters most to him despite the growing success? Staying authentic and never losing sight of what truly matters. Because of his own life experiences, Shayne is also deeply passionate about helping others, especially through his work with recovering addicts and at-risk youth ️

What’s it like filming with kids? According to Shayne: multitasking at its finest From playing the “Daddy role” on camera to stepping into a “Big Brother role” between scenes.

One thing he would love to see more of in Verticals? Stronger villains He feels antagonist characters often lose too quickly to the hero and lack real depth. More complexity could make the stories even more engaging. He’d also love to see more variety in genres — especially comedy and a truly great western

Like many viewers, Shayne is also tired of repetitive banquet scenes and characters constantly being portrayed as weak until the very end. He believes audiences want to see confidence, growth, and real strength

Horror movies for breakfast? Absolutely �And as a true pizza lover (pineapple NOT allowed ), Shayne also refuses to take on roles in storylines that already exist on the market. His goal is to bring more originality, variety, and entertainment to his fans.

A fun, honest, and inspiring conversation with someone who truly understands what it means to fight against being labeled as “weak” — and who passionately stands for strength, change, and new beginnings

Some Verticals with Shayne Davis:

Baby Wants Her Hockey Daddy (@dramabox_official)

Emily in Her Glow-Up Era After Ex's Out (@goodshortdrama)

Tell Me What You Want (@dramawave_official)

Villains Beware Mommy Punches Hard (@goodshortdrama)

From Dumped Wife to Christmas Billionaire (@dramabox_official)

It’s time to talk to the man who has been pulling the strings behind the camera on so many verticals: Dylan Vox

For “Kiss of the Pirate King,” (Release on May 8 on MyDrama) Dylan went all out when it came to location scouting after Scotty playfully teased him with the pitch and brought him into the production for MyDrama. From not just one but two pirate ships to dungeons and even a castle — this production has it all. And Dylan wouldn’t be Dylan if he couldn’t turn even the most impossible situations into something truly cinematic

Productions are always passion projects for him, and you can feel that dedication in every detail. Backed by an amazing production team and a strong creative vision, Dylan knows how to create something unforgettable. His own acting experience also gives him a unique perspective behind the camera

We talk about why Emma and Nick were the perfect lead casting choices, the challenges the team faced during the shooting of “Kiss of the Pirate King,” and whether Dylan would be ready for a second pirate vertical… - Hell yes

Dylan also shares how his collaboration with MyDrama started, what he loves most about the platform and the team behind it, and which verticals they’ve already created together.

And of course, I couldn’t resist asking the important question: how much money would I actually need for a vertical pilot based on my own vision with a European shooting location so Dylan could turn it into something magical? (Without a banquet scene, obviously )

So after my future lottery win, discovering a hidden billionaire, or winning a quiz show… you all better be ready for what’s coming next. 

One episode full of creativity, big visions, behind-the-scenes stories, and lots of laughter you definitely don’t want to miss ️

Some Verticals Dylan Vox directed:

Kiss of the Pirate King (MyDrama) 

Romancing the Star (MyDrama)

Swapped Bodies with My Secret Crush (MyDrama)

Highs-Stakes Heartthrob (MyDrama)

Love, Lies and a Dead Tycoon (MyDrama)

#vertical #podcast #new #verticals #community

A true Vertical Queen is my guest today: Emma Reinagel

The action, adventure, and fighting enthusiast shines not only in werewolf verticals but also in “Kiss of the Pirate King”— and she’s nothing short of a queen in these stories. Her performances are genuinely captivating, and what makes her stand out even more is how often she portrays characters who evolve into powerful, unstoppable women. And honestly… we love that

Like many actors, Emma initially found the world of verticals a bit unfamiliar. After her first shoot, she even came across some werewolf ads and thought they were kind of… weird — until she ended up starring in one herself and fully stepping into that space.

Beyond acting, Emma is also a producer, which gives her a unique perspective on both sides of the camera She actively watches her own verticals to reflect on her performance, learn from them, and understand the post-production process better — always striving to grow and improve.

While filming “Romancing the Star” with Dylan Vox, she first heard about plans for a pirate vertical. So when she was eventually cast as the lead in “Kiss of the Pirate King,” her excitement was huge At the same time, she admits she had a few concerns — mainly because, as she puts it, there have been a couple of… clumsy moments on set before

If there’s ever a sequel, the wishes are already clear: Nick Ritacco wants more rum , and Emma definitely wants more weapons and fight scenes ️

 Scotty, you might want to add that to your notes! Maybe even plan a deliberate “falling overboard” moment for Emma — just to prevent any accidental ones

This was such a fun and insightful conversation, full of behind-the-scenes stories from “Kiss of the Pirate King” and Emma’s journey in verticals. Definitely worth a listen — enjoy!

Some Verticals with Emma Reinagel:

Kiss of the Pirate King (MyDrama) 

Taming My Stepbrother (Netshort)

Life is not a Game (CandyJar)

Romancing the Star (MyDrama)

Step Aside Ex, She's the Hidden Lycan Queen! (DreameShort)

#vertical #podcast #new #verticals #community