Episodes
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Welcome to The Vertical Buzz, where vertical entertainment finds its voice. This week, host Buzz Leer sits down with Blair Bai, Head of Executive Producers for North America at DramaWave and one of the leading creative voices helping define the next stage of vertical storytelling.
Blair talks about her journey from Beijing Film Academy and USC School of Cinematic Arts to early vertical hits and her leadership role at DramaWave. She explains why vertical entertainment started as a format but has become a new creative language, how audience data is reshaping development, and why mobile-first storytelling is forcing Hollywood to pay attention.
Buzz and Blair also discuss genre expansion, production speed, DramaWaveâs innovation, audience feedback, bullet comments, analytics, fast-burn storytelling, and the global growth of vertical entertainment. Plus: rapid fire, solo road trips, the Chinese film that inspired Blair as a child, and why the vertical audience can be summed up in one word: honest.
In this episode, you will learn:⢠How Blair Bai became a leading voice in vertical entertainment⢠Why vertical is more than just another content format⢠How DramaWave is innovating in production and audience feedback⢠Why vertical audiences respond differently than traditional TV audiences⢠How analytics, comments, and retention shape future projects⢠Why shorter storytelling does not mean easier storytelling⢠Where Blair sees genre expansion heading next⢠Why vertical creates new opportunities for actors, writers, directors, and producers⢠How mobile-first audiences are reshaping Hollywood⢠Why North America, Latin America, Southeast Asia, and India are major growth markets
Chapters00:00 Welcome Blair Bai00:30 Blair Bio and Credits02:20 Sponsors and Setup02:50 Is Vertical the Future03:50 Career Path to DramaWave05:15 Audience Insights and Genres09:29 Vertical Innovation and Feedback17:27 Rapid Fire Round21:24 Audience In One Word21:35 Solo Road Trip Reset23:03 Film That Sparked It24:09 Mentor From Childhood26:25 Rapid Fire Sponsor Break26:43 Hollywood Meets Vertical27:50 Analytics And Fast Burn30:55 Growth And Final Wrap
Sponsor: AEIRO (Arrow Air Purifiers)AEIRO Air Purifiers help identify, reduce, and monitor airborne contaminants to create a cleaner indoor environment for homes and professional spaces.Featured in this episode: AEIRO AC150, powerful enough to clean rooms 300+ sq ft, quiet enough for production, with smart sensor controls and true HEPA plus carbon filtration.Website: AEIRO.co
Rapid Fire Sponsor: VertiCastVertiCast is a casting app built for the speed of vertical storytelling. Actors can create profiles, upload clips, share availability, and make it easier for casting directors and producers to find them quickly.Instagram: @verticastapp
Guest: Blair BaiBlair Bai is a filmmaker, industry executive, and Head of Executive Producers for North America at DramaWave, where she oversees creative development, production strategy, and original content for global mobile-first audiences. A graduate of Beijing Film Academy and USC School of Cinematic Arts, Blairâs career spans film, television, commercials, music videos, and vertical storytelling. Her debut vertical series, Fated to the Forbidden Alpha, became one of the formatâs early breakout hits, and she continues to help redefine how serialized stories are created, distributed, and experienced around the world.Instagram: @bbbllaaiirr
Host: Buzz LeerInstagram: @buzz_leer
A Glendale Podcast Studio ProductionInstagram: @glendalepodcaststudio
Social Media Coordinator: Ana Karina CanoInstagram: @anakarinacano
Theme Song by Grace Leer and Bryan Dawley
Public Relations and Media: Robb LeerLeer Communications, Inc.
Special thanks to all of my support team, friends, and family.Host, Buzz Leer
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Welcome to The Vertical Buzz, where vertical entertainment finds its voice. This week, host Buzz Leer sits down with Troy Brookins, actor, producer, former athlete, and one of the driving forces behind MicroHouse Films.
Troy shares the origin story of MicroHouse Films, the new vertical platform he is building with Taye Diggs, Autumn Federici, and Shelby Stone, and why their mission is to create a space where underdogs, creators, and fresh voices can bring premium vertical stories to life. Buzz and Troy also talk about the upcoming MicroHouse Films app, the paywall model, the launch of Tides of Temptation, and how vertical storytelling can connect features, spin-offs, and mobile-first audiences in new ways.
They also get into Troyâs Cleveland roots, faith, football journey, NFL stint with the Cleveland Browns, and how sports prepared him for acting, producing, and leadership. Plus: behind-the-scenes stills from the MicroHouse Films originals, casting cameos, AI, premium talent, VertiCast Rapid Fire, and Troyâs bigger vision for the future of storytelling.
In this episode, you will learn:⢠How Troy Brookins helped launch MicroHouse Films⢠Why MicroHouse Films is focused on creators, underdogs, and premium vertical stories⢠How Troy, Taye Diggs, Autumn Federici, and Shelby Stone came together⢠Why vertical content is built for todayâs mobile audience⢠How the MicroHouse Films app and paywall model will work⢠How Troyâs Cleveland roots, faith, and football background shaped his mindset⢠What Troy learned from his sports journey and NFL experience⢠How Tides of Temptation connects to a feature film⢠Why speed, quality, and teamwork matter in vertical production⢠How premium talent and AI may shape the future of the space
Chapters00:00 Welcome and Introductions00:27 Troy Brookins Bio Highlights01:25 Sponsors and Housekeeping02:02 Microhouse Origin Story06:12 Why Vertical Content Wins07:54 Quality and Mission Vision10:00 App Launch and Paywall Model11:00 Cleveland Roots and Faith12:31 Sports Journey and NFL Stint19:31 Microhouse Originals and BTS Stills24:15 Owners Cameo Casting25:27 Hair Makeup Home Gym26:20 Meet The Cast27:38 Launch Date Signup28:41 Vertical vs. Traditional Dev30:24 Speed Like Soap Operas31:59 Premium Talent And AI34:33 VertiCast Rapid Fire40:04 Personal Values and Advice43:04 MicroHouse Vision and Wrap
Sponsor: AEIRO (Arrow Air Purifiers)AEIRO Air Purifiers help identify, reduce, and monitor airborne contaminants to create a cleaner indoor environment for homes and professional spaces.Featured in this episode: AEIRO AC150, powerful enough to clean rooms 300+ sq ft, quiet enough for production, with smart sensor controls and true HEPA plus carbon filtration.Website: AEIRO.co
Rapid Fire Sponsor: VertiCastVertiCast is a casting app built for the speed of vertical storytelling. Actors can create profiles, upload clips, share availability, and make it easier for casting directors and producers to find them quickly.Instagram: @verticastapp
Guest: Troy BrookinsTroy Brookins is an actor, producer, former athlete, and co-founder of MicroHouse Films. His credits include Only Child on Starz, Forever: Terry McMillan Presents, Disneyâs Stargirl, All American, S.W.A.T., and Young Sheldon. A Cleveland native and former football player, Troy brings the discipline of sports, a deep sense of faith, and a creator-first mindset into his work in entertainment. With MicroHouse Films, he is helping build a new home for premium vertical storytelling and opening doors for creators, actors, and audiences in the mobile-first era.Instagram: @whostroy
Host: Buzz LeerInstagram: @buzz_leer
A Glendale Podcast Studio ProductionInstagram: @glendalepodcaststudio
Social Media Coordinator: Ana Karina CanoInstagram: @anakarinacano
Theme Song by Grace Leer and Bryan Dawley
Public Relations and Media: Robb LeerLeer Communications, Inc.
Special thanks to all of my support team, friends, and family.Host, Buzz Leer
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Welcome to The Vertical Buzz, where vertical entertainment finds its voice. This week, host Buzz Leer sits down with Darren Darnborough, an actor, entrepreneur, and tech innovator helping shape the future of casting, auditions, and vertical storytelling.
Darren shares how a Dr. Pepper commercial at 16 opened the door to acting, why he pivoted from acting school into film and media, and how his entrepreneurial path led from nightclub promotion to Stuck4Staff, WeAudition, and now VertiCast. Buzz and Darren talk about the evolution of self-tapes, the rise of WeAudition as a global actor community, and how VertiCast is being built specifically for the speed of vertical production.
They also get into why vertical casting needs a different system, how availability and experience matter in this new ecosystem, what Hollywood can learn from micro drama data, and why specificity may be the key to standing out in a crowded creator economy.
In this episode, you will learn:⢠How Darren Darnborough got his first professional acting job at 16⢠Why he moved from acting studies into film and media⢠How Stuck4Staff helped shape his thinking around urgent casting⢠Why WeAudition became essential during the rise of self-tapes⢠How VertiCast was built for the speed of vertical storytelling⢠What âswipe, cast, createâ means for actors and producers⢠Why vertical casting needs faster tools and better availability data⢠How micro dramas are shifting the entertainment industry⢠Why actors should understand data, community, and specificity⢠What Darren believes the industry may be missing right now
Chapters00:00 Welcome to Vertical Buzz00:59 Meet Darren Darnborough01:12 Bio and Credits Rundown03:16 VertiCast Launch Buzz03:54 First Acting Breakthrough05:40 Film School Pivot06:52 Entrepreneurial Hustle Origins10:29 Stuck4Staff and Urgent Casting14:56 Sponsor Break and Return15:49 WeAudition to Vertical Future36:18 Audition Fatigue37:22 Why Verticals Move Fast38:05 Building VertiCast Fast39:08 Swipe Cast Create Explained41:41 Fixing Broken Casting42:58 Where Verticals Are Heading44:01 Sponsor Break Airo44:44 Big Picture Industry Shift51:06 Rapid Fire And Branson Story01:01:31 Specificity And Final Wrap
Sponsor: AEIRO (Arrow Air Purifiers)AEIRO Air Purifiers help identify, reduce, and monitor airborne contaminants to create a cleaner indoor environment for homes and professional spaces.Featured in this episode: AEIRO AC150, powerful enough to clean rooms 300+ sq ft, quiet enough for production, with smart sensor controls and true HEPA plus carbon filtration.Website: AEIRO.co
Rapid Fire Sponsor: VertiCastVertiCast is a casting app built for the speed of vertical storytelling. Actors can create profiles, upload clips, share availability, and make it easier for casting directors and producers to find them quickly.Website: VertiCastApp.comInstagram: @verticastapp
Guest: Darren DarnboroughDarren Darnborough is a UK-born, Los Angeles based actor, entrepreneur, and tech founder. His screen credits include MacGyver, Magnum, P.I., 2 Broke Girls, True Blood, Marshals, Abruptio, Razor, and Zack Snyderâs The Seneschal. Off-screen, Darren is the co-founder and CEO of WeAudition, a global platform used by actors in more than 100 countries, and the co-founder of VertiCast, a casting platform built for the fast-moving world of vertical storytelling. Across acting, technology, and community building, Darren is helping shape where entertainment goes next.Instagram: @darrendarnborough
Host: Buzz LeerInstagram: @buzz_leer
A Glendale Podcast Studio ProductionInstagram: @glendalepodcaststudio
Social Media Coordinator: Ana Karina CanoInstagram: @anakarinacano
Theme Song by Grace Leer and Bryan Dawley
Public Relations and Media: Robb LeerLeer Communications, Inc.
Special thanks to all of my support team, friends, and family.Host, Buzz Leer
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Welcome to The Vertical Buzz, where vertical entertainment finds its voice. This week, host Buzz Leer sits down with Nick Ritacco, a Chicago-born actor, athlete, baseball fan, and one of the standout leading men in the vertical drama space.
Nick shares how a high school injury led him from baseball into theater, how New York and Shakespeare shaped his foundation as an actor, and how early TV roles on Homeland and Law & Order: SVU helped push him toward Los Angeles. From there, Buzz and Nick get into his rise in verticals, the role that changed everything, what it takes to keep working in this fast-moving format, and why the vertical community has become so meaningful to him.
They also break down Kiss of the Pirate King, Nickâs pirate vertical with Emma Reinagel, including the behind-the-scenes reality of shooting on a real ship, sword fights, costumes, and why genre experimentation is pushing the space forward. Plus: Chicago sports, theater roots, hidden food spots, AI concerns, fan connection, and the future of vertical entertainment.
In this episode, you will learn:⢠How Nick Ritacco went from baseball dreams to theater⢠Why Chicago, New York, and Shakespeare shaped his acting foundation⢠How Homeland, Law & Order: SVU, and Lifetime led him toward LA⢠How Nick found verticals before the space had a clear name⢠Why Fated to My Forbidden Vampire changed his life⢠What makes vertical acting different from traditional film and TV⢠How Kiss of the Pirate King was made on a real ship⢠Why vertical fans and community matter so much⢠How Nick thinks about AI, rules, and protecting actors⢠Why vertical storytelling is still just getting started
Chapters00:00 Welcome to Vertical Buzz01:00 Meet Nick Ritacco02:57 Chicago Sports Rivalries04:29 From Baseball to Theater09:35 New York and Shakespeare12:02 First TV Breaks and LA Move17:06 Finding Vertical Stardom25:27 Quiet Air Purifier Pitch26:17 Role That Changed Everything27:43 Tropes Getting Better28:52 Pirate Vertical Behind Scenes32:08 Hooking Viewers and Fan Favorites36:29 Trailer Reaction and Rapid Fire42:35 Chicago Theater Roots45:46 Hidden Chicago Eats46:20 Thanksgiving at Marios47:01 Favorite Chicago Movies48:53 New York Summer Stories52:55 Vertical Acting Mindset55:03 AI Fears and Rules01:02:00 Vertical Community Wrap
Sponsor: AEIRO (Arrow Air Purifiers)AEIRO Air Purifiers help identify, reduce, and monitor airborne contaminants to create a cleaner indoor environment for homes and professional spaces.Featured in this episode: AEIRO AC150, powerful enough to clean rooms 300+ sq ft, quiet enough for production, with smart sensor controls and true HEPA plus carbon filtration.Website: AEIRO.co
Rapid Fire Sponsor: VertiCastVertiCast is a casting app built for the speed of vertical storytelling. Actors can create profiles, upload clips, showcase social links, and make it easier for casting directors and producers to discover them quickly.Website: VertiCastApp.comInstagram: @verticastapp
Guest: Nick RitaccoNick Ritacco is a Chicago-born actor, athlete, and avid baseball fan. After realizing he probably would not become the starting shortstop for the White Sox, Nick moved to New York City, where he earned his BFA from NYUâs Tisch School of the Arts and trained at the Stella Adler Studio for Acting. He performed in numerous theatrical productions, helped launch a Shakespearean theater company, and later moved into television with a recurring role on Showtimeâs Homeland and a co-star role on NBCâs Law & Order: SVU. After moving to Los Angeles with his tabby cat Cora, Nick has worked in Lifetime Movie Network projects and has become one of the most recognizable actors in vertical dramas, with more than 40 verticals and counting.Instagram: @nick.ritacco
Host: Buzz LeerInstagram: @buzz_leer
A Glendale Podcast Studio ProductionInstagram: @glendalepodcaststudio
Social Media Coordinator: Ana Karina CanoInstagram: @anakarinacano
Theme Song by Grace Leer and Bryan Dawley
Public Relations and Media: Robb LeerLeer Communications, Inc.
Special thanks to all of my support team, friends, and family.Host, Buzz Leer
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Welcome to The Vertical Buzz, where vertical entertainment finds its voice. This week, host Buzz Leer sits down with Emmy Award-winning casting director Paul Ruddy, one of the most influential casting voices in the vertical space today.
Paul is currently casting at DramaBox and has worked across more than 250 film, television, digital, and vertical projects for platforms including Netflix, Disney, Hallmark, Lifetime, Fox, Paramount Plus, Peacock, ReelShort, Pocket FM, and DramaBox. In this episode, Buzz and Paul break down how vertical casting actually works, why the space is growing so fast, and what actors need to understand if they want to stand out.
They talk about Paulâs early agency days at Abrams Artists and The Gersh Agency, the cake trivia moment that unexpectedly pushed him toward casting, his Emmy win for EastSiders, and how the pandemic changed the casting process forever. Then they go deep on verticals: how actors are being discovered, why the first 20 seconds of an audition matter, how agents are finally embracing the space, and why vertical is becoming a legitimate new lane of entertainment.
This episode also introduces VertiCast, our new industry sponsor for the Rapid Fire segment. VertiCast is built specifically for the fast-moving world of vertical casting, helping actors create profiles, upload clips, and get discovered by casting directors and producers.
In this episode, you will learn:⢠How Paul Ruddy went from law school to talent agencies to casting⢠What working at Abrams Artists and The Gersh Agency taught him about actors⢠The unexpected cake trivia story that pushed Paul toward casting⢠How Paul won an Emmy for EastSiders and found out in his kitchen during the pandemic⢠Why self-tapes are not going away and why actors need to master them⢠How Paul first discovered verticals through Pocket FM⢠Why verticals remind Paul of early Hallmark and classic soap opera evolution⢠What casting directors look for in the first 20 seconds of an audition⢠Why preparation, strong choices, and knowing the script matter more than perfection⢠How casting volume works when companies are making 10 to 20 verticals a month⢠Why agents and managers are now building vertical divisions⢠How unknown actors can still break through if the audition is strong⢠Why every audition matters, even if you do not book the role
Chapters00:00 Welcome to Vertical Buzz01:23 Meet Paul Ruddy03:42 Vertical Growth Talk04:31 VertiCast Sponsor Intro06:00 Agency Roots and Leap13:18 Cake Trivia to Casting15:41 Speed and Craft at Scale18:23 Emmy Win Story23:29 Pandemic Changed Casting31:46 Finding Verticals and Stars37:06 Vertical Goes Legit38:36 Soap Opera Evolution40:07 Audition Process Today40:29 Hook Them Fast43:12 Casting Volume Reality44:08 Finding Actors Properly46:10 Agents Embrace Verticals51:08 Rapid Fire Casting01:00:54 Fan Questions Deep Dive01:10:34 Wrap Up And Where To Find
Sponsor: AEIRO (Arrow Air Purifiers)AEIRO Air Purifiers help identify, reduce, and monitor airborne contaminants to create a cleaner indoor environment for homes and professional spaces.Featured in this episode: AEIRO AC150, powerful enough to clean rooms 300+ sq ft, quiet enough for production, with smart sensor controls and true HEPA plus carbon filtration.Website: AEIRO.co
Rapid Fire Sponsor: VertiCastVertiCast is a casting app built for the speed of vertical storytelling. Actors can create profiles, upload clips, showcase social links, and make it easier for casting directors and producers to discover them quickly.Website: VertiCastApp.comInstagram: @verticastapp
Guest: Paul RuddyPaul Ruddy is an Emmy Award-winning casting director currently serving as a casting director at DramaBox. With more than 250 film, television, digital, and vertical projects to his credit, Paulâs work spans Netflix, Disney, Hallmark, Lifetime, Fox, Paramount Plus, Peacock, ReelShort, Pocket FM, and DramaBox. He began his career at leading talent agencies including Abrams Artists and The Gersh Agency before moving into casting across film, television, theater, and new media. Paul received a 2020 Emmy Award for his work on the Netflix series EastSiders and has become one of the key casting voices helping define the vertical drama space.Instagram: @paulruddycasting
Host: Buzz LeerBuzz Leer is an actor, host, and veteran of the vertical film space.Instagram: @buzz_leer
A Glendale Podcast Studio ProductionOwned and operated by Erika and Jason HananInstagram: @glendalepodcaststudio
Social Media Coordinator: Ana Karina CanoInstagram: @anakarinacano
Theme Song by Grace Leer and Bryan DawleyThe Vertical Buzz Theme Song
Public Relations and Media: Robb LeerLeer Communications, Inc.
Thank youSpecial thanks to all of my support team, friends, and family.Host, Buzz Leer
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Welcome to The Vertical Buzz, where vertical entertainment finds its voice. This week, host Buzz Leer sits down with Eric Guilmette, one of the most recognizable leading men in the vertical drama world, to talk about the unusual path that brought him from romance novel covers to nearly 50 vertical films, producing, poetry, and a rapidly growing fan base.
Before vertical storytelling exploded, readers were already connecting with Ericâs face on more than 200 romance novel covers. That early romance audience gave him a unique understanding of the tropes, fantasies, and fan connection that now drive the vertical space. Eric and Buzz break down how that world connects directly to vertical dramas, why early productions had serious growing pains, and how the industry has evolved from chaotic sets into a legitimate entertainment lane.
They also dive into Ericâs work as a producer, including Love and Blood, the vampire vertical that became one of Buzzâs favorite projects of the year and won Best Supernatural Vertical at the Vertical Drama Love Fan Awards. Eric also opens up about his poetry book Sex and Oatmeal, how writing became a form of healing, the Ink Collective event in London, his connection with fans through Cameo, and where he believes vertical storytelling is headed next.
In this episode, you will learn:⢠How Eric Guilmette went from romance novel covers to vertical drama stardom⢠Why the romance novel world and vertical dramas have such a strong audience overlap⢠What Ericâs first vertical experiences were really like and how the space has improved⢠Why vertical view counts can be complicated and what the numbers really mean⢠How Eric stepped into producing with Love and Blood⢠Why cinematic storytelling matters if verticals are going to keep growing⢠How Sex and Oatmeal became a poetry book, a healing tool, and a creative extension of Ericâs life⢠What Eric learned from building The Ink Collective in London⢠How Cameo and fan messages have changed his relationship with the audience⢠The realities of vertical filming, including speed, intimacy scenes, title changes, and production pressure⢠Why Eric believes the future of verticals depends on better stories, more genres, and real human creativity
Chapters00:00 Vertical Buzz Cold Open01:27 Meet Eric Guilmette05:05 Awards and Vertical Fame06:15 First Verticals and Growing Pains07:59 Modeling Origin Story09:28 Romance Cover Breakthrough12:10 Books to Verticals Pipeline14:19 Sponsor Break and Reset15:18 Views Numbers Reality Check17:38 Producing Love and Blood37:37 Sex and Oatmeal Book37:56 Poetry as Healing38:57 Ink Collective London40:18 Cameo and Fan Impact41:01 Rapid Fire Acting44:03 Vertical Filming Realities45:37 Massachusetts Rapid Fire51:58 Sponsor Break Aiiro52:53 Fan Questions Answered01:02:16 Future and Farewell
Sponsor: AEIRO (Arrow Air Purifiers)AEIRO Air Purifiers help identify, reduce, and monitor airborne contaminants to create a cleaner indoor environment for homes and professional spaces.Featured in this episode: AEIRO AC150, powerful enough to clean rooms 300+ sq ft, quiet enough for production, with smart sensor controls and true HEPA plus carbon filtration.Website: AEIRO.co
Guest: Eric GuilmetteEric Guilmette is an LA-based actor, producer, poet, and one of the most recognizable faces in vertical dramas. He has starred in close to 50 vertical films across major platforms, including You Belong to Me, Chosen by Fate, Campus Rivals, and Love and Blood, which he also created and produced. Before verticals, Eric built a major presence in the romance world as a model on more than 200 romance novel covers. He is also the author of the poetry book Sex and Oatmeal and a co-founder of The Ink Collective, a poetry and contemporary art event platform. Eric won the 2024 Vertical Legend and Best Actor awards at the Vertical Drama Love Fan Awards and received the Sapphire Vision Award in 2025.Instagram: @erictaylorguilmette
Host: Buzz LeerBuzz Leer is an actor, host, and veteran of the vertical film space.Instagram: @buzz_leer
Produced at Glendale Podcast StudioOwned and operated by Erika and Jason HananInstagram: @glendalepodcaststudio
Social Media Coordinator: Ana Karina CanoInstagram: @anakarinacano
Theme SongGrace Leer and Bryan Dawley, The Vertical Buzz Theme Song
Public Relations and MediaRobb Leer, Leer Communications, Inc.
Thank youSpecial thanks to all of my support team, friends, and family.Host, Buzz Leer
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Welcome to The Vertical Buzz, where vertical entertainment finds its voice. This week, host Buzz Leer sits down with Royce Lundquist, one of the most exciting new leading men in the vertical space, to talk about his fast rise as an actor, his creative roots, and the new ventures he is building beyond the screen.
Royce shares his journey from being a homeschooled theater kid in a Navy family, to studying at the Orange County School of the Arts, Pace University, and Loyola Marymount University, to finding his way into vertical films with Queen of the Court. He also talks about surfing, discipline, SoCal roots, and why determination has shaped both his acting career and his entrepreneurial path.
Then Buzz and Royce dive into the craft of vertical acting, what makes a true leading man in the 9:16 world, and how the space is changing as new platforms and creators push for more elevated storytelling. Royce also breaks down Playback, To Her Beat, Monkey Boy Films, and his new real estate storytelling venture with The Ivy Group, including Open House Open House and The Duel.
In this episode, you will learn:⢠How Royce Lundquist went from theater kid to vertical leading man⢠Why surfing, discipline, and determination shaped his creative mindset⢠How Royce found vertical films and what changed his mind about the format⢠What it was like working on Queen of the Court, Call Sign Legacy, To Her Beat, and Playback⢠How vertical acting demands preparation, specificity, and strong character choices⢠What fans respond to in a great vertical leading man⢠Why the vertical space is moving beyond formula and into more elevated storytelling⢠How Monkey Boy Films started and what Royce is building as a director and producer⢠How Open House Open House and The Duel are turning real estate marketing into cinematic storytelling⢠Why Royce sees vertical entertainment as unpredictable, fast-moving, and full of opportunity
Chapters00:00 Vertical Buzz Intro01:17 Meet Royce Lundquist03:27 Theater Kid Origins05:28 SoCal Roots and Commute07:32 Surfing and Determination11:01 Finding Vertical Films15:27 Call Sign Legacy Stories20:35 Vertical Craft and Set Life28:16 Sponsor Break Aeiro29:28 Leading Man and Elevating Space42:04 Royce's New Ventures43:15 Playback Story Breakdown44:19 Mexico City Shoot44:39 Monkey Boys Origins46:22 First Musical Vertical48:55 Trailer Reactions52:19 Sponsor Break Aeiro53:23 Monkey Boy Business Model59:14 Open House01:02:21 The Duel And Wrap Up
Sponsor: AEIRO (Arrow Air Purifiers)AEIRO Air Purifiers help identify, reduce, and monitor airborne contaminants to create a cleaner indoor environment for homes and professional spaces.Featured in this episode: AEIRO AC150, powerful enough to clean rooms 300+ sq ft, quiet enough for production, with smart sensor controls and true HEPA plus carbon filtration.Website: AEIRO.co
Guest: Royce LundquistRoyce Lundquist is an LA-based actor, filmmaker, musician, and entrepreneur whose creative roots began in childhood as part of a Navy family living in cities around the country and abroad. He trained at the Orange County School of the Arts, studied in New York at Pace University, and earned his BA in Theater Arts from Loyola Marymount University. As an actor, Royce has appeared in award-winning films including 34902, Loveâs Perfect Song, Wanted, and Queen of the Court, the project that introduced him to the vertical format. He is also the co-founder of Monkey Boy Films, where he directs and produces across film, music, commercial work, and cinematic real estate storytelling.Instagram: @royce_lundquist
Host: Buzz LeerBuzz Leer is an actor, host, and veteran of the vertical film space.Instagram: @buzz_leer
A Glendale Podcast Studio ProductionOwned and operated by Erika and Jason HananInstagram: @glendalepodcaststudio
Social Media Coordinator: Ana Karina CanoInstagram: @anakarinacano
Theme Song by Grace Leer and Bryan DawleyThe Vertical Buzz Theme Song
Public Relations and MediaRobb Leer, Leer Communications, Inc.
Thank youSpecial thanks to all of my support team, friends, and family.Host, Buzz Leer
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Welcome to The Vertical Buzz, where the vertical entertainment world finds its voice. This week, host Buzz Leer sits down with D'Arcy Smith from the University of Cincinnati to talk about a major shift for the vertical space: vertical storytelling is entering academia.
D'Arcy is teaching vertical performance at the university level, which means this format is no longer just something actors stumble into on set. It is becoming something performers can study, train for, and understand before they ever walk into an audition room. Buzz and D'Arcy break down what vertical acting requires, why the style is different from traditional film and TV, how students react to the format, and why more acting programs may need to catch up fast.
They also talk about D'Arcyâs student vertical productions, the Vertical Drama Love Fan Awards nomination, data and audience reach, why scripts can feel cheesy, and how actors can still ground the work in truth. Then they hit rapid fire, Cincinnati food culture, Findlay Market, voiceover training, motion capture, and the future of digital performance.
In this episode, you will learn:⢠Why vertical storytelling belongs in the classroom⢠How D'Arcy Smith started teaching vertical performance at the University of Cincinnati⢠What students first think when they encounter vertical dramas⢠How acting in verticals differs from traditional film and TV⢠Why vertical requires emotional commitment, physicality, and speed⢠How student productions are being built around short vertical episodes⢠What the Vertical Drama Love Fan Awards nomination meant for the program⢠Why academia needs to adapt as vertical entertainment grows⢠How data, views, and global reach change the way creators understand audiences⢠Why actors need to âeat the cheeseâ while still grounding the story in truth⢠How voiceover, motion capture, and digital performance connect to the future of acting
Chapters00:00 Welcome to Vertical Buzz01:08 Meet D'Arcy Smith02:30 Why Teach Verticals04:43 Curriculum Pushback06:23 Inside the Class07:03 Acting Style Shift09:03 Student Productions Setup13:04 Award Nomination Story17:42 Academia Must Adapt25:19 Data and Audience Reach39:12 Eat The Cheese39:45 Why Scripts Feel Cheesy41:14 Ground It In Truth42:10 Rapid Fire Begins42:49 Format Skills And Future45:37 Cincinnati Food Debate49:57 Findlay Market Must Do51:09 Sponsor Break Aiiro52:33 Awards Community Vibes54:21 Voice Lab And Wrap Up
Sponsor: AEIRO (Arrow Air Purifiers)AEIRO Air Purifiers help identify, reduce, and monitor airborne contaminants to create a cleaner indoor environment for homes and professional spaces.Featured in this episode: AEIRO AC150, powerful enough to clean rooms 300+ sq ft, quiet enough for production, with smart sensor controls and true HEPA plus carbon filtration.Website: AEIRO.co
Guest: D'Arcy SmithD'Arcy Smith is the Director of the Digital Performance Lab at the University of Cincinnati and a professor of acting and voice working at the cutting edge of actor training, motion capture, animation, and digital performance. With more than 20 years of experience as an international voice director and coach, he is also the creator of Vocal Combat Technique, a groundbreaking method used in programs around the world. D'Arcy lives at the intersection of art, technology, and the future of performance, and is helping bring vertical storytelling into academic training.Instagram: @darcysmithdirectlr
Host: Buzz LeerBuzz Leer is an actor, host, and veteran of the vertical film space.Instagram: @buzz_leer
A Glendale Podcast Studio ProductionOwned and operated by Erika and Jason HananInstagram: @glendalepodcaststudio
Social Media Coordinator: Ana Karina CanoInstagram: @anakarinacano
Theme SongGrace Leer and Bryan Dawley, The Vertical Buzz Theme Song
Public Relations and MediaRobb Leer, Leer Communications, Inc.
Thank youSpecial thanks to all of my support team, friends, and family.Host, Buzz Leer
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Welcome to The Vertical Buzz, where the vertical entertainment world finds its voice. This week, host Buzz Leer sits down with Felix Merback, one of the hottest leading men in vertical storytelling right now, to break down what makes this format so addictive, what acting for closeups really demands, and why the vertical boom is still wide open for creators who are willing to move fast.
Felix shares his origin story from arriving in LA post-2020 to booking his first vertical, why the Wild West era was the perfect time to get in, and how he had to recalibrate his craft for the phone booth frame of 9:16. Then Buzz and Felix go deeper into the business side, including the origin of FMA Productions and how a new wave of creators is trying to push vertical storytelling forward without alienating the audience that made the format explode.
They also hit rapid fire, set life snacks, dream co-stars, on-set red flags, hidden talents, and the pressure every creator feels to capitalize on this moment while the industry is still being built in real time.
In this episode, you will learn:⢠What acting for vertical closeups forces you to unlearn and rebuild as a performer⢠Why vertical hooks audiences so fast, and why it is hard to stop at one episode⢠Why getting in early mattered and what the Wild West taught the pioneers⢠The difference between being a working actor in verticals versus being labeled a vertical actor⢠The origin of FMA Productions and how Felix is thinking like a builder, not just a lead⢠How vertical storytelling is changing, including what needs to evolve next⢠Rapid fire takes, set snacks, dream co-stars, and red flags on set⢠How Felix thinks about fame versus control, and the pressure to capitalize⢠What makes verticals viral, and what the future of vertical Hollywood could look like
Chapters00:00 Welcome to Vertical Buzz01:31 Meet Felix Merback03:26 Felix Origin Story05:30 Acting for Vertical Closeups09:18 Why Vertical Hooks Us10:43 Early Adopters and Wild West14:15 Working Actor vs Vertical Actor20:11 Sponsor Break Aero AC15021:10 FMA Productions Origin28:37 Changing Vertical Storytelling37:12 Rapid Fire Warmup38:05 Set Life Snacks38:24 Dream Co Star Pick39:13 On Set Red Flags40:21 Hidden Talents Revealed41:41 Fame Versus Control42:03 Pressure To Capitalize45:29 Future Of Vertical Hollywood46:58 What Makes Verticals Viral57:48 Projects Fans And Farewell
Sponsor: AEIRO (Arrow Air Purifiers)AEIRO Air Purifiers help identify, reduce, and monitor airborne contaminants to create a cleaner indoor environment for homes and professional spaces.Featured in this episode: AEIRO AC150, powerful enough to clean rooms 300+ sq ft, quiet enough for production, with smart sensor controls and true HEPA plus carbon filtration.Website: AEIRO.co
Guest: Felix MerbackFelix Merback is an LA-based actor and producer and one of the biggest breakout names in vertical storytelling today. He has become a go-to leading man in micro dramas, with viral projects including Game of Choice and Billionaire Daddy. Felix got to Los Angeles in 2021, booked his first vertical in 2023, and has built a full-time career in the space while continuing to work in traditional film and television. He is also a co-founder of FMA Productions, a new production company focused on expanding what vertical storytelling can be, with projects designed to bridge vertical audiences with more elevated filmmaking.Instagram: @Felix_Merback
Host: Buzz LeerInstagram: @buzz_leer
A Glendale Podcast Studio ProductionOwned and operated by Erika and Jason HananInstagram: @glendalepodcaststudio
Social Media Coordinator: Ana Karina CanoInstagram: @anakarinacano
Theme Song: Grace Leer and Bryan DawleyThe Vertical Buzz Theme Song
Public Relations and Media: Robb LeerLeer Communications, Inc.
Thank youSpecial thanks to all of my support team, friends, and family.Host, Buzz Leer
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This week on The Vertical Buzz, Season 2 kicks off with the person who helped legitimize the vertical space in Los Angeles. Host Buzz Leer sits down with Tina Contogenis, founder of Eris Talent Agency, to break down why vertical is no longer a trend, how the money and views proved the model, and what actors need to understand if they want to compete in the fastest-growing lane of entertainment.
Tina shares the moment she realized actors were earning real money, how Eris built the first agency division focused specifically on vertical content, and what has changed as the space matures from Wild West chaos into a structured marketplace. They also get into what casting is actually prioritizing right now, why vertical is becoming a smarter path than traditional TV for many performers, and what the next wave looks like as AI, deepfakes, and new laws start to collide with talent rights.
The episode includes rapid fire takes, must-watch apps, Eris's strict âno assholesâ policy, and a day-in-the-life look at what a modern talent agency is juggling with the vertical boom.
In this episode, you will learn:⢠Why Season 2 is about defining the space, not just discovering it⢠What the first vertical wakeup moment looked like from an agentâs perspective⢠How views and money proved vertical is an industry, not an experiment⢠What changed from the early Wild West days to todayâs more structured ecosystem⢠What casting looks for right now, including pace, looks, and versatility⢠Why vertical wins for working actors, and how to build a real vertical strategy⢠Must-watch vertical apps and where the best opportunities are heading⢠The âno assholesâ policy and why set culture matters more than ever⢠AI threats, deepfakes, and what new law is trying to do about it⢠The future of vertical economics, rates, and how the space may evolve next
Chapters00:00 Season Two Begins00:47 Vertical Revolution01:48 Industry Gets Real02:57 Meet Tina Aris04:57 First Vertical Wakeup06:57 Views Money Proof08:59 From Wild West21:18 Casting Looks Talent26:04 Sponsor Break27:05 Why Vertical Wins37:32 Rapid Fire Takes38:34 Must Watch Vertical Apps39:50 No Assholes Policy40:59 AI Threats Ahead42:36 Deepfakes And New Law45:09 Future Of Vertical Economics51:00 Tina Agent Origin Story52:51 Aris Entertainment Expansion56:03 Boundaries Intimacy Negotiations01:01:51 Day In The Life Wrap Up
Sponsor: AEIRO (Arrow Air Purifiers)AEIRO Air Purifiers help identify, reduce, and monitor airborne contaminants to create a cleaner indoor environment for homes and professional spaces.Featured in this episode: AEIRO AC150, powerful enough to clean rooms 300+ sq ft, quiet enough for production, with smart sensor controls and true HEPA plus carbon filtration.Website: AEIRO.co
Guest: Tina ContogenisTina Contogenis is the founder and president of Eris Talent Agency, an international talent agency representing actors and creators across film, television, streaming, and the rapidly expanding vertical drama marketplace. Under her leadership, Eris Talent developed the first agency division focused specifically on vertical content, representing both actors and production companies in the space. She also leads Aris Entertainment, the agencyâs development arm, and serves on the board of the Association of Talent Agents. Tina is a voting member of the Television Academy, and Eris Talent is bi-coastal with additional offices in Mexico City and an affiliate in London.Instagram: @tinacontogenis
Host: Buzz LeerBuzz Leer is an actor, host, and veteran of the vertical film space.Instagram: @buzz_leer
A Glendale Podcast Studio ProductionOwned and operated by Erika and Jason HananInstagram: @glendalepodcaststudio
Social Media Coordinator: Ana Karina CanoInstagram: @anakarinacano
Theme Song: Grace Leer and Bryan DawleyThe Vertical Buzz Theme Song
Public Relations and Media: Robb LeerLeer Communications, Inc.
Thank youSpecial thanks to all of my support team, friends, and family.Host, Buzz Leer
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Welcome to the Season 1 finale of The Vertical Buzz. This is a special edition episode and a full preview of the Vertical Drama Love Fan Awards happening this Thursday in Los Angeles. Vertical is moving fast, but the biggest story is even bigger: fans are not just watching anymore. Fans are shaping what wins, what gets made, and what becomes the next breakout.
Buzz Leer is joined in studio by Sam Silliman and Amy Sullivan Riley, with Jen Cooper joining remotely from the UK. Jen is the founder of Vertical Drama Love and the Vertical Drama Love Fan Awards, and this episode is your inside look at how the awards work, what makes a winner, and why this community has grown into a sold out live Hollywood theatre event with a global live stream.
Then the panel breaks down the top nominees in the Vertical of the Year category, reacts to nominee clips, talks genre trends, and debates what is actually pushing the medium forward right now. If you love vertical dramas, this is the episode to watch before the big night.
Welcome to the Season 1 finale of The Vertical Buzz. This is a special edition episode and a full preview of the Vertical Drama Love Fan Awards happening this Thursday in Los Angeles. Vertical is moving fast, but the biggest story is even bigger: fans are not just watching anymore. Fans are shaping what wins, what gets made, and what becomes the next breakout.
Buzz Leer is joined in studio by Sam Silliman and Amy Sullivan Riley, with Jen Cooper joining remotely from the UK. Jen is the founder of Vertical Drama Love and the Vertical Drama Love Fan Awards, and this episode is your inside look at how the awards work, what makes a winner, and why this community has grown into a sold out live Hollywood theatre event with a global live stream.
Then the panel breaks down the top nominees in the Vertical of the Year category, reacts to nominee clips, talks genre trends, and debates what is actually pushing the medium forward right now. If you love vertical dramas, this is the episode to watch before the big night.
In this episode, you will learn:⢠How the Vertical Drama Love Fan Awards works and how the winners are chosen⢠What separates a nominee from a winner and why global voting matters⢠What makes a vertical feel like a true Vertical of the Year contender in 2026⢠Why vertical is evolving so fast and how audience behavior drives what gets made⢠Reactions and debate on the top Vertical of the Year nominees across multiple platforms⢠How the Fan Awards grew from an online fan project into a live event in Los Angeles⢠Where vertical entertainment is headed next and what fans are demanding more of
Chapters00:00 Welcome to Fan Awards01:32 Meet the Panel02:11 Amy Sullivan Riley Spotlight03:36 Sam Silliman Spotlight05:01 Jen Cooper Spotlight06:37 How the Awards Work08:54 What Makes a Winner20:07 Sponsor Break21:13 Nominee Clips Begin44:56 Halfway Front Runners49:25 Rom-Com Nostalgia50:42 Pizza Guys Meet Vampires52:33 Camp Horror in Vertical54:54 Queen of the Court58:04 Sponsor Break Aero AC15058:44 Queen Never Cry Again01:02:50 Taming My Bullies01:07:07 Water Boy BL Hit01:12:50 Picking the Overall Winner01:17:33 Fan Awards Origin Story
Sponsor: AEIRO (Arrow Air Purifiers)AEIRO Air Purifiers help identify, reduce, and monitor airborne contaminants to create a cleaner indoor environment for homes and professional spaces.Featured in this episode: AEIRO AC150, powerful enough to clean rooms 300+ sq ft, quiet enough for production, with smart sensor controls and true HEPA plus carbon filtration.Website: AEIRO.co
Guest: Sam Silliman (@samanthaalex)Sam Silliman is an award-winning executive producer and showrunner known for crafting high quality digital and narrative content for major platforms including Vice, Hulu, Starz, Netflix, and HBO. Since entering the vertical space in 2023, her projects have generated hundreds of millions of views. She is known for thoughtful leadership, strong collaborations, and prioritizing an exceptional on-set experience.
Guest: Amy Sullivan Riley (@amsullz)Amy Sullivan Riley began in traditional film and television before becoming an early adopter in the vertical drama space in the United States. She is currently the Head of US Content for Flare Flow and has served as head writer and executive producer on more than 15 micro dramas. Her recent hit Oops, I Married My Bestieâs Brother reached a record 220 million views in 10 days.
Guest: Jen Cooper (@verticaldramalove)Jen Cooper is the founder of Vertical Drama Love and a globally recognized voice in vertical and micro dramas. Through reviews, commentary, and fan driven initiatives like the Vertical Drama Love Fan Awards, she has helped connect fans, creators, and industry professionals worldwide. The awards drew tens of thousands of votes across more than 100 countries and are bringing the community together in Los Angeles for a live celebration.
Host: Buzz LeerBuzz Leer is an actor, host, and veteran of the vertical film space.Instagram: @buzz_leer
A Glendale Podcast Studio ProductionOwned and operated by Erika and Jason HananInstagram: @glendalepodcaststudio
Social Media Coordinator: Ana Karina CanoInstagram: @anakarinacano
Theme Song: Grace Leer and Bryan DawleyThe Vertical Buzz Theme Song
Public Relations and Media: Rob LeerLeer Communications, Inc.
Thank youSpecial thanks to all of my support team, friends, and family.Host, Buzz Leer
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Welcome to The Vertical Buzz. Host Buzz Leer sits down with actor, writer, and director Rick Shepherd to talk about what happens when a traditionally trained filmmaker jumps into vertical storytelling and has to rethink everything for the 9:16 frame.
Rick shares his Cleveland performance roots, his training across Case Western Reserve University and grad programs in London and Columbia University, and how COVID became the unexpected runway that pushed him deeper into indie filmmaking, collaboration, and ultimately vertical series. From there, the conversation gets practical and specific: what makes vertical different from horizontal, which genres can thrive in the tall frame, and why indie filmmakers may be sitting on a once-in-a-generation opportunity while the ecosystem is still being built.
Buzz and Rick also dive into Rickâs horror vertical series Dead Signal, including what it took to build a higher-quality project with recognizable vertical talent and why horror and action can be perfect for the vertical format. They close with rapid fire, a Cleveland detour, and a real conversation about the fight for the vertical ecosystem as bigger Hollywood players move in and the current platforms decide what the future looks like.
In this episode, you will learn:⢠How Rick Shepherdâs early performance life and theater training shaped his filmmaking mindset⢠How COVID, indie films, and community collaboration helped Rick transition into vertical work⢠What it takes to enter vertical filmmaking as a director and actor, even if you come from traditional cinema⢠Dead Signal and what goes into producing an elevated genre vertical series⢠Vertical vs horizontal storytelling and how the tall frame changes opportunity, staging, and genre⢠Why indie filmmakers may have more opportunity in vertical right now than in traditional film and TV⢠The future of vertical entertainment and why creators need a seat at the table as the space grows⢠Rapid fire takes plus Cleveland talk, Polish Boys, and the Christmas Story house
Chapters0:00 Intro & Welcome3:27 Rick Shepherd Bio8:35 Early Life & Performance Roots11:20 COVID, Indie Films & Moving to LA13:55 Entering Vertical Filmmaking21:26 Dead Signal: The Horror Series25:24 Vertical vs Horizontal Storytelling31:23 The Future of Vertical Entertainment42:31 Rapid Fire & Cleveland Chat47:53 Opportunities for Indie Filmmakers55:13 Dream Vertical Project58:21 The Fight for the Vertical Ecosystem
Sponsor: AEIRO (Arrow Air Purifiers)AEIRO Air Purifiers help identify, reduce, and monitor airborne contaminants to create a cleaner indoor environment for homes and professional spaces.Featured in this episode: AEIRO AC150, powerful enough to clean rooms 300+ sq ft, quiet enough for production, with smart sensor controls and true HEPA plus carbon filtration.Website: AEIRO.co
Guest: Rick ShepherdRick Shepherd is a Los Angeles based filmmaker and actor from Cleveland, Ohio. He holds a BA in Acting from Case Western Reserve University, an MA in Directing from East 15 Acting School in London, and a second masterâs in Film and Literature from Columbia University. Rick began as an actor in independent films before moving behind the camera to write and direct, with a focus on performance-driven storytelling. He directs and produces vertical series, performs as a lead actor, is part of a MO Pictures vertical screenwriters talent pool, and founded Backyard Shorts, a company dedicated to developing vertical projects and supporting independent filmmakers.Instagram: @realrickshepherd
Host: Buzz LeerInstagram: @buzz_leer
A Glendale Podcast Studio ProductionOwned and operated by Erika and Jason HananInstagram: @glendalepodcaststudio
Social Media Coordinator: Ana Karina CanoInstagram: @anakarinacano
Theme Song: Grace Leer and Bryan DawleyThe Vertical Buzz Theme Song
Public Relations and Media: Robb LeerLeer Communications, Inc.
Thank youSpecial thanks to all of my support team, friends, and family.Host, Buzz Leer
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This week, Buzz is joined by Emma Reinagel, one of the most highly sought-after rising stars in the vertical entertainment world. Emma and Buzz break down what it really takes to act in 9:16, why the format is exploding, and how the next generation of actors is using verticals as a fast-track training ground.
They also talk about their feature film The Abduction of Sal Bedford, a found footage documentary-style sci-fi horror that won Best Sci-Fi Feature at the LA Independent Film Festival, plus what a typical vertical day looks like when you are moving nonstop for 12 hours and the script is still evolving. Emma shares practical advice for actors who want to break in, how she builds character playlists, and why vertical performance is intentionally bigger while still needing truth and nuance. The episode closes with fan connections, social media growth, and where vertical entertainment might be headed as AI ramps up.
In this episode, you will learn:⢠What made The Abduction of Sal Bedford such a unique acting challenge and why the table read mattered⢠Emmaâs journey from St. Louis to LA and how she booked her first LA project fast⢠What Emmaâs first vertical experience was like and why early scripts could be messy⢠Acting in verticals vs traditional film, including size, speed, and client notes on set⢠What a typical day on a vertical set looks like when you are in every scene⢠Rapid fire Q and A, including character playlists and what makes someone stop scrolling⢠How fans connect and how Emmaâs social media has grown in the last few months⢠Where vertical entertainment could go next, including AI, quality shifts, and safer sets⢠Advice for young actors on how to start, what to submit, and how to be a great teammate on set
Chapters0:00 Intro3:42 The Abduction of Sal Bedford8:25 Emmaâs Journey from St. Louis to L.A.13:55 First Vertical Film Experience19:45 Acting in Verticals vs Traditional Film27:07 A Typical Day on a Vertical Set38:29 Rapid Fire Q&A44:36 Fan Connections & Social Media46:50 The Future of Vertical Entertainment56:55 Advice for Young Actors
Sponsor: AEIRO (Arrow Air Purifiers)AEIRO Air Purifiers help identify, reduce, and monitor airborne contaminants to create a cleaner indoor environment for homes and professional spaces.Featured in this episode: AEIRO AC150, powerful enough to clean rooms 300+ sq ft, quiet enough for production, with smart sensor controls and true HEPA plus carbon filtration.Website: AEIRO.co
Guest: Emma ReinagelEmma Reinagel is a Los Angeles based actor and producer originally from St. Louis, Missouri. After earning her BFA in Acting from Missouri State University, she moved to LA and quickly began working across film and television. She has starred in 10+ feature films and 20+ vertical series, and she is also producing new projects with a focus on empowered female leads, diverse casts, and safe, positive sets for cast and crew.Instagram: @emmareinagel
Host: Buzz LeerInstagram: @buzz_leer
A Glendale Podcast Studio ProductionOwned and operated by Erika and Jason HananInstagram: @glendalepodcaststudio
Social Media Coordinator: Ana Karina CanoInstagram: @anakarinacano
Theme Song by Grace Leer and Bryan Dawley"The Vertical Buzz Theme Song"
Public Relations and Media: Robb LeerLeer Communications, Inc.
Special thanks to all of my support team, friends, and family.-Host, Buzz Leer
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This week on The Vertical Buzz, host Buzz Leer sits down with Noah Fearnley, one of the most in-demand actors in vertical entertainment right now, to talk about what it takes to work at a high level in two worlds at the same time: vertical storytelling and traditional television.
Noah opens up about the real grind behind the momentum, from juggling nonstop vertical shoots to stepping into major press for Love Story (FX, Hulu, Disney+), the series about JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette where Noah plays Michael Bergin. They also dig into his path from football and a major injury, to modeling, to moving to Los Angeles with almost nothing, to booking work, surviving the strike, and then exploding in verticals with 50+ projects.
The conversation gets personal and meaningful as Noah shares his mental health journey, what success does and does not change, and why he is now building a mental health foundation. Then they close with a big look ahead at the Vertical Drama Love Fan Awards, the energy of bringing the community together in person, and what comes next for Noah.
In this episode, you will learn:⢠How Noah Fearnley went from football and a knee injury to acting full time⢠The realities of building an acting career through the strike and hard financial seasons⢠How vertical storytelling hooked Noah and why he believes actors should start in verticals⢠The key differences between vertical sets and traditional sets, including pace and prep⢠What it was like stepping into the FX, Hulu, Disney+ world on Love Story⢠What people never warn you about success and why it does not fix what is happening inside⢠Noahâs approach to staying grounded and why he protects the fans by staying intentional⢠The mental health conversation and Noahâs plan to launch a foundation⢠Why the Vertical Drama Love Fan Awards matters and what the in-person energy will be like
Chapters00:00 Meet Noah Fearnley02:34 Bio and Big Credits05:02 Busy Life and Press08:42 From Football to Verticals21:15 Love Story Casting Journey34:30 Staying Vertical Long Term36:47 Rapid Fire Hot Takes40:51 Success Pressure and Staying Grounded50:40 Mental Health and New Foundation01:02:58 Awards and Final Wrap
Sponsor: AEIRO (Arrow Air Purifiers)AEIRO Air Purifiers help identify, reduce, and monitor airborne contaminants to create a cleaner indoor environment for homes and professional spaces.Featured in this episode: AEIRO AC150, powerful enough to clean rooms 300+ sq ft, quiet enough for production, with smart sensor controls and true HEPA plus carbon filtration.Website: AEIRO.co
Guest: Noah FearnleyNoah Fearnley is an American actor from Orange, Connecticut, making serious noise in the fast-rising world of vertical storytelling. With leading roles across Apple TV, Hulu, and the Lifetime Network and more than 50 vertical films under his belt, Noah has quickly become one of the genreâs most recognizable faces. He made his theatrical debut in the 2026 film Mercy alongside Chris Pratt and now plays Michael Bergin in the FX series currently on Hulu and Disney+ Love Story, the story of JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette. Before the camera, Noah built four companies. Off set, he is restoring his 68 Mustang, hanging with his dogs, or getting in a daily workout.Instagram: @noahfearnleyy
Host: Buzz LeerBuzz Leer is an actor, host, and veteran of the vertical film space.Instagram: @buzz_leer
Produced at Glendale Podcast StudioOwned and operated by Erika and Jason HananInstagram: @glendalepodcaststudio
Social Media Coordinator: Ana Karina CanoInstagram: @anakarinacano
Theme SongGrace Leer and Bryan Dawley, The Vertical Buzz Theme Song
Public Relations and MediaRobb Leer, Leer Communications, Inc.
Thank youSpecial thanks to all of my support team, friends, and family.Host, Buzz Leer
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This week on The Vertical Buzz, host Buzz Leer sits down with Danny Farber, a Chicago-born director, actor, writer, and producer who has been crushing it in vertical entertainment across multiple countries and platforms. They kick things off with a cold open on why vertical is not just a phone rotation, it is a storytelling shift that changes framing, blocking, pacing, and emotion.
Danny shares how he broke into verticals as a director, why the trend vs format debate is missing the bigger point, and what makes a great vertical performance when the screen is small but the moment has to stop the scroll. They also get real about creative pitfalls, the client and platform dynamic, and why detachment matters when you do not own the final cut.
Then Buzz and Danny go deep on Chicago. Why is there a vertical boom coming, what is the reality of tax credits and sets, and what would it take to build a real pipeline there. The episode finishes with rapid fire predictions and a breakdown of a standout cake scene that became a fan-favorite moment.
In this episode, you will learn:⢠How Danny Farber got his first vertical directing break and what the ramp-up really looks like⢠Why vertical storytelling is changing the language of film and how pacing becomes the secret weapon⢠The trend vs format debate and where vertical fits alongside traditional film and TV⢠Performance pitfalls actors and directors hit in vertical and how to avoid them⢠What is happening in Chicago and why it may be the next major vertical production hub⢠The sets, tax credits, and infrastructure reality behind building a Chicago pipeline⢠Rapid fire takes on the future of vertical and what is coming next⢠A scene breakdown on the viral cake moment and how those beats get built for the audience
Chapters00:00 Show Cold Open00:08 Vertical Storytelling Shift01:40 Meet Danny Farber03:37 Music Side Quest05:24 First Vertical Breakthrough12:03 Trend or Format Debate17:15 Performance and Pitfalls43:26 Chicago Vertical Boom44:14 Sets Tax Credits Reality45:39 Build Chicago Pipeline46:00 Chicago Love And Winters48:41 Rapid Fire Vertical Future55:55 Cake Scene Breakdown01:10:54 Cheer Up, Baby Trailer and Wrap Up
Guest: Danny FarberDanny Farber is a Chicago-born director, actor, writer, and producer with over a decade in the entertainment industry. Based in Los Angeles and working internationally, he has built a diverse portfolio spanning vertical dramas, commercials, music videos, and narrative content.
Since 2023, Farber has directed more than twenty feature-length vertical dramas for platforms including ReelShort, Dramabox, and Goodshort, with projects shot in Los Angeles, Istanbul, London, and Vancouver. His award-winning short film Thoughts and Prayers was executive produced by Amy Poehler.
As an actor, Farber has appeared in 1923, Chicago Fire, and Proven Innocent, and continues to create and perform in projects driven by his signature creative hustle.Instagram: @sirdannyfarber
Host: Buzz LeerBuzz Leer is an actor, host, and veteran of the vertical film space.Instagram: @buzz_leer
A Glendale Podcast Studio ProductionOwned and operated by Erika and Jason HananInstagram: @glendalepodcaststudio
Social Media Producer: Ana Karina CanoInstagram: @anakarinacano
Music: Grace Leer and Bryan DawleyThe Vertical Buzz Theme Song
Public Relations and Media: Robb LeerLeer Communications, Inc.
Special thanks to all of my support team, friends, and family.-Host, Buzz Leer
#VerticalFilm #VerticalDrama #MicroDrama #Acting #ActorsLife #Filmmaking #MobileStorytelling #ShortForm #VerticalSeries #TheVerticalBuzz
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This week on The Vertical Buzz, host Buzz Leer sits down with Molly Anderson, one of the most dynamic leading ladies in the vertical space, to talk about what it takes to break through, stay relevant, and deliver real performances in a format where you are moving fast, learning tons of pages, and often getting just a take or two.
Molly shares her journey from the pinky of Northern Michigan to Los Angeles, how she pushed through the early stigma around verticals and why the format has actually made her a stronger, more present actor. Buzz and Molly also get into what it feels like when a project unexpectedly blows up, how Molly prepares for emotionally heavy work under pressure, and the wild world of vertical fandom: reading comments, fan encounters, and what the audience response says about where vertical entertainment is headed next.
In this episode, you will learn:⢠Mollyâs path from Michigan to LA and why acting was never âjust a hobbyâ⢠What the early vertical stigma felt like and how it is shifting now⢠How to craft strong performances at high speed when you are doing 15 to 20 pages a day⢠Why verticals can force actors into a more present, instinctive process with less prep and more truth⢠The behind-the-scenes reality: limited rehearsal, limited takes, and constant script changes⢠What vertical fans actually say and how the fanbase is driving bigger industry attention⢠Favorite fan encounters, including being recognized in the most unglamorous moments⢠Where verticals are headed and what needs to improve around safety and set culture⢠Rapid fire takes, dream roles, and what Molly wants next
Chapters00:00 Vertical Buzz Kickoff01:39 Meet Molly Anderson04:39 From Michigan to Acting09:17 First Verticals and Stigma20:19 Crafting Performances Fast37:19 Reading Fan Comments39:49 Favorite Fan Encounters42:32 Where Verticals Are Headed52:31 Hollywood Pressure and Set Safety56:52 Rapid Fire and Wrap Up
Sponsor: AEIRO (Arrow Air Purifiers)AEIRO Air Purifiers help identify, reduce, and monitor airborne contaminants to create a cleaner indoor environment for homes and professional spaces.Featured in this episode: AEIRO AC150, powerful enough to clean rooms 300+ sq ft, quiet enough for production, with smart sensor controls and true HEPA + carbon filtration.Website: AEIRO.co
Guest: Molly AndersonMolly Anderson is a vertical actress (since 2023) with nearly 40 vertical credits and growing. She is also the creator of Verticalandia, a sketch series celebrating (and roasting) the vertical world.Instagram/TikTok: @mmactuj & @verticalandia
Host: Buzz LeerBuzz Leer is an actor, host, and veteran of the vertical film space.Instagram: @buzz_leer
A Glendale Podcast Studio ProductionOwned and operated by Erika and Jason HananInstagram: @glendalepodcaststudio
Social Media Producer: Ana Karina CanoInstagram: @anakarinacano
Music: Grace Leer and Bryan DawleyThe Vertical Buzz Theme Song
Public Relations and Media: Robb LeerLeer Communications, Inc.
Special thanks to all of my support team, friends, and family.-Host, Buzz Leer#VerticalFilm #VerticalDrama #MicroDrama #Acting #ActorsLife #Filmmaking #MobileStorytelling #ShortForm #VerticalSeries #TheVerticalBuzz
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This week on The Vertical Buzz, host Buzz Leer sits down with Kylie Karsonâactor, director, and co-founder of CheraTVâfor a deep dive into where vertical entertainment is headed, whatâs broken in the current ecosystem, and what it looks like to build something more ethical and creator-first from the inside.
Kylie shares her unbelievable journey from growing up in a religious family to college, then hustling in marketing before making the leap to Los Angelesâwhere she went on to star in 17 vertical series and ultimately co-found CheraTV, a bold new platform aiming to elevate the format with better storytelling, better culture, and better opportunities for artists. They talk about vertical speed vs. Hollywood, why âimperfectâ visuals can actually win, the power of natural light, how client notes can derail sets, and the mission to create healthier environments for creatives.
In this episode, youâll learn:
⢠Kylieâs origin story: from a spiritual upbringing to college, and the mindset shift that fueled her ambition⢠How a marketing hustle helped her build momentumâand why she chose LA anyway⢠How Kylie discovered vertical filmsâand why CheraTV is betting on elevated, creator-first storytelling⢠Why âperfectâ isnât always better: how imperfect looks can feel more real (and more cinematic)⢠Kylieâs ânatural lightâ revelationâand what it changes about production value⢠The biggest difference between vertical speed and traditional Hollywood workflows⢠Why awards, studio money, and credibility are starting to move into the vertical space⢠The ethics conversation: what needs fixing on setsâand how to build better culture⢠What makes the Chera team culture differentâand why it matters⢠The dance-vertical breakthrough behind To Her Beat and why itâs a turning point⢠Why actors should embrace verticals nowâand how verticals can be real training reps
Chapters
00:00 Welcome to Vertical Buzz01:35 Meet Kylie Karson03:53 From college to the Tampa Bay Lightning in the NHL06:42 Marketing Hustle to LA11:44 Vertical Films and CheraTV30:58 Imperfect Looks Win31:46 Natural Light Revelation33:51 Vertical Speed vs Hollywood35:37 Awards and Studio Money40:52 Ethics and Better Sets44:08 CheraTV Team Culture47:49 Dance Vertical Breakthrough51:30 Why Embrace Verticals55:11 Verticals as Actor Training01:01:07 Final CheraTV Pitch and Wrap
Sponsor: AEIRO (Arrow Air Purifiers)AEIRO Air Purifiers help identify, reduce, and monitor airborne contaminants to create a cleaner indoor environment for homes and professional spaces.
Featured in this episode: AEIRO AC150 â powerful enough to clean rooms 300+ sq ft, quiet enough for production, with smart sensor controls and true HEPA + carbon filtration.Website: AEIRO.co
Guest: Kylie KarsonKylie Karson is an actor, director, and co-founder of Chera TV, a creator-first vertical streaming platform focused on bold, elevated storytelling. Originally from Florida, she moved to Los Angeles five years ago to pursue acting and went on to star in 17 vertical series, in addition to working in the independent film space. Her experience in the vertical world sparked a drive to elevate the format, make it more ethical for artists, and create sustainable job opportunities for creatives. That mission led her into directing and co-founding Chera TV, where she directed the platformâs second original series, To Her Beat. Kylie is committed to reshaping the entertainment industry into a more artist-driven ecosystemâone where creators not only tell the stories, but truly benefit from them.
Instagram: @TheKylieKarsonInstagram: @CheraTVTikTok: @TheKylieKarson
Host: Buzz LeerBuzz Leer is an actor, host, and veteran of the vertical film space.Instagram: @buzz_leer
A Glendale Podcast Studio ProductionOwned & operated by Erika & Jason HananInstagram: @glendalepodcaststudio
Social Media Producer: Ana Karina CanoInstagram: @anakarinacano
Music by Grace Leer & Bryan DawleyâThe Vertical Buzz Theme Songâ
Public Relations & Media: Robb LeerLeer Communications, Inc.
Special thanks to all of my support team, friends, and family.âHost, Buzz Leer
#VerticalFilm #VerticalDrama #MicroDrama #Filmmaking #MobileStorytelling #ShortForm #VerticalSeries #TheVerticalBuzz
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This week on The Vertical Buzz, host Buzz Leer sits down with Cayman Cardiffâone of the leading male actors in verticalsâto talk craft, career strategy, and what it really takes to become recognizable (and re-bookable) in a format where you only get seconds to connect.
From a surprising pivot from pre-med to acting, to early bookings, joining SAG, and a breakout run that exploded on DramaBox, Cayman shares how he approached verticals when there was still stigma around the spaceâand why he decided to go all in anyway. They also get into branding, choosing roles, client notes on set, why natural light can be magic, and Cayman's best advice for longevity: be solutions, not problems.
In this episode, youâll learn:
⢠Why Cayman walked away from a pre-med path to pursue actingâand how fast his early bookings hit⢠How he got into SAG and what that âconfidence checkmarkâ meant early on⢠The Toronto vertical breakthrough that accelerated everything (and how the opportunities stacked)⢠The early stigma around verticalsâand why Cayman chose to commit anyway⢠What it looks like to âblow upâ on DramaBoxâand how it impacts offers and typecasting⢠How Cayman chooses roles, protects his brand, and avoids scripts that donât align⢠Why the business side of verticals is acceleratingâand what the next few years could bring⢠How to handle client notes on set and stay locked in as a performer⢠Longevity advice: gratitude, professionalism, and showing up with solutionsânot negativity
Chapters
00:00 Welcome and guest intro02:00 Reading Caymanâs bio04:10 From pre-med to acting07:36 First bookings and SAG10:13 Verticals breakthrough in Toronto11:10 Early stigma and going all in14:07 Blowing up on DramaBox15:04 Choosing roles and brand19:45 Sponsor break AERO.co21:00 Business and future of verticals31:33 Natural light magic32:41 Client notes on set34:19 Advice for longevity39:10 Solutions not problems40:40 Rapid fire and future50:50 Wrapping it up
Sponsor: AEIRO Air Purifiers
AEIRO Air Purifiers help identify, reduce, and monitor airborne contaminants to create a cleaner indoor environment for homes and professional spaces.
Featured in this episode: AEIRO AC150 â powerful enough to clean rooms 300+ sq ft, quiet enough for production, with smart sensor controls and true HEPA + carbon filtration.Website: AEIRO.co
Guest: Cayman Cardiff
Cayman Cardiff grew up in the South and received his Bachelor of Arts degree with honors in Spanish at the University of Utah. He began his acting career in middle school in Musical Theater and continued throughout high school, performing in leading roles.
After graduating college, he moved to Los Angeles where he successfully started acting full-time. Within the first four months, he booked two commercials and his first movie for Lifetime. More projects soon followed, immediately launching his acting career.
Starring in Vertical Micro Dramas he's now led in over 25 with more scheduled producing, writing, and directing projects to come in 2026.Instagram / TikTok / Facebook: @caymancardiff
Host: Buzz LeerBuzz Leer is an actor, host, and veteran of the vertical film space.Instagram: @buzz_leer
A Glendale Podcast Studio ProductionOwned & operated by Erika & Jason HananInstagram: @glendalepodcaststudio
Social Media Producer: Ana Karina CanoInstagram: @anakarinacano
Music by Grace Leer & Bryan Dawley
âThe Vertical Buzz Theme Songâ
Public Relations & Media: Robb Leer
Leer Communications, Inc.
Special thanks to all of my support team, friends, and family.âHost, Buzz Leer
#VerticalFilm #VerticalDrama #MicroDrama #Filmmaking #MobileStorytelling #ActorsLife #VerticalSeries #TheVerticalBuzz
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Description
In filmmaking, some of the most powerful moments can also be the most dangerousâor the most vulnerable. In this episode of The Vertical Buzz, host Buzz Leer sits down with Aaron Federâone of the leading stunt + intimacy coordinators in the vertical film worldâto break down the unseen work that keeps sets safe, performers protected, and stories honest.
From the core principles of stunt work (think: angles, dummies, and doubles) to the real-world liability behind on-set safety, Aaron explains what coordinators actually do, what productions often miss, and how verticalâs speed changes everything. Then we go deep on intimacy: the levels of intimacy, why âno surprisesâ is the golden rule, how boundaries get communicated, and what happens when a coordinator has to stop the day due to pushback from production.
In this episode, youâll learn:
⢠What stunt coordinators and intimacy coordinators actually doâand why both roles are about safety (physical + emotional)⢠Why a coordinator must be comfortable saying ânoâ (and thinking, âWould I explain this to a judge?â)⢠How verticalâs pace is fueling a boom in stunts/intimacy workâand forcing new on-set âtricksâ⢠The levels of intimacy (1â5) and how that framework protects actors and keeps expectations clear⢠How to set boundaries early, build trust fast, and run scenes with no surprises⢠Why budget limitations donât eliminate safetyâthey just change how you shoot the moment⢠What it looks like when a coordinator stops the day, handles pushback, and keeps talent protected⢠Where vertical films are headed nextâand what genres could thrive as the audience evolves
Chapters
00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro03:26 What Coordinators Do05:16 Stunts Origins and Lessons07:04 On Set Safety and Liability21:16 Vertical Boom and New Tricks34:42 Intimacy Levels Explained36:09 Boundaries and No Surprises37:38 Budget Limits and Safety40:12 Stopping the Set and Pushback56:18 Verticals Future and Final Wrap
Sponsor: AEIRO (Arrow Air Purifiers)
AEIRO Air Purifiers help identify, reduce, and monitor airborne contaminants to create a cleaner indoor environment for homes and professional spaces.
Featured in this episode: AEIRO AC150 â powerful enough to clean rooms 300+ sq ft, quiet enough for production, with smart sensor controls and true HEPA + carbon filtration.Website: AEIRO.co
Guest: Aaron Feder
From child actor and early stunt training to an award-winning international hospitality career, Aaron Feder walked away from it all to return to film. Today, heâs a leading stunt and intimacy coordinator in the vertical space, with over 100 projects and credits including Discovery+, Monster Season 3, and Spider-Man Noir.Instagram: @inequal.parts
Host: Buzz LeerBuzz Leer is an actor, host, and veteran of the vertical film space.Instagram: @buzz_leer
The Vertical Buzz is a Glendale Podcast Studio ProductionProduced by Erika & Jason HananInstagram: @glendalepodcaststudio
Social Media Producer: Ana Karina CanoInstagram: @anakarinacano
Music by Grace Leer & Bryan Dawley
âThe Vertical Buzz Theme Songâ
Public Relations & Media:
Robb Leer â Leer Communications, Inc.
Special thanks to all of my support team, friends, and family.âHost, Buzz Leer
#VerticalFilm #VerticalDrama #MicroDrama #Stunts #IntimacyCoordinator #SetSafety #Filmmaking #MobileStorytelling #ShortForm #VerticalSeries #TheVerticalBuzz
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Description
In Episode 3 (Part 2) of The Vertical Buzz, host Buzz Leer continues his conversation with Michael Naizu, an Asian American actor, writer, producer, and director whose work spans film, television, and vertical storytelling. Michael tells stories about his work in Vertical films and his own feature film, Bound for Glory.
Sponsor: AEIROAEIRO Air Purifiers identify, reduce, and monitor airborne contaminants to create an optimal indoor environment for homes and professional spaces. Featured on set at Glendale Podcast Studio: AEIRO AC-150 Website: AEIRO.co
Guest: Michael NaizuMichael Naizu is an Asian American actor, writer, producer, and director whose work spans film, television, and vertical storytelling.He is the founder of PinkHouse Productions and has starred in multiple hit vertical series, including My Secret Agent Husband.His acting credits include Amazon's Christmas Is Canceled and HBO's Hacks. Naizu first created Bound For Glory as a short film in 2020, which was licensed to Asian American streaming platform JoySauce.He has since expanded the project into a feature, which he co-wrote, co-directed, produced, and starred in, recently completing production and set to premiere on the festival circuit in 2026.Instagram @Michaelnaizu
Host: Buzz LeerBuzz Leer is an actor, host, and veteran of the vertical film space with 30+ vertical short-form features to his credit, plus TV/film work including HGTVâs House Detective (65 episodes), FOXâs neXt, NBCâs Chicago P.D. and Chicago Fire, and more. Instagram: @buzz_leer
Produced at Glendale Podcast StudioOwned & operated by Erika & Jason Hanan Instagram: @GlendalePodcastStudio
Social Media Producer: Ana Karina CanoInstagram: @anakarinacano
Music by Grace Leer & Bryan Dawley â âThe Vertical Buzz Theme Songâ Public Relations & Media: Robb Leer â Leer Communications, Inc. Special thanks to all of my support team, friends, and family. âHost, Buzz Leer
#VerticalFilm #VerticalDrama #MicroDrama #Filmmaking #MobileStorytelling #Directing #FilmProduction #TheVerticalBuzz
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