Let's talk about Verticals

🎬 Action, Stunts & Safety — with Eric Van Arsdale
What does it take to make action look convincing while keeping the people performing it safe? And why does even an on-screen slap need practice? 👀
In this episode of Let’s Talk About Verticals, I’m joined by Stunt & Safety Coordinator Eric Van Arsdale, whose experience includes stunt work on Captain Marvel, Thor: Love and Thunder, Westworld and Barry.
Together, we explore why a stunt coordinator is needed on set and how much planning, choreography and communication goes into the moments we watch on screen. We also talk about the particular challenges of coordinating action and maintaining safety in Vertical productions.
And yes — we get into slapping! Something that might look simple on camera takes technique, timing and rehearsal to get right. ✋🎥
Eric also shares his journey into the world of film and television production, what drew him to stunt work, and the action sequences and stunts he would still love to choreograph.A conversation about creativity, responsibility and the work behind the action — from a single slap to a much bigger stunt.
🎧 Join us for a look behind the scenes with Eric Van Arsdale!
Verticals where Eric Van Arsdale worked on:
Keily: Homecoming DweebHow (Not) to Date Your Neighbor (CandyJar)Mason (CandyJar)Stillwell Cowboys (CandyJar)Her Posessive Guard (Candy Jar)
#podcast #bts #new #vertical #community

With our September recap, we’re officially wrapping up the Vertical Summer 2026! ☀️🎬 
This month, we also talk a lot about the new app aTwist @atwistofficial , the new genres we’ve seen, and our excitement for the Christmas Vertical productions we’re hoping will soon get underway for this year! 🎄✨
Which performances made our hearts beat faster? Which pairings had that special spark? And which Verticals kept us hooked — or left us frustrated and disappointed?Join us for a lively conversation full of different opinions, laughter, recommendations, and honest criticism, all driven by our shared love for great stories and the people who bring them to life.
Joining the discussion:
 🎙️ Michaela (Host) — @lets_talk_about_verticals
✨ Aline — @i.love.verticals
✨ Dalia — @verticalfilmslover
✨ Meagan — @realreeldrama
✨ Caitlyn — @verticait
Our Monthly Recap gives you direct insight into the audience’s perspective: 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
As always, we keep the discussion open, honest, and unfiltered — celebrating what we love about the Vertical industry while highlighting where there’s room for improvement.
Grab a coffee, get comfortable, and join us as we say goodbye to the Vertical Summer and look ahead to what’s next! ☕🍂
Enjoy listening! 🎧

Actress Christine Havens @christinemariehavens joins me to talk about her journey into acting, the wonderfully unpredictable world of vertical dramas, and the stories she hopes to tell next. 🎬✨

Christine’s introduction to verticals happened in 2023, when she arrived on set for a banquet scene and noticed something unusual: the camera was turned sideways. One conversation with a fellow actress later, she was discovering an entirely new corner of the industry. 📱

Since then, she’s learned the rhythm of vertical storytelling from both sides of the camera. We talk about what it’s like to perform with cliffhangers and episode breaks in mind—and how her experience as an actress is now helping her write a vertical script of her own. ✍️

Christine also shares the roles she’d love to play, including a mafia boss who actually gets to do the stunts. We chat about emotional scenes, her favorite project Blind Date with My Boss, and what she makes of the growing use of AI in verticals and the reactions she’s seeing from fans. 🎭

And, naturally, we end up wondering where one might find a hidden billionaire to fund a trip to Europe. If only vertical drama logic worked in real life… 😂✈️
Come join us for an honest, funny conversation about acting, ambition, and finding new ways to shape your own future in verticals. ❤️

What kind of role would you love to see Christine play next? Let me know in the comments—and if you enjoy the episode, please like, share, and subscribe! 🎧

Verticals with Christine Havens:

The Wife He Never Touched (@playletshort)
XXL Wife and Her Tycoon Husband (@dramawave_official)
My Hidden Mafia Dad Ends It All (@goodshortdrama)
The XXL Diva Queen's Revenge (@vigloo_official)
Love at Divorce (@goodshortdrama)

#podcast #bts #new #vertical #community

Faith Orta has been part of the vertical world for quite some time and has already had the chance to step into many very different characters. But some roles have stayed with her longer than she ever expected.
In this episode, Faith opens up about her first experiences playing villains – characters whose behavior and sometimes incredibly hurtful words were so far removed from who Faith is as a person that leaving them behind after filming wasn’t always easy. In fact, those experiences affected her enough that she decided not to accept another villain role for more than a year.
That leads us into a very honest conversation about some of the things Faith believes the vertical industry can still do better. We talk about missing trigger warnings, uncomfortable situations on set and why actors need to feel that their boundaries and concerns are heard and respected.But we also talk about the opposite experience. Faith shares why she genuinely loves working with GoodShort and CandyJar, where she feels comfortable, respected and – most importantly – seen and understood as an artist.
For Faith, acting is ultimately about telling stories – and telling good stories. Stories that give her the opportunity to really understand a character, step into their world and fully embody them. We talk about the roles she has enjoyed the most so far, what challenges her as an actress and the kinds of characters she hopes to explore in the future.
And Faith doesn’t stop learning when the cameras stop rolling. Whenever she has the time and opportunity, she loves adding new skills to her repertoire – including, most recently, sword fighting. ⚔️
Faith also gives us a glimpse into her currently released projects and what’s coming next.
An open and thoughtful conversation about acting, boundaries, challenging characters, constantly growing as an artist – and the difference it makes when an actor feels truly seen. ❤️🎬
Verticals with Faith Orta:
My CEO's Private Terms (Cherry Short)One Night in Vegas (CandyJar)Plaything of the Mafia King (Shorts)The Ranch King's Forbidden Sweetheart (iQIYI)Imprisoned Love, My Mafia Don (TikTok)
#podcast #bts #new #vertical #community

What happens when a classically trained pianist suddenly finds herself thrown into the crazy world of Verticals — as the LEAD?
This week I’m joined by the wonderful Hanna Kemp for a conversation about music, acting, unexpected opportunities, life goals and the things we would both love to see change in the Vertical industry.
Music has been part of Hanna’s life since she was little. Classically trained on the piano from the age of four, her love for music apparently follows her everywhere — including onto set. Hanna is constantly humming melodies between scenes, to the point where even when she’s off camera, the sound department still gets to enjoy the soundtrack playing inside her head. 😄🎹
We also go back to the unbelievable beginning of her Vertical journey. Hanna initially thought the whole thing might be fake — and a one-minute audition didn’t exactly make it seem more legitimate. Until she discovered that yes, this world really did exist…and that tiny audition had actually landed her the LEAD role.
Since then, she’s collected plenty of Vertical credits, but one thing is still missing: somebody please get this woman out of the US for a shoot! ✈️ Hanna is absolutely ready.
And then we get to a subject that really gets her blood boiling: Why are so many female characters still written as weak, helpless and permanently in need of saving? Hanna wants more powerful women, stronger characters and roles that allow actresses to show what they can really do.
We also talk about what else we’d love to see change: fair and equal pay, better storylines, greater diversity and an industry that doesn’t just produce more — but continues to become better.
From piano keys and one-minute auditions to powerful women, traveling the world and big dreams for the future — a wonderfully open and fun conversation with Hanna. Don’t miss it!
Verticals with Hanna Kemp:
Return of the Gold King (Dramabox)The Legal Queen's Comeback (Dramabox)Runaway Baby, Bound by a String (Flareflow)Falling for the Wrong Me (Kalos TV)The Heiress Returns: The Day I Fought Back (Flareflow)
#podcast #bts #new #vertical #community

🎙️ Do you want to meet quite possibly the coolest guy ever? Then you should definitely tune in to this episode with the wonderful Ryan Jacobucci! 😎 @ryanjacobucci

The New York-based actor—and his adorable dog Leeloo 🐾—joined me online for a wonderfully entertaining conversation about his journey as an actor, his love for theater 🎭, and the many different experiences that have shaped his career. 
Ryan tells me why his singing career never quite took off as planned 🎤 and just how weird it felt to step onto a Vertical set for the very first time. We talk about what fascinates him so much about Verticals, why he genuinely loves acting in them, and why—despite playing his fair share of questionable characters—he is still waiting for someone to finally cast him as a truly serious Mafioso. 🤌🏻🔫
Naturally, we also discuss my own future Vertical plans. Let’s just say Ryan already knows that he will eventually receive a very specific phone call from me shortly before both he and Leeloo are picked up. 📞🚗🐶 No further questions at this time!We also agree that the Vertical world desperately needs its own version of Ocean’s Eleven. 💎💰 Honestly, how has nobody made this happen yet?
But that is far from everything. Ryan reveals which behavior, in his opinion, should immediately become a “Go directly to jail. Do not pass Go. Do not collect $4,000” offense 🚔—and what the ladies can expect from him as a firefighter in one of his upcoming Verticals. 👨🏻‍🚒🔥And if you have ever wondered under exactly which circumstances Ryan would be officially permitted to appear shirtless in front of his screen during another podcast recording…this episode will finally give you the answer. 👀😏
Funny, refreshingly honest, delightfully unfiltered, and featuring a very special four-legged guest: this is an episode you definitely do not want to miss! 🎧🐾
Verticals with Ryan Jacobucci:
Sexy Professor or secret husband (Dramabox)When the Blackout Comes (Reelshort)When Forever Fell Apart (Reelshort)Daddy, Love Me One Last Time (Dramabox)
#podcast #bts #new #vertical #community

What happens when the man you’ve seen play so many villains is ready to be the good guy for a change? 😏❤️
In this new episode I’m joined by actor Liam Silbernagel @liam.silbernagel for a wonderful conversation about his experiences on set and in the world of Verticals. We talk about the roles he’s played, the stories we keep seeing, and why we’d both love to see more good in this format.
Banquet scenes and endless slaps? We agree it’s time to leave some of those familiar moments behind. And after playing so many villains, Liam is absolutely ready for a lovey-dovey good-guy leading role. Who’s going to give him one? 👀
We also talk about what his family thinks of his on-screen “evil side”: why his grandmother was a little shocked, while his mum and siblings weren’t quite as surprised. Liam and I even make a deal for a Vertical I’m planning for the future. And one project we definitely still need? The motorcycle Vertical Liam brought up with Neven Tomic! @neven_tomic 🏍️
What’s Liam’s taste in music? Why does he jokingly call himself a “whore” when it comes to certain foods? And what does he definitely want to have done within the next two years?You’ll finally hear his answers in this episode. 🎧✨
Verticals with Liam Silbernagel:
Perfectly Played: The Feigned Fools Trap (@kalostvapp)Freedom After Goodbye (@kalostvapp)Reborn as Three Cowboys' Ranch Princess (@goodshortdrama)The CEOs Tiny Surpise (@kalostvapp)
#podcast #bts #new #vertical #community

⚠️ TRIGGER WARNING / CONTENT NOTE: This episode includes open and personal conversations about burnout, fear of failure, performance pressure, emotionally demanding and violent storylines, and the impact these experiences can have on an actor’s mental well-being. We also talk about self-love, self-respect, and finding healthier, more mindful ways to move through life. Please listen with care and take a break whenever you need one. 💛
What happens when the pressure to keep performing becomes too much — and how do you find your way back to yourself? 🎭💭In this deeply honest and heartfelt episode, I’m joined by actress Emily Gateley @emilygateley, whose career spans television, feature films, and an impressive number of leading roles in Vertical Dramas. 
We talk about Emily’s journey into the Vertical world, how both she and her perspective on the industry have changed over the past few years, and what drew her to this fast-moving form of storytelling. Emily also shares some of her most beautiful memories from set and the moments and people that have made this journey truly special. ✨But this conversation goes far beyond acting and career highlights.
Emily speaks openly about the parts of Vertical scripts that have sometimes been particularly difficult for her to carry — especially stories filled with violence, abuse, emotional manipulation, and repeated traumatic situations. We explore what constantly stepping into these intense fictional worlds can do to an actor emotionally, even after the cameras stop rolling. 🎥🖤
Together, we have a very vulnerable conversation about performance pressure, expectations, burnout, and the fear of not being good enough or of somehow failing — feelings that many people experience, both inside and outside the entertainment industry.We also talk about learning to recognize personal limits, finding ways to leave emotionally demanding scenes behind, and reconnecting with the things that make life feel lighter, richer, and more meaningful. 🌿
At the heart of this episode is a conversation about self-love, self-respect, mindfulness, and the importance of treating ourselves with the same patience, kindness, and understanding that we so naturally offer to others. 💛
This is not only an episode about Emily’s life as an actress. It is an open, compassionate, and deeply human conversation about protecting yourself without losing your passion, allowing yourself to slow down, and remembering that your worth is not measured by how much you achieve.Honest, vulnerable, thoughtful — and perhaps a gentle reminder that taking care of yourself is never a sign of failure. ✨
Verticals from Emily Gateley:
Accidentally Married My Boss (Shortical)Not A Stray I Am the Alpha's Cub (ShortMax)I Chose the Office Laughingstock (Playlet)Mafia King's Sweet Captive with Triplets (Goodshort)

What turns a good idea into a truly captivating story — and how do you create real depth in a format built around speed, hooks, and cliffhangers? ✍️🎬
In this episode, I’m joined by screenwriter, director, producer, and bestselling author Isabel Dréan. Isabel’s fascinating journey has taken her from horror and psychological thrillers to Christmas movies 🎄and ultimately into the fast-growing world of Vertical storytelling.
We talk about how storylines for Verticals are developed, what separates a compelling story from a collection of familiar tropes, and why emotional depth and multidimensional characters still matter — even when episodes are only a few minutes long. 📱✨
Isabel is especially passionate about bringing powerful female characters to life and creating women who are strong, complex, and capable of driving their own stories. 💪👩 But she also speaks openly about the darker side of the industry: the shockingly low and unfair rates sometimes offered to screenwriters, predatory contracts, and platforms that take advantage of writers who are under financial pressure and desperate for an opportunity. 💰⚠️
Having explored digital and episodic storytelling long before today’s Vertical boom — including developing and producing more than 50 original web series — Isabel already understood years ago that audiences would embrace stories told in short, addictive episodes. Today, she shares that knowledge through her work, her masterclasses, and her bestselling book How to Write a Vertical Series in 10 Days. 📖
What does Isabel love most about writing? What gives a story genuine emotional depth? Why did she believe in episodic storytelling before the industry fully recognized its potential? And what needs to change so that writers are finally valued and paid fairly for the stories on which this entire industry depends? 🎙️

All of that — and so much more — in this honest, insightful, and incredibly important conversation. 🎧✨
Verticals from Isabel Dréan:
The Summer I Turned My Sexiest (Gamma Time)The Prince and the Royal Wedding Planner (Gamma Time)When Love Finally Found Me (Kalos TV)The Blind Bride of the Scarred Mafia Boss (Vigloo) 

Actress, dancer, model — and equally at home playing the leading lady or the villain: Aislinn Evans joins me for a wonderfully honest, entertaining, and slightly chaotic conversation about life in the Vertical world. 🎬✨
After beginning her professional journey as a dancer and model, Aislinn discovered acting — and quickly found her place in Vertical dramas. Since then, she has stepped into a wide variety of characters, from romantic leads to women who make life considerably more difficult for everyone around them. 😈
Naturally, this led us straight into one of our favorite topics: the sometimes wonderfully weird — and occasionally completely ridiculous — storylines that make Verticals so unique. Which tropes do we still enjoy? Which ones have officially overstayed their welcome? And what would we both happily never see in another script again? 😂
We also take a closer look at villains. What makes a villain fascinating and fun to watch? What separates a complex antagonist from a character who is simply evil for no apparent reason? And is there actually such a thing as a “good” villain — whatever that is supposed to mean? 😅
But our conversation also moves beyond the wonderfully dramatic world of Vertical storylines. We talk openly about the film industry, the sometimes difficult situations actors can encounter on set, and why intimacy coordinators are so incredibly important — especially when it comes to creating a safe, respectful, and professional working environment. 🎥
And speaking of intimate scenes: What does Aislinn do when her parents want to watch one of her Verticals containing those particular moments? 👀😂 What roles are still waiting on her personal dream-role list? And which characters would she love to bring to life in the future?You’ll find the answers — along with plenty of laughter, honesty, strange storylines, complicated characters, and wonderfully candid moments — in this podcast episode. 🎙️📱✨
Some Verticals with Aislinn Evans
The Island Club (Kalos TV)Divorce Tears from the Alpha, but I Shine Alone (Reelshort)Marriage Deal (Dramapops)The Lost Heir: A Christmas Reckoning (Dramabox)The True Heiress's Perfect Revenge (Shorts)
#new #podcast #bts #community #vertical