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 Rick’s 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:

Chapters

Sponsor: AEIRO (Arrow Air Purifiers)

Guest: Rick Shepherd

Host: Buzz Leer

A Glendale Podcast Studio Production

Social Media Coordinator: Ana Karina Cano

Theme Song: Grace Leer and Bryan Dawley

Public Relations and Media: Robb Leer

Thank you

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:

Chapters

Sponsor: AEIRO (Arrow Air Purifiers)

Guest: Emma Reinagel

Host: Buzz Leer

A Glendale Podcast Studio Production

Social Media Coordinator: Ana Karina Cano

Theme Song by Grace Leer and Bryan Dawley

Public Relations and Media: Robb Leer

Special thanks to all of my support team, friends, and family.

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:

Chapters

Sponsor: AEIRO (Arrow Air Purifiers)

Guest: Noah Fearnley

Host: Buzz Leer

Produced at Glendale Podcast Studio

Social Media Coordinator: Ana Karina Cano

Theme Song

Public Relations and Media

Thank you

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:

Chapters

Guest: Danny Farber

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.

Host: Buzz Leer

A Glendale Podcast Studio Production

Social Media Producer: Ana Karina Cano

Music: Grace Leer and Bryan Dawley

Public Relations and Media: Robb Leer

#VerticalFilm #VerticalDrama #MicroDrama #Acting #ActorsLife #Filmmaking #MobileStorytelling #ShortForm #VerticalSeries #TheVerticalBuzz

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:

Chapters

Sponsor: AEIRO (Arrow Air Purifiers)

Guest: Molly Anderson

Host: Buzz Leer

A Glendale Podcast Studio Production

Social Media Producer: Ana Karina Cano

Music: Grace Leer and Bryan Dawley

Public Relations and Media: Robb Leer

This week on The Vertical Buzz, host Buzz Leer sits down with Kylie Karson—actor, director, and co-founder of CheraTV—for a deep dive into where vertical entertainment is headed, what’s 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 Angeles—where 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 “imperfect” 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, you’ll learn:

• Kylie’s origin story: from a spiritual upbringing to college, and the mindset shift that fueled her ambition

Chapters

00:00 Welcome to Vertical Buzz

Sponsor: AEIRO (Arrow Air Purifiers)

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.

Guest: Kylie Karson

Instagram: @TheKylieKarson

Host: Buzz Leer

A Glendale Podcast Studio Production

Social Media Producer: Ana Karina Cano

Music by Grace Leer & Bryan Dawley

Public Relations & Media: Robb Leer

Special thanks to all of my support team, friends, and family.

#VerticalFilm #VerticalDrama #MicroDrama #Filmmaking #MobileStorytelling #ShortForm #VerticalSeries #TheVerticalBuzz

This week on The Vertical Buzz, host Buzz Leer sits down with Cayman Cardiff—one of the leading male actors in verticals—to 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 space—and 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, you’ll learn:

• Why Cayman walked away from a pre-med path to pursue acting—and how fast his early bookings hit

Chapters

00:00 Welcome and guest intro

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 — powerful enough to clean rooms 300+ sq ft, quiet enough for production, with smart sensor controls and true HEPA + carbon filtration.

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.

Host: Buzz Leer

A Glendale Podcast Studio Production

Social Media Producer: Ana Karina Cano

Music by Grace Leer & Bryan Dawley

“The Vertical Buzz Theme Song”

Public Relations & Media: Robb Leer

Leer Communications, Inc.

Special thanks to all of my support team, friends, and family.

#VerticalFilm #VerticalDrama #MicroDrama #Filmmaking #MobileStorytelling #ActorsLife #VerticalSeries #TheVerticalBuzz

Description

In filmmaking, some of the most powerful moments can also be the most dangerous—or the most vulnerable. In this episode of The Vertical Buzz, host Buzz Leer sits down with Aaron Feder—one of the leading stunt + intimacy coordinators in the vertical film world—to 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 vertical’s speed changes everything. Then we go deep on intimacy: the levels of intimacy, why “no surprises” 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, you’ll learn:

• What stunt coordinators and intimacy coordinators actually do—and why both roles are about safety (physical + emotional)

Chapters

00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro

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.

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, he’s 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.

Host: Buzz Leer

The Vertical Buzz is a Glendale Podcast Studio Production

Social Media Producer: Ana Karina Cano

Music by Grace Leer & Bryan Dawley

“The Vertical Buzz Theme Song”

Public Relations & Media:

Robb Leer — Leer Communications, Inc.

Special thanks to all of my support team, friends, and family.

#VerticalFilm #VerticalDrama #MicroDrama #Stunts #IntimacyCoordinator #SetSafety #Filmmaking #MobileStorytelling #ShortForm #VerticalSeries #TheVerticalBuzz

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.

AEIRO Air Purifiers identify, reduce, and monitor airborne contaminants to create an optimal indoor environment for homes and professional spaces.

Instagram 

Buzz 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 HGTV’s House Detective (65 episodes), FOX’s neXt, NBC’s Chicago P.D. and Chicago Fire, and more.

Owned & operated by Erika & Jason Hanan

Instagram: @anakarinacano

Music by Grace Leer & Bryan Dawley — “The Vertical Buzz Theme Song”

#VerticalFilm #VerticalDrama #MicroDrama #Filmmaking #MobileStorytelling #Directing #FilmProduction #TheVerticalBuzz

What does it take to act in vertical films? In Episode 3 (Part 1) of The Vertical Buzz, host Buzz Leer sits down with Michael Naizu, an Asian American actor, writer, producer, and director whose work spans film, television, and vertical storytelling. Together, Buzz and Michael break down everything about acting and emoting on vertical film sets.

AEIRO Air Purifiers identify, reduce, and monitor airborne contaminants to create an optimal indoor environment for homes and professional spaces.

Instagram 

Buzz 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 HGTV’s House Detective (65 episodes), FOX’s neXt, NBC’s Chicago P.D. and Chicago Fire, and more.

Owned & operated by Erika & Jason Hanan

Instagram: @anakarinacano

Music by Grace Leer & Bryan Dawley — “The Vertical Buzz Theme Song”

#VerticalFilm #VerticalDrama #MicroDrama #Filmmaking #MobileStorytelling #Directing #FilmProduction #TheVerticalBuzz