The Vertical Buzz

🎙️ Welcome to The Vertical Buzz, where vertical entertainment finds its voice.
This week, host Buzz Leer welcomes Emmy-nominated director, writer, and producer Scott Brown, founder and CEO of Second Rodeo Productions. With more than 1 billion organic views across projects featuring MrBeast, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, Larry King, and major global brands, Scott brings a unique perspective on where digital storytelling and vertical entertainment are headed next.
Fresh off speaking at Cannes Lions, Scott explains why verticals are just one part of a much larger scripted digital revolution. 🎬 He shares lessons from Hollywood, the creator economy, and premium digital content while discussing why attention, retention, and authentic storytelling matter more than ever.
Buzz and Scott also dive into directing for phone screens 📱, the legacy of Quibi, MrBeast's storytelling philosophy, common mistakes creators make, and why the next generation of entertainment won't fit neatly into one format.
🚀 If you want to understand where Hollywood, creators, and vertical storytelling are all headed, this is an episode you won't want to miss.
💡 In this episode, you will learn:
• Why Scott believes scripted digital content is entering a massive new era• How Cannes Lions is beginning to embrace vertical storytelling• What working with MrBeast, Dwayne Johnson, and Larry King taught him• The traits shared by the world's most successful creators• Why verticals succeed by focusing on story before stars• How to direct specifically for mobile audiences• The biggest mistakes new vertical creators make• What Quibi got right before its time• Why retention is the new currency of entertainment• Where Scott believes the industry is headed next
⏱️ Chapters
00:00 Digital Scripted Gap01:06 Show Intro and Guest02:33 Bio and Sponsors04:37 Cannes and Creators07:02 Luck and Microdramas09:44 Laguna to Film School14:55 Defining Success17:10 Top Creator Traits20:10 Larry King Stories23:17 Why Vertical Wins39:36 Verticals As Real Movies40:55 Directing For Phone Screens42:28 Hook Fast Retain Viewers45:00 Quibi Lessons Legacy Vs Digital47:07 MrBeast Energy Curve Endings49:20 Common Vertical Mistakes50:39 Rapid Fire And Verticast Plug55:59 Shabu Shabu Deep Dive01:06:14 Directing Prep And Intentions01:13:16 Future Opportunities 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
⚡ Rapid Fire Sponsor: VertiCast
The casting app built for the speed of vertical storytelling.
Instagram: @verticastapp
🎥 Guest: Scott Brown
Scott Brown is an Emmy-nominated director, writer, creative producer, and founder of Second Rodeo Productions. His work has generated more than 1 billion organic views through working with MrBeast, Dwayne Johnson, Larry King, Under Armour, Ford, Gatorade, Roku, BET, and many others. Scott has become one of the leading voices connecting Hollywood filmmaking, the creator economy, and premium vertical storytelling.
Instagram: @scottbrowndirects
🎙️ Host: Buzz Leer
Instagram: @buzz_leer
🎬 A Glendale Podcast Studio Production
Instagram: @glendalepodcaststudio
📱 Social Media Coordinator
Ana Karina CanoInstagram: @anakarinacano
🎵 Theme Song
Grace Leer and Bryan Dawley
📣 Public Relations
Robb LeerLeer Communications, Inc.
❤️ Special thanks to all of my support team, friends, and family.
Host, Buzz Leer

Welcome to The Vertical Buzz, where vertical entertainment finds its voice. Season 3 begins with one of the brightest stars in vertical entertainment, Brooke Moltrum. Host Buzz Leer sits down with the award-winning actress to talk about her journey from the small town of Camas, Washington, to becoming one of the most recognizable faces in vertical storytelling.
Brooke shares how competing at the Jimmy Awards helped launch her career, why theater shaped her as an actress, and how vertical films gave her the confidence to rediscover her love for acting. She also opens up about blocking for the vertical frame, balancing emotional performances, advocating for herself on set, and why the format has become a legitimate new path for actors.
Buzz and Brooke also discuss dream roles, musicals, AI, Wes Anderson, Verticon, Broadway, Hollywood, success, producing, and the incredible community that's forming around vertical entertainment.
In this episode, you will learn:• How Brooke went from small-town Washington to starring in more than 40 vertical productions• What competing at the Jimmy Awards taught her about performance• Why theater continues to influence her acting style• How vertical filmmaking restored her confidence as an actress• The biggest differences between acting for vertical and traditional film• Why blocking and framing are unique in vertical storytelling• How Brooke approaches emotionally demanding scenes• Why actors should advocate for themselves on set• How AI may impact the future of entertainment• What success means to Brooke beyond awards and recognition
Chapters00:00 Falling for Acting06:04 Camas Roots and Early Training08:54 Volleyball vs Theater Choice12:48 Brigadoon to Jimmy Awards16:37 Broadway Trip and Webber Bump20:02 College Transfer and LA Move25:15 First Vertical Breakthrough28:59 First Vertical Film Lessons30:32 Mastering Vertical Blocking31:46 Vertical vs Horizontal Freedom32:54 Role That Restored Confidence37:35 Dream Roles and Musicals39:08 AI and the Future of Verticals49:46 Rapid Fire and Hometown Stories55:53 Wes Anderson Favorites56:14 Fan Love Moments57:54 Broadway Hollywood Verticals59:39 Success Home Advice01:02:53 Turning Down Roles Boundaries01:08:33 Producing Directing Next01:14:51 Origins Favorites 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
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: Brooke MoltrumBrooke Moltrum is an award-winning actress based in Los Angeles whose career spans theater, film, and vertical entertainment. Originally from Camas, Washington, she competed at the prestigious Jimmy Awards before launching her professional acting career. Today, Brooke has starred in more than 40 vertical productions, earned Best Actress honors at the 2023 Hollywood Fringe Festival, and received the 2026 Best On-Screen Couple award alongside Nick Ritacco for Love Always Finds Its Way. Known for her emotional authenticity and versatility, she continues to be one of the most recognizable performers in the vertical space.Instagram: @brookemoltrum
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

Welcome to The Vertical Buzz, where vertical entertainment finds its voice. This week, host Buzz Leer sits down with acclaimed director Chris Nguyen Campbell, one of the filmmakers helping redefine what premium vertical storytelling can be.
Chris shares his journey from theater and film school to directing for Brat TV before becoming one of the industry's most respected voices in vertical entertainment. He opens up about overcoming bullying, discovering filmmaking, navigating the early "Wild West" days of verticals, and why he believes these stories deserve the same care and cinematic craftsmanship as traditional film and television.
Buzz and Chris dive into directing actors, balancing client notes with creative vision, building tension on tight schedules, working with stunts, and why Hollywood is finally beginning to recognize the legitimacy of vertical storytelling. They also discuss production budgets, raising the creative bar, the collaborative spirit of the vertical community, and what the future holds for directors entering the space.
In this episode, you will learn:• How Chris Nguyen Campbell found his way from theater to directing• Why the early days of vertical filmmaking felt like the Wild West• How Brat TV prepared him for the fast pace of vertical production• Why he believes vertical stories deserve cinematic quality• How directors balance client feedback while protecting the story• Techniques for creating suspense and emotional tension on tight schedules• Why practical directing matters more than big budgets• How stunt coordination and performance work together• Why Hollywood is beginning to embrace vertical entertainment• What advice Chris gives to the next generation of directors
Chapters00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro02:34 Chris Philosophy on Vertical02:59 Sponsor Shoutouts03:51 Early Vertical Wild West06:21 Theater Roots and Bullying12:22 Film Spark and ArtCenter23:09 Brat TV to Vertical Shift28:05 Unexpected Vertical Gig29:16 Pride Versus Verticals30:09 Directing Vertical Basics32:03 Clients Notes Politics35:31 Hollywood Legitimacy Shift41:21 Wild West Community Energy44:17 Directing Process And Clips56:41 Favorite Shoot Sets57:21 Budget Versus Reality58:01 Building Tension Tricks58:59 Cast And Stunts01:00:51 Directing Tradeoffs01:02:07 Rapid Fire Round01:09:37 Direction 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: Chris Nguyen Campbell
Chris Nguyen Campbell is a Los Angeles based director known for bringing cinematic storytelling to the world of vertical entertainment. After studying film and design at ArtCenter College of Design and building his directing career with Brat TV, Chris became one of the industry's emerging creative voices, directing acclaimed vertical series while advocating for higher production values and stronger performances. His philosophy is simple: vertical stories deserve the same artistry and care as any other form of filmmaking.Instagram: @chriscampbellfilm
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

Welcome to The Vertical Buzz, where vertical entertainment finds its voice. This week, we're on location at the legendary Sunset Las Palmas Studios in Hollywood, California, for our first ever episode filmed outside Glendale Podcast Studio.
Host Buzz Leer sits down with Knockout Shorts co-founders Chris Crema and Matthew Ko to explore how they're helping shape the next generation of premium vertical storytelling. Together, they discuss why they left traditional Hollywood to build something new, how Knockout Shorts was born, and why they believe the future of entertainment will be built by creators willing to take risks.
The conversation goes beyond filmmaking as Chris and Matt give Buzz an exclusive tour of their brand new standing sets inside Sunset Las Palmas Studios, showing how productions can shoot multiple locations in one space while maintaining a premium cinematic look. They also discuss elevating production quality, empowering creators, bridging traditional Hollywood with vertical entertainment, and why the industry is still in its earliest chapters.
In this episode, you will learn:• How Chris Crema and Matthew Ko founded Knockout Shorts• Why they believe vertical storytelling is still in the early innings• How standing sets dramatically improve production efficiency• What it takes to build premium vertical productions• Why creators should continue pushing creative boundaries• How Knockout Shorts develops and finances original projects• Why Hollywood and vertical entertainment are beginning to merge• How practical production design can create dozens of unique locations• Why raising standards benefits the entire vertical ecosystem• What the future of premium short-form storytelling looks like
Chapters00:00 The Vertical Buzz on Location01:02 Vertical Storytelling Future02:24 On Location Kickoff03:59 Meet Chris and Matt07:02 How Knockout Shorts Began13:44 Building at Sunset Las Palmas16:51 Recycled Sets Glow Up23:15 Tipping Point and Mission27:57 Projects and Showreel33:13 Studio Tour Begins43:03 Courtroom Set Versatility44:21 Gavel Moment Guilty Verdict44:57 Cheers Style Bar Set46:07 Pre Lit Rig Explained48:57 Analog Lighting Control Box50:34 Apartment Set Walkthrough55:48 Vertical Budget Misconceptions58:49 Verticast Rapid Fire01:10:22 Raising Standards And Bridging Worlds01:12:58 Closing Vision And Thanks
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
Guests: Chris Crema & Matthew Ko
Chris Crema is the co-founder of Knockout Shorts and an award-winning producer whose background spans independent film, documentaries, and premium vertical storytelling. After producing numerous vertical series, he partnered with Matthew Ko to build Knockout Shorts with a mission of raising creative standards and empowering filmmakers in the fast-growing short-form space.Instagram: @chris_crema
Matthew Ko is the co-founder and CEO of Knockout Shorts. Before launching the company, he worked with Scott Rudin Productions, A24, Ace Entertainment, and The Freddy Wexler Company, developing projects across film and television. Today, he is focused on bridging traditional Hollywood storytelling with premium vertical entertainment.Instagram: @matthew_k0
Knockout ShortsInstagram: @knockout.shorts
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

Welcome to The Vertical Buzz, where vertical entertainment finds its voice. This week, host Buzz Leer sits down with Chase Mattson, actor, model, father of four, and one of the most recognizable leading men in vertical entertainment.
Chase shares how he was discovered as a teenager while working at Hollister, how modeling took him around the world, and how early on-camera moments included Lady Gaga’s G.U.Y. music video and a surprise appearance as a shirtless cop on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. From there, Buzz and Chase dig into his transition from modeling to acting, the fear he had to push through, and how vertical dramas became a major part of his career.
They also talk about Chase’s knee injury, his comeback, working with agent Tina, choosing better projects, leading man mindset, AI in filmmaking, shooting vertical and horizontal formats, and what vertical sets have taught him about professionalism, speed, and craft. Plus: family life, coaching his kids, balancing work with fatherhood, Disneyland, rapid fire dad questions, fan pages, favorite films, and why being a dad will always matter more than being a star.
In this episode, you will learn:• How Chase Mattson was discovered while working at Hollister• What happened during his Ellen appearance with Ariana Grande• How Lady Gaga’s G.U.Y. music video became part of his early career• Why Chase moved from modeling into acting• How his knee injury forced him to slow down and reset• Why agent Tina helped bring him back into verticals• What makes a strong vertical leading man• How Chase balances acting, modeling, marriage, and four kids• Why he sees verticals as a real training ground for actors• How AI, new cameras, and mobile-first formats may shape the future
Chapters00:00 Show Intro and Guest Reveal01:42 Chase Bio and Early Modeling02:24 Shirtless Cop on Ellen06:32 From Modeling to Acting08:59 Lady Gaga Video Story12:18 How Verticals Began12:39 Knee Injury and Comeback17:52 Agent Tina and Strategy26:07 Sponsor Break and Reset27:27 Leading Man Mindset36:16 Vertical Media Boom37:07 Shooting Both Formats38:09 AI In Film Sets40:29 From Verticals To Stardom42:15 Fast Sets Real Life43:50 Family Travel Stories46:14 Sponsor Break And Gadgets47:33 Rapid Fire Dad Life01:00:20 Back To Vertical Craft01:06:35 Movies Favorites 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: Chase MattsonChase Mattson is an actor, model, husband, and father of four. Originally from Ontario, California, he was discovered as a teenager while working at Hollister and went on to build an international modeling career with campaigns and appearances connected to brands and outlets including Abercrombie & Fitch, Jockey, Vogue Spain, and GQ Germany. His early on-camera work included Lady Gaga’s G.U.Y. music video and a memorable appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. Today, Chase is one of the standout leading men in vertical entertainment, known for his work ethic, professionalism, and dedication to both his craft and his family.Instagram: @chasemattson
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

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, DramaWave’s 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, Blair’s career spans film, television, commercials, music videos, and vertical storytelling. Her debut vertical series, Fated to the Forbidden Alpha, became one of the format’s 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