🎙️ This Week on The Vertical Buzz
Welcome to The Vertical Buzz, where vertical entertainment finds its voice. This week, host Buzz Leer sits down with one of the breakout stars of vertical entertainment, Jackson Tiller.
Jackson's journey to Hollywood was anything but conventional. Growing up in the mountains near Asheville, North Carolina, he initially pursued nursing before making the leap into acting and eventually heading west to Los Angeles. After years of grinding in LA, one unexpected opportunity in 2023 changed the trajectory of his career and introduced him to vertical storytelling.
🎬 Today, Jackson is known for starring in hit verticals including The Diamond Rose, 30 Days of Love, Dracula's Kiss, and From Contract Lover to the Billionaire Bride. He talks openly about the realities of becoming a leading man in this rapidly evolving industry, from the intense pace of vertical production to the passionate fans who have embraced the format.
🤖 Buzz and Jackson also get into one of the biggest issues facing actors right now: AI. They discuss the opportunities and threats AI presents, the possibility of digital replicas, and why Jackson believes real actors and AI can ultimately occupy their own lanes.
The conversation also gets personal, with stories about Jackson's childhood, sports injuries, his transition from nursing to acting, dream roles, doing his own stunts, North Carolina pride, and the roles he would absolutely refuse to play.
And yes... we settle the North Carolina barbecue debate. 🌶️
In this episode, you will learn:• How Jackson went from nursing student to full-time actor• Why one opportunity changed his Hollywood career• How he discovered vertical storytelling in 2023• What it takes to become a leading man in vertical entertainment• How vertical acting differs from traditional film and television• Jackson's thoughts on AI and the future of acting• Why he believes AI and live-action entertainment can coexist• What actors should know before entering the vertical industry• The dream roles Jackson hopes to play someday• Why he refuses certain roles on principle• And, of course, where Jackson stands on North Carolina barbecue 🍖
⏱️ Chapters
00:00 Coin Flip to LA00:16 First Set Reality Check00:43 AI and Vertical Advice01:16 Show Intro and Guest Bio02:40 From Nursing to Acting05:24 Asheville Roots and Family09:02 Sports Injuries and Mindset11:54 Sponsor Break and Casting App12:54 Theater Class to Hollywood Leap17:27 LA Hustle to Vertical Breakthrough39:04 Vertical Scripts Level Up40:02 AI Pros and Job Fears40:53 Dream Roles and Stunts42:24 Advice for Newcomers43:35 Rapid Fire and Verticast48:42 North Carolina Roots50:40 Embarrassing Stage Moment54:36 Teddy Bear Persona Reveal01:02:38 Creative Freedom on Set01:07:35 AI Replicas 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
⚡ Rapid Fire Sponsor: VertiCast
Swipe. Cast. Create.
VertiCast is built for the fast-moving world of vertical entertainment, helping actors, directors, and casting professionals connect.
Instagram: @verticastapp
🎥 Guest: Jackson Tiller
Jackson Tiller is one of the breakout stars of global vertical entertainment. Originally from North Carolina, Jackson took an unconventional path to Hollywood, beginning his college career in nursing before pursuing acting. After moving to Los Angeles and discovering vertical storytelling in 2023, he quickly established himself as one of the industry's recognizable leading men.
His credits include The Diamond Rose, 30 Days of Love, Dracula's Kiss, and From Contract Lover to the Billionaire Bride. Known for his authenticity, emotional depth, and screen presence, Jackson is helping define the next generation of mobile-first entertainment.
Instagram: @jacksontiller__
🎙️ 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.
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

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 Troy’s 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 Troy’s 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 today’s mobile audience• How the MicroHouse Films app and paywall model will work• How Troy’s 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, Disney’s 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

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 “swipe, cast, create” 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 Snyder’s 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

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, Nick’s 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 NYU’s 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 Showtime’s Homeland and a co-star role on NBC’s 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

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 Paul’s 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, Paul’s 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

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 Eric’s 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 Eric’s work as a producer, including Love and Blood, the vampire vertical that became one of Buzz’s 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 Eric’s 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 Eric’s 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

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, Love’s 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

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'Arcy’s 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 “eat the cheese” 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

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