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The Vertical Buzz: Daily Summaries Delivered
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The Vertical Buzz is the media platform covering the rapidly evolving world of vertical entertainment
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- 3 days ago1h 22m
Zak Shaikh | The Data Is In... Vertical Entertainment Is Exploding: The Vertical Buzz S3E8
What happens when you stop guessing about the future of entertainment and start looking at the data? 📊📱 This week on The Vertical Buzz, we sit down with Zak Shaikh, U.S. General Manager of Ampere Analysis, one of the entertainment industry's leading data, research, and analytics firms. Zak takes us inside the numbers behind the explosive growth of vertical entertainment and microdramas, revealing what audiences are actually watching, where they're watching it, and why major Hollywood streamers are suddenly paying very close attention. We dig into some eye-opening data, including: 📱 Smartphone viewing and the shift away from traditional TV 🌎 Why Asia and other mobile-first markets are leading the microdrama explosion 📈 The scale of apps like DramaBox and ReelShort 🎬 Why Hollywood is developing a vertical strategy 💰 How paywalls and microtransactions are changing entertainment economics 🎭 Why microdramas are expanding beyond romance, revenge, and betrayal 🤖 Where AI fits into the future of vertical entertainment 🧠 And the critical question: can data and optimization ever replace authentic human storytelling? Zak also explains exactly how Ampere gathers its data, from global surveys and publicly available information to consent-based viewing data. This is The Vertical Buzz from a completely different angle, using real data to understand where entertainment is headed next. 📊 In this episode, you will learn: • How Ampere Analysis collects and analyzes entertainment data • Why smartphone viewing has become such an important part of the global entertainment landscape • What the data says about the explosive growth of microdramas • Why mobile-first markets have embraced vertical storytelling • How DramaBox and ReelShort have changed the competitive landscape • What Hollywood's major streaming companies are doing in response • How paywalls and microtransactions work in vertical entertainment • Which genres are expanding beyond the traditional microdrama formula • How AI is being used to market and promote content • Why authentic storytelling still matters even in a highly data-driven industry Chapters 00:00 Phone Beats TV 01:33 Vertical Buzz Intro 03:18 Meet Zak Shaikh 05:16 Zak’s USC Journey 09:25 What Ampere Does 13:06 How Ampere Gets Data 18:54 Microdramas Hit the Radar 30:57 Global Downloads Breakdown 32:05 Why Mobile-First Markets Win 34:17 Microdrama Apps Catch Streamers 36:35 Hollywood Takes Notice 40:17 Paywalls Pricing and Retention 43:15 Gamification and Rewards Loops 52:55 AI Marketing vs Authenticity 59:09 Authenticity Over AI 59:35 Rapid Fire Begins 01:00:33 Arsenal Dreams And Choices 01:01:45 Personal Picks And Recommendations 01:04:37 Microdrama Apps Playbook 01:07:00 Brands And Freemium Future 01:12:17 Anthologies Market Catchup 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: Zak Shaikh Zak Shaikh is the U.S. General Manager of Ampere Analysis, a global data, research, and analytics company focused on the entertainment and media industries. Website: ampereanalysis.com Host: Buzz Leer Buzz Leer is an actor, host, and veteran of the vertical film space. Instagram: @buzz_leer A Glendale Podcast Studio Production Instagram: @glendalepodcaststudio Social Media Coordinator Ana Karina Cano Instagram: @anakarinacano Theme Song Grace Leer and Bryan Dawley The Vertical Buzz Theme Song Public Relations and Media Robb Leer Leer Communications, Inc. A special thanks to all of my support team, friends, and family... and especially the fans! -Host, Buzz Leer #TheVerticalBuzz #ZakShaikh #AmpereAnalysis #VerticalEntertainment #Microdrama #VerticalVideo #Streaming #EntertainmentIndustry #Hollywood #DataAnalytics
- 1 weeks ago1h 13m
Larry Namer | The E! Founder Who Saw Vertical Coming 8 Years Ago: The Vertical Buzz S3E7
What if the future of vertical entertainment looks a lot like the past of cable television? 📱📺 Larry Namer has seen this movie before. As the co-founder of E! Entertainment Television, Larry helped build one of the world's most recognizable entertainment networks from the ground up. But his story goes far beyond E!. From starting out underground splicing cable in New York, to moving to Los Angeles, creating E!, expanding media operations into Russia and China, and experimenting with digital media before the technology was ready, Larry has spent more than five decades identifying where entertainment is headed next. And when it comes to vertical entertainment, Larry isn't looking at it from the outside. He has been producing vertical content in China for years. After discovering that 73% of the audience for one of his shows was watching on cellphones, he asked a simple question: Why are we still shooting horizontally? 📱 In this fascinating conversation, Larry explains why he believes vertical will become the dominant way people consume video, why simplicity is one of the format's biggest strengths, and why Hollywood may be misunderstanding what vertical audiences actually want. He also breaks down the economics behind China's vertical model, including how a $150,000 movie could potentially generate a $35 "ticket price" through episodic paywalls. 💰 We also get into Larry's incredible history: founding E! after more than 100 rejections, the early days of Talk Soup, putting cameras in Howard Stern's radio studio, international media ventures, his wild stories from Russia, and his work helping develop China's media industry. 🌎 Plus, Larry talks about the future of vertical genres, why horror and sci-fi could be next, AI's impact on entertainment, consumer robotics, and the lessons he's learned from more than 50 years in media. And yes, there's Rapid Fire. ⚡ In this episode, you will learn: 📱 Why Larry believes vertical could dominate video consumption by 2030 🇨🇳 What China understood about vertical entertainment years before the U.S. 💰 How the Chinese vertical paywall model works 📺 How Larry and his partners built E! Entertainment 🚪 Why Larry believes creators no longer need traditional gatekeepers 🎭 Why vertical entertainment is essentially "soap operas on steroids" 🔮 Which genres Larry thinks could be next 🤖 What Larry is watching in AI and consumer robotics 🌎 Why entertainment is no longer geographically tied to Hollywood Chapters 00:00 Vertical Video Future 00:36 Asia Vertical Model 01:40 Show Intro Larry Namer 04:55 Brooklyn Roots 05:43 Cable TV Break In 10:30 LA Move Movie Trailers 13:28 Founding E Network 17:01 Pirate Programming Hits 19:32 Global Expansion Russia 25:57 China Media Reform Verticals 36:30 Televisioncom Gamble 37:22 Dotcom Crash Fallout 38:11 Going Global 2000s 39:17 Creators Without Gatekeepers 40:29 Why Vertical Wins 42:45 Paywalls And Pricing 44:51 Soap Operas Reborn 46:32 New Genres And Audiences 48:58 Rapid Fire And Robotics 54:23 Book Food And The Future 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: Larry Namer Larry Namer is a pioneering entertainment executive, global media entrepreneur, and co-founder of E! Entertainment Television. With a career spanning more than five decades, Larry has worked across cable television, international media, digital entertainment, emerging technologies, and vertical storytelling. Instagram: @larrynamer Host: Buzz Leer Buzz Leer is an actor, host, and veteran of the vertical film space. Instagram: @buzz_leer A Glendale Podcast Studio Production Instagram: @glendalepodcaststudio Social Media Coordinator: Ana Karina Cano Instagram: @anakarinacano Theme Song Grace Leer and Bryan Dawley, The Vertical Buzz Theme Song Public Relations and Media Robb Leer, Leer Communications, Inc. Thank you Special thanks to all of my support team, friends, and family. Host, Buzz Leer
- 2 weeks ago1h 19m
Kasey Esser | The Vertical Star Who Took Verticals to The Tonight Show: The Vertical Buzz S3E6
Welcome to The Vertical Buzz, where vertical entertainment finds its voice. This week, host Buzz Leer sits down with Kasey Esser, one of the most recognizable actors and producers in the vertical entertainment space. Kasey's journey to Hollywood started in an unexpected place. After studying exercise science and building a career in fitness, he made the leap to Los Angeles and eventually discovered microdramas. What started with a werewolf-themed vertical in 2023 quickly snowballed into more than 55 microdramas, international fans, producing his own projects, and a starring role alongside Jimmy Fallon and John Stamos in The Tonight Show's first microdrama series. 🎬 Kasey talks about the incredible speed of vertical production, the moment he realized the format could become his future, and what it's like to suddenly have fans reaching out from around the world. He also takes Buzz behind the scenes of Who Billionaire? Me Billionaire?, including shooting 40 pages in a single day with Fallon and Stamos, and why mainstream Hollywood is finally starting to understand the power of vertical storytelling. 🤖 The conversation also tackles AI, including how Kasey sees the technology being used as a filmmaking tool without replacing human performers. And then things get... weird. 😂 Buzz and Kasey revisit some unforgettable moments from The Tonight Show microdrama, dive into rapid fire questions, and talk about what's next for Kasey's career. In this episode, you will learn: • How Kasey went from exercise science and fitness to Hollywood • How he landed his first microdrama role • Why vertical storytelling became a career-changing opportunity • What it was like shooting a microdrama for The Tonight Show • How 40 pages were filmed in a single day • Why mainstream Hollywood is embracing vertical entertainment • What Kasey learned from working with Jimmy Fallon and John Stamos • How vertical fame can reach audiences around the world • Why AI should be viewed as a tool rather than a replacement • What's next for Kasey and the vertical entertainment industry ⏱️ Chapters 00:00 Choosing Entertainment Over Fitness 00:21 Absurd On-Set Knife Story 01:05 Vertical Fast-Track to Hollywood 01:24 Meet Casey Esser 03:59 Growing Up 90s Midwest 06:23 From Exercise Science to LA 08:56 First Microdrama Breakthrough 14:30 Going Freelance and Producing 18:12 Press Turns and Fans Worldwide 29:30 Tonight Show Microdrama Moment 38:17 Surprise Guest Drama 40:01 Doug Arrives Empty Handed 41:02 Awkward Introductions Roast 41:49 Caddy Talk Turns Dark 44:17 Billionaire Sketch Wrap 45:05 Vertical Fame Crossover 48:00 Rapid Fire Questions 58:05 Market Slowdown Pivot 01:02:50 AI Tools Not Replacements 01:05:56 Next Phase 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, with smart sensor controls and true HEPA plus carbon filtration. Website: AEIRO.co 🎥 Guest: Kasey Esser Kasey Esser is an actor, producer, and one of the breakout stars of vertical entertainment. Originally from Evansville, Indiana, Kasey studied exercise science before moving to Los Angeles and pursuing careers in both fitness and acting. He has appeared in more than 55 microdramas and has been featured by Rolling Stone, The New York Times, The Washington Post, Cosmopolitan, Bloomberg, and NPR. He also appeared alongside Jimmy Fallon and John Stamos in The Tonight Show's microdrama Who Billionaire? Me Billionaire?. Instagram: @kaseyesser 🎙️ Host: Buzz Leer Instagram: @buzz_leer 🎬 A Glendale Podcast Studio Production Instagram: @glendalepodcaststudio 📱 Social Media Coordinator Ana Karina Cano Instagram: @anakarinacano 🎵 Theme Song Grace Leer and Bryan Dawley 📣 Public Relations Robb Leer Leer Communications, Inc. ❤️ Special thanks to all of my support team, friends, and family. Host, Buzz Leer
- 3 weeks ago1h 30m
Gary & Edmund Entin | Hollywood Twins Go Vertical: The Vertical Buzz S3E5
Welcome to The Vertical Buzz, where vertical entertainment finds its voice. This week, host Buzz Leer sits down with twin brothers Gary & Edmund Entin, the writer-director-producer team behind 90 Degrees Films. The Entin brothers have built careers spanning feature films, television, and the rapidly evolving world of vertical storytelling. As co-founders of 90 Degrees Films, they have created 14 vertical series for partners including Fox Drama, A&E, Lifetime, Pocket FM, and MicroHouse. Their feature film work includes Geography Club, Sins of Our Youth, A Country Christmas Harmony, and How Sarah Got Her Wings. 🎬 In this episode, Gary & Edmund talk about growing up in South Florida, making the transition from acting to directing, and discovering the vertical world. They take Buzz behind the scenes of their work with MicroHouse and talk about the challenges of relearning the filmmaking craft for a completely different format. They also get candid about what it takes for actors to survive and thrive on vertical sets, why production quality is changing so quickly, and how vertical storytelling is beginning to bridge the gap between traditional Hollywood and a new generation of entertainment. ❤️ The brothers also spotlight projects including Tides of Temptation, Wrestling With Love, and Hope and Heartbreak, while discussing the importance of telling stories that connect emotionally with audiences. And yes, because they're twins, Buzz couldn't resist getting into some twin taste debates. 👯 In this episode, you will learn: • How Gary & Edmund built careers across film, television, and vertical entertainment • How 90 Degrees Films got started • What pushed them from acting into writing, directing, and producing • How they made the transition into vertical storytelling • What they've learned from producing 14 vertical series • Why actors need to adapt to the unique demands of vertical sets • How production quality in vertical entertainment is evolving • Why vertical storytelling can coexist with traditional film and television • What makes a vertical series connect with audiences • Where the vertical ecosystem could go next • And what it's really like running a creative business with your twin brother 👯 ⏱️ Chapters 00:00 Twin Intro Banter 01:09 Show Opens And Guests Teased 02:47 Meet The Entin Brothers 05:41 Creative Partnership Secrets 08:30 Origins In South Florida 11:13 From Acting To Directing 14:51 Vertical Breakthrough And MicroHouse 30:10 Malik’s Warning 30:55 Tides of Temptation Praise 31:33 Microhouse Launch and Awards 32:16 When Verticals Took Off 35:56 Relearning the Craft 39:07 Actors and Set Survival 47:07 Wrestling With Love Spotlight 58:54 Hope and Heartbreak Films 01:00:27 Gratitude for Vertical Boom 01:01:29 Tools Notes Collaboration 01:02:13 Future Formats and Ads 01:08:02 Twin Taste Debates 01:15:50 Documenting Vertical Ecosystem 01:19:22 Spinoffs Platforms and Farewell 🌬️ Sponsor: AEIRO (Arrow Air Purifiers) AEIRO Air Purifiers help create a cleaner indoor environment for homes and professional spaces. Featured in this episode: AEIRO AC150, 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 and casting professionals connect. Instagram: @verticastapp 🎥 Guests: Gary & Edmund Entin Gary & Edmund Entin are writers, directors, and producers whose work spans feature films, television, and vertical storytelling. As co-founders of 90 Degrees Films, they have created 14 vertical series for partners including Fox Drama, A&E, Lifetime, Pocket FM, and MicroHouse. They have als
- Aug 20, 20261h 21m
Richard Cambridge | AI, Gran Turismo, & The Future of Film: The Vertical Buzz S3E4
Welcome to The Vertical Buzz, where vertical entertainment finds its voice. This week, host Buzz Leer sits down with British actor, producer, entrepreneur, and technology innovator Richard Cambridge. Richard has spent more than 25 years working across acting, film, television, and entertainment technology, with credits including Gran Turismo, Hollyoaks, The IT Crowd, and Disney's Suspect: The Shooting of John Charles de Menendez. He's also the co-founder of WeAudition and VertiCast, two platforms built around creating opportunity and connecting actors with the people making entertainment. 🎬 Richard's career sits at the intersection of performance and technology, making him uniquely positioned to talk about where entertainment is headed. He and Buzz dig into the explosive growth of vertical storytelling, how VertiCast came to be, and why Richard believes creator-led content is becoming one of the biggest forces in entertainment. 🏎️ Richard also shares some incredible stories from Gran Turismo, including the intense training required to perform real pit stops, what it was like shooting in Dubai, and how his background fixing cars helped prepare him for the role. 🤖 The conversation gets deep on AI, too. Richard believes AI should be viewed as a tool rather than something artists should fear, while keeping human connection at the center of storytelling. They also discuss wearables, the creator economy, paywalls, cliffhangers, and what the future of filmmaking could look like. And because this is The Vertical Buzz, there's plenty of talk about actors, opportunity, mental health, and why Richard believes people shouldn't wait to start creating. In this episode, you will learn: • How curiosity shaped Richard's career in acting and technology • How WeAudition evolved into VertiCast • What Richard saw happening in vertical entertainment before many others • What it took to perform real pit stops for Gran Turismo • How his experience fixing cars unexpectedly helped his acting career • Why Richard believes AI and human performance can coexist • Where creator-led entertainment is headed • How wearables could change the way we consume content • Why paywalls and cliffhangers are so important to vertical storytelling • Why Richard believes everyone should start creating now ⏱️ Chapters 00:00 Creative Life Mission 01:11 Show Intro and Guest Reveal 02:51 Bio and Sponsors Roll 04:51 Curiosity and WeAudition Origins 08:22 VertiCast and Vertical Boom 11:08 Acting Roots and Many Hats 20:30 Gran Turismo Set Scale 27:57 Pit Stop Training Chaos 28:27 Snow to Dubai Heat 29:38 Real Life Tire Change 30:11 Hollyoaks Soap Grind 34:16 Cameras and Vertical Workflow 35:48 Cars and Early Fixing Days 38:12 AI vs Human Performance 52:46 Sports and Startup Speed 53:38 AI Future of Filmmaking 55:19 Life Outside Entertainment 57:32 Paywalls and Cliffhangers 01:01:03 Verticast and Partnerships 01:07:24 Wearables and Creator Economy 01:12:08 Legacy Favorites 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 Swipe. Cast. Create. VertiCast helps actors, producers, casting professionals, and creators connect in the fast-moving world of vertical entertainment. Instagram: @verticastapp 🎥 Guest: Richard Cambridge Richard Cambridge is a British actor, producer, and technology entrepreneur with more than 25 years of experience across film, television, and entertainment technology. His acting credits include Gran Turismo, Hollyoaks, The IT Crowd, and Disney's Suspect: The Shooting of John Charles de Menendez. He is also co-founder of WeAudition and VertiCast, platforms designed to create opportunity and connections for actors and entertainment professionals. Instagram: @richcambridge 🎙️ Host: Buzz Leer Instagram: @buzz_leer 🎬 A Glendale Podcast Studio Production Instagram: @glendalepodcaststudio 📱 Social Media Coordinator Ana Karina Cano Instagram: @anakarinacano 🎵 Theme Song Grace Leer and Bryan Dawley 📣 Public Relations Robb Leer Leer Communications, Inc. ❤️ Special thanks to all of my support team, friends, and family. Host, Buzz Leer
- Aug 13, 20261h 14m
Jackson Tiller | Why Everyone Wants This Leading Man: The Vertical Buzz S3E3
🎙️ 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 LA 00:16 First Set Reality Check 00:43 AI and Vertical Advice 01:16 Show Intro and Guest Bio 02:40 From Nursing to Acting 05:24 Asheville Roots and Family 09:02 Sports Injuries and Mindset 11:54 Sponsor Break and Casting App 12:54 Theater Class to Hollywood Leap 17:27 LA Hustle to Vertical Breakthrough 39:04 Vertical Scripts Level Up 40:02 AI Pros and Job Fears 40:53 Dream Roles and Stunts 42:24 Advice for Newcomers 43:35 Rapid Fire and Verticast 48:42 North Carolina Roots 50:40 Embarrassing Stage Moment 54:36 Teddy Bear Persona Reveal 01:02:38 Creative Freedom on Set 01:07:35 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 Cano Instagram: @anakarinacano 🎵 Theme Song Grace Leer and Bryan Dawley 📣 Public Relations Robb Leer Leer Communications, Inc. ❤️ Special thanks to all of my support team, friends, and family. Host, Buzz Leer
- Aug 6, 20261h 21m
Scott Brown | What MrBeast Taught Me About Storytelling: The Vertical Buzz S3E2
🎙️ 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 Gap 01:06 Show Intro and Guest 02:33 Bio and Sponsors 04:37 Cannes and Creators 07:02 Luck and Microdramas 09:44 Laguna to Film School 14:55 Defining Success 17:10 Top Creator Traits 20:10 Larry King Stories 23:17 Why Vertical Wins 39:36 Verticals As Real Movies 40:55 Directing For Phone Screens 42:28 Hook Fast Retain Viewers 45:00 Quibi Lessons Legacy Vs Digital 47:07 MrBeast Energy Curve Endings 49:20 Common Vertical Mistakes 50:39 Rapid Fire And Verticast Plug 55:59 Shabu Shabu Deep Dive 01:06:14 Directing Prep And Intentions 01:13:16 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 Cano Instagram: @anakarinacano 🎵 Theme Song Grace Leer and Bryan Dawley 📣 Public Relations Robb Leer Leer Communications, Inc. ❤️ Special thanks to all of my support team, friends, and family. Host, Buzz Leer
- Jul 30, 20261h 25m
Brooke Moltrum | How Verticals Changed My Life: The Vertical Buzz S3E1
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 Chapters 00:00 Falling for Acting 06:04 Camas Roots and Early Training 08:54 Volleyball vs Theater Choice 12:48 Brigadoon to Jimmy Awards 16:37 Broadway Trip and Webber Bump 20:02 College Transfer and LA Move 25:15 First Vertical Breakthrough 28:59 First Vertical Film Lessons 30:32 Mastering Vertical Blocking 31:46 Vertical vs Horizontal Freedom 32:54 Role That Restored Confidence 37:35 Dream Roles and Musicals 39:08 AI and the Future of Verticals 49:46 Rapid Fire and Hometown Stories 55:53 Wes Anderson Favorites 56:14 Fan Love Moments 57:54 Broadway Hollywood Verticals 59:39 Success Home Advice 01:02:53 Turning Down Roles Boundaries 01:08:33 Producing Directing Next 01:14:51 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: VertiCast VertiCast 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 Leer Instagram: @buzz_leer A Glendale Podcast Studio Production Instagram: @glendalepodcaststudio Social Media Coordinator: Ana Karina Cano Instagram: @anakarinacano Theme Song by Grace Leer and Bryan Dawley Public Relations and Media: Robb Leer Leer Communications, Inc. Special thanks to all of my support team, friends, and family. Host, Buzz Leer
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