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- 5 days ago1h 14m
D'Arcy Smith | Vertical Acting Goes to School: The Vertical Buzz S2E3
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 Chapters 00:00 Welcome to Vertical Buzz 01:08 Meet D'Arcy Smith 02:30 Why Teach Verticals 04:43 Curriculum Pushback 06:23 Inside the Class 07:03 Acting Style Shift 09:03 Student Productions Setup 13:04 Award Nomination Story 17:42 Academia Must Adapt 25:19 Data and Audience Reach 39:12 Eat The Cheese 39:45 Why Scripts Feel Cheesy 41:14 Ground It In Truth 42:10 Rapid Fire Begins 42:49 Format Skills And Future 45:37 Cincinnati Food Debate 49:57 Findlay Market Must Do 51:09 Sponsor Break Aiiro 52:33 Awards Community Vibes 54:21 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 Smith D'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 Leer Buzz Leer is an actor, host, and veteran of the vertical film space. Instagram: @buzz_leer A Glendale Podcast Studio Production Owned and operated by Erika and Jason Hanan 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
- 1 weeks ago1h 13m
Felix Merback | Vertical's Smoothest Villain: The Vertical Buzz S2E2
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 Chapters 00:00 Welcome to Vertical Buzz 01:31 Meet Felix Merback 03:26 Felix Origin Story 05:30 Acting for Vertical Closeups 09:18 Why Vertical Hooks Us 10:43 Early Adopters and Wild West 14:15 Working Actor vs Vertical Actor 20:11 Sponsor Break Aero AC150 21:10 FMA Productions Origin 28:37 Changing Vertical Storytelling 37:12 Rapid Fire Warmup 38:05 Set Life Snacks 38:24 Dream Co Star Pick 39:13 On Set Red Flags 40:21 Hidden Talents Revealed 41:41 Fame Versus Control 42:03 Pressure To Capitalize 45:29 Future Of Vertical Hollywood 46:58 What Makes Verticals Viral 57:48 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 Merback Felix 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 Leer Instagram: @buzz_leer A Glendale Podcast Studio Production Owned and operated by Erika and Jason Hanan 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 14m
Tina Contogenis | A Talent Agency Goes Vertical: The Vertical Buzz S2E1
This week on The Vertical Buzz, Season 2 kicks off with the person who helped legitimize the vertical space in Los Angeles. Host Buzz Leer sits down with Tina Contogenis, founder of Eris Talent Agency, to break down why vertical is no longer a trend, how the money and views proved the model, and what actors need to understand if they want to compete in the fastest-growing lane of entertainment. Tina shares the moment she realized actors were earning real money, how Eris built the first agency division focused specifically on vertical content, and what has changed as the space matures from Wild West chaos into a structured marketplace. They also get into what casting is actually prioritizing right now, why vertical is becoming a smarter path than traditional TV for many performers, and what the next wave looks like as AI, deepfakes, and new laws start to collide with talent rights. The episode includes rapid fire takes, must-watch apps, Eris's strict “no assholes” policy, and a day-in-the-life look at what a modern talent agency is juggling with the vertical boom. In this episode, you will learn: • Why Season 2 is about defining the space, not just discovering it • What the first vertical wakeup moment looked like from an agent’s perspective • How views and money proved vertical is an industry, not an experiment • What changed from the early Wild West days to today’s more structured ecosystem • What casting looks for right now, including pace, looks, and versatility • Why vertical wins for working actors, and how to build a real vertical strategy • Must-watch vertical apps and where the best opportunities are heading • The “no assholes” policy and why set culture matters more than ever • AI threats, deepfakes, and what new law is trying to do about it • The future of vertical economics, rates, and how the space may evolve next Chapters 00:00 Season Two Begins 00:47 Vertical Revolution 01:48 Industry Gets Real 02:57 Meet Tina Aris 04:57 First Vertical Wakeup 06:57 Views Money Proof 08:59 From Wild West 21:18 Casting Looks Talent 26:04 Sponsor Break 27:05 Why Vertical Wins 37:32 Rapid Fire Takes 38:34 Must Watch Vertical Apps 39:50 No Assholes Policy 40:59 AI Threats Ahead 42:36 Deepfakes And New Law 45:09 Future Of Vertical Economics 51:00 Tina Agent Origin Story 52:51 Aris Entertainment Expansion 56:03 Boundaries Intimacy Negotiations 01:01:51 Day In The Life 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: Tina Contogenis Tina Contogenis is the founder and president of Eris Talent Agency, an international talent agency representing actors and creators across film, television, streaming, and the rapidly expanding vertical drama marketplace. Under her leadership, Eris Talent developed the first agency division focused specifically on vertical content, representing both actors and production companies in the space. She also leads Aris Entertainment, the agency’s development arm, and serves on the board of the Association of Talent Agents. Tina is a voting member of the Television Academy, and Eris Talent is bi-coastal with additional offices in Mexico City and an affiliate in London. Instagram: @tinacontogenis Host: Buzz Leer Buzz Leer is an actor, host, and veteran of the vertical film space. Instagram: @buzz_leer A Glendale Podcast Studio Production Owned and operated by Erika and Jason Hanan 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
- 3 weeks ago1h 40m
The Vertical Drama Love Fan Awards | The Vertical Buzz Season 1 Finale: Ep 12
Welcome to the Season 1 finale of The Vertical Buzz. This is a special edition episode and a full preview of the Vertical Drama Love Fan Awards happening this Thursday in Los Angeles. Vertical is moving fast, but the biggest story is even bigger: fans are not just watching anymore. Fans are shaping what wins, what gets made, and what becomes the next breakout. Buzz Leer is joined in studio by Sam Silliman and Amy Sullivan Riley, with Jen Cooper joining remotely from the UK. Jen is the founder of Vertical Drama Love and the Vertical Drama Love Fan Awards, and this episode is your inside look at how the awards work, what makes a winner, and why this community has grown into a sold out live Hollywood theatre event with a global live stream. Then the panel breaks down the top nominees in the Vertical of the Year category, reacts to nominee clips, talks genre trends, and debates what is actually pushing the medium forward right now. If you love vertical dramas, this is the episode to watch before the big night. Welcome to the Season 1 finale of The Vertical Buzz. This is a special edition episode and a full preview of the Vertical Drama Love Fan Awards happening this Thursday in Los Angeles. Vertical is moving fast, but the biggest story is even bigger: fans are not just watching anymore. Fans are shaping what wins, what gets made, and what becomes the next breakout. Buzz Leer is joined in studio by Sam Silliman and Amy Sullivan Riley, with Jen Cooper joining remotely from the UK. Jen is the founder of Vertical Drama Love and the Vertical Drama Love Fan Awards, and this episode is your inside look at how the awards work, what makes a winner, and why this community has grown into a sold out live Hollywood theatre event with a global live stream. Then the panel breaks down the top nominees in the Vertical of the Year category, reacts to nominee clips, talks genre trends, and debates what is actually pushing the medium forward right now. If you love vertical dramas, this is the episode to watch before the big night. In this episode, you will learn: • How the Vertical Drama Love Fan Awards works and how the winners are chosen • What separates a nominee from a winner and why global voting matters • What makes a vertical feel like a true Vertical of the Year contender in 2026 • Why vertical is evolving so fast and how audience behavior drives what gets made • Reactions and debate on the top Vertical of the Year nominees across multiple platforms • How the Fan Awards grew from an online fan project into a live event in Los Angeles • Where vertical entertainment is headed next and what fans are demanding more of Chapters 00:00 Welcome to Fan Awards 01:32 Meet the Panel 02:11 Amy Sullivan Riley Spotlight 03:36 Sam Silliman Spotlight 05:01 Jen Cooper Spotlight 06:37 How the Awards Work 08:54 What Makes a Winner 20:07 Sponsor Break 21:13 Nominee Clips Begin 44:56 Halfway Front Runners 49:25 Rom-Com Nostalgia 50:42 Pizza Guys Meet Vampires 52:33 Camp Horror in Vertical 54:54 Queen of the Court 58:04 Sponsor Break Aero AC150 58:44 Queen Never Cry Again 01:02:50 Taming My Bullies 01:07:07 Water Boy BL Hit 01:12:50 Picking the Overall Winner 01:17:33 Fan Awards Origin Story 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: Sam Silliman (@samanthaalex) Sam Silliman is an award-winning executive producer and showrunner known for crafting high quality digital and narrative content for major platforms including Vice, Hulu, Starz, Netflix, and HBO. Since entering the vertical space in 2023, her projects have generated hundreds of millions of views. She is known for thoughtful leadership, strong collaborations, and prioritizing an exceptional on-set experience. Guest: Amy Sullivan Riley (@amsullz) Amy Sullivan Riley began in traditional film and television before becoming an early adopter in the vertical drama space in the United States. She is currently the Head of US Content for Flare Flow and has served as head writer and executive producer on more than 15 micro dramas. Her recent hit Oops, I Married My Bestie’s Brother reached a record 220 million views in 10 days. Guest: Jen Cooper (@verticaldramalove) Jen Cooper is the founder of Vertical Drama Love and a globally recognized voice in vertical and micro dramas. Through reviews, commentary, and fan driven initiatives like the Vertical Drama Love Fan Awards, she has helped connect fans, creators, and industry professionals worldwide. The awards drew tens of thousands of votes across more than 100 countries and are bringing the community together in Los Angeles for a li
- Apr 16, 20261h 7m
Rick Shepherd | Pushing Vertical Boundaries: The Vertical Buzz Ep 11
Welcome to The Vertical Buzz. Host Buzz Leer sits down with actor, writer, and director Rick Shepherd to talk about what happens when a traditionally trained filmmaker jumps into vertical storytelling and has to rethink everything for the 9:16 frame. Rick shares his Cleveland performance roots, his training across Case Western Reserve University and grad programs in London and Columbia University, and how COVID became the unexpected runway that pushed him deeper into indie filmmaking, collaboration, and ultimately vertical series. From there, the conversation gets practical and specific: what makes vertical different from horizontal, which genres can thrive in the tall frame, and why indie filmmakers may be sitting on a once-in-a-generation opportunity while the ecosystem is still being built. Buzz and Rick also dive into Rick’s horror vertical series Dead Signal, including what it took to build a higher-quality project with recognizable vertical talent and why horror and action can be perfect for the vertical format. They close with rapid fire, a Cleveland detour, and a real conversation about the fight for the vertical ecosystem as bigger Hollywood players move in and the current platforms decide what the future looks like. In this episode, you will learn: • How Rick Shepherd’s early performance life and theater training shaped his filmmaking mindset • How COVID, indie films, and community collaboration helped Rick transition into vertical work • What it takes to enter vertical filmmaking as a director and actor, even if you come from traditional cinema • Dead Signal and what goes into producing an elevated genre vertical series • Vertical vs horizontal storytelling and how the tall frame changes opportunity, staging, and genre • Why indie filmmakers may have more opportunity in vertical right now than in traditional film and TV • The future of vertical entertainment and why creators need a seat at the table as the space grows • Rapid fire takes plus Cleveland talk, Polish Boys, and the Christmas Story house Chapters 0:00 Intro & Welcome 3:27 Rick Shepherd Bio 8:35 Early Life & Performance Roots 11:20 COVID, Indie Films & Moving to LA 13:55 Entering Vertical Filmmaking 21:26 Dead Signal: The Horror Series 25:24 Vertical vs Horizontal Storytelling 31:23 The Future of Vertical Entertainment 42:31 Rapid Fire & Cleveland Chat 47:53 Opportunities for Indie Filmmakers 55:13 Dream Vertical Project 58:21 The Fight for the Vertical Ecosystem 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: Rick Shepherd Rick Shepherd is a Los Angeles based filmmaker and actor from Cleveland, Ohio. He holds a BA in Acting from Case Western Reserve University, an MA in Directing from East 15 Acting School in London, and a second master’s in Film and Literature from Columbia University. Rick began as an actor in independent films before moving behind the camera to write and direct, with a focus on performance-driven storytelling. He directs and produces vertical series, performs as a lead actor, is part of a MO Pictures vertical screenwriters talent pool, and founded Backyard Shorts, a company dedicated to developing vertical projects and supporting independent filmmakers. Instagram: @realrickshepherd Host: Buzz Leer Instagram: @buzz_leer A Glendale Podcast Studio Production Owned and operated by Erika and Jason Hanan 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
- Apr 9, 20261h 4m
Emma Reinagel | Vertical Acting in 9:16: The Vertical Buzz Ep 10
This week, Buzz is joined by Emma Reinagel, one of the most highly sought-after rising stars in the vertical entertainment world. Emma and Buzz break down what it really takes to act in 9:16, why the format is exploding, and how the next generation of actors is using verticals as a fast-track training ground. They also talk about their feature film The Abduction of Sal Bedford, a found footage documentary-style sci-fi horror that won Best Sci-Fi Feature at the LA Independent Film Festival, plus what a typical vertical day looks like when you are moving nonstop for 12 hours and the script is still evolving. Emma shares practical advice for actors who want to break in, how she builds character playlists, and why vertical performance is intentionally bigger while still needing truth and nuance. The episode closes with fan connections, social media growth, and where vertical entertainment might be headed as AI ramps up. In this episode, you will learn: • What made The Abduction of Sal Bedford such a unique acting challenge and why the table read mattered • Emma’s journey from St. Louis to LA and how she booked her first LA project fast • What Emma’s first vertical experience was like and why early scripts could be messy • Acting in verticals vs traditional film, including size, speed, and client notes on set • What a typical day on a vertical set looks like when you are in every scene • Rapid fire Q and A, including character playlists and what makes someone stop scrolling • How fans connect and how Emma’s social media has grown in the last few months • Where vertical entertainment could go next, including AI, quality shifts, and safer sets • Advice for young actors on how to start, what to submit, and how to be a great teammate on set Chapters 0:00 Intro 3:42 The Abduction of Sal Bedford 8:25 Emma’s Journey from St. Louis to L.A. 13:55 First Vertical Film Experience 19:45 Acting in Verticals vs Traditional Film 27:07 A Typical Day on a Vertical Set 38:29 Rapid Fire Q&A 44:36 Fan Connections & Social Media 46:50 The Future of Vertical Entertainment 56:55 Advice for Young Actors 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: Emma Reinagel Emma Reinagel is a Los Angeles based actor and producer originally from St. Louis, Missouri. After earning her BFA in Acting from Missouri State University, she moved to LA and quickly began working across film and television. She has starred in 10+ feature films and 20+ vertical series, and she is also producing new projects with a focus on empowered female leads, diverse casts, and safe, positive sets for cast and crew. Instagram: @emmareinagel Host: Buzz Leer Instagram: @buzz_leer A Glendale Podcast Studio Production Owned and operated by Erika and Jason Hanan Instagram: @glendalepodcaststudio Social Media Coordinator: Ana Karina Cano Instagram: @anakarinacano Theme Song by Grace Leer and Bryan Dawley "The Vertical Buzz Theme Song" Public Relations and Media: Robb Leer Leer Communications, Inc. Special thanks to all of my support team, friends, and family. -Host, Buzz Leer
- Apr 2, 20261h 11m
Noah Fearnley | A Vertical "Love Story" : The Vertical Buzz Ep 9
This week on The Vertical Buzz, host Buzz Leer sits down with Noah Fearnley, one of the most in-demand actors in vertical entertainment right now, to talk about what it takes to work at a high level in two worlds at the same time: vertical storytelling and traditional television. Noah opens up about the real grind behind the momentum, from juggling nonstop vertical shoots to stepping into major press for Love Story (FX, Hulu, Disney+), the series about JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette where Noah plays Michael Bergin. They also dig into his path from football and a major injury, to modeling, to moving to Los Angeles with almost nothing, to booking work, surviving the strike, and then exploding in verticals with 50+ projects. The conversation gets personal and meaningful as Noah shares his mental health journey, what success does and does not change, and why he is now building a mental health foundation. Then they close with a big look ahead at the Vertical Drama Love Fan Awards, the energy of bringing the community together in person, and what comes next for Noah. In this episode, you will learn: • How Noah Fearnley went from football and a knee injury to acting full time • The realities of building an acting career through the strike and hard financial seasons • How vertical storytelling hooked Noah and why he believes actors should start in verticals • The key differences between vertical sets and traditional sets, including pace and prep • What it was like stepping into the FX, Hulu, Disney+ world on Love Story • What people never warn you about success and why it does not fix what is happening inside • Noah’s approach to staying grounded and why he protects the fans by staying intentional • The mental health conversation and Noah’s plan to launch a foundation • Why the Vertical Drama Love Fan Awards matters and what the in-person energy will be like Chapters 00:00 Meet Noah Fearnley 02:34 Bio and Big Credits 05:02 Busy Life and Press 08:42 From Football to Verticals 21:15 Love Story Casting Journey 34:30 Staying Vertical Long Term 36:47 Rapid Fire Hot Takes 40:51 Success Pressure and Staying Grounded 50:40 Mental Health and New Foundation 01:02:58 Awards 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 Guest: Noah Fearnley Noah Fearnley is an American actor from Orange, Connecticut, making serious noise in the fast-rising world of vertical storytelling. With leading roles across Apple TV, Hulu, and the Lifetime Network and more than 50 vertical films under his belt, Noah has quickly become one of the genre’s most recognizable faces. He made his theatrical debut in the 2026 film Mercy alongside Chris Pratt and now plays Michael Bergin in the FX series currently on Hulu and Disney+ Love Story, the story of JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette. Before the camera, Noah built four companies. Off set, he is restoring his 68 Mustang, hanging with his dogs, or getting in a daily workout. Instagram: @noahfearnleyy Host: Buzz Leer Buzz Leer is an actor, host, and veteran of the vertical film space. Instagram: @buzz_leer Produced at Glendale Podcast Studio Owned and operated by Erika and Jason Hanan 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
- Mar 26, 20261h 15m
Episode 8 | Directing in 9:16 featuring Danny Farber
This week on The Vertical Buzz, host Buzz Leer sits down with Danny Farber, a Chicago-born director, actor, writer, and producer who has been crushing it in vertical entertainment across multiple countries and platforms. They kick things off with a cold open on why vertical is not just a phone rotation, it is a storytelling shift that changes framing, blocking, pacing, and emotion. Danny shares how he broke into verticals as a director, why the trend vs format debate is missing the bigger point, and what makes a great vertical performance when the screen is small but the moment has to stop the scroll. They also get real about creative pitfalls, the client and platform dynamic, and why detachment matters when you do not own the final cut. Then Buzz and Danny go deep on Chicago. Why is there a vertical boom coming, what is the reality of tax credits and sets, and what would it take to build a real pipeline there. The episode finishes with rapid fire predictions and a breakdown of a standout cake scene that became a fan-favorite moment. In this episode, you will learn: • How Danny Farber got his first vertical directing break and what the ramp-up really looks like • Why vertical storytelling is changing the language of film and how pacing becomes the secret weapon • The trend vs format debate and where vertical fits alongside traditional film and TV • Performance pitfalls actors and directors hit in vertical and how to avoid them • What is happening in Chicago and why it may be the next major vertical production hub • The sets, tax credits, and infrastructure reality behind building a Chicago pipeline • Rapid fire takes on the future of vertical and what is coming next • A scene breakdown on the viral cake moment and how those beats get built for the audience Chapters 00:00 Show Cold Open 00:08 Vertical Storytelling Shift 01:40 Meet Danny Farber 03:37 Music Side Quest 05:24 First Vertical Breakthrough 12:03 Trend or Format Debate 17:15 Performance and Pitfalls 43:26 Chicago Vertical Boom 44:14 Sets Tax Credits Reality 45:39 Build Chicago Pipeline 46:00 Chicago Love And Winters 48:41 Rapid Fire Vertical Future 55:55 Cake Scene Breakdown 01:10:54 Cheer Up, Baby Trailer and Wrap Up Guest: Danny Farber Danny Farber is a Chicago-born director, actor, writer, and producer with over a decade in the entertainment industry. Based in Los Angeles and working internationally, he has built a diverse portfolio spanning vertical dramas, commercials, music videos, and narrative content. Since 2023, Farber has directed more than twenty feature-length vertical dramas for platforms including ReelShort, Dramabox, and Goodshort, with projects shot in Los Angeles, Istanbul, London, and Vancouver. His award-winning short film Thoughts and Prayers was executive produced by Amy Poehler. As an actor, Farber has appeared in 1923, Chicago Fire, and Proven Innocent, and continues to create and perform in projects driven by his signature creative hustle. Instagram: @sirdannyfarber Host: Buzz Leer Buzz Leer is an actor, host, and veteran of the vertical film space. Instagram: @buzz_leer A Glendale Podcast Studio Production Owned and operated by Erika and Jason Hanan Instagram: @glendalepodcaststudio Social Media Producer: Ana Karina Cano Instagram: @anakarinacano Music: Grace Leer and Bryan Dawley The Vertical Buzz Theme Song Public Relations and Media: Robb Leer Leer Communications, Inc. Special thanks to all of my support team, friends, and family. -Host, Buzz Leer #VerticalFilm #VerticalDrama #MicroDrama #Acting #ActorsLife #Filmmaking #MobileStorytelling #ShortForm #VerticalSeries #TheVerticalBuzz
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