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