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