Let's get started!
And there couldn't be anyone better suited to start with than Roberta Sparta! Producer and owner of Sparta Productions (https://www.instagram.com/spartaproductions_/). She enlightens me about the people needed behind the camera to bring a vertical script to life. We also talk about what we think about so many platforms and a few scripts.
Wishes for the future of Verticals? - Roberta tells me hers from the perspective of a producer.
We're also making a deal in case I win the lottery. What's that? - Check it out and Tune in.
And don't forget to like and share!

Welcome to my podcast "Let's talk about Verticals" 
Before we begin with all the great conversations, and all the great guests, I wanted to introduce myself as the host, so you know who you're dealing with here. :-)
You wanna know some (Fun)Facts about me and why I'm doing this Podcast? - You should definitely tune in!

In this episode the fantastic actor and writer Michael Vaccaro joins me for a Talk. A talk about dreams, visions, lifetime goals and the future of the Verticals we assume.
Also we are talking about the childhood dream to be a performer in the middle of New York City and why his mother played a key role in his career.
Want to know which countries in Europe you should definitely visit? Michael Vaccaro has some exclusive travel tips in this podcast episode that you shouldn't miss ;-)
Why I'm becoming his German PA? - That's a whole different story. Michael Vaccaro - born to perform
Check it out and tune in.
And don't forget to like and share!

Zane Claudio is known as the bad guy in the vertical scene. The super-likable and always-smiling actor has so far appeared in almost exclusively evil roles. This naturally means that he has almost perfected the character of the evil in verticals.
What does Zane himself think about almost always playing the role of a villain? Wouldn't he prefer to play the highly sought-after and popular billionaire CEO in a romantic drama?
And what's it like when you spend all day playing the villain on set and then have to learn the lines for the next day? Is it even possible to slip out of the villain's skin, or does it keep you trapped?
We also chat about Zane's "to watch list" when it comes to movies, what music he likes to listen to privately, and how he manages this fast pace and large number of vertical shoots so well.
And then, of course, there's the all-important question that might tip the scales in the conversation and ultimately the relationship: pineapple on pizza - yes or no?
Check it out and tune in.
And don't forget to like and share!

Do you want to hear the collective opinions of a few fans at once? Unvarnished, open, honest, and direct?
Then this monthly review episode is just right for you! I'll be reviewing the month of September with six ladies who are active in the vertical world.
@verticalviewweekly
@verticalfilmslover
@verticait
@realreeldrama
@verticaldramaqueen
@i.love.verticals
We talk about verticals, apps, actors and actresses, and much more. Also about the good and bad things that have occupied us this month, speak openly about what we as an audience no longer want and where we see room for improvement.
You wanna know the answers to the following questions?
- Actress of the month?
- Actor of the month?
- Vertical of the month?
- Platform/App of the month?
Then you should definitely tune in and listen!
And don't forget to like and share!

Dan Lowenstein is a multi - award winning Film director known for his dynamic and thought provoking style. Dan has worked with an eclectic group of creatives from well known comedians to chart topping pop stars. But Dan's real passion is in narrative story telling, he is drawn to moments of realism and is inspired by everyday naturalist events. He comes from a professional dance background and uses his physical knowledge to help tell stories in innovative ways using a selection of powerful cinematic tools.
After initially being respectful of vertical filmmaking, he says he has settled into it after ten projects and enjoys constantly taking on new vertical challenges in a wide variety of countries. He's brimming with new, inspiring ideas and has wonderful location and genre visions that we chat about in this podcast episode.
Check it out and tune in.
And don't forget to like and share!

Caitlyn aka Verticait joins me as a guest. She's only been active in the vertical space since this year, but she's all the more intense for it. With her reviews, she openly and honestly evaluates verticals, and that's exactly what we do in this podcast episode too!
We talk bluntly about what's going wrong in some verticals, where we definitely still see weaknesses in them, and what we sometimes find simply ridiculous. But we also discuss the serious side of the business, talk about absolute no-gos, and our secret favorites for "Vertical of the Year."
How many platforms does she currently have installed on her phone? Where does she treat herself to an annual membership, and why we see an urgent need for a "detail manager" on set? We discuss all this and much more in this episode!
Check it out and tune in.
And don't forget to like and share!

Actress Molly Anderson is one of the few in the Vertical World who plays both -  the kind, loving wife and the villain who can't be trusted in any way. A woman with many facets and stories.
We talk completely honestly and unvarnished about life as an actress in the Vertical World. Whether life is truly Hollywood-like with glitz and glamour or sometimes deals more with real (unpleasant) facts.
Would you like to know where Molly sees difficulties in producing and publishing verticals? What figures are important in this regard? - And as always, it’s all about money. 💰
She talks about why every beginning was difficult in the film industry, and why the occasional white lie was necessary and more.
You'll find out exclusively in this episode.
Check it out and tune in.
And don't forget to like and share!

In today's episode, I'm sitting down with Thomas King for a chat about the Vertical world. He immersed himself in this universe relatively early on and has, as a result, had a few experiences with it.
We talk openly and honestly about, among other things, which stories we both find a bit superfluous and overused, and why we'd both like to see a Western Vertical.
How many towel drops has he had in a Vertical career? And why does he see himself as a potential Oscar candidate? - You can find out all this and much more in this podcast episode.
Check it out and tune in.
And don't forget to like and share!

In today's episode, I'm joined by an award-winning director and producer - Matt Macedo! The official Bachelor of Fine Arts in Filmmaking knew early on that his place was behind the camera and that he could create wonderful things for entertainment with his self-described "daydreams."
However, the director, considered by many to be a "werewolf producer," has already brought so many more wonderful stories in the vertical world from script to life and has even written a few scripts of his own that he dreams of bringing to life.
He talks about his experiences on set, as well as his journey into the vertical industry.
And where exactly does the Titanic fit into all his stories? - You'll hear all this and much more in this episode.
Check it out and tune in.
And don't forget to like and share!

What would the verticals be without the audience and fans? - Exactly - Nothing! That's why I also conduct conversations with fans.
First up is Bianca, founder of the ua_actors_and_actresses_fandom. A Fandom for all the actors from Ukraine. She has made it her mission to become a voice for the actors who, despite everything, produce verticals under the most difficult conditions during the war.
She puts a lot of work into her daily life, which she does with love and passion, ensuring that the actors in Ukraine are seen and heard.
What the verticals mean to her and her daily life, and why this work is so important to her? - Find out in today's episode.

You can find and support Bianca's work on the following channels (like and share):
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ua_actors_and_actresses_fandom
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ua_actors_and_actresses_fandom
Discord: https://discord.com/invite/mH85TKv7WK

Check it out and tune in.
And don't forget to like and share!

Today, my guest is the young actress Haylie Hansen from Vancouver, Canada.
She's an actress in both - the horizontal and vertical worlds. In today's episode, she explains why she hasn't filmed a vertical since February, why she is currently not allowed to and why she's definitely hoping to return to those sets.
We also talk about what it's like to film verticals with an actor as her partner and cope with this stressful time together.
Check it out and tune in.
And don't forget to like and share!

In this episode I welcome the actress Miah Green, who, as we discover, could be my Vertical daughter 😉 The young artist tells me openly and honestly what she loves about this Vertical Space, how it is to find her way around in intimate scenes at such a young age and what exactly it is that makes her so addicted to verticals.
She tells me how she feels about having to learn so much text and what other challenges she occasionally encounters in the Vertical World.
A big point at our chat is the very important thing in life - Food :-) She loves peanutbutter/jelly sandwich and has a great tactic to get this in China. 
Why we don't need men to survive? Or what are the thoughts about being a entagonist in a Vertical? The answers to this and much more you here in this episode. 
Check it out and tune in.
And don't forget to like and share!

The best cure for a bad day? - Definitely Adam Chisnall! His Instagram Reels consistently delight countless people and bring a smile to their faces. The same goes for his appearances in various verticals. In countless supporting roles, he embodies everything from a serious assistant to a humorous supporter.
He would be the perfect lead for a wonderful comedy or parody vertical. It's never boring with him, and this podcast episode is no exception. We chat about his journey through stand-up comedy, his career in acting, and other artistic experiences.
Why is he the Kim Kardashian of the vertical world? Hear what he thinks is time for the vertical world, what he's sometimes fed up with, and why he sometimes doesn't have many kind words to say about the topic of "actor pay."
Check it out and tune in.
And don't forget to like and share!

It's time for the next episode of Fantalk and for some @realreeldrama in my Podcast 😁 
There is no one better to do this than Meagan herself.
She landed in this vertical world via a somewhat sad path and has now truly established herself, having seen more than a thousand verticals. Her manner, just like her reviews, is open and honest and that's what makes her so likeable.
What we think about various things as an audience, what we sometimes find ridiculous and how Gio De Val @giodeval and Nick (F)Ritacco @nick.ritacco come to a personal declaration of love, you can find out, as well as so much more, in this podcast episode.
Check it out and tune in.
And don't forget to like and share!

Giovanni DeVal joins me in this episode, bringing along a touch of Italian flair 🇮🇹 (even if only ancestrally 😉).
We chat about his first experiences in film 🎬 and why, back then, he simply wasn’t “dead enough” for his brother’s project 😄.I also remind Gio that he owes his school principal a long-overdue thank-you 🍎 — after all, she indirectly helped set the stage for his acting career 🎭.He tells me

• what he loved doing as a child 👦✨,
• what he dreamed of becoming one day 💭,
• why he gets up so early every morning ⏰
• and what his typical start to the day looks like 🌅.

We also talk about his breakfast preferences 🥐☕ — which, as he reveals, depend on one very specific factor. What factor? You’ll find out exclusively in this episode 🤫.Of course, we also dive into the allure of playing the villain 😈, his latest vertical video 📱, and why everyone should watch it and share their thoughts with him 💬🔥.👉 Tune in and enjoy! Have fun listening 🎧✨

In this episode, I’m joined by Tina Ann Brock @tinaannbrock . The New York–based actress has spent many successful years shining in all kinds of acting fields. She’s an award-winning American stage, film, and television character actress, known for playing fun, eccentric, and powerful characters — always “poised, precise, with a dash of wacky.” ✨🎭

She brings this amazing versatility to her vertical roles as well: from the evil stepmother 👀, to a queen 👑, a loving and caring mom 🤱, or even a good witch 🧙‍♀️ — there’s truly no role she can’t embody perfectly.

Tina shares how her mother sparked her love for dressing up and stepping into different characters early on, why that magic still captivates her both on stage and in verticals, and what goes through her mind when she reads certain scripts. 🎬💭

We dive into all that and so much more — and trust me, it’s definitely worth tuning in! 🎧💬

In this episode, we’re heading to the other side of the world - all the way to Australia to meet Lisa! Many of you might know her as Vertical Drama Queen on Instagram, but she’s also the founder and driving force behind Team Cayman, the fan page dedicated to Cayman Cardiff and Daniel Jongma Fandom. 

Lisa is also a bit of a “victim” of the platforms’ clever marketing strategies — that’s how she ended up in the world of verticals and has been more or less stuck there ever since (just like so many other fans!).

We chat about what makes a good vertical in her eyes, which apps she loves to use to watch them, and how she ended up running fan pages for both Cayman and Daniel. She also tells me also about the three scripts she’s currently working on — hoping they’ll one day make it into vertical production and bring us, the audience, even better stories to enjoy.
The reviews on her Vertical Drama Queen page are open and honest — just like the interviews she does. Entertainment is guaranteed! She’s also part of the Monthly Recap group for this podcast.
How much time she spends on her fan pages every day, what her husband thinks about her constantly searching for shirtless pics of Cayman ;-) , and so much more — you’ll find out all about it in this podcast episode!

Check it out and tune in.
And don't forget to like and share!

THE LADIES AND I ARE BACK 😎 in a XXL Version!

With a fresh Recap for October and a special segment for Halloween where we tell you our Top 3 of werwolf/vampire ones 🧛‍♂️🐺
Do you want to hear the collective opinions of a few fans at once? Unvarnished, open, honest, and direct?
Then this monthly review episode is just right for you! I'll be reviewing the month of October with five ladies who are active in the vertical world.

@verticalviewweekly
@verticalfilmslover
@verticait
@realreeldrama
@i.love.verticals

We talk about verticals, apps, actors and actresses, and much more. Also about the good and bad things that have occupied us this month, speak openly about what we as an audience no longer want and where we see room for improvement.

We also decided to give @felix_merback a special award 😁

You wanna know for example the answers to the following questions?
- Actress of the month?
- Actor of the month?
- Vertical of the month?
- Why is @realreeldrama so worried about @kikifrags ?
- Which vertical you shouldn't watch right before going to bed in @i.love.verticals opinion?
- What makes @verticalviewweekly so obsessed?

Then you should definitely tune in and listen!
And don't forget to like and share!

Sandi, one of the admis of the Eric Guilmette Fandom, joins me for an episode to talk about, among other things, the officially crowned legend Eric Guilmette. We also discuss why she started this fandom, what her experiences with the audience crowd have been like, and what the day-to-day business of running such a fandom actually entails.
She also tells me when and how she first encountered the vertical space, if she felt into also in the Marketing trap, as well as how these verticals occasionally help her in some way in her daily life.
Are you wondering if, as an admin of the fandom, she only watches Eric's verticals or if others also find their way onto her phone display and why Sandi and I absolutely need to listen to Abba songs and crave shrimp after the episode, as well as much more, you can find out in this podcast episode. Enjoy!
Check it out and tune in.
And don't forget to like and share!

John Henry Richardson is a veteran in the vertical world. He's been involved in verticals as an actor almost from the very beginning, always playing a (grand)father role. He enriches the verticals with his sympathy, authenticity, and genuine wisdom, and our conversation today is just as humorous, diverse, and interesting.
When he first becomes aware of verticals in Vietnam, he knows full well that this new format will sooner or later captivate the rest of the world. 
Why does he love filming verticals so much? What he's experienced in his long acting career? And why he can't drink American beer anymore? You'll learn all this and much more in this entertaining episode with my dream grandfather for life.
Check it out and tune in.
And don't forget to like and share!

Given her young age, Cailin Peluso is probably one of the most pregnant women in such a short time in the Vertical Space. After all, she now boasts a proud 22 children. :-)
After her first role at the age of three, it became clear to her that her goals lay squarely in leading roles, ideally in Hollywood. So, she didn't hesitate for long and, after graduating from high school, moved to Hollywood on her own and without any concrete plans for her future acting career.
After initially finding the whole thing a little weird when she entered the vertical space as a corpse, we can all be very grateful that she gave it another chance after a few months. Because now she's a successful lead in several verticals. However, she's been pigeonholed as a pregnant woman, which isn't exactly her favorite.
It's time for producers to see the young, talented actress as more than just a dependent pregnant woman. We chat about what roles she'd like to take on (without being pregnant).
She also tells me why Apple Boxes are often used when shooting her verticals, that her grandma is a big vertical fan and what she doesn't like about the role women are playing in most of the verticals. 
Check it out and tune in.
And don't forget to like and share!

Intimacy — a topic people rarely love to talk about in public 😅 …but my guest and I go all in for a full hour! 🎙️❤️
This week, I’m joined by Intimacy Coordinator Karie Donnovan. @valleyintimacypro Thanks to her work, actors feel safe and comfortable even in the most delicate and intimate scenes on set 😌🎬
And trust me — you wouldn’t believe all the things an intimacy coordinator is actually responsible for! 👀✨
Karie shares how she prepares for the many different “situations” that can come up during vertical shooting 📹😉, where boundaries and challenges around intimacy can appear, and what the emotional world on set really looks like.
We unpack all that and so much more in this open and insightful conversation 💬💖
Tune in — you don’t want to miss this fascinating episode! 🎧✨

In today’s episode, I’m chatting with a super creative mind in the vertical world — Director and Actor Danny Farber. This episode is bursting with creativity! 🎨✨
 We take the idea of the Criminal Vertical Series — a concept I originally developed with Kirby Ellwood @kirby.ellwood — and elevate it with some fantastic new twists. Plus, I give Danny a little tip on how he could hide his signature Easter Egg in a pirate-themed vertical. 🏴‍☠️🐣
We also talk about what makes filming in Europe — especially in Istanbul — so special for Danny, and what improvements he wishes to see for crews and especially for female actresses, as well as for storytelling overall. 🎬💡
Danny’s first steps into the vertical space in 2023 were like being thrown into cold water, but I’m so glad he feels completely at home in this world now. 🌊📱 We dive into different perspectives on verticals, storytelling, the big NO-GOs, the platforms, clients, and so much more. 🚫📲
A real highlight: Danny performs his brand-new song “Istanbul” live and unplugged — exclusively in this episode! 🎶🔥 And yes… we even set up a music gig for him here in Germany at “Michaela’s Soundgarden.” 🌿🎤
You don’t want to miss this creativity-packed episode — tune in and enjoy! 🎧💥

Also visit www.sirdannyfarber.com

In this episode, you’ll hear a super fun and down-to-earth conversation between two Bachelor of Arts grads 🎓😄. No fancy academic talk here—just real talk about the vertical content world, packed with charm and humor 💬✨.
During what I like to call a “waffle talk” 🧇 (okay… I was the only one actually eating waffles), Buddy shares how he’s been trying to bring more acting into his life alongside his full-time job 🎭💼.
We also chat about which sport verticals he’d totally rock 🏋️‍♂️🤸‍♂️ and why he thinks he’s absolutely not the guy for a basketball vertical 🏀😂.
He tells me what he’s grateful for on set 🎥🙏, what he’d love to see evolve in the vertical world 🌍📱, and what it’s like to know both sides of the production business 🎬🔄.
Why his mom can’t watch some of his films/verticals 🙈, why Buddy feels like he’s in a real-life Forrest Gump moment in this episode 🏃‍♂️🍫, and what he expects when he plays my brother in a vertical 🤦‍♂️🎬 — you’ll hear all that and more exclusively in this episode!

In this new episode, I welcome the wonderful Kirby Ellwood @kirby.ellwood , with whom I was able to have a very refreshing and humorous conversation. 🤩 With an impressive 27 lead roles, she is a highly sought-after vertical actress. 🎬 She reveals to me that she has actually never starred in a werewolf vertical and has never filmed a vertical production in Europe. Why? We wonder… 🤔🌍

Since she’s a beer lover and would love to visit Munich for Oktoberfest one day, I give her a little crash course on it 🍺🎡, and we also talk about the things she considers essential for always spreading good vibes. ✨😄

Why do we urgently need to contact Matt Macedo @mattmacedo and Robert Palmer Watkins @robertpalmerwatkins , and what million-dollar idea did we come up with to solve, among other things, Kirby’s Europe “problem”? 💡💸

You’ll find out all of this and much more exclusively in this episode! So tune in! 🎧🔥

In this new podcast episode, I finally meet—so it seems—the brother I’ve wished for my entire life. Lukas Silva and I discover so many similarities in all kinds of areas that we’re convinced we must be related.
He tells me how, at the beginning of 2024, he took his first step into the Vertical World, how he then found himself in the right place at the right time to land a fantastic lead role, where he has been able to travel thanks to vertical shoots, and what his experiences have been like.Curious what kind of characters he likes to portray in verticals? You'll get the answers in this episode.
With his Italian roots, his love for Italy remains unbroken—just like his wish to maybe live there one day. He also shares what he appreciates about Europe compared to America and what dreams he still has outside the Vertical World.I also learn quite a bit about his cooking skills, his favorite dishes, and what he finds so inspiring about Arnold Schwarzenegger.
We also talk about how the Vertical World has evolved and changed since his very first shoot, what he thinks could still improve or develop further, and where we’d love to see new innovations.And what’s behind his sensitive aura and the so-called “comfort-movie”? 
Tune in to find out.

🎙️ New Episode Out Now!
In this episode, I’m chatting with Bryan Mangam, a New York–based actor known for his edgy and eccentric rolesacross feature films, TV series, and commercial projects. Beyond his on-screen work, Bryan is also a writer and producer with plenty of creative stories to tell.We dive into the challenges of the vertical world, why it’s not always easy for audiences to navigate the platform jungle, and what kind of changes and innovations might be needed — especially when it comes to genres and storytelling formats.Curious to hear which role Bryan found the most weird and funny?
What stories he’s dying to put on paper as a writer?
And what was going through his mind at the very start of his acting career?Then you definitely don’t want to miss this one — tune in and join us as we explore the creative chaos of the vertical world! 🎬✨

In today’s episode I’m chatting with Carin @carinsmolinski — a creative powerhouse who’s seen a whole lot of the world. After spending some time living in Japan and exploring different corners of the globe, she eventually made her way back home to Canada — and that’s where she first discovered the world of Verticals.
After being involved in more than 20 Verticals, Carin decided it was time to tell her own story. She picked up the pen, wrote her very first Vertical script with a fresh and exciting storyline, and then took things even further by directing it herself — alongside her son, Indiana Wilson @indiana_wilson_films , who stepped in as Director of Photography. Tides of desire was born! @tides_of_desire_vertical
With what she calls her superpower, Carin is full of energy, motivation, and unstoppable drive to shake things up in the Vertical world.
We also talk about why she’s actually at a triple disadvantage when shooting Verticals in Canada — and, of course, her future plans, her own Vertical project, and the many new stories already buzzing around in her head.
Check it out and tune in.
And don't forget to like and share!

I was so happy to have Declan Clifford as a guest on my podcast – in my opinion, he really deserves to be more in the spotlight 😉.
In this episode, he doesn’t have to stand in anyone’s shadow, because the stage is all his today!We chat about how he feels being “the eternal runner-up,” and what it was like to finally play his first leading role in the Vertical “Pool Boy.”Declan has played a wide variety of characters over the years — including quite a few villains — and he tells me how he prepares for those roles (because, as we all know, that’s so not his real-life personality!).We also talk about what it was like for this Aussie to find his way around Los Angeles, how he deals with his natural accent in the Vertical world, and what helps him switch back into “private Declan” mode after long days on set or a big wrap and much more.Check it out and tune in.
And don't forget to like and share!

🎙️ One last Fantalk episode for this year is ready to go! 🎙️
Today’s episode features the wonderful Dalia from Verticalfilmslover ✨ @verticalfilmslover
The Vertical Drama critic is both a member of the #verticalviewcrew and a regular guest on the monthly recap episodes.

In this episode, the two of us sat down for an in-depth chat about how she found her way into the Vertical World 🌍 and how it ultimately led her to creating her own review platform.

📊 Dalia has already watched over 1,600 Verticals, keeps a meticulously organized list, and regularly publishes reviews on her Instagram profile. She’s developed her own rating system ⭐ and shares what makes her click on a Vertical in the first place, which actors she especially enjoys watching, and which genres she prefers.

🎟️ We also talk about her experience at Verticon 2025, what she thinks should change (and evolve) in the Vertical space in 2026, and which actors we’d love to see more often — both in nice roles 😇 and villain roles 😈, because we think it would suit them perfectly.

🔥 Curious why you may have already hated Zane Claudio @zaneclaudio a few times?
🎯 Why Danny Farber @sirdannyfarber was her first target?
💭 And why Jackson Tiller @jacksontiller__ and Grace Swanson @gracewswanson have a special place in her memory?

This episode is a truly wonderful conversation — critical, insightful, and definitely entertaining 🎧✨ 
One you absolutely shouldn’t miss! 🚀
And don't forget to like and share!

In this episode, we step back behind the camera and spotlight another outstanding female director: Paige Compton @dudette.director 

From an early age, Paige knew she wanted to be part of the film world—and she pursued that goal without hesitation. Her path led her through the U.S. Army and film school, where she spent the last four years of her military service working as an Audio Visual Director for the White House, supporting former President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden 🇺🇸🎥

After earning her Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Film and Television, the film industry came to a near standstill due to the pandemic—until Verticals found their way to Hollywood 📱🎞️. Paige’s very first Vertical became an instant smash hit, and many more successful projects followed.

We talk about where women are still disadvantaged in the Vertical world, what she would like to change or further develop in certain stories (whenever creative freedom from the customer allows), and what she hopes for the future to enable even more creative progress in Verticals 🚀💡

With a fan survey she designed herself, Paige aims to better understand the wishes and needs of the audience, allowing her to produce even stronger Vertical content independently in the future 📊❤️

For Paige, having a great time and enjoying the process on set is essential—but she also expects professionalism and a strong sense of teamwork from everyone involved 🤝🎬. She shares exclusive behind-the-scenes stories and talks about some of the unique, Vertical-specific creative work she has done with actors.

This conversation is packed with Vertical insights you don’t want to miss—so tune in and listen now! 🎧🔥

November is behind us, and once again there were tons of Verticals to watch — which means there’s plenty to talk about in this month’s Monthly Recap! 🎬✨
Joining me are Dalia @verticalfilmslover , Caitlyn @verticaitand Brittany @drama_ink_diaries , and together we dive into who impressed us the most this month, who left us a bit disappointed, and which app delivered the best Verticals overall. 📱⭐
We’re also introducing a brand-new category to the recap: 🎭 The Side Role Actor/Actress of the Month! From now on, we want to shine a brighter spotlight on supporting actors — and soon we’ll also highlight the best on-screen chemistry between performers. 💫
And since Christmas is right around the corner and many apps are packed with festive Verticals, we wrap up by sharing our current favorite Christmas Verticals — perfect to get you into the holiday spirit. 🎄❤️
All in all, it’s another episode full of all things Verticals from the month of November. Definitely worth tuning in! You might even discover a Vertical you haven’t seen yet but absolutely should! 👀🔥
Enjoy listening, and an early Happy Holidays from the Recap Crew! ❄️🎁✨
And don't forget to like and share!

In this episode, I talk to the actress Kristine Kay Larsen @kristinekaylarsen , who was born and raised in Denmark before packing her bags right after finishing school and moving straight to Los Angeles 🇩🇰✈️🇺🇸.
From an early age, she knew she wanted to live and work in the U.S. — preferably as an actress. Said and done 💥: within just 1.5 years, she built the foundation she needed at an acting school before first hearing about the world of “Verticals” in 2023 from Eric Guilmette @erictaylorguilmette 
After her first role in a werewolf vertical, she initially felt exhausted 😴 — but when another vertical role came along, she was instantly on fire 🔥! Kristine shares what all those marriage proposals in Verticals do to her and why she’s slowly becoming an expert in bridal fashion 👰‍♀️💍.
We also both agree that we urgently need a Witch Group Vertical 🧙‍♀️✨ and start putting together the dream cast already:
 @kirby.ellwood @mmactuj @sarahmoliski @cailinpeluso  @emilygateley — and as the male witches 🧙‍♂️@stevenmorana @nick.puya and @theadamchisnall 
 Directed by Matt Macedo @mattmacedo 🎬. So get ready!
All that’s missing now is the much-needed billionaire 💸😏 to finance the whole thing. But Kristine’s mission is clear: at her next filming location, she’ll definitely meet one again — and then firmly lock him in for funding our project 😎🤝.
And how does a Danish girl feel about Christmas, snow, and Santa Claus? 🎄❄️🎅
Kristine has some very convincing arguments ready for her ongoing debate with Cayman Cardiff @caymancardiff with whom she btw would love to shoot a Vertical someday ❤️🎥.
There’s a lot to talk about — and you definitely don’t want to miss this conversation!
 🎧 Enjoy listening to this episode! 🎧

Some ⚠️ Irony & sarcasm warning! ⚠️ 😉

This episode comes with a high risk of sore laughing muscles — seriously, I don’t remember the last time I laughed this hard during a recording. So please don’t take everything we talk about too seriously… a lot of it is very much intentional. 😏

I sat down with Cayman Cardiff @caymancardiff to discuss the truly important questions in life. Just in time for the holidays, we’re debating whether Santa Claus can (and does) visit countries without snow — and if so, how on earth he pulls that off 🎅🌍. 
We also tackle the fundamental question of whether Michael Bublé secretly controls the weather and causes snowfall ❄️🎶. Naturally, a very scientific discussion was required — we consider it our educational duty.

Of course, it’s not all nonsense. We also talk about Cayman’s vertical career, the wide range of roles he’s played over the years, what it’s like filming in various uniforms in sometimes very hot conditions 🥵🎬, and how he manages to maintain a solid work-life balance despite tightly packed shooting schedules.

We also dive into what kinds of roles he’d still love to play in the future and his first steps as a producer on “House of Flies” 🎥✨.
All of this — and much more — wrapped up with lots of wit, humor, and charm awaits you in this episode.

🎄 Happy Holidays, my loves, and enjoy listening! 🎧💫

🎬 Another Vertical actor joins me on the podcast!
 This time, I’m talking to Patric Palkins, who took a very different career path before entering the Vertical world. For 17 years, Patric was a professional ballet dancer 🩰 — trained in classical ballet and performing on some of the world’s biggest stages 🌍✨.
He shares how he got into classical ballet, what it felt like to dance on major international stages, and the very special feeling that ballet gave him as an artist and a person.We also talk about why he decided to hang up his ballet shoes and trade that professional career for a completely new one — acting 🎭.
Along the way, we speculate why he keeps getting cast in roles with a slightly evil edge 😈 — usually in a suit (which, by the way, is not his thing 😄) — and where we hope the world of Verticals will head in the future 🚀.
On top of that, Patric shares his personal tips on how to recharge your energy on a day off 🔋✨ and gives a surprisingly simple explanation of what makes tacos so special 🌮😉.
All of that and more in this episode — have fun tuning in and listening! 🎧💫

🎄 Christmas is just around the corner!

I sat down with Mark Pontarelli @markjpont for a cozy little pre-holiday chat, where we talk about when and how he celebrates Christmas 🎅, his acting goals for the new year 🎭, and we look back on everything the past few months had to offer.

Since — aside from one shoot in the UK 🇬🇧 — Mark hasn’t had any other shoots in Europe yet, we start brainstorming together: what kind of shooting project would actually make sense, which Vertical title would be the perfect fit, and why Nick Ritacco @nick.ritacco and Michael Vaccaro @michaelvaccaro might want to start packing their suitcases for a trip to Italy 🇮🇹✈️.
And yes… the Pope may or may not play a role in this entire spectacle 🙏😇 — you’ll have to listen to find out.

We also talk about which Verticals he especially enjoyed in 2025, which ones carried a deeper meaning for him, what he loves about this form of creativity and art 🎬✨, and what he’s hoping for when it comes to Verticals in 2026.

A wonderful, funny, and slightly chaotic conversation about God (the Pope 😄) and the world — one you definitely don’t want to miss.
🎧 Happy listening & Merry Christmas vibes! 🎄💫

It’s finally happening – and I couldn’t be happier to welcome a true Vertical legend as my guest: Kasey Esser 🎬✨
With his incredible versatility as a person (as we quickly discover, there’s a Business Kasey, an Acting Kasey, a Producing Kasey, a Fitness Kasey, and many more), he has already aimed high in life – and reached many of those goals. And trust me: the next big plans are already in motion 🚀

We chat about his journey, which actually started before acting, with the opening of a fitness studio in LA 💪🇺🇸, and how that eventually led him into the vertical space. When he landed his very first vertical, “Fated to My Forbidden Alpha”, he honestly thought not many people would watch it – turns out, he was very wrong 😄🔥Since then, things have only gone one way: up. Steeply up. 📈 
Today, alongside acting, Kasey has stepped behind the camera as well. He has just written, produced, and starred in his very first own vertical – a huge milestone 🎥👏
How has this rapid development over the past few years shaped his personality and character? What would he, looking back, maybe change or do differently? And why does he think that, in some ways, he’s actually very German? 🇩🇪😉
All this – and so much more – awaits you in this episode and in this wonderful, open, and inspiring conversation between Kasey and me 💬👉 This is one you definitely don’t want to miss.
 Tune in, press play, and enjoy 🎧✨

Scripts are a big deal in the vertical world 🎬 — and let’s be honest: from an audience point of view, some things in verticals just make us go “wait… what?” 🤨😂 That’s exactly why I’m extra excited to chat with Alina Averianova @alinavestory today!

If anyone knows their way around scripts, it’s her — Alina is a Script Supervisor in the vertical space 📝✨. Is the job really as fancy as it sounds? And what does a script supervisor actually do all day? She spills all the tea in this episode ☕😉

And of course, I had to finally get answers to some long-standing mysteries, like:

* Why does an outfit suddenly change even though it’s clearly the same scene? 👗🤔
* Why does spilled wine magically disappear from clothes? 🍷✨
* How is everyone’s hair already perfectly dry right after a shower scene?! 🚿💁‍♀️
* And why is the defibrillator almost always placed on top of clothing instead of bare skin? ⚡😳

In Alina, I finally found the long-lost detail manager of the vertical space (shoutout to episode 9 with Caitlyn @verticait 👀😉), giving us some very exciting behind-the-scenes insights into vertical productions 🎥✨

We also chat about her journey into becoming a script supervisor, the stress and challenges that come with the job 😮‍💨, and the little wishes and dreams she has for her future 🌈💭

A super fun, fast-paced and insightful conversation that gave me — as a vertical viewer — so many long-overdue answers 🙌 Trust me: you do not want to miss this episode 🎧🔥

In this episode, we’re joined by pure Italian power 🇮🇹🔥

The wonderful Ramona from Vertical Lessons met up with me spontaneously for a conversation – and what a conversation it was!She’s also the creative force behind the intro of this podcast 🎶 and the background music for my Sneak Peek videos🎥✨.

Ramona is still relatively new to the Vertical space – she’s been addicted to Verticals only since March 2025 📱💥. But don’t let that fool you: since then, she has watched over 500 Verticals 😱📈! Together with her brother, she runs the platform Vertical Lessons.

Their mission?
Not only to write reviews 📝, but also to highlight the lessons they believe certain Verticals are trying to teach us 🤔💡.True to her Italian roots 🇮🇹❤️, Ramona’s heart especially beats for mafia Verticals 🕶️🔫. She firmly believes these stories should be produced where the mafia is more or less “at home”: Italy. And yes – she openly offers herself as a point of contact for directors and production companies 🎬🤝.

What else is she absolutely into?
Fast cars, lots of horsepower, and pure adrenaline 🏎️💨⚡Crazy fact about Ramona?
She will be taking part in the next Rally Dakar 🏜️🔥🏁
If that alone isn’t a Vertical-worthy story, what is?!

🎧 This episode is an absolute must-listen.
Don’t miss out on this incredible burst of energy and passion! 💥✨

🎉 @i.love.verticals just turned ONE! And that alone was the perfect reason to celebrate with a special fan episode featuring Aline.

A Werewolf Vertical was her gateway into the industry — and since then, she’s become an essential part of the community. 🐺✨
On her page, she creates seasonal story-driven Verticals (currently her Advent Vertical 🎄) and shares open, honest reviews you can truly rely on. Thanks to her “Get to Know” category, the audience also gets to meet and understand many Vertical actors a little better. 🎬💬
Her AI-generated chibis give her page a unique, adorable signature style. And I’m especially happy she regularly joins our Monthly Recap episodes to share her thoughts on everything happening in the Vertical space. 🗣️💡

Another highlight is her format “Vertical You”: Fill out her questionnaire and Aline will craft a personalized, AI-generated Vertical description — often so good it could easily become a real Vertical. 🤖✨📜

Aline’s page is full of insights, entertainment, and fun — for both audiences and creatives. She’s a passionate yet critical Vertical watcher with clear no-gos that can make her switch off a Vertical early. But when it comes to certain casts or the works of her favorite directors Danny Farber @sirdannyfarber and Matt Macedo @mattmacedo , she’s always tuned in and ready to enjoy any genre. 🎧🔥

In our conversation, she also shares how a Frenchie girl ended up living in Canada 🇫🇷➡️🇨🇦, what her small but meaningful Vertical dream looks like, and why supporting smaller platforms matters so much to her. 💛

Check it out and tune in.
And don't forget to like and share!

Today’s episode is enriched by the wonderful actress and producer Abigail Stanton @abigailstantonThanks to director Matt Macedo @mattmacedo she found her way into the world of Verticals — and with her very first role as a witch in a werewolf vertical, she instantly enchanted everyone. Since then, she’s become an indispensable part of the vertical scene. With her reddish hair, she’s often cast in slightly dark or villainous roles — which she actually enjoys tremendously 🖤✨

While male actors are happily dropping their towels or proposing marriage to their scene partners, her most common task in Verticals tends to be kidnapping people — preferably children 😉

She talks about what she urgently wishes for when it comes to Vertical storylines, what she sometimes finds downright disgusting, and what makes her turn down certain scripts and roles. As a passionate horror gamer (and viewer), she’d love to see much more horror and creepiness in the Vertical world — as well as crime stories or science fiction 👻🔪🚀

What else she’s enthusiastic about, and why she doesn’t just have one bird but several, you’ll find out in this podcast episode. And what does all of this have to do with my chicken Henni? 🐔 That’s a whole different story — one you’ll also get to hear right here.

Enjoy listening to this episode 🎧✨

There are many paths that can lead to a vertical career — and today’s guest, Steinar Bakke, is the perfect example.
Born in Norway, Steinar started his journey in the army before moving to the United States to study Software Engineering. After successfully working as a software developer, he asked himself: why not try something completely new?This mindset took him all the way to Australia 🌏, where he worked both as a head chef and an actor. When the pandemic hit, life pressed pause — and he returned to his roots in engineering back in Norway.
Today, Steinar has been living in South Korea 🇰🇷 for nearly three years, fully embracing the career that truly fulfills him: acting and modeling. He continues to travel the world for jobs ✈️ and hopes to bring his work to Europe in 2026.His first experiences shooting verticals? Let’s just say… unforgettable 😄
In this episode, we talk about:
 ✨ His unconventional career journey
 🎬 The evolution of the vertical industry
 🌍 Life and work across different countries
 🔥 Lessons learned along the way
And one surprising fact: Steinar once worked as a chef in a German restaurant — and is basically a pro when it comes to cooking Schweinshaxe 🍖🇩🇪
A conversation full of insights, humor, and inspiration — don’t miss it! 🎧
Some Verticals with Steinar Bakke:
Desire Under Our Uniforms (Kalos TV)The God of Speed: the Legend Returns (Netshort)Love's Second Chance (Kalos TV)Jilted! Now Im Exs Stepmother (Kalos TV)Return of That Banished Girl (ShortMax)

In today’s episode, I sit down with the talented actor Douglas Jung to talk about his journey and experiences in the world of vertical storytelling 🎬📱
Almost by chance, Douglas landed his first vertical role in 2023 through a friend—and he’s been hooked ever since. Fast forward to today, he’s already contributed his acting skills to over 40 verticals! 🚀
We also dive into a topic close to his heart: diversity in casting 🌍
As a half-Asian actor, Douglas shares his wish to see more opportunities for people with diverse cultural backgrounds to land leading roles. Right now, he sees promising progress especially on platforms like CandyJar 🎭
Music plays a huge role in his creative process 🎧🎶
 From powerful soundtracks to carefully curated playlists, Douglas uses music to fully immerse himself in his characters and set the right emotional tone.We also talk dreams and ambitions 💭
 Shooting in Europe is high on his list, and he’s excited about exploring Sci-Fi roles to push the boundaries of the vertical space 👽🚀And here’s a fun tip 😄

Want to leave Douglas completely speechless? Just tell him you’ve never seen Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, or James Bond… trust me, it works!
A fun, honest, and inspiring conversation with a genuinely great person—this is one episode you don’t want to miss! 🎧💫
Some Verticals with Douglas Jung:
Billionaire Daddy, You Have Sextuplets! (Flareflow)The Last Gambling God (Playlet)The Lost Heir: A Christmas Reckoning (Dramabox)Sweet Wild Bride of Mine (Reelshort)BillionHeir's Obsession

🎙️✨ Just before the New Year, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Alexandria Watts to talk about her journey as an actress, her work in Verticals, and her growing passion for writing.
As a child, she was completely mesmerized by Titanic 🚢 — so much so that she even took classes about it! Her dream job back then? Oceanographer 🌊🔬. That dream lasted until her mother signed her up for a theater class… and everything changed.
Despite insisting (and laughing about it!) that she absolutely cannot sing 🎶🚫 — especially not in front of an audience — the very first role she ever auditioned for was in musical theater. And to everyone’s surprise (especially her own!) she booked it. ✨👏
After spending several years in New York 🗽, she eventually made the move to Los Angeles 🌴🎬, where she immersed herself deeper and deeper into the world of Verticals and micro-dramas.
Would she love to shoot in Europe or Asia? Absolutely. 🌍❤️
 The only thing holding her back? Her fear of flying ✈️😅That’s why conquering that fear is officially on her 2026 bucket list — because she’s ready to explore the big, wide (Vertical) world beyond the U.S.
Being quite tall, she also shares some funny on-set realities: it’s not uncommon for her to be taller than her male co-leads — especially in heels 👠 — which means the infamous Apple Box makes its regular appearance. 📦😄
Her creativity doesn’t stop at acting. She’s also stepped into writing, creating her own Vertical that was eventually produced with her in the lead role: Frozen Hearts and Fiery Love (ShortMax). ❤️🔥
Her biggest wish for the Vertical space? More rom-coms. More comedy. 🎭💕
 “There’s enough drama in real life — it’s time for more fun and entertainment.”And trust me — you don’t want to miss what else the passionate hobby baker 🍰✨ and I talked about in this episode!
🎧 Tune in now!
Some Verticals with Alexandria Watts
Wild Silence (MyDrama)
 Daddy save me (FlareFlow)
 Blossom with Gun Taming a Mafia Puppy (Goodshort)
 Frozen Wife, Unfrozen Revenge (Moboreels)30 Years Frozen: Emergency Rescue (Netshort)

When six Vertical critics come together, it’s time to recap the past Vertical month – and this time, we’re diving into February 🗓️

Joining the discussion:
* Michaela (Host) @lets_talk_about_verticals
* Aline @i.love.verticals
* Brittany @drama_ink_diaries
* Shikha Dia @verticalviewweekly
* Caitlyn @verticait
* Meagan @realreeldrama

Was the Valentine’s month really as cozy and emotional as the audience hoped? Or did some of the released Vertical content leave us disappointed — and if so, why?

Our Monthly Recap gives you direct insight from the audience perspective on what truly stood out… and what definitely didn’t.

This month’s categories:

🎭 Actor/Actress of the Month
🎬 Supporting Role of the Month
💫 Chemistry of the Month
🏆 Vertical of the Month
💩 Crap/Disappointment of the Month

As always, we keep it open, honest, and unfiltered — celebrating what we love about the Vertical industry while also calling out where there’s clear room for improvement.

A refreshingly entertaining yet critically reflective conversation you don’t want to miss 🎙️✨

Enjoy listening!

⚾ He once had his sights set on the Major League Baseball.�🎭 Today, he’s bringing characters to life on screen — and since 2024, he’s also adding his energy to the Vertical scene.

My guest: Bryce Tipple @brycectipple

Bryce’s journey took an unexpected turn when his grandmother suggested he try acting. He gave it a shot — and that was it. Baseball ambitions moved to the back burner, and a new passion took center stage.

Now based in ☀️ Los Angeles, Bryce has already portrayed multiple lead roles and feels right at home in front of the camera. Through working in several Verticals, he’s gained a deep understanding of the format — what it demands, how it works, and why it connects so strongly with audiences.

🌍 A dream of his?
Shooting a Vertical outside the U.S. — combining travel with storytelling.
⚾🎬 And if it’s a sports Vertical with a baseball theme? That would be the absolute jackpot.

In this episode, we talk about:
✨ Letting go of one dream to fully embrace another
✨ The magic of stepping into different characters
✨ What makes Verticals such a unique storytelling format
✨ Why behind-the-camera talent deserves more credit — because teamwork truly makes the dream work 🤝
✨ And a fun practical insight: How do you memorize scripts during a morning dog walk? 🐶🎧

An inspiring conversation about courage, creativity, collaboration — and staying open to where life takes you.

Enjoy listening! 🎧

Some Verticals with Bryce Tipple:

From Dumped Wife to Christmas Billionaire (@dramabox_official)
She's the (Undercover) Boss (@watchcandyjar)
Hidden Billionaire's Spicy Marriage (@shortmax_app)
Secrets of Sin 2 (@watchcandyjar)
Secrets of Sin (@watchcandyjar)

Have you ever wondered what a production company actually does in the vertical space — the exciting opportunities 🎬, the creative wins ✨, and the real challenges behind the scenes?

I had the chance to sit down with Austin Herring @austinherring , CEO of Snow Story Productions @snowstoryproductions , for an in-depth conversation. With more than 60 verticals produced to date — alongside numerous commercials and other projects — Snow Story Productions has become one of the most established companies in the U.S. when it comes to developing and producing vertical content 📱.

We talk about the recurring challenges of vertical production ⚡, unpack the ever-important topic of scripts 📝, and explore what Austin considers to be a truly “sexy” character in the vertical space 💫. From creative development to on-set realities 🎥, we cover the many layers that go into bringing vertical stories to life.

People need a vision in order to turn it into reality ✨ — and that’s exactly why Austin and I didn’t just talk ideas, we made a deal.
Together, Austin Herring and I mapped out a true win-win scenario: shooting in Germany 🇩🇪, in one of its breathtaking castles 🏰, packed with a big dose of comedy 🎭 — and I’ve officially volunteered to take care of the catering 🍽️.
Let’s just say… it sounds more than promising 😉
A bold vision, a creative collaboration, and maybe the start of something truly spectacular 🎬✨

This episode offers a behind-the-camera look at vertical production like never before on the podcast 🎙️ — packed with valuable insights, honest reflections, and an engaging, entertaining conversation.

Enjoy listening! 🎧

Some Verticals produced by Snow Story Productions:

The CEO and the Country Girl (Dramawave, Reelshort)
The Sweetest Challenge (Dramashorts)
Blind Heiress (Dramashorts)
Good Girl Bad Biker (Dramshorts)
Poolboy (Reelshort)

🎊✨ It’s Lunar New Year — and we’re celebrating with a very special XXL episode! ✨🎊

In this multicultural deep dive, we explore the cultural differences and backgrounds between Eastern and Western verticals — in the best possible company: Jieun and Tiffany from the podcast "Talk Drama to Me" @talkdramatome 🎙️🌏

While Jieun has been part of the vertical space for quite some time, Tiffany is still fairly new to it — so new, in fact, that many actor names don’t ring a bell for her yet. 😄 But that’s exactly what makes it exciting: she approaches the storylines completely fresh, unbiased, and with a different perspective.

We chat about C- and K-Dramas 🎬🇨🇳🇰🇷, how they’ve expanded into Western markets, how entirely new vertical formats have emerged from them — and why key differences still remain. We also dive into cultures, traditions, and how they shape vertical storytelling in ways that don’t always translate across markets.

After Tiffany has to leave us a little early, Jieun and I continue the conversation, talking about what she personally loves about C- and K-Dramas, what she sees as the most significant differences, and where cultural nuances simply don’t transfer to Western audiences.

And of course:
✨ What storylines would we love to see more of?
📱 Which apps are currently impressing us with their content
🚀 And where do we think the vertical industry is headed next?

All this — and so much more — in this vibrant, cross-cultural XXL episode you definitely don’t want to miss! 🎧🌙