Think vertical video is just for TikTok trends? Think again. There is a massive, multi-billion-dollar global industry quietly disrupting traditional filmmaking: Vertical Micro-Dramas.
Vertical micro-dramas are short scripted series made to be watched on a phone, in a vertical format. Episodes are usually only a minute or two long, with fast pacing, big emotions, and cliffhangers designed to keep viewers watching.
Backed by major international platforms like ReelShort and DramaBox, these 90-second, high-stakes episodic dramas are pulling in millions of viewers—and they are desperate for professional crews.
The Reality Check:
- $200k Average Budgets: These are paid, professional productions.
- Extreme Speed: 60 episodes shot in just 5 to 9 days.
- Rigid Formulas: No slow builds. Instant hooks and brutal cliffhangers.
They are becoming serious business. Short drama apps grew from $178 million in global in-app revenue in Q1 2024 to nearly $700 million in Q1 2025, with the U.S. now one of the strongest markets for apps like ReelShort, DramaBox, and GoodShort.
Join San Diego Media Pros for our June meeting, What’s Up With Verticals?
This meeting is a panel discussion with experienced vertical micro-drama professionals from San Diego and Los Angeles.
What you will learn
Our panelists will discuss what verticals are, why the format is growing, how these projects are being produced, and where the opportunities are in this growing production space.
Whether you are a DP looking to adapt your lighting for a 9:16 frame, a writer looking to master hyper-short form storytelling, or a producer looking to break into a heavily funded market, this workshop will give you the blueprint.
An open Q&A will follow the panel.
When
- Date:Tuesday, June 23, 2026
- Time: 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM
- The program starts at 6:30 pm
Where
Elijah's Restaurant
7061 Clairemont Mesa Blvd, San Diego, CA 92111
Please plan to order dinner - Elijah’s has a great menu.
Panelists
Shane Alexander is a professional stunt performer and filmmaker with 9 years of experience in the film and television industry. His background in action performance began at the age of 7 through martial arts training, which laid the foundation for his career in stunts and physical storytelling.
At 25, he attended the International Stunt School, where he trained in stunt performance, fight choreography, and on-set safety.
Over the course of his career, Shane has worked on a wide variety of productions ranging from major studio films and television projects to independent productions and streaming content.
Recently, he's worked for 2 years on almost verticals, mostly on the stunt side but has also helped with production, casting and locations.
Casey Jackson is a Santa Monica–based director working at the forefront of the vertical drama format, with 20+ micro drama series for leading international platforms and as a key creative partner to emerging U.S. clients. With a foundation in writing, editing, and producing, Jackson brings end-to-end creative insight to his projects, allowing him to consistently deliver content that performs both artistically and commercially. He is the recipient of VertiCon’s “Director’s Chair” award for Best Director, and continues to push the boundaries of what short-form storytelling can achieve.
Brian Bogart is a comedian, creator, and marketing strategist focused on the future of AI-native entertainment.
As Head of Marketing at LeyLine AI, he works with creators, filmmakers, and startups exploring new forms of scalable storytelling across vertical video, AI production pipelines, and emerging media platforms.
Currently completing his MBA at UCLA Anderson School of Management, Brian’s work centers on the intersection of technology, culture, and audience behavior in the next era of entertainment.
Robert Reber is a California-based filmmaker and virtual production specialist designing LED volume and XR stage workflows with Unreal Engine and Mo-Sys camera tracking.
Robert blends stunningly informed cinematography and real-time rendering to create photoreal environments for narrative, commercial, and nonfiction projects.
With a Master’s in New Media Journalism, Robert tackles technical shoots by prioritizing story, using clear visuals, and solving on-set problems efficiently.
Robert also teaches cinematography and field production as an adjunct at College of the Canyons, sharing virtual production practices with emerging filmmakers.
Thiago Carvalho is a Brazilian filmmaker, producer, and vertical drama director based in Los Angeles. His work spans feature films, web series, short-form content, and digital media, with extensive experience leading projects from development through delivery. Throughout his career, he has directed a feature film and multiple web series, produced three feature films, and overseen dozens of short films and digital productions. He is currently preparing the production and direction of three new vertical drama series scheduled for release within the next two months.
Known for building productions from the ground up, Thiago combines cinematic storytelling with the efficiency required for today’s mobile-first entertainment landscape. In addition to his production work, he serves as an official juror for both the Rio WebFest and the Los Angeles Web Series Festival, contributing to the recognition and advancement of innovative digital storytelling worldwide.
Notice
San Diego Media Pros is an educational non-profit organization and follows all laws and guidelines required for 501(c)(3) organizations. San Diego Media Pros meetings are for the professional exchange of educational information only.
Meeting topics and discussions may include technical or creative news, services that apply to the industry, training, national industry conferences, webinars and events, and Southern California film and media events.
Absolutely no political or religious discussions are permitted.
San Diego Media Pros may discuss fact-based educational information on laws such as AB5 as they pertain to the industry. Please be advised that any information shared is being offered courtesy of the original source and should not be relied upon as legal advice.
San Diego Media Pros reserves the right to terminate discussions deemed inappropriate, or that break the group rules.
Personal attacks, racist, sexist, homophobic or transphobic, religious, age, and other epithets or defamations will not be tolerated, and will get you banned from the group.
San Diego Media Pros is committed to providing a safe, inclusive, and harassment-free environment for everyone, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, race, or religion. We do not tolerate harassment of members, guests, or volunteers in any form.
For more information on the Code of Conduct and the San Diego Media Pros organization, please see the Policies and Procedures page on our website.
Please be advised that all virtual and live events hosted by San Diego Media Pros may be recorded and distributed for educational and promotional purposes. Your voluntary participation in such events authorizes and acknowledges San Diego Media Pro’s exclusive rights of ownership and use of all recordings.
