📘 New release: Short Drama Writing 101: From Industry Logic to Social Psychology — a 36-page practical guide on short dramas. Covers audience psychology, social trends, scriptwriting methods, paywalls, and ad-driven business models.

Available in English, French, Spanish and Portuguese

👉 Get your Eng copy here: 🔗 https://payhip.com/b/K82oz

👉 Available in multiple languages: payhip.com/ShortDramaAlliance

Christy Wang is a PGA producer, angel investor, and entrepreneur. She is the founder of Tiklatam, a cross-border MCN focused on short drama production and influencer-driven storytelling across the U.S., Mexico, and Brazil.

In this episode, Christy shares how she went from managing social media creators to producing high-performing vertical series in English, Spanish, and Portuguese. We talk about:

· How Latin America became a key hub for short drama production

· Her TikTok-native approach to casting, budgeting, and distribution

· The intersection of short drama, shoppable content, and e-commerce

· What platform partners are really looking for in genre stories

· How to localize Chinese-style drama structures for Western markets

Whether you’re an aspiring producer or platform strategist, this episode offers a global playbook for mobile-first storytelling.

📘 New release: Short Drama Writing 101: From Industry Logic to Social Psychology — a 36-page practical guide on short dramas. Covers audience psychology, social trends, scriptwriting methods, paywalls, and ad-driven business models.

Available in English, French, Spanish and Portuguese

👉 Get your Eng copy here: 🔗 https://payhip.com/b/K82oz

👉 Available in multiple languages: payhip.com/ShortDramaAlliance

In this episode, we talked with Brandan Dennehy, a pioneer in serialized audio and vertical storytelling, and the founder of Stratagem Content. With over a decade of experience shaping the future of scripted entertainment, Brandan has led the development and production of more than 10,000 hours of audio series, most notably during his time as Head of U.S. Content at Pocket FM, where he helped scale the platform into a global serialized audio leader.

Brandan’s career spans multiple intersections: from working as a writer and development executive in Hollywood to launching multi-language audio IPs, optimizing AI-powered story workflows, and spearheading mobile-native storytelling strategies. He’s worked closely with major tech platforms, brand partners, and international studios to transform bold ideas into engaging, binge-worthy series.

At Stratagem Content, Brandan now collaborates with creators and companies to bridge the gap between story, technology, and monetization. His current projects span vertical dramas, cinematic audio series, and AI-assisted storytelling pipelines that redefine how global audiences consume serialized fiction.

This conversation dives deep into:

• How Brandan helped shape the U.S. fiction audio market
• Lessons from scaling high-volume audio IPs and webnovel adaptations
• Why vertical drama is the next frontier for global entertainment
• The role of AI and data in story development
• What emerging writers and producers need to know today

If you’re curious about where storytelling is headed next — from your headphones to your phone screen — you won’t want to miss this episode.

Today’s episode features Chris Wicke, a 25-year veteran of the film and TV industry and the founder of Embr Entertainment.

Chris has been producing vertical mini dramas for platforms like ReelShort and Salty TV, with hits such as Truth or Dare (which ranked #4 on Salty TV) and Married to the Assassin. Before founding Embr, he produced vertical dramas at Be Here Media and has since built Embr Entertainment to focus exclusively on short drama production.

With a background spanning film, television, and digital formats, Chris brings both traditional production expertise and hands-on experience in the fast-evolving short drama market. He views short dramas as “feature-length films with 65 to 70 cliffhangers” and has been at the forefront of experimenting with genres like romance, horror, thriller, and action in the vertical format.

In this conversation, we explore:

· Why short dramas resonate so strongly with audiences

· How genres like horror and action translate to the vertical screen

· The challenges of adapting Chinese-influenced storytelling for U.S. viewers

· What genres and trends may define the next wave of short dramas

Chris’s perspective combines industry depth with a pioneering spirit in one of the most disruptive storytelling formats today.

In this episode, we feature a conversation from the Short Drama Forum 2025 Q3 Edition with Steph Tablizo, a Toronto-based multi-hyphenated director and producer reshaping vertical storytelling with cinematic flair, emotional depth, sharp pacing, and a no-compromise approach to short-form drama.

With nearly 15 years in film and media, Steph entered vertical dramas two years ago and has since worked on multiple series across Canada. She brings both creative and critical perspective, especially on how female creators can shape content in ways that resonate with predominantly female audiences.

Together, we discuss:

• How short dramas differ from traditional film and TV, with immediate hooks and addictive pacing.
• Why audiences embrace vertical dramas as quick escapes with high entertainment value.
• The role of data, tropes, and strong openings in creating hits.
• How female creators bring unique insights, ensuring safe practices and more empowered characters.
• Why Steph believes short dramas are the natural next step for Western markets.

In this episode, we feature a conversation from the Short Drama Forum 2025 Q3 Edition with Emma Wang, Executive Producer and Head of Content, and Ben Pengilly, CEO and Founder of On Set Octopus.

Emma Wang is the Executive Producer and Head of Content at Onset Octopus, where she leads the project-based writer team and oversees the full process from development to release. As an award-winning screenwriter, she has created multiple hit vertical dramas and brings strong bilingual expertise in both storytelling and execution.

Ben Pengilly is an award-winning bilingual producer with 15 years of experience in film and media, now specializing in English-language vertical dramas. As a leading figure in the UK short drama scene, his hit titles include Mafia Lover, Virgin’s Addiction, and Pride and Prejudice, known for delivering high-impact stories with efficiency and scale.

Together, they share insights on:

• Why short dramas are the “next step” in filmmaking, as addictive as social media itself.
• How genres like BL, Mafia, forbidden love, and British period dramas are reshaping the landscape.
• The differences in directing, acting, and scriptwriting for vertical content compared to traditional film.
• Why the UK and European markets are wide open and poised for massive growth in vertical storytelling.

In this episode, we sit down with Leonid (Leo) Ovdiienko, Co-Founder and CEO of Drama Shorts, one of the fastest-growing vertical drama platforms outside of Asia.

Leo started with Alpha Novel, a marketplace for web novels, and quickly pivoted into producing short dramas based on popular IP. Today, Drama Shorts is ranked among the top 15 players worldwide, with an ambitious goal to break into the top 3 this year. The company is producing over 50 exclusive titles across Europe, the U.S., and Ukraine — aiming to reach 100 by the end of the year.

In our conversation, Leo explains how his team defines vertical movies (not just “short dramas”), why pace and cliffhangers are essential to hook audiences, and which genres — from CEO romance to paranormal, detective, and fantasy — drive engagement. We also discuss the challenges of expanding into the U.S. market, the role of AI in script development, and what it takes to compete with Chinese platforms that dominate this space.

If you’re curious about the future of vertical storytelling and how a European challenger is reshaping the market, this episode is a must-listen.

Today’s episode features a conversation from the Short Drama Forum 2025 Q3 Edition, where I interviewed Dana Protsyshak, a Los Angeles-based filmmaker, former screenwriter, and founder of VertIGo. After years of writing and producing vertical content, Dana is now shifting her focus to building bridges across the global vertical drama industry.

In this episode, Dana shares her journey from storytelling to community-building and introduces the LA Vertical Drama Market, the first-ever in-person industry event dedicated to vertical dramas. We discuss why she believes platforms should move beyond billionaire-werewolf fantasies, how new genres like thrillers, LGBTQ+ stories, and comedies can unlock fresh opportunities, and her mission to connect creators, producers, and platforms worldwide.

Key topics we cover in this episode:

· Why Dana is launching the LA Vertical Drama Market

· From writer to industry connector: Dana’s personal journey

· The untapped potential of genres beyond fantasy romances

· Challenges and opportunities for vertical creators

· Building a global community for vertical storytelling

This episode offers an inside look at how vertical dramas are evolving from niche content to a global industry — and why Los Angeles is becoming a new hub for creators

Kate HE is a multidisciplinary storyteller born in Hangzhou and trained in both the U.S. and U.K., with a background in film, theatre, psychology, and mythology. She brings emotionally rich narratives to life across screen and stage, with recent short drama work including In My Sister’s Stead: The Reckoning.

In our discussion, Kate shares her insights on how women are shaping the future of vertical short dramas, bringing unique perspectives and creative approaches to storytelling. We also dive into the evolution of audience habits, cross-cultural production challenges, and the growing opportunities for female voices in the global short drama industry.

Key topics we cover in this episode:

• Why female creators are redefining vertical storytelling
• Kate’s approach to crafting emotionally rich narratives
• The rise of female-led teams in short drama productions
• How cross-cultural experiences shape creative perspectives
• What makes vertical dramas different from traditional formats
• Opportunities and challenges for women in the global content market

Whether you’re a creator, producer, or industry professional, this episode offers a unique lens on how female voices are reshaping the future of vertical dramas worldwide.