Inside Vertical Short Dramas

In this interview, I speak with Jeshua Manu, Co-founder and Producer of VertiPlay, New Zealand’s first vertical drama production company. We discuss how New Zealand is building its place in the global short drama industry, the opportunities for local creators, and where the next wave of vertical storytelling is heading.
Topics include: • Why New Zealand is becoming an emerging destination for vertical drama production
• Casting actors for short dramas and adapting traditional acting styles
• What kinds of stories resonate with audiences in New Zealand and Australia
• Building original IP for the global short drama market
• Government support, production incentives, and industry development
• The unique advantages women bring to the short drama industry
• AI as a creative tool in short drama production • Why human storytelling still matters in the age of AI
• The future of vertical storytelling and the global short drama ecosystem
If you’re a producer, writer, investor, platform, or creator interested in the international development of short dramas, this conversation offers valuable insights from one of the pioneers building the industry in New Zealand.
#VerticalDrama #ShortDrama #MicroDrama #NewZealand #FilmProduction #AI #Storytelling #Entertainment #FilmIndustry #duanju

🌍 Short Drama Alliance — Learning Resources & Industry Insights

📘 Essential Industry Book
Short Drama Writing 101: Write What Platforms Want
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FX45ZXK7

📙 Self-Paced Online Course
Short Drama Writing 101: A Practical Course with Real Case Studies
https://maggie-han.mykajabi.com/short-drama-bootcamp-1?preview_theme_id=2166150379

🎬 4-Week Online Bootcamp (with Real Feedback)
Short Drama Bootcamp
https://maggie-han.mykajabi.com/short-drama-bootcamp

🌏 Industry & China Market Insights
Future Playbook: China’s Short Drama Ecosystem and Insights for Global Business
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FX5QBY3Y

This interview is part of the Short Drama Forum 2026 Q2 Online Forum. I spoke with Victor Potrel, Executive of External Strategy at TheSoul Publishing / SHRT, about how AI is shaping the future of vertical storytelling, production, distribution, and monetization.
In this conversation, we discuss:
• Why “short drama” is evolving into serialized vertical content
• How AI is changing production workflows • Why social media distribution is becoming increasingly important
• How audience data from YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok can guide content decisions
• The opportunities and limitations of AI-generated short dramas
• What the future of vertical storytelling may look like
#ShortDrama #VerticalDrama #AIFilmmaking #CreatorEconomy #AI #SHRT #duanju #SHRT

🌍 Short Drama Alliance — Learning Resources & Industry Insights

📘 Essential Industry Book
Short Drama Writing 101: Write What Platforms Want
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FX45ZXK7

📙 Self-Paced Online Course
Short Drama Writing 101: A Practical Course with Real Case Studies
https://maggie-han.mykajabi.com/short-drama-bootcamp-1?preview_theme_id=2166150379

🎬 4-Week Online Bootcamp (with Real Feedback)
Short Drama Bootcamp
https://maggie-han.mykajabi.com/short-drama-bootcamp

🌏 Industry & China Market Insights
Future Playbook: China’s Short Drama Ecosystem and Insights for Global Business
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FX5QBY3Y

Can AI really replace filmmakers? In this interview, I speak with Vicent Llopis, Executive Creative Director at UNSHOT, an AI-focused production company based in Los Angeles.
Drawing on more than 25 years of experience in advertising and filmmaking, Vicent shares how AI is transforming commercial production, hybrid filmmaking, and vertical micro dramas.
In this conversation, we discuss: • Why AI should be viewed as a creative partner, not a replacement for filmmakers
• The biggest differences between AI commercials and AI micro dramas
• How professional filmmakers use AI differently from beginners
• Why storytelling and creativity still matter more than prompts
• The future of hybrid production and AI-powered filmmaking
• How AI could expand new genres for vertical dramas Whether you’re a filmmaker, screenwriter, AI creator, or interested in the future of entertainment, this conversation offers practical insights into where the industry is heading.

🌍 Short Drama Alliance — Learning Resources & Industry Insights

📘 Essential Industry Book
Short Drama Writing 101: Write What Platforms Want
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FX45ZXK7

📙 Self-Paced Online Course
Short Drama Writing 101: A Practical Course with Real Case Studies
https://maggie-han.mykajabi.com/short-drama-bootcamp-1?preview_theme_id=2166150379

🎬 4-Week Online Bootcamp (with Real Feedback)
Short Drama Bootcamp
https://maggie-han.mykajabi.com/short-drama-bootcamp

🌏 Industry & China Market Insights
Future Playbook: China’s Short Drama Ecosystem and Insights for Global Business
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FX5QBY3Y

In this interview, I talk with a short drama reviewer and founder of Vertical Films Lover, who has watched more than 2,000 vertical dramas and analyzed hundreds of titles across major platforms.
We discuss: • Why short dramas are so addictive
• The importance of hooks and cliffhangers
• What audiences really look for in characters and stories
• How reviewers can provide valuable insights for creators and producers
• The future of AI-generated short dramas
• Why stronger female characters matter in the genre As the short drama industry continues to grow globally, understanding audience behavior is becoming increasingly important for creators, platforms, and producers.
#duanju #ShortDrama #VerticalDrama #MicroDrama

🌍 Short Drama Alliance — Learning Resources & Industry Insights

📘 Essential Industry Book
Short Drama Writing 101: Write What Platforms Want
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FX45ZXK7

📙 Self-Paced Online Course
Short Drama Writing 101: A Practical Course with Real Case Studies
https://maggie-han.mykajabi.com/short-drama-bootcamp-1?preview_theme_id=2166150379

🎬 4-Week Online Bootcamp (with Real Feedback)
Short Drama Bootcamp
https://maggie-han.mykajabi.com/short-drama-bootcamp

🌏 Industry & China Market Insights
Future Playbook: China’s Short Drama Ecosystem and Insights for Global Business
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FX5QBY3Y

What happens when short drama actors become more accessible to fans than traditional film and television stars? In this interview, Wenwen speaks with Jaxx—widely known in the industry as the “Vertical Godmother”—about the rapid development and professionalization of the global vertical drama industry.
Based in Amsterdam, Jaxx works across talent mentoring, production, industry development, and international collaboration. She has become known for connecting actors, producers, casting professionals, platforms, and other members of the growing vertical drama ecosystem.
The conversation explores:
• Why vertical drama is an emotional product—and “soap opera on steroids”
• How actors can build their social media presence while maintaining healthy boundaries with fans
• The risks created by parasocial relationships and unrestricted access to talent • Why actors need professional representation, management, and media training
• The contribution of women to vertical drama—and why female leads deserve greater recognition and fairer compensation
• What Europe can bring to the industry through its talent, cultures, locations, brands, and storytelling diversity
• Why vertical drama should evolve without becoming traditional film or television
• How AI can support production without replacing human emotional connection
• Why the future of short drama will depend on better storytelling, broader genres, stronger communities, and deeper industry collaboration
Jaxx also shares her vision for a European production ecosystem that is globally connected while remaining culturally authentic.

🌍 Short Drama Alliance — Learning Resources & Industry Insights

📘 Essential Industry Book
Short Drama Writing 101: Write What Platforms Want
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FX45ZXK7

📙 Self-Paced Online Course
Short Drama Writing 101: A Practical Course with Real Case Studies
https://maggie-han.mykajabi.com/short-drama-bootcamp-1?preview_theme_id=2166150379

🎬 4-Week Online Bootcamp (with Real Feedback)
Short Drama Bootcamp
https://maggie-han.mykajabi.com/short-drama-bootcamp

🌏 Industry & China Market Insights
Future Playbook: China’s Short Drama Ecosystem and Insights for Global Business
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FX5QBY3Y