Let's talk about Verticals

From the theatre stages of Kansas to film sets in Los Angeles — Eric Lutz has always been driven by one essential thing: a vision. ✨🎭🎬

Born and raised in Kansas, Eric discovered his love for acting while studying theatre at Kansas State University. Today, he works as an actor, voice actor, and model and has appeared in traditional film and television productions, including a recurring co-star role in Netflix’s GLOW. Vertical audiences may recognize him as Theo Wilder in Boss Me Around If You Dare or as Evan Morgan in When We Meet Again. 📺📱⭐️

In this episode, Eric and I talk about visions, wishes, and the importance of knowing where you want your journey to take you — even when the road ahead is anything but predictable. 💭🌟 We discuss his transition from theatre to the screen, the types of characters he particularly enjoys portraying, and the roles he would still love to explore in the future. 🎭🔥

We also take a closer look at his German roots 🇩🇪 and, of course, the current situation surrounding AI in the Vertical industry. 🤖 What opportunities can AI offer? Where are the concerns? And how might it change the way Vertical productions are created in the years ahead? 🎬📲🔮

Naturally, this also gave me the perfect opportunity to share my own European Vertical vision — because anyone who knows me knows that I strongly believe visions need to be spoken out loud before they can become reality. 🇪🇺🎥✨

And since our conversations rarely stay entirely on topic, we somehow ended up discussing Eric’s rather questionable eating habits as well… which immediately cost him a few points with me. 😅🍽️🚩 Sorry, Eric! 😂

An open, thoughtful, and entertaining conversation about acting, ambition, AI, German connections, the future of the Vertical industry — and why having a vision might be the most important starting point of all. 🎙️💫

Some Verticals with Eric Lutz:

HOA, You've Been Overthrown by the Queen of Crownstone (Dramabox)
After Prison, Falling for the Billionaire Single Dad (Dramabox)
Your Money Can't Crush My Dignity (Kalos TV)
Alpha of Shadows: The Queen Returns (DreameShort)
Fired, Then I Won the Super Bowl (Dramabox)

#new #podcast #bts #community #vertical

It’s time for our 12th Monthly Recap — and this one is extra special!

We’re celebrating not only one year of Let’s Talk About Verticals, but also one full year of our Monthly Recaps with the ladies! What better way to mark this double anniversary than by getting together once again to look back at everything that happened in the Vertical world throughout August?

Alongside our familiar monthly categories, we also talk about the current shooting situation within the Vertical industry, how busy productions are at the moment, and which exciting new platforms have recently entered the Vertical Space — something we’re all very happy to see!

Of course, we also reveal which performances made our hearts beat faster, which Verticals truly impressed us, and which ones frustrated or disappointed us. So, you definitely won’t want to miss this special anniversary conversation!

Joining the discussion:

* Michaela (Host) — @lets_talk_about_verticals
* Aline — @i.love.verticals
* Dalia — @verticalfilmslover
* Shikha Dia — @verticalviewweekly
* Caitlyn — @verticait

Our Monthly Recap gives you direct insight into the audience’s perspective: 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 the discussion open, honest, and unfiltered — celebrating everything we love about the Vertical industry while also highlighting where there is clear room for improvement.

A wonderfully entertaining, refreshingly honest, and critically reflective anniversary conversation you won’t want to miss. 🎙️✨

Here’s to one year of Let’s Talk About Verticals, one year of Monthly Recaps, and many more exciting conversations to come! 🥂🎉

Enjoy listening!

#podcast #new #community #vertical #bts

🎙️ In this episode of Let’s Talk About Verticals, I’m joined by actress and fellow dog mom Ali Hamilton! @aliraehamilton

Born in South Bend, Indiana, and raised primarily in Cleveland, Ohio, Ali studied at Ohio University before moving to Los Angeles to pursue acting. There, she completed a two-year Meisner Technique and Scene Study program and went on to work in commercials, short films, feature films and, of course, Vertical Dramas.

Before we even pressed record, Ali and I had already spent around one and a half hours talking about our beloved dogs, life and quite a few personal things. 🐾 So, by the time the actual recording began, this already felt much more like continuing a wonderful conversation than starting an interview.

Ali’s journey into the Vertical world happened almost by accident. A casting director approached her and simply asked whether she would like to attend an open casting call — and that unexpected invitation opened the door to an industry she has since truly fallen in love with.

Since then, Ali has appeared in numerous Verticals, including Idiot Boss Fired Me, Turn the Damn Bus Around, The Mafia’s Innocent Lover and I Slept with My Three Werewolf Stepsons. She loves getting the opportunity to step into completely different characters — although, more often than not, she finds herself cast as the villain. 😈 While she clearly knows how to make audiences love to hate her, she would also love to expand her range within the Vertical Space and explore even more diverse roles in the future.

We talk about the characters she has enjoyed playing the most, the lessons she has already learned along the way and what makes this fast-moving, wonderfully unique Vertical world so special to her.

And somehow, our conversation eventually ends with schnitzel and ABBA music — which honestly feels like the perfect conclusion to this wonderfully refreshing, warm and entertaining conversation. ✨

Some Verticals with Ali Hamilton:

Ditched My Cheater Husband for His Billionaire Brother (@shortmax_app)
Idiot Boss Fired Me (@idramatv)
Dragon Firefighter and His Love (@flareflowapp)

#new #podcast #bts #community #vertical

🎙️ In this episode of Let’s Talk About Verticals, I’m joined by actor Jason Caceres — one of the true veterans of the Vertical Space, with more than 100 vertical productions already under his belt! 🤯🎬

Born and raised in Miami as the son of Cuban immigrants, Jason discovered acting at a young age. What initially began as a way for a shy child to come out of his shell eventually developed into a genuine passion. He later earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre Performance from Florida International University before facing an important post-college realization: New York’s temperatures and this sun-loving human were simply not meant for each other. ☀️🥶 So, he traded the East Coast cold for Los Angeles — and has now been successfully working there as an actor for many years.

Alongside his enormous body of work in Verticals, Jason’s career also includes appearances in well-known television productions such as Criminal Minds, Hacks, Pam & Tommy, Insatiable and Kidding. He has also become a recognizable presence in queer storytelling through projects including Boy Culture: Generation X, Open To It and Laid Bare.

During our conversation, Jason takes us behind the scenes of his remarkable Vertical journey. We talk about the sometimes stupid titles, how the industry has changed over the course of more than 100 productions, what keeps him returning to this fast-moving format and what he has learned from working with so many different teams, platforms and characters.

And while Los Angeles remains his home base, Jason has become more than comfortable packing his suitcase and traveling abroad for Vertical shoots. 🌍✈️ For him, international productions offer not only exciting new projects, but also the opportunity to experience different working environments, creative approaches and cultures.

A warm, entertaining and insightful conversation you shoudn't miss. 🎭🎬✨

Some Verticals with Jason Caceres:

You've Been Replaced, First Love (Reelshort)
Watch Out! I Call the Final Shots (Dramabox)
Five Years Behind Bars, My Family Begs (Flickreels)
Not Your Daughter Tonight (iDrama)

#new #podcast #bts #community #vertical

🎙️ In this episode of Let’s Talk About Verticals, I’m joined by the wonderfully talented Thresa Richardson @thresa_richardson — actress, writer, producer, director and the newly crowned “Matriarch of the Year 2025.” 👑✨

Thresa is a true multi-hyphenate whose creative journey has taken many fascinating turns. Before audiences came to know and love her in front of the camera, she was a classically trained vocalist, worked in television production on animated children’s shows and spent many years as a vocal coach and piano teacher.

During our conversation, Thresa takes us back to the beginning of her acting journey and shares how her wide-ranging experiences eventually led her to the Vertical Drama world. We talk about the genres she especially enjoys, the kinds of characters she would still love to explore and which roles she hopes to bring to life in the future. 🎬

Of course, we also take a closer look at the constantly evolving world of Verticals. Where might the industry be heading? What could still be improved when it comes to storytelling, production quality, working conditions and the overall viewing experience? And with more and more platforms entering the market, how do we navigate all the different options — and what does this growing variety mean for both audiences and the people working within the Vertical Space? 📱

It was a thoughtful, honest and truly wonderful conversation filled with personal stories, shared observations and exciting ideas about the future of Verticals. Thresa’s warmth, humor and wealth of experience made this an episode I definitely wouldn’t have wanted to miss. 🫶🏻

Tune in and get to know the remarkable woman behind some of our favorite on-screen matriarchs — and discover just how many creative hats Thresa Richardson wears beyond the screen! 🎧✨

Some Verticals with Thresa Richardson:

Accidentally Married My Boss (@shortical)
Do Not Mess with the Pampered Mom (@kalostvapp)
My CEO In-Law Chose Me Over Her Son (@dramawave_official)
Fairy Fae Kingdom (@flareflowapp)

#new #podcast #bts #community #vertical