Vertical dramas are no longer an experiment — they’re becoming a real business.

In this episode of Next TMT Talks, hosts David Bloom and Daniel Frankel sit down with Dana Posyschak, a writer, director, producer, and founder of the LA Vertical Drama Market, to break down why short, vertical storytelling is exploding across Hollywood.

From low-cost production to new monetization models, this conversation explores how vertical dramas are reshaping content creation, talent pipelines, and studio strategy — and why this moment feels like a gold rush.

Topics covered:

Why vertical dramas are gaining traction in Hollywood
How this market differs from Quibi — and why it’s working
Monetization models: subscriptions, coins, and in-app purchases
SAG-AFTRA’s new contract for low-budget vertical productions
How creators use verticals as a testing ground for IP
Budget realities, crew sizes, and production economics
The influence of Chinese vertical drama models vs. U.S. filmmaking
What comes next for studios, apps, and independent creators

Next TMT Talks delivers smart conversations at the intersection of media, technology, telecom, and entertainment economics.

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00:00 The Rise of Vertical Dramas

02:32 Monetization and Market Dynamics

05:01 Cultural Differences in Content Creation

07:54 The Evolution of Vertical Dramas

10:24 Production Insights and Budgeting

12:39 The Future of Vertical Dramas

15:02 Industry Reactions and Cultural Commentary

22:53 Global Expansion of Sports and Entertainment

25:48 Market Dynamics and Antitrust Issues

28:03 The Murdoch Media Empire

33:44 Disney's Strategic Moves in Gaming

39:23 Challenges in the Data Center Market

44:39 Skepticism Towards Elon Musk's Ambitions

YouTube TV readies a $65 sports bundle, Netflix gets targeted by the Project 2025 guys, and Oracle gets over its hyperscaled skis

Next TMT Talks: The Intersection of Technology, Media and Telecom