Let's talk about Verticals

Michaela Bergmann

A Podcast with people who are part in the vertical industry, whether actors, producers, directors, fans, streaming platforms, etc.

Everyone is welcome to talk with me about the big, wide world of verticals. About life with and in this world, its bright and dark sides.

Be excited for wonderful real talk paired with humor, charm but the necessary seriousness 🎙️

Subscribe Listen in podnod RSS feed Show website

119 episodes
Updated Monday

Episodes119

Newest first

February 11 · 1 hr 32 min
58 - Nic Westaway - He sailed on the First Vertical Pirate Ship...
In this episode, I sat down with Nic Westaway for an in-depth conversation. The Australian-born actor now lives in Canada and, after several years on the Australian TV series Home and Away, has found his way into the Canadian and vertical storytelling world. He talks about his very first encounter with the vertical space and how, almost like a snowball effect ❄️, more and more roles started to come his way. Whether as a caring father 👨‍👧, a somewhat malicious husband 😈, a president 🇺🇸, or a blue-collar worker 🛠️—Nic has appeared in a wide range of characters and brings them to life beautifully every time. Most recently, he was part of the very first Pirate Vertical 🏴‍☠️, which has already been filmed and is currently in post-production. We’re all eagerly waiting for it! He shares what it was like to portray a pirate, partially work as a co-director 🎬, and what made this pirate vertical shoot so special. A role he’d still love to play? A vampire 🧛‍♂️! Which clearly means—we need more productions in that genre (and honestly, I’d love to see that too 😍). Nic has also started writing vertical scripts himself and is always interested in what audiences want to see, what they can do without, and what truly resonates 📱🎥. Looking ahead, he’s aiming to secure a visa for the U.S., which would allow him to explore verticals and their potential in America 🇺🇸. Shoots in Europe? Absolutely—Nic is always open to that 🌍. Hopefully, 2026 will open up exciting and big new opportunities for him ✨. Want to know more about the Pirate Vertical and Nic Westaway? Then you definitely shouldn’t miss this podcast episode! 🎧🔥 Some verticals with Nic Westaway: Breaking Chains for a new Life (Stardust)Wake up Daddy! Mommy is dying (Netshort)Mommy why does Daddy hate me? (Dramawave)Thanksgiving with Mom and Dad (Dramawave)The Divorced Navy Queen Awakens (Joyreels) And don't forget to like and share!
February 10 · 1 hr 25 min
57 - Elijah van Zanten - Verticals. Villains. Cheeseburgers. 🍔😈🎬
After chatting away for more than two hours before hitting record, Elijah van Zanten @elijahvanzanten and I still managed to sit down for a solid hour of mostly serious talk about Verticals and their role in his life 🎬😅 Elijah booked the lead role for his very first Vertical — even though he admittedly had no real idea on set what he was actually doing at the time 🙃. Apparently, he handled it pretty damn well, because otherwise he wouldn’t have gone on to book so many more leads and roles since then — and become a true fixture in the Vertical space ⭐️. Elijah now knows exactly what he loves about Verticals, which roles he enjoys most (and least), and we both immediately discover a shared villain connection 😈🤝. He also reveals why it’s best to leave him alone for a bit after waking up in the morning ☕️😴, and what he needs on set to really feel comfortable and in his zone 🎭 Where to find his karaoke-singing videos online remains a mystery 🎤👀 (I’ll have to investigate), but he did promise to show up chic and sharp in a suit for the next episode 🕴️✨. We also talk about how Elijah would prepare for a psychopath role, whether it’s sometimes hard for him to be nice 😏, what else the self-confessed cheeseburger junkie loves to eat 🍔❤️ — and so much more.This refreshingly honest and fun episode is one you definitely don’t want to miss 🎧🔥 Some verticals with Elijah van Zanten: Step aside Ex - she's the hidden Lycan Queen (@dreameshort)The perfect Play (@kalostvapp)Legally bound to love (@flextv_official_us)Lady Shark in Law (@mobo_reels)After Divorce the Billionaure crushed on me (@flareflowapp) And don't forget to like and share!
February 9 · 1 hr 14 min
56 - Ryan Larson - The one and only Alpha Mafia Dom of the Vertical Universe 😈✨
Today’s conversation really has it all. From the mafia to BDSM, piracy, and deep psychological talks — plus even a few potential drinking games — Ryan Larson and I covered so many different topics. And what can I say? It was wonderful! ✨🎙️ Ryan, who describes himself as a “nice guy,” already appeared in one of the very first werewolf Verticals back in February 2022. In his own words, that makes him the original alpha among all werewolves 🐺👑. But his Vertical career has since grown far beyond that, including a wide range of characters he has brought to life. From various mafia leaders 💼🔫 and extraordinary blood-splattered scenes 🩸 to appearing multiple times as a Dom in BDSM Verticals 🔥⛓️ — Ryan has done it all. One question that had been on the tip of my tongue for a long time — “How do you actually prepare for something like that?” — was answered by Ryan, along with how he best mentally and emotionally wraps up a shoot, especially after intense or emotional scenes 🧠❤️.After years in modeling, Ryan has found his true fulfillment, joy, and passion in acting 🎭. He would love to add roles in genres like piracy 🏴‍☠️ or westerns 🤠 to his acting list in the future. Which of his Verticals would Ryan love to turn into an Instagram Live combined with a drinking game? 🍹📱 And what homework did Ryan give me to take away with me?All of this and so much more can be heard in this wonderfully refreshing conversation. Enjoy listening! 🎧✨ Some released Verticals with Ryan Larson: The Alpha’s kept woman (FlareFlow)Stitches of Regret, the mistaken Heartbeat (FlexTV)Drowning in the Past (Joyreels)The CEO’s Maid turned out to be the Heiress (Kalos TV) Mr. DIazs Deaf Bride (Shortmax) And don't forget to like and share! #vertical #podcast #new #verticals #community
February 7 · 1 hr 23 min
55 - JC Ann - Music, Verticals, and Pure Passion...
What is it like to kick off an acting career at full speed with a vertical production? 🚀🎬 In today’s episode, the lovely actress and singer JC Ann answers this question—along with many others 🎙️✨As she says about herself, JC is someone who likes things fast, structured, and straight to the point. That’s exactly why the pace of vertical shoots suits her perfectly ⚡📋—to the point where feature film productions shooting only three to four pages a day can sometimes feel almost too slow for her 😅. Alongside several lead roles, JC has often played the antagonist in verticals 😈. She loves the subtle wickedness of these characters and the flexibility that allows her to slip into many different personalities 🎭🔥. She also wishes more of her fellow actors had the same opportunity, instead of being constantly boxed into the same type of role. Through the sheer number of vertical shoots, JC has grown significantly as an actress. She even admits that she can now cry almost on command 😢. A friend of hers, Taylor, once shared the ultimate “how to cry instantly” tip—which JC reveals exclusively in this podcast episode 👀🎧. Thanks to Tess Dinerstein, music-loving JC also started creating playlists for her vertical characters 🎶🎬 to fully immerse herself in each role—and she calls it one of the best ideas she’s ever had. After living in Copenhagen, Denmark for six months 🇩🇰, JC confesses to having a soft spot for Danish mulled wine and German currywurst 🌭🍷 and says she would absolutely love to return to Europe—especially if she could combine it with a vertical shoot ✈️🎥. Her dream role? Starring as the lead in a film or vertical where she also gets to sing, and even better—write the music herself 🎤🎼. The perfect fusion of the two things she lives and breathes with passion: acting and music ❤️🎭🎵. Some released Verticals with JC Ann: Marry me by Christmas (Shorts)Bad Boy’s Tutor (Dramapops)They Love me too late (Dramabox)That Makes Two of Us (Dramabox)Matrimoney (Vigloo) And don't forget to like and share!
February 4 · 1 hr 15 min
54 - Corbin Timbrook - Forever the Billionaire Vertical Father...
Today’s conversation takes me back to another true veteran of the vertical scene: Corbin Timbrook 🎬 Many know him for his numerous patriarch roles, where—as he likes to say himself—he often plays a wealthy father or grandfather trying to get one of his sons “settled down” 😉. Corbin openly admits that he enjoys playing the bad guy 😈. In his experience, those roles are usually written with more depth, offer greater creative freedom, and ultimately allow him to truly make the character his own—which makes them a lot more fun to play.Since the early 2000s, Corbin has expanded far beyond acting. He has also worked as a film producer, director, and screenwriter, primarily in the horror genre 🩸🎥. Having seen the film industry from so many different angles, he knows just how tough the business can be. Along the way, he also finds it both funny and fascinating how dramatically vertical titles have evolved over the years 🤯. We chat about the little aches and pains that sometimes start to show up during shoots as the years go by 💪🦴, as well as the fact that storylines are often recycled—sometimes without even changing the characters or their names. His dream for a new vertical or genre? A trip to the Wild West 🤠🐎. Corbin would love to play a sheriff in an old-school Western vertical and dive into the rough, dusty world of saloons, horses, cowboys, and lassos 🌵🔥. 🎧✨ Enjoy listening! Some released Verticals with Corbin Timbrook: Verticals: Swan Queen Dancing Back into His Arms (Goodshorts)Marry Me By Christmas (Shorts)Dady Don’t Go, Please Save Mommy (Dramabox)Heartstrings and Lies (Dramabox)Bound by Blood: The Mafia Kings Sweetheart (Dramabox) And don't forget to like and share! #vertical #podcast #new #verticals #community
February 2 · 1 hr 40 min
53 - Fantalk - January Recap - The 2026 Vertical start with a yo-yo effect...
We’ve officially kicked off the Vertical year 2026, and of course we’ll be continuing our Monthly Recaps this year as well! 🎬📅 Once again, we openly and honestly discuss what really didn’t work for us during the month, what disappointed us, what were absolute no-gos, and who or what completely captivated us with an outstanding performance. 🔥😬Joining us this time are: Aline @i.love.verticals Dalia @verticalfilmslover Shikha Dia @verticalviewweekly Caitlyn @verticait We all agree that the start of the new Vertical year came with a bit of a yo-yo effect 🎢 — bringing a wide range of Verticals, storylines, and very diverse opinions along with it. As always, we also covered our regular categories:🎭 Actor/Actress of the Month 🎬 Supporting Role of the Month 🏆 Vertical of the Month 💩 Crap Vertical of the Month This episode also comes with a historic milestone 🚨: Caitlyn experienced her very first DNF Vertical ever! 😱 Which Vertical it was — and which one led to an instant DNF for all three of us who watched it — is revealed in this episode, of course with open, honest feedback and clear reasons. 🗣️❌ What we enjoyed watching and listening to in January, and what we’re now hoping for and eagerly waiting on in February 👀✨ — you’ll find out all of that and so much more in our January 2026 Monthly Recap! 🎧 Tune in and enjoy listening! And don't forget to like and share!
January 31 · 1 hr 12 min
52 - Fantalk - Angel (vertical.film.enthusiast) - A big vertical supporter since day one...
🎙️ It’s time for a brand-new Fantalk episode! This time, I’m joined by the enchanting Angel ✨. Besides her Instagram profile, she also runs several fan pages. If it were up to her, she’d manage more than 300 fan pages – simply because she wants to give everyone the attention they truly deserve 💖.Angel, just like myself, has been part of the audience since the very beginning, so we’ve both watched a lot of verticals over the years 📱🎬. We agree on one thing: we’re not big fans of certain cliffhangers 😅 – and yes, she has also struggled more than once with watching Chinese-language verticals 😉.How much time does she spend every day on all her vertical Instagram activities? 👉 A lot! But her content is absolutely worth it 🙌. From her weekly “Weekend Watchlist”, to in-depth reviews, all the way to interviews she occasionally conducts with creatives – things never get boring with Angel ✨.Alongside a small love confession to Michael Vaccaro ❤️, she also shares her wish for more creative freedom for actors, especially when it comes to bringing scripts to life. We talk about that, too. We also dive into which verticals made her cry 😭 and why some stories are particularly triggering for her.And as if that wasn’t enough, we also decide to plan a joint visit to Europa-Park 🎢🎡. Anyone who’d like to join us is more than welcome! 😊
January 28 · 1 hr 11 min
51 - Luke Brewer - The Helicopter Man of the Vertical Space....
🎙️ New Podcast Episode – Goofy, Honest & a Little Bit Crazy 🤪✨In the latest episode of the podcast, I’m talking with actor Luke Brewer 🎭🔥 about Verticals, villains, and why taking creative risks really matters. After his very first Vertical shoot felt a bit weird 😅, Luke now does them regularly—and absolutely loves it 💥📱. He’s even written several Vertical scripts himself, just waiting to be brought to life 🎬✍️. Luke is eager to be booked for a sports vertical 🏀⚽ and is known for giving every role a special twist—nothing too classic, nothing too stiff. He enjoys playing crazy, edgy characters 🤡🖤, especially the ones the audience doesn’t necessarily like because… well, villains are fun 😈. We also bond over our shared frustration that the industry still clings to traditional storylines 📜 and rarely dares to take risks on new, bold stories 🚀. According to Luke, that needs to change—urgently. Why is Luke Brewer actually called Luke Brewer? 🍺💡 What’s the deal with being a light- and beer-bringer? And why does he think we desperately need more dead people? 💀😳 All that—and a lot more—in this goofy, honest, and slightly unhinged podcast episode 😉🎧👉 Tune in now! Some Verticals with Luke Brewer: I Bore a Child for My Hubby's Mistress (iDrama)From Beaten Daughter to Badass Lawyer (KalosTV)The Final Goodbye to the Closest Kin (Goodshort)The Divorced Heiress Claims Her Crown (ShortMax)Big Bad Daddy Your Busted! (Dramabox)
January 24 · 1 hr 22 min
50 - Ryan Watson Henderson - Twilight walked so that Verticals could run....
😂🎙️ Humor, Fun Facts & Real Talk from the Vertical World This episode is packed with laughs, behind-the-scenes fun facts, and also some serious conversations from the Vertical universe. I met Ryan Watson Henderson @ryguywatson for an online chat 💻✨. After almost two hours off the record talking and laughing about pretty much everything (with more insights shared later in the BTW on Instagram 📸), we also dove into the sometimes serious sides of life and work in the Vertical World. Ryan started his Vertical career at a relatively young age. After filming his very first show with the wonderfully crazy Vertical title “My Husband Killed Me and Then I Won the Megaball” 🤯🎰, he quickly plunged into the werewolf and vampire genre 🐺🧛‍♂️. Since then, he has appeared in numerous Verticals and shares plenty of memorable—and sometimes wild—on-set experiences 🎬🔥. We talk about his absolute script no-gos 🚫📄, the expectations placed on him in certain scenes, and why he’s occasionally been labeled a diva 💅—especially when he’s asked to do things he doesn’t feel comfortable with. His dream Vertical? A Vertical parody or a music Vertical 🎶🎭, where he could combine acting with his passion for music. Since dreams need budgets 💸, we also explore different ways to raise money for such projects. And then comes the ultimate question 🤔: Why did Travis Harrington want to leave the county, the money, and the castles behind? 🏰💰 Whether we find an answer, which classic Vertical phrases we lovingly roast 😂, and an exclusive fun fact from a Vertical shoot—you’ll hear it all, only in this episode 🎧🔥 Some Verticals with Ryan Watson Henderson: Almost Lover (@dramabox_us) Merry Prince-Mas! (@flareflowapp) Married the Don You Threw Away (@netshortdrama) Never Divorce A Billionaire Wife (@flareflowapp) Chatterbox Sweetheart and the Silent CEO (@flareflowapp) And don't forget to like and share!
January 21 · 1 hr 5 min
49 - Anthony Darvall - A little bit of wickedness never hurts in the Vertical World...
🇦🇺✨ Down Under Again! In this episode, we head back to Australia to talk with Australian Vertical actor Anthony Darvall 🎭 @anthonydarvall Anthony was already part of only the second Vertical ever filmed in Australia, and since then he has appeared in several Verticals as a regular cast member. He sees huge potential for Vertical filming locations Down Under 🌏🎬 and hopes the Vertical culture will continue to grow and evolve there. Originally planning to become a dinosaur researcher 🦖, everything changed thanks to Johnny Depp and Pirates of the Caribbean 🏴‍☠️. Inspired, Anthony graduated from the Actors College of Theatre and Television and began his career, among other things, on the theatre stage. He still occasionally misses the unique, direct connection with a live audience 🎟️❤️. His true passion lies in vampire Verticals 🧛‍♂️🩸 and the dark characters he gets to portray. He would love to see more Verticals of this genre return. And villains? He absolutely loves playing them 😈—because, in his opinion, a little bit of wickedness never hurts… even in real life 😉 A wonderful conversation about acting, life Down Under, and the dark personalities of the Vertical World 🌑🎥🎙️ Some Verticals with Anthony Darvall: I leashed a CEO (@reelshortapp) My Husband is an American Hero (Stardust TV) Midlife Flash Marriage: My Billionaire CEO (@reelshortapp) Cinderellas Royal Secret (@kalostvapp) Vampires Forbidden Kiss (@vigloo_official)
January 17 · 1 hr 9 min
48 - Gabe Armentano - The Creative All-Rounder in the (Vertical) Film World...
🎙️✨ After usually finding ourselves in completely different time zones — and with Gabe Armentano busy filming several projects — we finally managed to sit down for a truly wonderful conversation. Gabe first lived in New York to pursue acting, where he felt at home in a lovely shared apartment with the matriarch Catherine. After her passing, he moved on to Los Angeles, where — after some initial skepticism — he auditioned for his very first vertical casting call. 🎬 Since his first role in a werewolf vertical about 1.5 years ago, Gabe has stepped into many more verticals, portraying a wide range of characters. Beyond the United States, he has already filmed six verticals in China 🇨🇳 and shares his impressions of working there — especially when it comes to long on-set working hours. We also talk about script no-gos, his career dreams, his love for storytelling, and the European countries he’s still eager to visit — particularly because of his European roots 🌍 🎭 What genres he’s excited to explore or continue exploring in the vertical world, why he loves cycling 🚴‍♂️, and what the “Gabe’s Intimacy Guide” is all about — along with many other fascinating topics — can be heard in this episode. 🎧✨ Enjoy listening! Some Verticals with Gabe Armentano: Find me Mr. President (Dramawave)When broken hearts beat again (Dreameshort)Out of Prison, Out of Blood Ties (Flareflow)Fated to My Cursed Alpha (Kalos TV)Help! I Fell for My Billionaire Target (Shortswave)
January 14 · 48 min
47 - Eric Guilmette - The Vertical Legend who loves soul moments...
🌟🎙️ You don’t meet legends every day — but I was lucky enough to welcome the officially crowned Vertical Legend, Eric Guilmette @erictaylorguilmette to my podcast. You could say Eric has been part of the vertical world from the very beginning. He found his way into verticals early on and later went on to “infect” other now well-known vertical actors like Kristine Kay Larsen and Fabian Arnold with the vertical bug. 🦠🎬 Eric talks about how his career has evolved since then, why 2025 has been an absolutely crazy year filled with endless opportunities, projects, and experiences, and how likely he thinks it is that he might ever grow tired of it all. 🚀✨ Not only does he shine as an actor in countless verticals, but he has also started producing himself — becoming the change he wants to see in the vertical world by creating better storylines and bringing his own dream roles to life. 🎥✍️ Beyond acting and producing, Eric also published his very first book, “Sex and Oatmeal,” in 2025 📚 — and as if that weren’t enough, his jewelry collection has already been making people happy all around the world. 💍🌍 A true all-rounder bursting with creativity and energy, who — thanks in part to his amazing community @eric_guilmette_fandom — never loses sight of himself or the many “soul moments,” as he calls them, even amidst all the work. 💫🧘‍♂️ 💬✨ A wonderful conversation you absolutely shouldn’t miss! Some Verticals with Eric Guilmette: My Ex becomes my Gynecologist (@dreameshort) I Slept with My Three Werewolf Stepsons (Tallflix) Goodbye After 99 Forgiveness (@flareflowapp) Love & Blood (@reelshortapp) Dungeons of Ecstasy (@reelshortapp) How We Measure Guilt in Bed (@dreameshort) And don't forget to like and share!
January 10 · 1 hr 29 min
46 - Daniel Bateman - From Broadway to Vertical Drama...
🎭✨ Who doesn’t dream of Broadway as an artist? My guest today no longer has to dream about it — he has already performed on Broadway before eventually diving into the world of verticals and film. 🎬 Daniel Bateman joined me for a conversation where we talk about what fascinates him about working in film and vertical productions, what he misses most from his time in theater, and — most importantly — what he pays close attention to when choosing casting calls.Having played both lead and lead antagonist roles, Daniel speaks openly and honestly about why he often finds the pay offered for antagonist roles unfair compared to lead roles. 💬⚖️ 👀 Daniel enjoys watching some of his verticals after they’re released — but like many of us, he’s occasionally disappointed by post-production choices that can unfortunately ruin otherwise great scenes. He also tries (much to my delight 😄) to bring humor and charm into certain roles, which he admits is often discouraged. Why that is — he explains here. ❤️ Why he loves acting so deeply, how it has shaped him as a person, the reason he somehow managed to lose all of his bonus points with me, and why he’ll be singing at the next recording 🎤 — you’ll find out all of that and much more in this podcast episode.🎧✨ Enjoy listening!
January 7 · 1 hr 10 min
45 - Fantalk - Brittany (Drama Ink Diaries) - Drawn into the Vertical spell by a werewolf...
🎙️ New Fantalk Episode✨ This time, I’m joined by the lovely Brittany @brittanynicoleanderson who is still fairly new to the Vertical world – she entered this universe in February 2025 🚪📱. On her Instagram @drama_ink_diaries you’ll find not only reviews, but also interviews with Vertical creatives and plenty of other exciting content 🎥💬. Brittany’s favorites? Werewolves 🐺, vampires 🧛‍♀️, and fantasy stories ✨, always with a touch of romance 💕. In this episode, we talk about what makes her skip a Vertical, or even turn it off again ❌, and we laugh (and cringe 😅) about some of the absurd and over-the-top moments we’ve both encountered. We also make a strong case for a bit more realism in Verticals 🎭 – especially when it comes to specific roles actors are expected to portray. And while we both wouldn’t mind meeting a billionaire 💰😉, we agree that we don’t need one in every show. Sometimes, we’d much rather see normal, hardworking people taking the spotlight 👷‍♂️👩‍💼. The wish list is long 📜, the conversation flows effortlessly, and the vibes are just right 🌟. So press play, lean back, and enjoy this fun and honest Fantalk episode 🎧💖! And don't forget to like and share!
January 5 · 1 hr 49 min
44 - Fantalk - December Recap and the Vertical Wishlist for 2026....
A new Vertical year has officially begun, which made it the perfect moment for the ladies and myself to take a look back at the month of December. Together with Aline @i.love.verticals Dalia @verticalfilmslover Shikha Dia @verticalviewweekly and Caitlyn @verticait we revisited a month packed with Verticals — and plenty to talk about. December brought a wave of Christmas Verticals 🎄, though we couldn’t help but debate whether some of them truly deserved that label. As always, we also discussed our regular categories: 🎭 Actor/Actress of the Month 🎬 Supporting Role of the Month 🏆 Vertical of the Month 💩 Crap Vertical of the Month On top of that, a recently released Vertical of a particularly hot and spicy nature 🔥🌶️ sparked even more discussion and entertainment. We also shared our thoughts on what changes and improvements we’d like to see in 2026 — especially when it comes to the audience — and talked openly about platform costs and the ever-growing number of subscriptions 💸📱. An episode full of honest and unfiltered opinions — engaging, entertaining, and definitely not one to miss. Enjoy listening! 🎧
January 3 · 1 hr 18 min
43 - Hunter Kohl - From Kitchen Talk to the vertical Titanic Hand....
🎙️ New Podcast Episode Alert! 🐶🍳🎬 For this episode, I met up online with Hunter Kohl @hunter.exp.edition , the New York–based actor who happens to be just as much of a dog lover as I am 🐕❤️. He shares the story of how he got his very first dog — and why, at the time, he was convinced it almost led to his parents’ divorce 😅. In his latest vertical cooking project, Hunter plays a top-tier chef 👨‍🍳✨ — which, of course, made me curious about his real-life cooking skills. Let’s just say: according to him, his oven has been used to store shoes, clothes, and various other non-edible items 👟👕🔥 (a claim I may still need to fact-check with Molly Anderson @mmactuj 😉). We also talk about his journey into acting 🎭, why a brief detour into architecture wasn’t quite his thing 📐, and how he nearly walked off set during his very first vertical shoot 😬. Ever wondered what the infamous “Titanic hand” is all about 🚢✋ — and why filming it is far less romantic than it sounds? Then you definitely don’t want to miss this episode.
Dec 31, 2025 · 1 hr 20 min
42 - Abigail Stanton - The Vertical Kidnapping Queen...
Today’s episode is enriched by the wonderful actress and producer Abigail Stanton @abigailstantonThanks to director Matt Macedo @mattmacedo she found her way into the world of Verticals — and with her very first role as a witch in a werewolf vertical, she instantly enchanted everyone. Since then, she’s become an indispensable part of the vertical scene. With her reddish hair, she’s often cast in slightly dark or villainous roles — which she actually enjoys tremendously 🖤✨ While male actors are happily dropping their towels or proposing marriage to their scene partners, her most common task in Verticals tends to be kidnapping people — preferably children 😉 She talks about what she urgently wishes for when it comes to Vertical storylines, what she sometimes finds downright disgusting, and what makes her turn down certain scripts and roles. As a passionate horror gamer (and viewer), she’d love to see much more horror and creepiness in the Vertical world — as well as crime stories or science fiction 👻🔪🚀 What else she’s enthusiastic about, and why she doesn’t just have one bird but several, you’ll find out in this podcast episode. And what does all of this have to do with my chicken Henni? 🐔 That’s a whole different story — one you’ll also get to hear right here. Enjoy listening to this episode 🎧✨
Dec 27, 2025 · 1 hr 16 min
41 - Fantalk - Dalia (Verticalfilmslover) - The Vertical Drama critic who is still waiting for Luna...
🎙️ One last Fantalk episode for this year is ready to go! 🎙️ Today’s episode features the wonderful Dalia from Verticalfilmslover ✨ @verticalfilmslover The Vertical Drama critic is both a member of the #verticalviewcrew and a regular guest on the monthly recap episodes. In this episode, the two of us sat down for an in-depth chat about how she found her way into the Vertical World 🌍 and how it ultimately led her to creating her own review platform. 📊 Dalia has already watched over 1,600 Verticals, keeps a meticulously organized list, and regularly publishes reviews on her Instagram profile. She’s developed her own rating system ⭐ and shares what makes her click on a Vertical in the first place, which actors she especially enjoys watching, and which genres she prefers. 🎟️ We also talk about her experience at Verticon 2025, what she thinks should change (and evolve) in the Vertical space in 2026, and which actors we’d love to see more often — both in nice roles 😇 and villain roles 😈, because we think it would suit them perfectly. 🔥 Curious why you may have already hated Zane Claudio @zaneclaudio a few times? 🎯 Why Danny Farber @sirdannyfarber was her first target? 💭 And why Jackson Tiller @jacksontiller__ and Grace Swanson @gracewswanson have a special place in her memory? This episode is a truly wonderful conversation — critical, insightful, and definitely entertaining 🎧✨ One you absolutely shouldn’t miss! 🚀 And don't forget to like and share!
Dec 26, 2025 · 1 hr 33 min
40 - Paige Compton - Director's creativity at its finest in the vertical space...
In this episode, we step back behind the camera and spotlight another outstanding female director: Paige Compton @dudette.director From an early age, Paige knew she wanted to be part of the film world—and she pursued that goal without hesitation. Her path led her through the U.S. Army and film school, where she spent the last four years of her military service working as an Audio Visual Director for the White House, supporting former President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden 🇺🇸🎥 After earning her Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Film and Television, the film industry came to a near standstill due to the pandemic—until Verticals found their way to Hollywood 📱🎞️. Paige’s very first Vertical became an instant smash hit, and many more successful projects followed. We talk about where women are still disadvantaged in the Vertical world, what she would like to change or further develop in certain stories (whenever creative freedom from the customer allows), and what she hopes for the future to enable even more creative progress in Verticals 🚀💡 With a fan survey she designed herself, Paige aims to better understand the wishes and needs of the audience, allowing her to produce even stronger Vertical content independently in the future 📊❤️ For Paige, having a great time and enjoying the process on set is essential—but she also expects professionalism and a strong sense of teamwork from everyone involved 🤝🎬. She shares exclusive behind-the-scenes stories and talks about some of the unique, Vertical-specific creative work she has done with actors. This conversation is packed with Vertical insights you don’t want to miss—so tune in and listen now! 🎧🔥
Dec 25, 2025 · 1 hr 8 min
39 - Kristine Kay Larsen - The Verticals-Made Bridal Expert 💍
In this episode, I talk to the actress Kristine Kay Larsen @kristinekaylarsen , who was born and raised in Denmark before packing her bags right after finishing school and moving straight to Los Angeles 🇩🇰✈️🇺🇸. From an early age, she knew she wanted to live and work in the U.S. — preferably as an actress. Said and done 💥: within just 1.5 years, she built the foundation she needed at an acting school before first hearing about the world of “Verticals” in 2023 from Eric Guilmette @erictaylorguilmette After her first role in a werewolf vertical, she initially felt exhausted 😴 — but when another vertical role came along, she was instantly on fire 🔥! Kristine shares what all those marriage proposals in Verticals do to her and why she’s slowly becoming an expert in bridal fashion 👰‍♀️💍. We also both agree that we urgently need a Witch Group Vertical 🧙‍♀️✨ and start putting together the dream cast already: @kirby.ellwood @mmactuj @sarahmoliski @cailinpeluso @emilygateley — and as the male witches 🧙‍♂️@stevenmorana @nick.puya and @theadamchisnall Directed by Matt Macedo @mattmacedo 🎬. So get ready! All that’s missing now is the much-needed billionaire 💸😏 to finance the whole thing. But Kristine’s mission is clear: at her next filming location, she’ll definitely meet one again — and then firmly lock him in for funding our project 😎🤝. And how does a Danish girl feel about Christmas, snow, and Santa Claus? 🎄❄️🎅 Kristine has some very convincing arguments ready for her ongoing debate with Cayman Cardiff @caymancardiff with whom she btw would love to shoot a Vertical someday ❤️🎥. There’s a lot to talk about — and you definitely don’t want to miss this conversation! 🎧 Enjoy listening to this episode! 🎧