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 🎙️

  1. 71 - Richard Sharrah - The Luke Skywalker for the Vertical World...

    3 DGN GELEDEN

    71 - Richard Sharrah - The Luke Skywalker for the Vertical World...

    His life almost sounds like a fairytale ✨. He even married a real (Disney) princess 👑 and together they have three wonderful children.Richard Sharrah sat down with me for a conversation about his love for acting 🎭, his experiences on set 🎬, his life, and his plans for the future 🚀.He has taken the Vertical world and its audience by storm 🌍📱. His trademark in Vertical series? Father roles. As we discovered, not always the loving kind – for example in “Mommy Don’t Cry Daddy Is Sorry.” These roles perfectly showcase Richard’s incredible range as an actor 🎭✨. One of his personal highlights in 2025 was his first Vertical shoot together with his son Maverick 👦🎬 – a very special and meaningful experience for him.The actor and businessman with an MBA 🎓💼, who until recently was under an exclusive contract with ReelShort, ended that exclusivity in early 2026 to the delight of many fans 🙌. Now he’s ready to conquer the entire Vertical world – including international productions 🌎🎥.During our conversation, filled with laughter and humor, Richard and I also create a little “To Do / To Visit” list for 2026 📝. Besides filming in Europe 🇪🇺🎬, I invite the half-German actor to visit his homeland again 🇩🇪 – maybe for my Soundgarden or for another magical Christmas market tour in winter 🎄☕✨.Even before the recording started 🎙️, our conversation had already developed a wonderful depth and connection. We talked not only about career and projects, but also about life itself – about the importance of self-care 🧘‍♂️ and the beauty of living in the moment 🌅.Just to be clear: if Richard suddenly shows up with a new tattoo in the near future 🖊️😅, that idea was entirely his. Jessica @jessicasharrah , I take absolutely no responsibility for it. 😉A wonderful conversation about life 💫, the love of living ❤️, and big visions 🚀.This is definitely an episode you don’t want to miss! 🎙️🔥Some Verticals with Richard SharrahMy New Daddy is a Five-Star General (@goodshortdrama)Daddy I'm Your Lucky Star! (@reelshortapp)Someone Loved Is Never Lost (@reelshortapp)America's Favorite Ex-Husband (@reelshortapp)Daisy Tucker and Mr. NYC (@reelshortapp)

    1u 1m
  2. 70 - Harrison Keen - 2026 Harrison goes romantic (in Verticals)...

    6 DGN GELEDEN

    70 - Harrison Keen - 2026 Harrison goes romantic (in Verticals)...

    🌏 As we all know, Down Under has caught the Vertical fever too – which makes it the perfect time to sit down with another Australian Vertical actor: Harrison Keen. The 2025 Rising Star nominee and I talk about the many opportunities that Vertical series have opened up for actors. From working abroad in China and Istanbul to what it was like filming a Vertical production in Australia – complete with an authentic Australian accent. 🇦🇺🎬 Want to know which natural skills Harrison believes make him a perfect villain? He reveals them exclusively in this episode. 😈 Even though he sees himself more as a villain-type actor, he’s now also trying to move into the romantic lane and establish himself as a heroic romantic lead. ❤️ But how well does that work when you have a natural tendency toward darker characters? As I quickly learn during our conversation: not that easily 😂 Harrison also shares how he approaches every character he plays — trying to truly understand them and make them his own in order to portray them as authentically as possible. Sometimes that process can be quite challenging. And his ultimate dream role in a Vertical series? A serial killer. 🔪 How that fits together with “romantic” is something we try to figure out together in this episode. Did we find a solution? You’ll have to listen to find out. ✨ 2026 – Harrison Keen goes romantic! 🎧 Enjoy the episode! Some Verticals with Harrison Keen Flash Marriage to My Billionaire Hobo Hubby (Kalos TV) Runaway Prince Secret Vacation (Vigloo) The Summer I Turned Bad (Dramapops) The Mafias Unwanted Blind Savior (Minishort) Heiress Return: Boss's Defense & Love (Startdust TV)

    1u 34m
  3. 69 - Toby S Pruett - Stunts, Sets & Straight Talk...

    7 MRT

    69 - Toby S Pruett - Stunts, Sets & Straight Talk...

    Today, a supporting actor finally steps into the spotlight he has long deserved — Toby S. Pruett ✨🎬 With plenty of wit and charm, we dive into the many chapters of his journey before entering the Vertical Space. From playing a pirate in a theme park 🏴‍☠️ to working as a health manager on set 🩺, to performing as a stuntman in high-energy stunt shows 💥 — Toby’s career path is anything but ordinary. His very first steps in Verticals? Straight into the role of an Alpha in a werewolf world 🐺 — without having the slightest idea what this universe was even about at the time! Toby was also part of the Vertical that pulled thousands of fans into the space: The Double Life of My Billionaire Husband💍💼 — a project that helped shape the industry’s growing popularity. Since then, he has taken on numerous roles across different Verticals and shares fascinating insights into the unique experiences actors face in this fast-moving space. Of course, we also talk about the big topic everyone’s curious about — money 💰. Toby offers exclusive insights into where there’s still room for improvement and what changes he hopes to see in the future. With his extensive stunt background, Toby could easily step into a stunt coordinator role on a Vertical set 🎥🔥 — and who knows, maybe we’ll soon see him not only in front of the camera, but leading the action behind it as well. This episode is honest, entertaining, and full of behind-the-scenes stories you don’t want to miss 🎙️🚀 Some Verticals with Toby S Pruett: When we meet again (Dramawave) The Fake Debutante and the True Billionaire (reellvibe.com) The Heiress Rises from Ashes (Netshort) Big Bad Daddy Your Busted! (Dramabox) Mafia MAMAs Revenge (Joyreel)

    1u 35m
  4. 68 - Alexandria Watts - Titanic Dreams & Finding the Vertical Spotlight...

    4 MRT

    68 - Alexandria Watts - Titanic Dreams & Finding the Vertical Spotlight...

    🎙️✨ Just before the New Year, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Alexandria Watts to talk about her journey as an actress, her work in Verticals, and her growing passion for writing. As a child, she was completely mesmerized by Titanic 🚢 — so much so that she even took classes about it! Her dream job back then? Oceanographer 🌊🔬. That dream lasted until her mother signed her up for a theater class… and everything changed. Despite insisting (and laughing about it!) that she absolutely cannot sing 🎶🚫 — especially not in front of an audience — the very first role she ever auditioned for was in musical theater. And to everyone’s surprise (especially her own!) she booked it. ✨👏 After spending several years in New York 🗽, she eventually made the move to Los Angeles 🌴🎬, where she immersed herself deeper and deeper into the world of Verticals and micro-dramas. Would she love to shoot in Europe or Asia? Absolutely. 🌍❤️ The only thing holding her back? Her fear of flying ✈️😅 That’s why conquering that fear is officially on her 2026 bucket list — because she’s ready to explore the big, wide (Vertical) world beyond the U.S. Being quite tall, she also shares some funny on-set realities: it’s not uncommon for her to be taller than her male co-leads — especially in heels 👠 — which means the infamous Apple Box makes its regular appearance. 📦😄 Her creativity doesn’t stop at acting. She’s also stepped into writing, creating her own Vertical that was eventually produced with her in the lead role: Frozen Hearts and Fiery Love (ShortMax). ❤️🔥 Her biggest wish for the Vertical space? More rom-coms. More comedy. 🎭💕 “There’s enough drama in real life — it’s time for more fun and entertainment.” And trust me — you don’t want to miss what else the passionate hobby baker 🍰✨ and I talked about in this episode! 🎧 Tune in now! Some Verticals with Alexandria Watts Wild Silence (MyDrama) Daddy save me (FlareFlow) Blossom with Gun Taming a Mafia Puppy (Goodshort) Frozen Wife, Unfrozen Revenge (Moboreels) 30 Years Frozen: Emergency Rescue (Netshort)

    1u 7m
  5. 66 - Bryce Tipple - ⚾🎭 From Baseball Dreams to Vertical Screens...

    28 FEB

    66 - Bryce Tipple - ⚾🎭 From Baseball Dreams to Vertical Screens...

    ⚾ He once had his sights set on the Major League Baseball.�🎭 Today, he’s bringing characters to life on screen — and since 2024, he’s also adding his energy to the Vertical scene.My guest: Bryce Tipple @brycectippleBryce’s journey took an unexpected turn when his grandmother suggested he try acting. He gave it a shot — and that was it. Baseball ambitions moved to the back burner, and a new passion took center stage.Now based in ☀️ Los Angeles, Bryce has already portrayed multiple lead roles and feels right at home in front of the camera. Through working in several Verticals, he’s gained a deep understanding of the format — what it demands, how it works, and why it connects so strongly with audiences.🌍 A dream of his?Shooting a Vertical outside the U.S. — combining travel with storytelling.⚾🎬 And if it’s a sports Vertical with a baseball theme? That would be the absolute jackpot.In this episode, we talk about:✨ Letting go of one dream to fully embrace another✨ The magic of stepping into different characters✨ What makes Verticals such a unique storytelling format✨ Why behind-the-camera talent deserves more credit — because teamwork truly makes the dream work 🤝✨ And a fun practical insight: How do you memorize scripts during a morning dog walk? 🐶🎧An inspiring conversation about courage, creativity, collaboration — and staying open to where life takes you.Enjoy listening! 🎧Some Verticals with Bryce Tipple:From Dumped Wife to Christmas Billionaire (@dramabox_official)She's the (Undercover) Boss (@watchcandyjar)Hidden Billionaire's Spicy Marriage (@shortmax_app)Secrets of Sin 2 (@watchcandyjar)Secrets of Sin (@watchcandyjar)

    1u 14m
  6. 65 - Austin Herring (Snow Story Productions) - The Fascination of bringing a Vertical to life...

    25 FEB

    65 - Austin Herring (Snow Story Productions) - The Fascination of bringing a Vertical to life...

    Have you ever wondered what a production company actually does in the vertical space — the exciting opportunities 🎬, the creative wins ✨, and the real challenges behind the scenes?I had the chance to sit down with Austin Herring @austinherring , CEO of Snow Story Productions @snowstoryproductions , for an in-depth conversation. With more than 60 verticals produced to date — alongside numerous commercials and other projects — Snow Story Productions has become one of the most established companies in the U.S. when it comes to developing and producing vertical content 📱.We talk about the recurring challenges of vertical production ⚡, unpack the ever-important topic of scripts 📝, and explore what Austin considers to be a truly “sexy” character in the vertical space 💫. From creative development to on-set realities 🎥, we cover the many layers that go into bringing vertical stories to life.People need a vision in order to turn it into reality ✨ — and that’s exactly why Austin and I didn’t just talk ideas, we made a deal.Together, Austin Herring and I mapped out a true win-win scenario: shooting in Germany 🇩🇪, in one of its breathtaking castles 🏰, packed with a big dose of comedy 🎭 — and I’ve officially volunteered to take care of the catering 🍽️.Let’s just say… it sounds more than promising 😉A bold vision, a creative collaboration, and maybe the start of something truly spectacular 🎬✨This episode offers a behind-the-camera look at vertical production like never before on the podcast 🎙️ — packed with valuable insights, honest reflections, and an engaging, entertaining conversation.Enjoy listening! 🎧Some Verticals produced by Snow Story Productions:The CEO and the Country Girl (Dramawave, Reelshort)The Sweetest Challenge (Dramashorts)Blind Heiress (Dramashorts)Good Girl Bad Biker (Dramshorts)Poolboy (Reelshort)

    1u 22m
  7. 64 - Jieun and Tiffany (Talk Drama to me) - Cultural differences in the Vertical Space...

    21 FEB

    64 - Jieun and Tiffany (Talk Drama to me) - Cultural differences in the Vertical Space...

    🎊✨ It’s Lunar New Year — and we’re celebrating with a very special XXL episode! ✨🎊In this multicultural deep dive, we explore the cultural differences and backgrounds between Eastern and Western verticals — in the best possible company: Jieun and Tiffany from the podcast "Talk Drama to Me" @talkdramatome 🎙️🌏While Jieun has been part of the vertical space for quite some time, Tiffany is still fairly new to it — so new, in fact, that many actor names don’t ring a bell for her yet. 😄 But that’s exactly what makes it exciting: she approaches the storylines completely fresh, unbiased, and with a different perspective.We chat about C- and K-Dramas 🎬🇨🇳🇰🇷, how they’ve expanded into Western markets, how entirely new vertical formats have emerged from them — and why key differences still remain. We also dive into cultures, traditions, and how they shape vertical storytelling in ways that don’t always translate across markets.After Tiffany has to leave us a little early, Jieun and I continue the conversation, talking about what she personally loves about C- and K-Dramas, what she sees as the most significant differences, and where cultural nuances simply don’t transfer to Western audiences.And of course:✨ What storylines would we love to see more of?📱 Which apps are currently impressing us with their content🚀 And where do we think the vertical industry is headed next?All this — and so much more — in this vibrant, cross-cultural XXL episode you definitely don’t want to miss! 🎧🌙

    1u 42m

Info

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 🎙️

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