Let's talk about Verticals

Michaela Bergmann

5.0 (1)
After Shows
Updated Semiweekly

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 🎙️

14h ago

123 - Lawson Greyson - Villains, Visions & "The Perfect Date"...

🎙️ In this episode of Let’s Talk About Verticals, I’m joined by actress and producer Lawson Greyson! Originally from Flagstaff, Arizona, Lawson grew up as a competitive gymnast and dancer before discovering acting at the age of seventeen. Only one year later, she took the leap and moved to Los Angeles to pursue her dream. Since then, she has built an impressive career across traditional film, television, horror and the world of Vertical Dramas — appearing in more than 40 vertical productions. Lawson has been part of the Vertical Space for quite some time. During the early days of her vertical career, she was frequently cast as the villain — and became very familiar with making audiences love to hate her characters. 😈 Over time, however, she has found a wonderful balance between villains, leading roles and more vulnerable, multifaceted characters that allow her to show the full range of her acting abilities. 9h Together with Brittany Marsicek and Phae Amara, Lawson recently founded the women-led production company Gratitud3 Productions. Their first independent feature film, The Perfect Date, is currently in preparation — a warm, character-driven romantic comedy filled with friendship, unexpected love, wedding chaos and the reminder that some of the best moments in life simply cannot be planned. 💕🎥 In our conversation, Lawson gives us an insight into the creation of Gratitud3 Productions, the excitement and challenges of preparing an independent movie and what it means to take creative ownership of the stories you want to bring to life. If you would like to support Lawson, Brittany and Phae on their journey and help bring The Perfect Date to the screen, you can contribute to their crowdfunding campaign here: 🎬💕 https://gofund.me/5360fab28 From playing villains to creating her own films, Lawson’s journey is one of growth, determination and taking the next courageous step — both in front of and behind the camera. #new #podcast #bts #community #vertical
4d ago

122 - Buzz Leer - From Sales Back to the Spotlight 🎭🎙️

🎙️✨ In this episode, I’m joined by the wonderful Buzz Leer — a Los Angeles–based SAG-AFTRA actor, model, host, voice-over artist, and the creator and host of The Vertical Buzz. 🎬🎧 Buzz shares how he first found his way into acting, why he decided to put his creative career on hold for a while to focus on his family, and how his professional journey led him into the world of sales. But some passions never truly disappear — and eventually, acting found its way back into his life. 🎭❤️ His love for theater, acting, and hosting — including his work on the show House Detectives — ultimately brought him to Los Angeles, where new opportunities were waiting for him. Today, Buzz has also become part of the exciting and fast-growing world of vertical storytelling. 📱🎥🌟 Of course, we talk about his experiences in the vertical industry and about his own podcast, The Vertical Buzz, which gives a voice to the people shaping this new form of entertainment. But what happens when two podcast hosts sit down together? 😄🎤 We exchange thoughts about interviewing guests, creating meaningful conversations, our different perspectives on the industry, and the responsibility that comes with telling the stories of the people behind the productions. And naturally, there are plenty of personal stories too! What special connection does Buzz have to Germany? 🇩🇪 What is still waiting on his personal to-do list — and why do German Christmas markets play such an important role? 🎄✨☕ Who knows… perhaps he will finally be able to check that item off his list very soon! 😉 Get ready for a warm, honest, and wonderfully entertaining conversation about family, unexpected career paths, fresh starts, theater, acting, hosting, verticals, podcasting, and the passions that always seem to find their way back to us. 💫🎭🎙️❤️ Some Verticals with Buzz Leer. Her Beast (Dramawave) Offside (Dramawave) To Her Beat (Chera TV) Billionaire Daddy, You Have Sextuplets! (Flareflow) #new #podcast #bts #community #vertical
Aug 12

121 - Salvador Paskowitz - Beyond the Frame: Creativity, Humanity & the Future of Verticals

🎬✨ What happens when creativity, humanity, and a passion for meaningful storytelling meet an entirely new way of producing and experiencing film? In this episode, I’m joined by award-winning screenwriter, director, and producer Salvador Paskowitz — co-writer of the acclaimed feature film The Age of Adaline, director of The Big Everything, and producer of Justin Chon’s Ms. Purple. Throughout his career, Salvador has collaborated with major studios as well as visionary artists and producers, successfully combining the creative spirit of independent filmmaking with stories that appeal to a wider audience. 🎥🌟 Together with his team, Salvador co-founded Super Punchy Studios, a production company dedicated to redefining vertical storytelling through bold, cinematic, and artist-driven projects created for today’s evolving platforms. He also directed the studio’s first vertical cinematic feature, Step by Step. 📱🎞️ During our conversation, Salvador shares what fascinates and excites him about directing Verticals and why he sees so much creative potential within this still-young format. We talk about the opportunities that arise when filmmakers are willing to explore new perspectives, rethink familiar structures, and create stories specifically for the vertical screen. 🚀 Salvador also tells us why he decided to launch a new app and gives us a glimpse into the ideas and vision behind it. We explore what creativity truly means to him, why genuine humanity must remain at the heart of art, and why technological development should never replace the human emotions and experiences that make storytelling so powerful. ❤️🎭 Of course, we also look toward the future of vertical entertainment and discuss some exciting possibilities that have not yet been fully explored. And while talking about what might come next, Salvador may have shared just a little more than he originally intended about a few of his upcoming projects… 👀🤫 And for everyone who has been wondering: Will Step by Step get a second part? And if so, when might we finally be able to watch it? Salvador has some very interesting things to say about that as well. 🎬🔥 Beyond his work in production, Salvador lectures at Loyola Marymount University and mentors the next generation of filmmakers through UCLA’s Professional Screenwriting Program. When he isn’t writing, directing, producing, or teaching, he lives with his family in Orange County, California — and regularly finds time to go surfing. 🌊🏄‍♂️ Tune in for a wonderfully inspiring conversation filled with creative ideas, fascinating insights, lots of humor, a few unexpected spoilers, and plenty of fun. 🎙️✨
Aug 8

120 - Cosette Hatch - Roles, Realities, Gratitude & Emergency PB&Js...

From competitive figure skating ⛸️ to acting, screenwriting, directing and producing 🎬, Cosette Hatch has followed a truly multifaceted path through the entertainment industry. As a former member of the US Figure Skating Team, she learned early on about discipline, resilience and teamwork—qualities that continue to shape her work as an actress today. In this episode, Cosette takes us back to the beginning of her acting journey and talks about her experiences in both Vertical and Horizontal productions 📱🎥. She explains what makes the two formats different for an actor—and why she sometimes deeply misses the Horizontal project she worked on last October. Cosette also gives us honest and exclusive behind-the-scenes insights into life on set 🎭. Not every experience is always as wonderful as it may appear from the outside, but she also shares what she is genuinely grateful for and why communication, respect and collaboration matter so much during a production. 🙏 And, of course, food becomes part of our conversation too 🍴: Why does Cosette usually carry an emergency peanut butter and jelly sandwich with her for professional reasons? 🥜🍓🥪 How did we discover our shared love of food and officially leave the recording as newly established Food Buddies? Cosette also shares an important wish for the audience ❤️ and reminds us that there is always a real person behind every character we see on screen. Join us for a warm, honest and entertaining conversation about acting, creativity, set life, gratitude—and the unexpected importance of always having an emergency PB&J sandwich nearby. 🎙️✨ Some Verticals with Cosette Hatch The Christmas Twin Miracle (Stardust) Sorority Heiress Takes Her Throne (FlareFlow) Napolitana for the Mafia Boss (SHRT) Love Landed with the Amnesiac Heir (Playlet) My Runaway Fiancé Became My Bodyguard (Kalos TV) #podcast #verticals #community #bts #new
Aug 5

119 - Richard Trotter - From the Playing Field to the Film Set...

Born and raised in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Richard Trotter spent his childhood and early adult years immersed in sports. ⚾️⛳️ He played baseball at college level and competed professionally in golf before shifting his focus to acting almost five years ago. Today, Richard loves the variety that acting offers and the opportunity to step into completely different characters. For him, being well prepared is just as important as creating an environment in which everyone on set feels comfortable and respected. 🎬 He also believes that certain characters deserve a little more background story to make their actions, emotions, and development truly believable. Richard values open and honest feedback about his performances because, in his eyes, it is the only way to keep learning, improving, and growing as an actor. Of course, we also take a closer look at the audience’s perspective: How does the audience feel about AI-generated Verticals and characters? What does a story need to truly pull viewers in and keep them emotionally invested? And what can feel particularly weird or unrealistic—especially when it comes to sports or cooking Verticals? 🤔⚾️👨‍🍳 A wonderfully honest conversation about sports, passion, emotions, personal growth, and the little details that can make—or break—a story. Tune in and enjoy! 🎧✨ Some Verticals with Richard Trotter: Pregnant with My Nemesis (TikTok) Your Love Broke My Heart (Reelshort) Sinful Nights with My Exs Uncle (Playlet) An Embrace from the Ashes (Dramapops) Reborn to Love the Alpha King (Dramabox) #podcast #verticals #community #bts #new
Aug 3

118 - July Recap - Highlights, Heartbeats & Disappointments 🎙️✨

The second half of the year is already in full swing — and we’re delighted that July brought us several fantastic live-acted Verticals! Naturally, that means it’s time to get together for another Monthly Recap and discuss everything that happened over the past month. Want to know which performances made our hearts beat faster — and which Verticals frustrated or disappointed us? Then you definitely won’t want to miss this conversation! Joining the discussion: Michaela (Host) — @lets_talk_about_verticalsAline — @i.love.verticalsDalia — @verticalfilmsloverShikha Dia — @verticalviewweeklyCaitlyn — @verticaitOur 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 refreshingly entertaining yet critically reflective conversation you won’t want to miss. 🎙️✨ Enjoy listening!#podcast #community #new #verticals
Aug 1

117 - John Palmer - Music, Food & Vertical Dreams...

🎙️ In this episode, I’m joined by the absolutely wonderful John Palmer—also known as John Palmer Edwards! 🎬✨ With experience in theatre, traditional film projects, and a growing list of Vertical dramas, John has already brought many different characters to life. We had a wonderfully fun, honest, and thoughtful conversation about acting, John’s journey into the world of Verticals, and why he loves bringing characters and stories to life so much. We also dive headfirst into the world of music 🎶, reveal some of our personal favorites, exchange random fun facts 🤓, and brainstorm the Vertical stories that absolutely still need to be brought to our screens! 💡🎥 A little warning: if you don’t want to be starving by the end of this episode, you should definitely have something to eat nearby! 🌮🍕🍝 We talk—a lot—about food, John’s potential European food trip ✈️🌍, and why music and food might just be the two things capable of saving the world. 🎶🍽️❤️ But how did John end up turning the tables and surprising me with his very own “5 Question Quickie”? 🔥5️⃣ And what else did this wonderful human and I find ourselves discussing, questioning, laughing about, and philosophizing over? Grab a snack, get comfortable, and join us for a funny, warm, wonderfully honest, and delightfully unpredictable conversation! 🎧✨ Some Verticals with John Palmer: Offside (Dramawave) How to Break My Best Friend Dad (Vigloo) Ex’s Mafia Daddy wants me bad (Dramabox) The Photo That Changed Everything (Reelshort) For Richer, for Poorer (Dramabox) #podcast #verticals #community #bts #new
Jul 29

116 - Irvin Gelb - Brands, Budgets & AI: The Next Era of Vertical Drama...

In this episode, I’m joined by visionary and talent manager Irvin Gelb @irvingelbmedia for an insightful and forward-thinking conversation about the current state - and future potential - of the vertical drama industry. 🎬📱We discuss why it is so important for producers, platforms, and creatives to truly listen to their audience and understand what viewers actually want to see. What developments and changes are needed to improve storytelling, create more diverse and compelling narratives, and help the industry continue to evolve?Irvin also shares his perspective on the opportunities within the vertical market and the future of product placement. How can brands be integrated into stories in a natural and authentic way - and could brand partnerships help bring larger budgets, higher production values, and greater creative possibilities to vertical productions? 💡📈Of course, we also dive into one of the industry’s biggest current topics: artificial intelligence. We explore how AI can be used responsibly and meaningfully to support productions and creative processes, while also addressing the areas in which it may currently pose a growing threat to creatives, talent, and the industry itself. 🤖A fascinating conversation about audiences, storytelling, innovation, financing, AI, and what the next chapter of vertical entertainment could look like. 🚀#podcast #new #community #vertical #bts

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 🎙️

Creator

Michaela Bergmann
Years Active

2025 - 2026
Episodes

124
Rating

Explicit
Copyright

© Michaela Bergmann
Show Website

Let's talk about Verticals