What happens when a Hollywood screenwriter decides the future of entertainment is vertical, but refuses to let an algorithm tell him what stories to make? ๐ฑ๐ฌ This week on The Vertical Buzz, Buzz Leer sits down with Sal Paskowitz, screenwriter, director, producer, and co-founder of Super Punchy Studios. Sal co-created and co-wrote The Age of Adaline, starring Blake Lively and Harrison Ford, and now he's bringing his cinematic approach to the rapidly evolving world of vertical entertainment. But Sal's story starts far from Hollywood. Raised as one of nine children in a legendary surfing family, he spent much of his childhood traveling the world in a camper. With an unconventional education built around books, nature, and movies, Sal developed a lifelong passion for creativity and storytelling that took him from art and graphic design to Hollywood filmmaking. Now, with Super Punchy Studios, he's taking a different approach to vertical drama. Following the success of Step by Step, Sal is determined to put the story first, rather than simply repeating whatever an algorithm says is working. He shares why he believes audiences deserve more than recycled tropes, how vertical framing changes the way directors tell stories, and why he sees this format becoming a fully integrated part of the entertainment industry. We also talk about Layover, Super Punchy's upcoming projects, the growing pains of the vertical market, and Sal's bold vision for what comes next. Plus, stick around for rapid-fire questions, surfing stories, celebrity impressions, singing, and a surprising family connection to legendary voice actor Mel Blanc. In this episode, you will learn: ๐ฌ How Sal went from an unconventional childhood to co-writing The Age of Adaline ๐ What growing up in a legendary surfing family taught him about creativity ๐ฑ Why Sal believes vertical entertainment needs to put storytelling ahead of algorithms ๐ฅ What made Step by Step connect with audiences, and what's next for Super Punchy Studios ๐ฅ How directing and production design change when the frame goes vertical ๐ค Why Sal is betting on handcrafted stories in the age of AI ๐ Why he believes vertical entertainment is becoming a fourth major format alongside movies, TV, and streaming ๐๏ธ What Layover's selection for the ALZA Film Festival means for Super Punchy ๐ค The surprising story behind Sal's connection to Mel Blanc, plus his voices and musical talents Chapters 00:00 Writing vs the Robot 00:34 Voices and Mel Blanc 01:29 Vertical Buzz Intro 02:58 Sal Bio and Banter 05:00 Surfwise Childhood 07:00 Books Not School 08:18 Movies as Church 11:52 Finding Sal and Art 18:13 Hollywood and Adaline 25:40 Vertical Wave and Super Punchy 35:03 Why Step By Step Worked 35:13 Beating Algorithmic Tropes 37:14 Vertical Market Growing Pains 38:09 Layover Hits ALZA Fest 39:51 Future Screens Go Vertical 41:35 Directing For Vertical Frames 43:19 Super Punchy Story First Mission 45:24 Rapid Fire Surf And Movies 51:10 Voices Songs And Family Ties 55:28 Top 10 Game And Farewell Sponsor: AEIRO (Arrow Air Purifiers) AEIRO Air Purifiers help identify, reduce, and monitor airborne contaminants to create a cleaner indoor environment for homes and professional spaces. Featured in this episode: AEIRO AC150, powerful enough to clean rooms 300+ sq ft, quiet enough for production, with smart sensor controls and true HEPA plus carbon filtration. Website: AEIRO.co Guest: Sal Paskowitz Screenwriter, director, producer, and co-founder of Super Punchy Studios, Sal is best known for co-creating and co-writing The Age of Adaline. His work now spans cinematic filmmaking and original vertical dramas, including Step by Step and Layover. Instagram: @salpaskowitz Super Punchy Studios: @superpunchystudios Host: Buzz Leer Buzz Leer is an actor, host, and veteran of the vertical film space. Instagram: @buzz_leer A Glendale Podcast Studio Production Owned and operated by Erika and Jason Hanan Instagram: @glendalepodcaststudio Social Media Director: Ana Karina Cano Instagram: @anakarinacano Theme Song Grace Leer and Bryan Dawley, The Vertical Buzz Theme Song Public Relations and Media Robb Leer, Leer Communications, Inc. Thank you Special thanks to all of my support team, friends, and family. Host, Buzz Leer #TheVerticalBuzz #SalPaskowitz #SuperPunchyStudios #VerticalDrama #VerticalEntertainment #TheAgeOfAdaline #StepByStep #Layover
