Screenwriting : Understanding Vertical Storytelling "Verticals" 101 by James Lagrimas

James Lagrimas

Understanding Vertical Storytelling "Verticals" 101

In a world where attention spans are shrinking and mobile devices dominate our daily lives, micro dramas and vertical series have emerged as a game-changing format for storytelling. These bite-sized, vertically-shot narratives—typically 1-3 minutes per episode—are designed specifically for on-the-go viewing on platforms like smartphones, offering quick hits of drama, romance, or suspense that fit seamlessly into busy schedules.

In this webinar, you’ll unpack everything from what defines a micro drama and how it differs from traditional media, to who’s watching, how they’re engaging, and where the market is headed next. You’ll get an inside look at the top vertical platforms, explore case studies of viral hits (and what made them work), and even receive a sample episode script to see the structure in action. By the end, you’ll walk away with a clear understanding of how to create, produce, and launch your own vertical series—armed with the tools, insights, and confidence to thrive in one of the most exciting and fast-growing spaces in entertainment today.

Email edu@stage32.com with any questions!

To learn more about the webinar and to register, click here:

https://www.stage32.com/education/products/understanding-vertical-storyt...

Maurice Vaughan

I'm looking forward to this webinar, James Lagrimas! I’m researching vertical dramas, and I’m going to be working with a director-producer on vertical dramas. This webinar is going to definitely help.

G Robert Frazier

I'm having trouble just finding where to even watch verticals.

Bennie Woodell

I sadly have to work while the webinar is happening, but I do have a question that I'd love to ask if it's not covered in the course material itself. My friend and I are thinking of releasing a vertical independently, is that possible on platforms like Tik Tok or YouTube, maybe even Vimeo? Or is this really a situation where we have to get it on something like reelshorts to have a chance?

Sydney S

Excited for the webinar today :) Ammon is too! Please put all questions for the live q + a below!

Sydney S

Any questions about the webinar, or accessing the link, please email us at edu@stage32.com

Sydney S

Reminder if you can't attend live, no worries, you will receive access to the recording in 48 hours & you can keep forever :)

Maurice Vaughan

I signed up for the webinar, Sydney S.

Ammon Lyle

Super excited for the presentation today!!!

Sydney S

SO happy you signed up Maurice!

Sydney S

Thank you Ammon, we're lucky to have you hosting today! Excited to learn today about verticals :)

Sebastian Tudores

looking forward to moderating and seeing everyone there :) thank you Ammon Lyle for sharing your time and insights!

Brenda Lau

trying to sign in

Stephanie Hutchinson

How to access the live webinar?

Brenda Lau

chat is not live

Brenda Lau

chat disabled

Sebastian Tudores

Stephanie Hutchinson hi! you should have an email with the link OR you can go into your Education --> Webinars library and have a link there

Sebastian Tudores

Feel free to drop your questions for Ammon in the Zoom chat or in the lounge at any point! :)

Brenda Lau

what are the budgets on these micro dramas and how do you change an hour series into these? I'm guess you need more cliff hangers?

Brenda Lau

I have a background in sizzles and trailers - I think I'm gonna like to explore this space

Brenda Lau

what do you think about using a GoPro? I guess it's all in the framing?

Brenda Lau

What's your favorite Vertical? Is there a vampire one you like?

Maurice Vaughan

Must-watch webinar! Really helpful! Thanks for putting this webinar together, Stage 32! Thanks for teaching the webinar and answering the questions, @Ammon! Thanks for hosting it, @Sebastian!

Sebastian Tudores

agree with Maurice Vaughan 100% - a gift of actionable information and insight from Ammon Lyle & wonderful questions and participation from our attendees! I apologize in advance if I didn't get to any specific questions but hope that a partial answer at least was presented in our Q&A portion.

Brenda Lau

@Sebastian Tudor'es Can I please get his contact info he put in the chat - I just tried using it and it doesn't work. You can email me at brenda@abop.tv. I'd really appreciate it. I have a project I believe is already complete that would work on his platform. thank you

Sydney S

Hey everyone,

Thank you so much for joining today’s webinar! What a fantastic session from Ammon — and a big thank-you to Seb for hosting!

Your handout has been added to your Stage 32 my library. If you have any questions about the webinar, feel free to email me at edu@stage32.com

Brenda, I’m including Ammon’s Stage 32 profile below so you can reach out directly there as well.

Also, thanks to everyone who mentioned the chat box issue — we appreciate you flagging it, and we’ll have it resolved before the next webinar. Sorry about that everyone!

The recording will be uploaded soon! Have a great week everyone and thanks again :)

— Sydney

Sydney S

More exciting news to come about more education with Ammon.. stay tuned!

MB Stevens

Sebastian Tudores I didn't get my questions answered. I wish there were a way to send questions to the presenter when time runs short. S32 has done that in the past.

Sydney S

MB,

I’m so sorry your questions didn’t get answered — I completely understand how frustrating that can be. Please email me at edu@stage32.com and I’ll make sure your question gets to the presenter. We’ll also mark this for future sessions so we can make sure everyone has a chance to get their questions answered. I really want to make this right for you.

Looking forward to your email.

Sebastian Tudores

MB Stevens sorry I missed this ping from you! And thank you Sydney S for stepping in to pick up the ball I dropped. My apologies to all.

Logan Slakter

James, useful 101. Coming to this as a TV writer (fifteen years, traditional scripted) crossing into vertical, the thing that's most upended my craft intuitions is how the paywall changes the math of scene placement. You're not writing to the end of an arc, you're writing to an unlock decision. Your "best scene" in TV tends to land at the midpoint or end of Act II. In vertical, it has to land at the paywall episode itself, because that's the scene doing the commercial work. Reordering where your strongest craft lives is probably the hardest thing for crossover writers to internalize. Let me know if you every have another 101 session!

Amanda Toney

Logan Slakter - I can only imagine the mental strength it takes to adapt to vertical writing from traditional screenwriting. Thanks for sharing your experience. That was cool for me to read and learn!

Logan Slakter

Amanda, thanks for reading. "Mental strength" is a generous frame :-) Mostly it's been repeatedly catching myself about to write the TV version of a scene and having to stop and rebuild for the format. Humbling but useful. What's bringing you to the vertical space?

Other topics in Screenwriting:

register for stage 32 Register / Log In