At the 2026 Hollywood Movie Awards, a standout panel explored how vertical dramas are rapidly reshaping production models, casting practices, and long-term career pathways for actors across film and new media. Panelists emphasized that this format represents a structural evolution of the studio system, driven by real-time audience data, global market growth, and a scroll-first viewing culture competing directly with social media. The discussion highlighted vertical storytell

I recently had the opportunity to speak on a Vertical Dramas panel at the Hollywood Movie Awards, alongside casting director Paul Ruddy, and platform leaders Yoko Chen (GoodShort) and Jenny Rosen (DramaBox). The conversation was less about hype and more about clarity—specifically, how this format fits into the larger ecosystem actors are navigating today.