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The Vertical Reach Podcast
Hosted by Pauline Gray, an award-winning screenwriter and narrative strategist with over thirty years in commercial production, this podcast brings together the creators, innovators, and visionaries shaping the future of vertical film and microdrama.
As a Marshall Scholar with dual master's degrees from the London School of Economics and the University of Bristol's Film & Television program, Pauline brings both academic depth and industry insight to every conversation. Through her studio, Pauline Gray Studios, she has championed vertical storytelling as a powerful medium for brands, streaming platforms, and cultural institutions — proving that short-form content can deliver cinematic precision and emotional intelligence.
Each week, Pauline sits down with directors, writers, producers, platform executives, and creative leaders who are redefining how stories are told in a swipe-up world. Together, they explore the craft, strategy, and future of vertical content — from the creative process behind compelling microdramas to the business of building audiences in the mobile-first era.
Whether you're a filmmaker looking to expand into vertical formats, a brand seeking to understand the power of short-form narrative, or a storytelling enthusiast curious about where the industry is headed, The Vertical Reach Podcast offers the insights, inspiration, and connections you need.
Because great stories deserve to reach everyone — one vertical frame at a time.
The Vertical Reach Podcast
Latest Episodes
Episode 27: Mysti Cozart Smith: Building Faith & Family Films Her Way
What do you do when someone offers you $2 million to change what your story stands for?Mysti Cozart Smith walked away.In this episode of The Vertical Reach Podcast, Pauline Gray sits down with the award-winning writer, producer, d...
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Episode 26. Pankaj Uniyal: What the Data Really Says About Vertical Dramas
What does "data" actually mean in the world of vertical dramas, and how do the apps behind these short, addictive video dramas decide what to make, where to launch, and how to get paid?Pankaj Uniyal is the Business Development Lead for I...
Episode 25. Dana Protsyshak: From a 15-Person Mixer to LA's Vertical Drama Market
Heading to LA this November? LAVDM 3.0, the LA Vertical Drama Market, runs November 5 to 7, 2026 in Los Angeles. Get your tickets here: https://ticketbud.com/events/48d...
Episode 24. Jen Parkhill: Poolboy & Breaking the Mold as a Queer Vertical Director
From swinging a dolly on theater sets to directing some of the biggest vertical dramas on ReelShort — Jen Parkhill's path into this industry wasn't planned. It just took off.In this episode, award-winning filmmaker Jen Parkhill (JP, they...
Episode 23: Chris Wicke on Ember: 22 Films, 2 Billion Views, and AI's Shake-Up
Chris Wicke, founder and CEO of vertical drama studio Ember, joins The Vertical Reach Podcast to talk about vertical drama, micro drama, and how generative AI is reshaping the vertical storytelling industry almost overnight. Chris built Ember f...