Every Second Is Drama: Behind the Scenes with ReelShort
The entertainment landscape is shifting, and the future is vertical. In a recent live event, we sat down with the creative powerhouse behind ReelShort, the app that has taken the Western world by storm by bringing “bite-sized” serialized dramas to our phone screens.
The discussion was led by Lori Rosa, Manager of Entertainment Industry Relations and Career Development for The Los Angeles Film School, who sat down with the team to explore how this new medium is creating fresh opportunities for filmmakers and creators alike.
Launched in August 2022 by Crazy Maple Studio, ReelShort has successfully adapted the Chinese duanju (short-drama) model for a global audience. The result? Ultra-short, high-stakes stories designed for the “scroll-and-watch” generation.
The panel featured key leadership from the ReelShort team:
- Bofan Zhang, Executive Producer
- Annine Zhang, Creative Producer
- Yang Qian, Creative Producer
- Rachel Bencosme, Head of PR
What Makes Vertical Drama So Addictive?
According to Executive Producer Bofan Zhang, the platform is defined by its intensity. “We make bite-sized, serialized shows that are emotional, fast, and addicted,” Bofan explained. “It’s impossible for people to stop watching.”
While romance remains the bedrock of the platform, the team revealed they are actively expanding into new territories, including horror and suspense. The goal is to capture every spare minute of a viewer’s day with high-octane storytelling where every second counts.
A Production Pace Like No Other
For those used to traditional film sets, the ReelShort production pipeline is a revelation. Lori and the panel discussed the breakneck speed required to keep up with audience demand:
- Hundreds of Jobs: ReelShort is currently offering hundreds of jobs in Los Angeles, keeping crews busy even when traditional Hollywood production slows down.
- Production Speed: While the average is 10 pages a day, they recently set a shooting record of 29 pages in a single day for a dialogue-heavy script.
- Efficient Budgeting: Most projects land between $130k and $200k, focusing on “grit” and strategic spending to maximize quality.
- The Vertical Mindset: Creating for a 9:16 aspect ratio isn’t just about cropping the frame. It requires a complete shift in how you block actors and maintain momentum.
Skills to Master for Vertical Storytelling
Success in the vertical space requires more than just rotating a camera. The panel highlighted specific technical and creative skills that translate-and some that don’t:
- The Visual Hook: In a world of infinite scrolling, you have to hook the viewer in the first three seconds.
- Strategic Directing: Techniques like rack focus work beautifully in vertical to direct the eye, while others, like the dolly zoom, lose their impact because of the narrow background compression.
- Essential “Below-the-Line” Roles: There is a high demand for trained Script Supervisors, DITs, and Assistant Directors who can handle the rapid pace and meticulous notes required for 70–90 micro-episodes.
Advice for the Next Generation of Creators
For students and aspiring filmmakers looking to break into this fast-growing space, the panel offered a clear message: Adaptability is everything.
“I came from a traditional background, and when I heard what they were doing, I said, ‘Okay, this is the future,'” shared Rachel Bencosme. “This is putting creator economy, the changes in social media, and new ways of innovation all in one product.”
Creative Producer Annine Zhang emphasized that success in this field is “more about a mindset. Be open-minded and embrace whatever opportunities you can get. Never stop networking.”
Are you ready to learn how to master the art of the vertical drama? Check out the full video above to hear more about the production pipeline, from the 7–10 day shoot schedules to the in-house post-production process, and see why vertical storytelling is the next major disruption in entertainment.
Want to dive into the world of ReelShort? Download the app at ReelShort.com or follow their latest updates on Instagram @reelshortapp.
The Future of Storytelling is Vertical, Are You Ready?
Vertical drama is rewriting the rules of filmmaking, and it’s creating hundreds of jobs for creators who can move fast and think differently. As the ReelShort team made clear, breaking into this space is less about any single technique and more about a mindset: be adaptable, stay open, and never stop learning the craft.
/That’s exactly what our Digital Filmmaking online program is built for. You’ll develop the versatile, hands-on skills that translate across formats, from traditional sets to the fast-moving world of mobile-first, serialized storytelling, so you’re ready for wherever entertainment goes next.
Request Info to explore our programs, or Apply Now and start creating for the future of entertainment.
FAQs: Behind the Scenes with ReelShort
1. What is ReelShort, and what is vertical drama?
ReelShort is a mobile app that has taken the Western world by storm by delivering “bite-sized” serialized dramas made for phone screens. Launched in August 2022 by Crazy Maple Studio, it adapted the Chinese duanju (short-drama) model for a global audience, producing ultra-short, high-stakes stories built for the “scroll-and-watch” generation. Vertical drama refers to this fast, emotional, serialized storytelling shot in a 9:16 vertical format.
2. What makes vertical drama so addictive to watch?
According to Executive Producer Bofan Zhang, the platform is defined by its intensity, offering bite-sized, serialized shows that are emotional, fast, and designed to be impossible to stop watching. While romance is the bedrock of the platform, the team is expanding into new territory like horror and suspense. The goal is to capture every spare minute of a viewer’s day with high-octane storytelling where every second counts.
3. How fast is ReelShort’s production pace?
Remarkably fast. Compared to traditional film sets, the pipeline is a revelation. While the average is around 10 pages a day, the team recently set a shooting record of 29 pages in a single day for a dialogue-heavy script. Projects typically shoot on 7-to-10-day schedules, and the demand keeps crews in Los Angeles busy, offering hundreds of jobs even when traditional Hollywood production slows down.
4. How are vertical dramas budgeted?
Efficiently. Most ReelShort projects land between $130k and $200k, with an emphasis on “grit” and strategic spending to maximize quality. Rather than relying on big budgets, the approach focuses on smart resource allocation to keep production fast, lean, and high-volume across dozens of micro-episodes.
5. What skills do you need to succeed in vertical storytelling?
Success requires more than rotating the camera. Creators need to master the visual hook, grabbing the viewer in the first three seconds to survive in a world of infinite scrolling. Strategic directing matters too: techniques like rack focus work beautifully in vertical to guide the eye, while others like the dolly zoom lose impact due to the narrow background compression. Adapting your blocking and momentum to the 9:16 frame is essential.
6. What kinds of jobs are available in the vertical drama space?
There’s high demand for skilled “below-the-line” crew who can handle the rapid pace. The panel specifically pointed to strong opportunities for trained Script Supervisors, DITs (Digital Imaging Technicians), and Assistant Directors capable of managing the meticulous notes and quick turnarounds required for 70 to 90 micro-episodes. It’s a growing field well suited to adaptable creators.
7. What advice did the ReelShort team offer aspiring creators?
Their message was clear: adaptability is everything. Head of PR Rachel Bencosme, who came from a traditional background, described recognizing vertical drama as “the future,” blending the creator economy, social media shifts, and new innovation into one product. Creative Producer Annine Zhang stressed that success is “more about a mindset,” encouraging creators to stay open-minded, embrace every opportunity, and never stop networking.