Episode Details

This special in-person interview was recorded in Los Angeles during the LA Vertical Drama Market in May and is featured as part of the Short Drama Alliance 2026 Q2 Online Forum.

Wenwen speaks with Elizabeth Dell, a producer and consultant in vertical micro series who currently leads projects for Hoorae Media. Previously, as Head of Production at Inkitt, the parent company of CandyJarTV, Elizabeth oversaw more than 30 vertical productions. Her wider career spans independent films, digital series, technology, games, and audience-focused entertainment.

In this episode, they discuss:

• Why succeeding in microdrama requires an understanding of storytelling, production, technology, platforms, and monetization • How audience data can inform adaptations, identify memorable characters, and reveal which episodes viewers rewatch • Why vertical should be understood as a format rather than a genre • The difference between content that attracts new users and content that retains existing audiences • Elizabeth’s work on Hoorae Media’s Screen Time, distributed through TikTok and PineDrama • The importance of representation and reaching underserved audiences • How vertical storytelling could expand across genres, platforms, and established entertainment franchises

The conversation offers practical insights into how creators and companies can move beyond copying existing formulas and develop vertical content for new audiences and markets.

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