Vertical dramas are no longer an experiment — they’re becoming a real business.

In this episode of Next TMT Talks, hosts David Bloom and Daniel Frankel sit down with Dana Posyschak, a writer, director, producer, and founder of the LA Vertical Drama Market, to break down why short, vertical storytelling is exploding across Hollywood.

From low-cost production to new monetization models, this conversation explores how vertical dramas are reshaping content creation, talent pipelines, and studio strategy — and why this moment feels like a gold rush.

Topics covered:

• Why vertical dramas are gaining traction in Hollywood

• How this market differs from Quibi — and why it’s working

• Monetization models: subscriptions, coins, and in-app purchases

• SAG-AFTRA’s new contract for low-budget vertical productions

• How creators use verticals as a testing ground for IP

• Budget realities, crew sizes, and production economics

• The influence of Chinese vertical drama models vs. U.S. filmmaking

• What comes next for studios, apps, and independent creators

Next TMT Talks delivers smart conversations at the intersection of media, technology, telecom, and entertainment economics.

👉 Subscribe for more industry analysis
📰 Get the free newsletter at nexttmt.com

00:00 The Rise of Vertical Dramas

02:32 Monetization and Market Dynamics

05:01 Cultural Differences in Content Creation

07:54 The Evolution of Vertical Dramas

10:24 Production Insights and Budgeting

12:39 The Future of Vertical Dramas

15:02 Industry Reactions and Cultural Commentary

22:53 Global Expansion of Sports and Entertainment

25:48 Market Dynamics and Antitrust Issues

28:03 The Murdoch Media Empire

33:44 Disney's Strategic Moves in Gaming

39:23 Challenges in the Data Center Market

44:39 Skepticism Towards Elon Musk's Ambitions

Short-form video, AI, and live sports are colliding — and the streaming business is being reshaped in real time.

In this episode of Next TMT Talks, hosts David Bloom and Daniel Frankel are joined by Paul Pastor, executive at Quickplay, to break down how shorts, micro-dramas, and AI-driven content tools are transforming media, marketing, and monetization.

The conversation covers:

• Why short-form and micro-dramas are exploding globally

• How AI metadata, discovery, and social clipping are changing content strategy

• What the Super Bowl + Olympics convergence signals for advertisers and streamers

• The real economics behind Peacock, Charter, Comcast, and bundled distribution

• How creators are becoming the next IP pipeline for studios

• Sundance’s move from Park City — and what it says about festivals, brands, and scale

Paul Pastor explains how AI-powered workflows are helping streamers and studios identify high-impact moments, publish faster across platforms, and compete in the attention economy.

Next TMT Talks delivers smart, insider conversations at the intersection of media, technology, telecom, streaming, and advertising — built for executives, investors, and decision-makers.

🎧 Subscribe for weekly episodes
📰 Read the newsletter: nexttmt.com

00:00 Introduction to Quick Play and the Entertainment Landscape

02:54 The Rise of Short Form Content

05:47 AI's Role in Content Creation and Distribution

08:29 Navigating the Super Bowl Olympics and Branding Trends

11:23 The State of Streaming Services and Market Dynamics

16:54 Sundance's Last Run and Future of Film Festivals

23:49 Exploring Park City and Boulder: A Cultural Shift

26:30 The Future of Sundance: Growth and Accessibility

27:37 Pay TV's Resurgence: Bundling Strategies and Consumer Experience

30:13 Miami's Boom Town Energy: A New Media Hub

36:43 The Role of AI in Content Creation: Innovations and Challenges

41:33 Closing Thoughts: The Future of Media and Community Engagement

Next TMT is a weekly podcast covering streaming, media, technology, and telecom. Hosted by Daniel Frankel and David Bloom, the show delivers executive-level analysis on the business strategies shaping the global media landscape.

Topics include:
Streaming platforms & monetization • Media M&A and antitrust • Advertising and ad tech • Telecom and broadband • AI, data centers, and energy demand • Sports media • FAST channels • Wall Street vs. Hollywood

Featuring sharp commentary and interviews with industry leaders, Next TMT is built for executives, investors, and decision-makers navigating the future of media and tech.

Subscribe for concise insights on where media, technology, and telecom collide.

00:00 Introduction to Streaming Conversations

02:18 The State of Streaming Ratings

05:01 The Impact of Major Films on Streaming

07:59 The James Bond Franchise and Its Future

10:20 Live Events in Streaming

13:13 Comparing Streaming Platforms

15:37 The Future of Television Series

18:26 Conclusion and Wrap-Up