Making the First Action Vertical: How Kasey Esser is Pioneering His Own IP for Vertical MicroDramas
GateCrashers Podcast
What happens when you take action storytelling vertical?
In this episode of Gatecrashers, we sit down with vertical star and producer Kasey Esser just days after wrapping Love Under Fire- one of the first independent action microdramas built specifically for the vertical screen.
We dive into what it really takes to produce large-scale action in a format originally dominated by romance. We touch on never-before-seen stunts in vertical storytelling, the creative and technical challenges of shooting action on green screen, and how pacing, framing, and choreography change when the screen is flipped 90 degrees.
But this episode isn’t just about stunts, Kasey breaks down:
-Financing and producing an independent vertical series
-Multi-country, multi-app distribution strategy
-The licensing vs backend gamble
-Why marketing spend is the real gatekeeper
-And his bold stance on performance expectations
We also explore what it means to own your IP in the vertical space- and why creators who move now may shape the future of this rapidly expanding frontier.
IS vertical just a trend? Or the next evolution of independent filmmaking?
This episode is about risk, ownership, discipline, and building something before the industry gives you permission.
Kasey's Links:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kaseyesser
IMDB: https://m.imdb.com/name/nm6820472/
Lover Under Fire Trailer:
Making of a vertical drama series:
🌐 Connect
🎬 Production: @foxandsiren.productions
📸 Makayla: @iammakaylamcintosh
📸 Cat: @catyudaintea
📰 Makayla’s Substack:
📰 Cat’s Substack:
📩 Email: foxandsirenproductions@gmail.com
GateCrashers Podcast theme by the incomparable Derek Graham Sound //
Website: http://Dgsound.net Instagram: instagram.com/dgrahamsound
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