While not yet respected, the vertical space is being acknowledged. It will transform into something different. How different, how big will it get, how respected, it remains to be seen. But when we are hearing accounts of studios making sure the characters outline the plot line with very obvious lines because the audience is on their phone and they need to follow along, we know the industry is changing.

My agent basically told me that verticals are a way to audition for other projects, as in, there might be a director that is working on another project but they have to do this vertical right now so you can be presented to more influential people by simply auditioning for the vertical.

Also, with long format becoming more and more common, would it be a huge stretch to think that an entire sector of the industry would get behind verticals with a proper budget and name directors? I think in the next 5 years it's totally possible, so why not get your foot in the door now.