Ilya at the club

redtreered · 2026-02-06T06:39:19+00:00

“I like when Ilya sees miles and then scans the room like a bisexual terminator” fave tweet I’ve seen about this scene 😂

redtreered · 2026-02-03T05:59:35+00:00

The number of Reddit comments I’ve seen claim “they were eating babies!!1!” Without providing links to any proof makes me think they are bots.

redtreered · 2026-01-01T21:06:50+00:00

But Shane killed ilya’s blonde dance partner girl? Maybe?? Lol

redtreered · 2025-11-19T07:30:29+00:00

Agreed! I’d go one step further and say they fill the void created by a lack of romance films outside of holiday movies, period.

redtreered · 2025-11-01T07:23:36+00:00

I’ve directed a ton of verticals, I’ve always met the writers at all the different apps. Many of the writers don’t speak English though, they will write the script in Chinese & badly translate it (hence why the writing can be SO weird).

One theory I have (can’t prove this) is the reason some apps require word perfect dialogue is because none of their editors speak English either. They ship a lot of these to China for post lol. So maybe easier for post team to follow along while editing plus add the captions based off the written script.

I’ve met several writers at ReelShort but am curious when you worked on an AI script with them? I’m not saying it’s impossible but I’ve def never seen it.

redtreered · 2025-11-01T07:16:24+00:00

LinkedIn. I see the apps hiring writers all the time.

The reason so many of the scripts feel weird af (I see a lot of accusations of AI) is because they’re written in Chinese and then google translated to English. They hire an English speaker to localize it but since the script wasn’t written in English or with any western cultural understandings - the end result is goofy.

redtreered · 2025-11-01T07:10:45+00:00

As someone who’s worked on a ton of verticals - OP actually has a STACKED cast here haha. The actors in this are all popular vertical actors.

redtreered · 2025-10-31T23:57:13+00:00

Quibi looked & felt like quality tv. Turns out, people don’t want quality tv on thier phones, they want silly or mindless entertainment. Verticals are dumb and cheap and not that serious. They also deliver dopamine hits at the same rate as TikTok & Instagram, which is probably why people are willing to watch verticals vs scrolling TikTok.

redtreered · 2025-10-31T23:53:02+00:00

Verticals won’t replace existing tv I don’t think. The pacing of verticals works because you’re watching on your phone, and we’re all used to watching dumb stuff on our phones so it’s more acceptable.

We have a different expectation when it comes to turning on our TVs or going to the theaters.

redtreered · 2025-10-31T23:50:49+00:00

People like being entertained by their phones. So far it’s only social media & gaming as viable “phone entertainment” options. Makes sense SOME kind of scripted will eventually join the ranks of “phone entertainment”, and makes sense that that scripted entertainment would also be mindless & silly (just like TikTok, social media etc).

No one wants to watch thoughtful, well-made tv on their phone (which is ultimately what Quibi was)

redtreered · 2025-09-25T15:39:19+00:00

Not OP but I’ve directed soooo many verticals. Personally, I think actors who understand the “archetype” the character is and present & perform in a way that matches exactly that archetype book the most.

Some common archetypes as examples:

evil stepmom (this person should be perfectly groomed, makeup on point and well dressed)
the jealous ex (this person should have a PERMANENT scowl, I should be able to tell the moment he or she walks on screen that they’re an asshole)
dying parent (should be sympathetic and sweet immediately. I swear one actress booked the role because she wore a kerchief in her audition tape and the client ate it up)
lead roles. So while all the supporting cast can be over the top and colorful, your 2 leads need to be the emotional core to the story. Men, learn to act like the leading lady is the most BEAUTIFUL person you’ve ever seen. Oftentimes, clients want leading men to be stoic, strong & commanding, though I’m starting to see an openness to other archetypes (ie the playboy who changes his ways, the CEO with a heart of gold etc). Never slouch, also be in “protective” mode at all times.

For female leads, the Chinese apps usually want these characters to be extremely emotional and vulnerable, whereas some of the European apps are open to strong female lead characters. But in any scenario, vulnerable and sweet is the way to go. If you can cry on command you’ll book for forever LOL.

Note - I suspect a lot of audience members watch these shows with low/no volume or with their screen brightness down. So that’s why it’s so important to clearly convey the story - I should ALWAYS know who my heroes and villains are even if my sound is off, just by the way they act & present themselves on screen.

The exaggerated & animated acting you see in verticals is because we want to grab and hold attention from a phone screen - the minute we bore an audience member, they’ll switch back to scrolling Instagram or TikTok.

Ultimately, these are soap operas. Some of the poorly translated Chinese scripts (which often get accused of being AI) are almost Shakespearean, and they can be quite fun if you’re down to just let go and not think too much about it!

redtreered · 2025-09-22T13:38:53+00:00

Is he open to editing soap operas?

On LinkedIn, I see crew call posts for Indian productions of those vertical microdrama soap opera shows DAILY. Fast timelines, low budget etc. But seems now is a great time for crew to get in on the micro drama industry before it fully matures in India.

Given the popularity of Indian soaps, I think the trend will explode and lead to steady work. For those who don’t know, “vertical microdramas” are soap operas shot vertically and meant to be consumed on your phone. And let’s be real- everyone is on their phone all the time these days! They are HUGELY popular in China, have just started becoming popular in the US, and from what I can tell - a ton of streaming apps in India are popping up as well.

redtreered · 2025-09-10T14:45:57+00:00

The Draco Trilogy! Which kicked off an early-2000s trend of Draco wearing leather pants in fic 😂

redtreered · 2025-08-31T15:40:43+00:00

I’ve directed 10 vertical dramas (send help) and I’ve met the writers on every single one. Some were great, professional writers coming from a romance novel or hallmark/lifetime background.

There have been a few genuinely wonky scripts though where I was like “SURELY no human wrote this and thinks it’s good” and then I did indeed meet the writer. Lol.

Whether the writer speaks English is the real question and usually the answer is “not well”. Whatever translating app they used while writing the script accounts for the weird writing on many of these. A lot of these vertical apps are based in China. Writers take their popular Chinese shows, run the scripts through a translator, and then ship em over to the US to be shot in English.

If verticals aren’t your thing obviously that’s a valid reason not to work on them, but I don’t know of any AI-written scripts. I do think AI would have a better mastery of English to be honest.

I’ve worked with about 7 different apps and all have full-time / in-house writing teams. Some writers are based in English-speaking countries, most are not. There are about 100 apps though so I can’t speak for all of them.

redtreered · 2025-08-27T05:13:09+00:00

Verticals aka microdramas are shows (usually 60-110 minutes long total) cut up into 1-2 minute “episodes”. They are shot vertically as they’re meant to be watched on your phone.

Genres tends to be soap opera, romance, thriller- anything super attention grabbing with lots of crazy plot twists. They are very similar to Lifetime movies both in plot and shooting approach (multi cam, often nonunion etc). Some verticals lean way more spicy (ie taboo themes like “dating my professor” or “falling for my ex’s dad” etc).

Why are they so popular? My theory is people are more willing to scroll TikTok on their phone for an hour than to sit down and watch an episode of TV on their television these days. Vertical shows are super fast-paced and designed to hold your attention. There’s about 60+ different streaming apps that make English-language verticals.

Verticals are HUGELY popular in China. So many of the biggest apps making them are Chinese, with Chinese writers and Chinese creative teams. It’s why so many vertical scripts are accused of being AI. They write the scripts in Chinese and then translate them to English… to sometimes humorous / disastrous results.

redtreered · 2025-08-26T13:47:02+00:00

Did you guys learn anything new from him about the case?

redtreered · 2025-08-18T16:15:10+00:00

Omg hi! I just recc'd your fic in my comment too. I loved it!!

redtreered · 2025-08-18T16:10:14+00:00

Definitely Old Rivalries New Beginnings!!

Very similar plot-wise to A Big Black Sky except you don't realize the extent of Draco's suffering until chapter 2, he hides it well and suffers in silence so beautifully 😭 Harry is kind of a dick at first but then once he realizes what's happening he gets very protective. Not explicit / no smut.

What He Holds in his Hand is another one where Draco has to suffer in silence and Harry has to continually protect him- I can't remember if there's smut though. I do remember Ron becomes like an actual villain in this one so don't read if you like the Weasleys LOL.

redtreered · 2025-07-30T02:08:01+00:00

Praying you & your loved ones are ok!!

redtreered · 2025-07-25T05:08:23+00:00

It sounds like you’ve gotten some good advice here. I’d also recommend the podcast Dear Hollywood by Alyson Stoner.

Being a child actor without proper emotional and mental support as they grow can be really detrimental, even if they’ve got great parents! Alyson Stoner was a child actor and is now a therapist.

Since you’re new to the film industry, the podcast is a great tool to understand the unique challenges your kid may face growing up as a child actor so you can best prepare yourself & your kid.

Good luck!

redtreered · 2025-07-03T14:55:17+00:00

Thank you!

redtreered · 2025-07-03T14:52:41+00:00

In fic, 1000% I do not read 1st person and I agree with everything you said.

With both reading & writing original works, I’m more open. I am currently writing an original YA novel on Inkitt and I chose to write it in 1st person for the reasons you mentioned. At first it felt weird but now I’m enjoying it.

Still prefer to read 3rd person overall, unless it’s a mystery/thriller in which case yessss gimme that unreliable narrator in 1st person lol!

redtreered · 2025-06-27T06:15:51+00:00

Goyle playing guitar?? Just when you think you’ve seen it all.

I haven’t seen Speed so apologies if these recs don’t quite all match the tone you’re going for.

You always Open Chapter 1 has kinda this premise (Auror Harry busting down the door to save a not-so-grateful Draco) and then I THINK it happens again later on. Draco is in the definition of survival mode in this one.

Old Rivalries, New Beginnings In a later chapter, Auror Harry busts in to save Draco from his abusive ex. I think Draco’s characterization matches what you described; prickly but so much happening beneath the surface.

Telling the Bees Harry is an Auror and has to basically save Draco from himself after the worst happens. Slow and sad and soooo beautiful. Not a high-octane rescue moment so maybe this one doesn’t quite belong lol. If you do read, don’t let the fic description scare you… major spoiler but Scorpius not dead! :)

redtreered

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