You’ve probably seen the rise of vertical content — short, addictive videos designed to be watched on a phone. Producers are now looking for scripts written specifically for this format, so let’s break down what that actually means for you as a writer.

What Is a Vertical?

A vertical is a micro-drama: episodes are only 2–3 minutes long, but together they add up to a 30, 45, 60, or 90-minute story. Think of them as mini-series designed for scrolling, bingeing, and tapping "next."

• Format: 9:16 screen (like TikTok or Instagram Reels).
• Episodes: 2–3 minutes each, built on intrigue and cliffhangers.
• Season: Anywhere from 20 to 100+ episodes, depending on length.
• Style: Hook-driven, character-focused, and designed to keep you watching one bite-size piece after another.

Example: Imagine a rom-com in this space. Episode 1 might be a 90-second scene where a woman is late to work, rushes into an elevator, and meets a man holding her missing wallet. Just as they exchange a glance… door dings, he disappears. That’s your cliffhanger.

Why Producers Want Verticals

Platforms like ReelShort and DramaBox have exploded, racking up millions of views and drawing Hollywood investment. They thrive because:

• Audiences want fast entertainment: They scroll, they tap, they binge.
• Stories fit into daily life: You don’t need an hour, you just need 2 minutes.
• Cliffhangers sell episodes: Viewers often get a few free chapters before hitting a paywall. This means that strong writing in the first 2–3 episodes can literally drive sales.

Episodes aren’t random clips. They’re designed as mini-arcs (satisfying in themselves but always fueling the larger narrative fire).

How to Write a Vertical

1. Start Hot

The first five seconds matter most. Drop us into the middle of conflict or action. No slow set-ups.
Example: Instead of “It was a sunny day and Sarah was walking her dog,” try: Sarah’s phone buzzes. A text reads: “You have 10 minutes before everything blows up.”

2. One Beat per Episode

Each 2–3 minute episode should be pure intrigue, with a clear turn. By the end, something should flip, break, or be revealed.
Example: A man proposes in a restaurant. She hesitates… until her phone lights up with “DON’T TRUST HIM.” Episode ends.

3. Keep It Close

The vertical frame loves faces, hands, and intimacy. Two people arguing at a kitchen table works far better than a wide stadium shot.
Example: Think of a thriller where the entire season takes place in one apartment hallway. Every knock on the door changes the story.

4. End on a Button

Every episode should land with a cliffhanger or emotional punch that begs the next click.
Examples: 
- Revelation: “The baby isn’t yours.” 
- Reversal: Ally pulls a gun. 
- Deadline: The timer hits zero. 
- Intrusion: Lights flicker out.

5. Build a Simple Engine

Verticals don’t need sprawling worlds. They need one clear engine that can fuel 20–100 short episodes. That’s usually:

- A simple want (win custody, get the guy, hide a secret). 
- Fresh obstacles every episode (lawyer files motion, rival flirts, blackmail surfaces). 
- A ticking clock (trial date, wedding day, eviction notice). 
- An open question (“Who sent the text?”).

Example: In a revenge thriller, your protagonist wants justice for her sister. Every episode she uncovers a new clue, but every clue leads her deeper into danger. The “engine” is clear and repeatable.

Genres Producers Want Right Now

While verticals can work across many genres, some formats thrive especially well in this short, cliffhanger-driven style. Here are a few hot spots to consider:

• Dramas – Love triangles, family rivalries, identity struggles. 
  Example: A woman discovers her fiancé is secretly engaged to her sister. Every episode peels back another family betrayal. 
  
• Romantic Comedies – Awkward first dates, dating app disasters, unexpected love, holiday vibes. 
  Example: Two people keep swiping past each other on a dating app, only to realize they’re next-door neighbors.
  
• Thrillers & Crime – High-stakes mysteries, fast-paced investigations, ordinary people pulled into dangerous games. 
  Example: A teenager receives anonymous texts about a crime no one else knows happened. 
  
• Horror – Tense, claustrophobic stories work especially well in verticals. 
  Example: Every night at 3:07 a.m., a door in the house opens on its own. 
  
• Fantasy / Supernatural – Small, focused stories with a magical or paranormal hook.
  Example: A man discovers he can pause time for exactly 60 seconds each day—and someone else knows his secret. 
  
• Young Adult – High school and college settings naturally lend themselves to bite-sized drama. 
  Example: A group of teens start a fake relationship web to boost social status—until real feelings and real betrayals creep in.
  
  

Quick Checklist Before You Write

1. Is your total story length 30, 45, 60, or 90 minutes broken into 2–3 minute episodes?
2. Does each episode end on a cliffhanger or emotional punch?
3. Can each mini-arc satisfy the viewer while feeding the bigger story?
4. Are you keeping it tight (faces, hands, one or two characters at a time)?
5. Is your premise simple enough to repeat across 20+ short episodes?

Final Word

Verticals reward clarity, bold choices, and fast pacing. Think of each episode as a short, punchy scene that makes the viewer need to see what happens next. Write with that urgency, and you’ll be giving producers exactly what they’re asking for.

The opportunity here is huge: if you can craft stories that hook fast, burn hot, and leave us on the edge of our phones, you can thrive in this new space.

Thomas Blakeley is a screenwriter, playwright, and musical theatre bookwriter based out of Los Angeles and New York City. A graduate of The New School, he is passionate about the arts, social justice, and all things nerdy. He can usually be found scouring the horror section of a local bookstore.